Money for Maha Mandaleshwar title
Panel of saints to probe charge against Radhe Maa
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 3
Juna Akhada, which bestowed the title of Maha Mandaleshwar on saint Radhe Maa, today announced an 11-member committee to probe the allegation levelled against her in the media that she had offered crores of rupees for getting the Maha Mandaleshwar title.

Talking to TNS, national general secretary of Juna Akhada Hari Giri Maharaj said a high-level committee of saints would submit a report in this matter and if any violation of religious norms was found, then Radhe Maa could be stripped of the Maha Mandaleshwar title.

The committee led by Shri Mahant of Juna Akhada Uma Shankar Giri Maharaj will be submitting its report within 3 months. A major section of this committee hails from the home region of Radhe Maa so as to get more insight into her life and religious-spiritual aspect.

When questioned why didn't Juna Akhada take such a step before giving her the Maha Mandaleshwar title, Hari Giri evaded the question replying that they had performed the ritual after analysing every related aspect.

He also accused the media of levelling false charges against Maa Radhe on offering crores of rupees to get the Maha Mandaleshwar title.

Meanwhile, resentment is being seen from the saint community as well as civil society over the secret ritual of the Maha Mandaleshwar title to Radhe Maa.

National spokesperson of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad and Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti Baba Hatyogi said akhadas should act in a dignified manner. Baba Hatyogi though termed the Radhe Maa episode as a personal affair of Juna Akhada but suggested that any saint being accorded any religious title should be done transparently with detailed investigation into his or her personal life so that religious sentiments were not hurt.

While, Chetan Jyoti Ashram religious head Rishi Rishwaranand Maharaj said Hindu religious feelings had been hurt with the Juna Akhada's veiled act, giving a wrong message to the society as well as other religions.

He added that Juna Akhada as well as Radhe Maa should come out in open to explain the reason behind the secret, sudden and suspected ritual ceremony which otherwise was usually done in a grand manner. Former Uttarakhand Women Commission chairperson Dr Santosh Chauhan too termed the act as suspicious, suggesting immediate explanation from both sides as Maha Mandaleshwar was no ordinary post with deep religious faith attached to it.

Take up power project issue strongly at Aug 8 meeting, CM urged
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 3
Awdhash Kaushal, chairperson of the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a voluntary group advocating reopening of all stalled hydropower projects in the state, has requested Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna to take up the issue in a forceful manner with the Centre on August 8.

In a letter, Kaushal also threatened to surrender his Padma Shri award on August 15, if the state government would not do anything on power situation in the state. Earlier, Bahuguna had requested Kaushal and Leeladhar Jagudi, not to surrender their awards on the issue.

He said the entire northern India, including Delhi, faced hardships due to shortage of power and resultant shortage of water. The overdrawal of power by the northern states led to the grid failure and the Centre had reportedly imposed a fine on Uttarakhand also for overdrawal of power.

"Instead of finding a lasting solution to power shortages, former Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has suggested to all state government to increase the electricity rate every six months which will be recovered from poor citizens," he said.

Kaushal said it was shocking that instead of suggestion on improving the power supply and production, the state government as well as the Union Government bent upon harassing the poor citizens. Both Central and state government had forgotten to fulfil their mission to provide electricity to each household by 2012, he said.

He said work on Palamaneri (480MW) and Bhairoghati (381MW) hydro power projects, fully owned by the state government, were stalled by the then Chief Minister of Uttarakhand B C Khanduri.

Similarly, the Loharinag Pala (600 MW) project which is owned by the Central Government was also stopped. All these three were only tunnel-based and run-off river type projects.

He said ignoring the high court and Supreme Court orders on the issue, the Central Government and the state government had failed to start these projects affecting the future of the coming generations and stalling economic progress of the country just to please a few people who are opposed to such projects.

"The projects are the cheapest and most eco-friendly sources of green energy in the world," he added.

He also reminded Sonia Gandhi, Congress president, of her assurance given at the time of the state elections in Uttarkashi that "if the Congress comes to power in Uttarakhand, all hydropower projects will be restarted with immediate effect".

Kaushal said Vijay Bahuguna seemed helpless. He demanded that Bahuguna should put up the case of reopening of all hydropower projects strongly in the meeting on August 8 called by the Central Government. He should ask the Prime Minister either to dispense with the National Ganga Basin River Authority or see that it is reconstituted for a balanced approach.

Need to have trauma centres on highways

Dehradun, August 3
Once again, the absence of a trauma centre on the way to Chakrata was acutely felt as the authorities began referring grievously injured passengers to understaffed Primary Health Centre at Tyuni.

Medical experts have been underlying the need for having well-equipped trauma centre on the Char Dham routes and Chakrata where the maximum number of accidents occurs.

A trauma centre, strategically located on the highway, could have been of immense help, especially a lower-level trauma centre that can provide care as stabilisation is crucial for patients suffering traumatic injury. After announcing the construction of 16 trauma centres, the Uttarakhand Government has been unable to pursue the matter with vigour. A trauma centre is a hospital to provide comprehensive emergency medical service to patients suffering traumatic injuries.

"Trauma centres should be in a running condition and strategically located on highways where chances of accidents are high. Usually delay in providing medical care to patients proves costly. Though hospitals are equipped to handle emergency and accidental cases, precious time is lost in ferrying the patients," said Dr BC Pathak, Principal Superintendent, Doon Hospital.

Even though 15 patients were brought to Doon Hospital from Chakrata, in the absence of a neuro surgeon, at least two patients were referred to private hospitals.

Besides, lower-level trauma centres are required between Dehradun and Mussoorie, Dehradun and Haridwar and Dehradun and Chakrata. — TNS

Munsiyari, Dharchula cut off
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, August 3
Bridges on various rivulets were washed away due to heavy rain in Munsiyari and Dharchula subdivisions last night, making travel to these border areas difficult, officials of the Disaster Management Department said.

The Byans and Darma valleys in Dharchula subdivision were more affected as a newly constructed bridge on a rivulet near Rongkong was washed away in the rain on Wednesday. “The Tawaghat-Garvadhar road was closed to traffic for the third time in a week after heavy boulders fell on it, restricting the movement of villagers of the Vyans valley,” said RS Rana, Disaster Management Officer of Pithoragarh.

“Many vehicles have been stranded on the Pithoragarh-Ogla road, which is full of slush and mud due to heavy rain and widening work being carried out by the BRO personnel. It has become difficult to travel on the road,” said Rana.

Munsiyari has remained cut off from the rest of the district for the last 15 days as the Pithoragarh-Munsiyari road, which was damaged on the Hararia nullah due to heavy rain, could not be repaired. The closure of the road has made commuting difficult for villagers of Munsiyari subdivision. “Most of the villages in the Malla Johar area are also cut off from Munsiyari town as bridges on local rivulets that connect the markets of Madkot and Jhapuli have been washed,” said Devendra Singh Deva, gram pradhan of a village in Munsiyari.

Tanakpur and Banbasa areas in the Sharda river basin have been submerged in rainwater and the administration had to evacuate people from the Sharda Ghat area. “The water level in the Banbasa barrage was 95,000 cubic metres per second today, which was just 5,000 cusecs below the danger mark,” said an officer at the Banbasa barrage.

Meanwhile, the authorities at the Dharchula base camp have cautioned the 11th batch of pilgrims of Kailash Mansarowar about the difficult conditions on the yatra route. “ITBP and KMVN officials have told us to take extra care on the yatra route, especially between Bundi and Gunji camps and the Sirkha to Gala route,” said Ravi Ramchandran, liaison officer for the 47-member 11th batch of pilgrims.

August 9 stir will be as per schedule: Ramdev
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 3
Yoga guru Ramdev today made it clear that his anti-blackmoney agitation beginning from August 9 will be staged as per schedule. However, he didn’t comment on Team Anna’s decision to end fast on Friday and said until he held talks with Anna Hazare, he could not say anything.

Ramdev claimed that lakhs of people had already registered themselves to be part of the agitation at Ramleela Grounds.

To a question with regard to a joint agitation proposal with Team Anna as was declared by him four days ago in Haridwar, the yoga guru said all depends upon the talks with Anna Hazare, which would be held before the agitation.

“Be it Anna Hazare or me, our focus is to work for the interest of the country. People are with us. The time has come to bring in change in the establishment. I urge people to participate in the August 9 agitation in a large number,” said Ramdev, after attending a forum on ayurveda at Patanjali Yogpeeth, 16 km from Haridwar, today.

Ramdev also made it clear that: “Be it Centre’s emissary or any other mediator, all will have to talk with him openly on the dais only.”

This is being seen as a lesson from Ramdev’s past agitation in Delhi on June 2 last year when four Cabinet Ministers, including the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, held talks with him at the New Delhi airport and persuaded him into calling off the agitation.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has termed Swami Ramdev’s fear of giving poison to his aide Balakrishan in the jail baseless.

Parents booked for throwing girl into Ganga canal
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 3
A 13-year-old girl has lodged an FIR against her parents for allegedly throwing her into the Ganga canal in Haridwar. But she swam to safety, the police said today. Seema Kumari stated in her complaint against her father and step-mother on Thursday that they threw her into the Ganga canal on Wednesday night.

The girl, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, said she was brought by her parents to Haridwar on the pretext of celebrating festival of Raksha Bandhan.

However, when they were near the canal, they threw her into it and presuming she was dead, they left for home.

Seema Kumari swam to safety and spent the night in a cottage of a sadhu. In the morning, the sadhu accompanied her to the nearest police station where she narrated the whole incident to the official present.

The police has lodged a case of attempt to murder and started a hunt to track the parents. Superintendent of Police of Haridwar Dr Kiran Lal Shaw said the police was investigating the matter and would soon arrest the absconding parents of the teenager.

Power crisis worsens in state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 3
The power crisis in the state has worsened since the failure of the northern grid on July 30 as the overdrawing of power from the grid has been banned. It is now becoming difficult for the Power Department to meet the power demand in the state.

The power cuts are being imposed at least for five hours throughout the state with industries subjected to even 8-10 hours power cuts. As per the official release of Uttrakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), even the industries in continuous category which pay extra to get 24-hour power supply, it is being snapped for at least four hours.

The situation is not likely to improve soon.

It was on Thursday night when both hydropower projects, Maneri Bhali-I and II had to be closed due to high deposition of silt in the river. The projects could be resumed this afternoon. The closure led to loss of 250 Mega Watt.

Deputy General Manager and in charge of State Dispatch Load Centre Rajiv Gupta said the strict instructions had been issued by the Northern Region Load Dispatch Centre against drawing energy from the grid.

The states had been served with the warning that if anyone was found making attempt to overdraw, complaint would be made to the Power Ministry against them. 

School told to dismantle embankment over nullah

Dehradun, August 3
The Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has ordered Sidharth Public School at Rajiv Vihar here to dismantle a cemented embankment over the nullah near the school.

Additional Mukhya Nagar Adhikari, DMC, Sadia Alam Khan said the school authority reasoned that the embankment had been built so that small children did not fall into the nullah while passing over it. She added though the reasoning of the school was logical, the embankment could face opposition from residents of the locality.

The nullah without an embankment would be dangerous for schoolchildren who pass over it everyday. But the way the embankment had been built, it had become difficult to clean the nullah. This is why the local residents were opposing it, she said.

The matter was raised in an RTI application. The DMC was directed to dismantle the embankment. Khan, however, sent a letter to the school questioning it whether it had the permission to construct the embankment. She was also thinking of a better option to cover the nullah that ensured safety of schoolchildren and gave enough room to clean it.

Khan has been entrusted with the task of handling property-related disputes and encroachment-related issues. Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Ashok Kumar has directed her to take up the issues and follow up action on her own. — TNS

Women cell chief meets Qureshi

Dehradun, August 3
Prabha Kiran, president of India’s Women Cell of the International Human Rights Association, met Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhawan here today.

Prabha informed the Governor that the association worked for creating awareness among women about their rights. She requested him for support from the state to enable the association to provide its services in Uttarakhand. — TNS

Pune blasts: Security beefed up in Mussoorie

Mussoorie, August 3
Security has been beefed up at all government and non-government installations of national importance in Mussoorie in the wake of bomb blasts in Pune. According to sources, security has been stepped up at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration near the Happy valley, both wings of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Survey of India office at Landour Bazaar and a defence installation in the Landour Cantt Board area near Sisters Bazaar.

A mock fire drill was also held at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy around 4 pm in which Chief Fire Officer Chandan Singh Jeena and other staff of the department demonstrated ways to control fire and prevent losses. Security has also been strengthened at famous school Woodstock on the Mussoorie-Tehri road, which is run by an American trust. — OC

Sports meet for special children
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 3
For the first time, an Open Sports Meet for physically and mentally challenged children was held today at Cheshire Home here in which 90 children participated in different events. The gold medal was won by Punit of Cheshire Home in the rolling ball event while the silver medal was won by Komal in the wheel chair event. Komaya won the silver medal in rolling ball event. Harjit bagged the bronze medal in rolling ball.

The participants tested their mettle in the wheel chair race, rolling ball, balancing race and balloon bursting events. The events were organised by the Sanjha Welfare Society.

The prizes were distributed by Mohini Negi, health head of Sanjha Welfare Society. And a lunch was also held for the participants.

Peace more worthy than pleasures: Saint
Tribune News Service

Swami Achalanand Giri Maharaj

Haridwar, August 3
With Anna Hazare and Swami Ramdev raising corruption issue, revered spiritual guru Swami Achalanand Giri has asked people to observe good conduct in one's life as it's the people only who are responsible for corruption.

Swami Achalanand Giri Maharaj was speaking at a function organised at Bhoopatwala in memory of Brahmleen Shri 1008 Swami Turiyanand ji Maharaj.

Swami Achalanand asked people for following the path as prescribed by Swami Turiyananandji Maharaj.

He said inner peace was more worthy than pleasures, as the pleasures were for time being while peace of mind was immortal and precious.

Among others present were Swami Turiyanand panel trustees Vijay Khanna, Bihari Lal Dhamija, Prakash Arora, Umesh Malhotra, Mahendra Pal Dhal and Subash Malhotra.

Notorious poacher Bavaria arrested in Gurgaon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 3
Poacher Bhima Bavaria arrest is likely to come as a big respite for the Uttarakhand forest authorities even as efforts are being undertaken to bring Bavaria to Haridwar.

Notorious poacher Bavaria was arrested in Gurgaon yesterday and body parts of tiger were seized from his possession. Bavaria was looking for potential customer before he was arrested by the local police with the assistance of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and subsequently sent to judicial custody.

Uttarakhand is keen to take the poacher on remand as he is allegedly found to be involved in number of poaching incidents in the state. Bavaria has been active in the Haridwar and Kotdwar areas of Uttarakhand and the adjoining Najeebabad area of Uttar Pradesh.

Former Uttarakhand Forest and Environment Committee chairman Anil Baluni disclosed that Bavaria had been involved in a number of poaching cases in the state and the authorities had failed to nab him. He also stressed on sincere efforts to save tigers and elephants in the state.

44 students participate in eco tour at Chila
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 3
The CMS Vatavaran organised an eco tour at Chila, Rajaji National Park, here today. A group of 44 members, including 38 students from various Dehradun educational institutes, participated in the event.

Deputy Director, Rajaji National Park, Shravan Kumar explained the importance of the nature to the students and briefed them about day-to-day activities of the staff of Rajaji National Park.

The students were divided into small groups and provided with five nature guides, who gave them information on biodiversity.

The students seemed enthralled by the entire eco-tour experience. They also planted saplings of different species such as baheda, harad, shisham, arjun and ber.

Meanwhile, the CMS Vatavaran screened films at Jaswant Modern Senior Secondary School, Welham Girls School, Asian School, Central Academy For State Forest Service and the ONGC. Later, an open forum was also organised.

The closing ceremony of the film festival and forum will be held at District Jail, Dehradun, tomorrow.

According to Avinash Ujjwal of CMS Vatavaran, unlike most screenings, the hosting of a green film screening at such an unusual place is going to be experimented for the first time in District Jail of Uttarakhand.

The film screening shall be conducted through two slots — 4:30 to 5:30 pm and 5:30 to 6:30 pm. More than 500 inmates will watch the film.

Annual music, dance contest today
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, August 3
Students from more than 20 schools across the country are participating in Milestone, an annual music and dance contest, beginning in Mussoorie tomorrow. The event is being hosted by St George’s School.

St George's Principal Bro Christopher received some members of the participating teams today. The rest of the teams will be arriving tomorrow morning.

According to Bro Christopher, the cultural extravaganza was first organised in 2000 to provide a platform where schools from across the country could participate in a friendly competition and display their talent.

The event will be held in various categories such as quiz, ad-bag, music (Indian and western solo and group) and choreography.

Bobby Cash, renowned music singer from Uttarakhand, will be the chief guest. The event will start at 9.00 am and conclude at 8.00 pm.