Almora MLA begins fast against his own govt
Demands appointment of doctors in district hospitals
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 26
In a clear indication of factionalism in the Congress, party MLA from Almora Manoj Tiwari launched an indefinite fast in front of the Almora District Magistrate's office, demanding the appointment of a sufficient number of doctors in district hospitals.

The Almora MLA, who belong to the Harish Rawat camp, continued with his fast despite an assurance letter by Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi in the morning which stated that doctors would be appointed soon and no doctor would be transferred from any hospital.

"I want the assurances to be fulfilled. Being the representative of Almora people, it is my duty to fight for their cause," said Tiwari, while talking to mediapersons before launching the fast.

Party MLA from Pithoragarh Mayukh Mahar, Hemesh Kharkwal from Champawat, Lalit Pharswan from Kaplot and Anand Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand Youth Congress president and son of Union Minister of Agriculture, Food Processing and Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat were also present.

Earlier in the morning, Negi sent Director-General, Health, CP Arya, to Almora to talk to the MLA, but he refused to call off his agitation stating that he would only leave the venue when doctors would be appointed.

"The minister has assured that doctors will not be transferred from the district. A paediatric surgeon and anaesthetist have been ordered to join Almora Base Hospital," said the DG (Health), who reached Almora today with a letter from the Health Minister.

Jan Sena chief, supporters join Cong
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 26
Uttarakhand Congress president Yashpal Arya today said the Congress was the only party capable of taking both Uttarakhand and the country on road to development.

Arya was addressing a gathering at a function held in Dehradun to induct Uttarakhand Jan Sena president Amit Jain and his supporters into the Congress.

Uttarakhand Congress president Yashpal Arya said the party was committed to development and always worked for the betterment of the common man.

Welcoming Uttarakhand Jan Sena president Amit Jain into the party fold, Arya said the Congress will get strength from the Jan Sena president joining the party. He asked Amit Jain and his supporters to publicise good works being done by the Vijay Bahuguna government in the state.

Taking a dig at the BJP, Arya said the BJP must give some time to the Congress to perform in Uttarakhand. He reminded that the earlier BJP government in the state had failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people and, thus, was unseated from power in the Assembly elections.

Uttarakhand Congress vice president Suryakant Dhasmana said the Congress government in Uttarakhand was ensuring all-round development of the state. He said the party would emerge stronger after the induction of Amit Jain into the Congress.

Rajpur MLA Raj Kumar said the youth of Uttarakhand in particular was joining the Congress in a big way, which was a welcome development for the party. Former Congress MLA Kedar Singh Rawat and local councillor Jagdish Dhiman were prominent presents on the occasion.

SSP tells youth to take part in environmental causes
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 26
Emphasising on the need of environmental awareness among younger generation, Uttarakhand's youngest SSP Arun Mohan Joshi urged the youth to take part in socio-environmental causes, too.

Arun Mohan Joshi was speaking at a plantation drive organised jointly by Shri Panchayati Udasin Akhada and social organisation Jan Adhikar Abhiyan here at Rajghat-Sati Dweep.

He termed plantation of ayurvedic trees essential for cleaning and purifying of environment like 'Sapt Parni,' which he himself planted adjacent to Ganga canal.

Mahant Rajendra Das Maharaj of Shri Udasin Panchayati Akhada said that planting of saplings and cleaning environment is also in itself a meditation, which, in this rapid urbanisation era, has assumed more significance.

The revered spiritual guru pointed out that while trees in thousands were being cut to pave way for developmental works, the process of planting similar or even half of such trees needs to be implemented; otherwise, impact of global warming and environmental degradation will be dreadful in the coming days.

Haridwar Development Authority floriculture inspector Kameshwar Rathi monitored the planting of 51 saplings in the initial phase today.

Jan Adhikar Abhiyan office bearers Sunil Dutt Pandey and Manoj Khanna said that more such drives will be initiated in the coming time with open land adjacent to Ganga river, and the Ganga canal needs to be covered with greenery.

Among others who coordinated in the planting drive were Mahant Mohan Das Maharaj, Jayendra Muni, Damodar Das, Brahma Muni, Damodar Sharan, Mahesh Chandra Joshi, Uday Ram Semwal and Dinesh Sharma.

Cong ticket sought for Manorama

Dehradun, August 26
The Uttarakhand Democratic Campaign has appealed to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to allot Congress ticket to former Dehradun Mayor Manorama Dobriyal Sharma for the Tehri Parliamentary byelection in Uttarakhand.

Approving a proposal in this regard at its meeting in Dehradun recently, the Uttarakhand Democratic Campaign office-bearers, led by Kuldeep Prasad, said they would be dispatching 2,000 postcards to Sonia Gandhi and Uttarakhand Congress in charge Birender Singh with messages in support of Manorama’s candidature for the byelection. — TNS

2 held with animal parts

Dehradun, August 26
Two persons along with musk pod and a bear's gall bladder was arrested in Dehradun today.

In a joint operation of the Uttarakhand Police Special Task Force and the Wildlife Protection Society of India, a musk pod and a bear's gall bladder were seized from the Raiwala region of Dehradun.

Those arrested revealed that they had obtained this musk pod and the gall bladder from the Kapkot region of Bageshwar district of the state. — TNS

Solid waste management plan to be executed soon
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, August 26
The much-awaited solid waste management programme in order to reduce and segregate waste products right at the source will be implemented in the hill town of Mussoorie soon.

The officials from Uttarakhand Urban State Development Investment Programme (UUSDIP) paid a visit to the Municipal Council premises in Mussoorie today and discussed the ways to implement the solid waste management project for the town today.

Michael Dempinsky from the UUSDIP said that the IPMU unit would assist the local body in Mussoorie with an aim to improve public health and the environmental quality in the town and by increasing solid waste collection coverage from 50 per cent to 72 per cent, and supporting sound solid waste disposal methods. Improvements will be directed at segregation of solid waste at the household level and handling and management improvements at ward and town levels with emphasis on waste minimisation, provision of solid waste collection and transportation equipment, and construction of sanitary landfills in accordance with municipal solid waste management and handling rules. Michael further said that based on a plan by the Ministry of Urban Development, it is expected to be implemented within six months.

Eminent environmentalist Vipin Kumar said that it was imperative to implement the solid waste project programme to secure the future of the town. He said that the UUSDIP will support the MC by building capacity for the project and providing the necessary funding. MC president OP Uniyal said it was decided that the working group members will be formed and policy for road map will be finalised.

State gets best award in tourism fair
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 26
Uttarakhand has been presented with the best group participation award in the recently concluded Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) held at Ahmedabad.

According to Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam’s General Manager Prakash Chandra, getting the award in TTF, which is India's leading exhibition for the travel and tourism industry, was a big achievement for Uttarakhand. He disclosed that a total of 42 stalls were put by Uttarakhand, which included both government and private players linked to tourism. He said the proposed Nandadevi Raj Jat Yatra in Uttarakhand was looked at with much curiosity among the visitors. German International Cooperation helped in setting up Uttarakhand stalls.

Apart from India, 15 countries across the globe participated in the TTF.

'Bap Re Bap' gets big applause at RIMC auditorium
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 26
A splendid and hilarious one-act play "Bap Re Bap" was staged at the Thimmayya Auditorium of Rashtriya Indian Military College by the Kala Manch, a renowned theatre group of Dehradun.

Kala Manch is a 37 year-old theater group which has in its credit several hundred plays. The one-act play was a satirical comedy which dwelt on the apathetic attitude of the young generation towards the elderly. "Bap Re Bap" has been staged for the tenth time in Dehradun.

The jampacked Thimmayya Auditorium reverberated with lots of laughter, the play was witnessed by children of Hope Town School, Purkul Youth Development Society, John Martin School and cadets of RIMC.

The play was directed by the founder of Kala Manch and its present secretary TK Aggarwal. The play began with lighting of an auspicious lamp by Jagriti Dobhal, president, Kala Manch, and Col Pankaj Kumaria, Commandant, RIMC.

Col Pankaj Kumaria felicitated the entire cast of the play with gifts and lauded the Kala Manch for carrying forward the cultural heritage and for sparing their valuable time for theatre despite the fact all artistes of the play were holding higher and responsible positions in some of the most renowned institutions of Dehradun.

Others dignitaries who were present during the occasion were Lt Col Ambarish Tewari, Adminisatrative Officer CS Vishwakarma, Vice-Principal, Wing Commander, S Thapliyal, Lt Pinku Haikem and PK Sharma.

Third part of 'Virasaton ki Khoj' unveiled
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 26
Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi today released the third part of “Virasaton ki Khoj”, a book written by Hemchandra Saklani, at a function held at Raj Bhawan here today.

Speaking as the chief guest at the book release function, the Governor said travelogues like these were a heritage for any society, culture and civilization. Talking about his travels in Indonesia, the Governor said in that country with 93 per cent Muslim population, there was great respect for the Ramayana and the Ramcharitmanas. He said "We must resolve to conserve the rich cultural heritage of India."

He expressed great love for literature and art and assured all writers that the Raj Bhavan auditorium would be available for any artiste or writer for activities related to their work.

Former Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Padma Vibhushan Sunder Lal Bahuguna and Padma Shri Leeladhar Jagudi expressed their views and appreciated Saklani’s work.

The programme was organised under the aegis of the Udgar Sahityik Samaajik Manch.

Satpal visits calamity-hit region
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 26
Uttarakhand Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj today visited the calamity-affected Narayanbagad region of Chamoli district of his constituency.

After meeting the affected families, Satpal Maharaj directed the Chamoli District Magistrate to ensure speedy payment of relief to the affected families. He also called for food and other arrangements for the affected.

The Narayanbagad region has been affected with constant landslides leading to displacement of a number of families. Meanwhile, in another statement issued today, Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj criticized the BJP for stalling the proceedings in Parliament. He said the opposition BJP must play a role of constructive opposition.

British Council holds seminar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 26
The British Council yesterday organised a seminar at Unison World School to showcase and promote undergraduate courses available in the United Kingdom.

A delegation of six international officers from the UK visited the school and interacted with the faculty and students of the school, enabling discussions about application processes, choice of institutions, finalising a suitable course and many topics relevant to studying in the UK.

They exchanged ideas in order to establish stronger links for potential collaborations which would help the students of the school in shaping their future.

Dehradun fashion week ends amid glitz and glamour
Kashmira Shah, Krishna take the honours
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 26
The Dehradun fashion week concluded amidst glitz and glamour in the city today. The famous duo of Kashmira Shah and Krishna added showbiz to the evening.

Designers Kirti Rathore, Marigold Watches, Sumit Dasgupta, Adaa-Ritu Kumar and Adaa-Anita Dongre, presented their designs during the show.

Miss Uttarakhand’s official website www.missuttarakhand.com was also launched by Miss Uttarakhand 2012 Tanya Negi and runners-up Sara and Rajul Gupta.

Krishna and Kashmira Shah walked the ramp .

Kirti Rathore during her show showcased Indo-fusion design. Her theme for the day was fusion of bandhgala and linen fabric spiced with a variety of colours. Her show-stopper was the Gladrags super model winner 2008 Sagar Mattoo, whose look was an elaborate royal one associated with Rajasthan. Her last sequence was dedicated to Abhimanyu of the 'Gulal' fame movie. Kirti owes her inspiration to Dev Anand.

Sumit Dasgupta from Kolkatta, now based in Mumbai, depicted his theme Durga Puja on the ramp. His vibrant colours, yellow, purple and green, added sensuality to the show.

Models presented designs by Adaa-Anita Dongre and Adaa-Ritu Kumar this evening. They focused on heavy bridal and Indo-Western wear and jewellery by Karigari.

Fashion Libas showcases designs

Fashion Libas from Saharanpur showcased it's designs at the ongoing three-day fashion week being held here.

Fashion Libas, which is a two-year old designer house, has in-house designers Naresh Kumar and his son Sourabh Kumar. Sourabh is a graduate from Pearl Academy of Fashion and mostly showcases designs of Anarkali suits, evening gowns, Corset lehengas, stitched saris and shararas.

Their designs are targeted for the upper middle class and range between Rs 1,500 and to Rs 35,000.

Their designs were much appreciated and enjoyed by the audience. The glittery and colourful designs displayed by the designers were well accepted.

Mussoorie students plant saplings
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, August 26
Students from various schools planted 500 saplings on the spring road during a plantation drive carried out under the aegis of the Alaknanda Mandakini Sangam Committee here yesterday.

Nearly 200 students from eight schools gathered on the spring road and planted the saplings of oak, devdaar, cyprus etc.

Committee president Bhopal Singh Chauhan said Mussoorie was considered as the 'Queen of Hills' and it was important to save the environment, which could be done only through mass- scale plantation drives and efforts of students would go a long way in conserving the environment.

The Forest Department and the Jal Sansthan also provided support to the programme.

Satish Dhaundiyal, Sashi Rawat and others were present on the occasion.

Elephant kills man on Haridwar road
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 26
An elephant killed a person on the Rishikesh-Haridwar road falling under the Dehradun forest division yesterday.

Dehradun Divisional Forest Officer Meenakshi Joshi said the deceased seemed to be a mentally challenged person and might have a chance encounter with the elephant near the Tehri Hydropower Corporation campus on the Rishikesh- Haridwar road.