Rishikesh, September 29
With the monsoons on the retreating path, the rafting season on the Ganga river in Rishikesh has begun with boats now again visible plying on the Rishikesh-Kaudiyala-Shivpuri stretch in the Garhwal division.

Owing to a heavy flow in the Ganga river due to the rainy season, rafting gets closed for monsoon months in this world-famous rafting stretch, which is described by many a rafting aficionados as a rafting paradise.

In the initial phase of this season rafting lovers will be able to ply on the Brahampuri-RamJhoola stretch only owing to still a heavy flow of water in the river Ganga, which makes it dangerous for the rafters.

As soon as the water level dips down, rafting routes of longer distances like Shivpuri-Kaudiyala will be left open for the lovers of this adventurous game.

As per Tourism and Forest Department officials, more than 300 rafting boats are licensed to operate on this stretch, though in the past three days only a dozen-odd are seen plying owing to less flow of tourists.

Talking to TNS, Sahashik Paryatan Sangarsh Samiti chief Dharmendra Negi said during the initial days and owing to heavy calamity in the upper reaches of Garhwal district, the tourist flow is less this time.

He added regular rafters were coming these days while occasional and first-time rafters were waiting for the monsoon season to get over.

"We hope that in the coming days as people get to know of the commencement of the rafting season, we will be getting bulk bookings, particularly from corporates, educational institutes and foreign tourists," hoped Dharmendra Negi.

This time the Tourism Department is laying emphasis on cleaning aspect too, as often due to rafting camps and tourist inflow, the holy Ganga embankments are left with garbage, filth and leftovers.

For this a mini herbal garden has been created at Muni-ki-Reti by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam for generating awareness about environment conservation.

GMVN Managing Director (Tourism) Hansa Dutt Pandey stated that the ini herbal garden in the coming years would be another tourist attraction as well as a nursery of various health and ayurvedic plants, giving the message of having a green cover.

He added that GMVN, on a large scale, was advertising about the rafting zone through various means, and from now on the sport would take place without being brought under insurance cover.

Chief of Uttarakhand Finest Outdoor Association Rajeev Tiwari told TNS that attempts were being made to provide local residents a major chunk of employment in this rafting business.

He said that beach camping was also fast gaining popularity with the recent shooting of films like 'Aisha' starring Sonam Kapoor, and an MTV reality show making Rishikesh rafting and beach camping more popular.

Sakshi Kamra, a Gurgaon-based call centre employee, who had come with her office colleagues, was quite delighted to ride a raft on the Ganga river along side the mountainous terrain and forest cover.

"I Had only heard about Garhwal but now I have seen the real natural beauty, which is soothing in comparison to the fast lifestyle of Gurgaon.The rafting experience is enchanting as on one side there is the temple of Muni-ki-Reti, while on the other side is the Badrinath highway. Surely, I will love to come again for rafting," said Kamra.

Haridwar, September 29
The saint community of Haridwar has demanded concession in rates of LPG cylinders for dharamshalas, muths and ashrams as they cater to saints, poor and devotees. In this regard, a delegation of saints and dharamshala samiti met District Food Supplies officer PS Pangti here today. They apprised him of the problems being faced by them in carrying out social work at ashrams and dharamshalas due to the government’s decision.

Various gas agencies in the city have fixed the rate of LPG cylinder for the saints-run ashrams at Rs 1,005 each. The delegation warned of an intense agitation from next week if the gas agencies continued to sell LPG cylinders at this rate.Chief national spokesperson Baba Hatyogi of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, the sole national body of the akhadas, while submitting a memorandum in this regard, sought concession in the rates of LPG for saints.Baba Hatyogi said ashrams were providing food to more than 500 saints and poor people daily. But they are now facing problem because of the quota on LPG cylinders.

Haridwar secretary of the Rashtriya Dharamshala Suraksha Samiti Vikas Tiwari termed the cut in the subsidy cap for LPG as an excuse of the Congress government to hide its inefficacy in providing good governance.

“The Congress-led UPA government has failed on the economic front miserably. It seems to be catering to capitalists and MNCs as on one hand they have put a cap on LPG cylinders and on the other they are serving foreign firms in various sectors,” said Tiwari, after handing a memorandum to the District Supplies Officer.

Bada Udasin Akhada Mahant Rajendra Das said they would be raising the issue with all political parties and gas agencies also.

If no heed is paid to their demand, they would lock the Food and Civil Supplies Department’s office as well as those gas agencies that were taking hefty amount from saints in lieu of LPG cylinders.

Earlier, a meeting in this regard was held today at Bada Akhada Udasin, Rajghat, Kankhal, where the saints warned of launching an agitation if the decision was not taken back.

Dehradun, September 29
When farmers in Uttarakhand talk about preserving traditional farming with seeds playing a major role, they have the support of social activist and Gandhian Biju Negi, who has been advocating food sovereignty and security for several years now. Domestic and multi-national companies (MNCs) are trying to popularize the use of hybrid seeds.

The argument that the MNCs can force the farmers to buy patented seeds that are high-priced and less productive than traditional varieties is an insult to those who are highly knowledgeable about seeds and farming. They are scientists in their own right and should be respected for their traditional wisdom. — Biju Negi

Perturbed at the foray of MNCs into the farming sector, Negi said it would prove detrimental to the survival of small farmers in the hills. “The government has no policy to protect the interests of small land holders and every effort is being made to push them out of farming. This is evident in concessions being given to Indian companies. This kind of arrangement where small farmers have no role cannot be termed as farming. In the same manner, organic farming being carried out by multi-national companies to fulfil the demand of the jet set crowd is against the principles of traditional agriculture,” he added. “The argument that the MNCs can force the farmers to buy patented seeds that are high-priced and less productive than traditional varieties is an insult to those who are highly knowledgeable about seeds and farming. They are scientists in their own right and should be respected for their traditional wisdom. The traditional farming is a philosophy and is more active in the hills,” said Negi.

Negi said, “Seed is both a symbol of rejuvenation and protest for the farmers and they should have the right to use traditional seeds. In Uttarakhand we have our own traditional varieties of foodgrains. These cannot be ignored because a certain domestic company or MNC with a profit motive is hell bent upon promoting hybrid seeds. The promotion of traditional seeds is important for ensuring food security in the country.”

In the same vein, he said he along with his fellow activists had been demanding conferring the status of farmer upon women in Uttarakhand. But unless the government made changes in the law and made them co-owners of land, their role would not be recognized. “In Uttarakhand women are the backbone of agriculture. It is women who sow and tend to the crops in the absence of male hands in the family. But they have not been given their due,” Negi averred. Just as he vociferously advocates principles of traditional farming, Negi also said in view of the recent attacks on crops by wild animals, the farmers should be given the right to shoot the marauders as was allowed in Himachal Pradesh. “Here the entire process is cumbersome and full of red-tape, unable to give any relief to the farmers,” he added.

Dehradun, September 29
Director (onshore), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Ajit Kumar Hazarika, superannuates tomorrow after having served the ONGC for over 36 years. The memories of the days when he had joined ONGC Academy as the 2nd graduate trainee batch came flooding back more so as his batch mates, Sudhir Vasudeva, Chief Managing Director (CMD), and UN Bose, Director (T&FS), spoke of the bygone days.

AMN Ghosh Auditorium was packed to capacity as all ONGCians converged to bid adieu to him. The occasion was graced by Sudhir Vasudeva, CMD, UN Bose, Director (T&FS), KS Jamestin, Director (HR), and AK Banerjee, Director (Finance), besides key executives of Dehradun and ONGCians.

Speakers described Ajit Kumar Hazarika as an efficient leader. They also narrated Hazarika’s substantial contributions to the ONGC, besides his leadership qualities and his popularity among ONGCians.

In his address, Hazarika recalled his joining the ONGC in Dehradun as a young graduate trainee over three and a half decades ago. With characteristic modesty, which is the hallmark of his personality, Hazarika gave the credit for the achievements to the support extended by his senior and junior colleagues.

He urged ONGCians to work sincerely and put in hard work to take the ONGC to greater heights. A warm send-off was given to AK Hazarika and Anjana Hazarika on the occasion.

Dehradun, September 29
As part of the International Deaf Week observation, state Deaf Welfare Association organised a march past here. It was attended by nearly 500 disabled persons. Uttarakhand’s Disability Commissioner BR Tamta flagged off the march past from Dilaram Bazaar.

The march, after taking the Clock Tower route, concluded at Parade Ground. Prem Kumar from the association said the aim of the march was to sensitiae the society towards the concerns of disabled.

The Paraolympic Association, Uttarakhand, and the EMRI 108 supported the march past.