51 research papers accepted at conference
Dehradun, October 12
Quantum School of Technology, Roorkee, organised a National Conference on Advanced and Sustainable Computing Techniques (ASCOT-2012) today.

Dehradun, October 12
Former Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader ND Tiwari would have got a different experience while on his usual “inspection visits” had the police and intelligence agencies not informed him about the protest against him.

Since Tiwari has been living in Dehradun after his exit from the Hyderabad Governor House following the infamous sex scandal, he has been visiting various government offices and asking for officials records to start an inquiry with regard to the progress of development schemes.

His staff has been sending letters about such visits on official letter pads using the state government emblem. However, it was a different day when his office sent a letter to the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a voluntary organisation running the State Resource Centre for adult education under the literacy lission.

A staff member of Tiwari mistook the State Resource Centre as a state government office and wrote a letter informing about the visit of Tiwari on October 12. The letter also directed that all employees should be present with all records for inspection by the former Chief Minister. Interestingly, the RLEK had filed a PIL demanding the withdrawal of all facilities to the former state Chief Ministers.

RLEK employees, led by their chairperson Avdhash Kaushal, decided to show black flags to Tiwari. However, the police and intelligence agencies got to know about the protest and informed Tiwari, who cancelled his proposed visit.

Protesters were ready with black flags and posters. Slogans were raised against his alleged illegal and immoral activities by all unit members of the RLEK. They chanted “corrupt ND Tiwari”, "mahilaon ka atyachari, “duaachaari Tiwari hai hai" and "aiyaash Tiwari wapas jao”.

Condemning the alleged illegal activities of Tiwari, who is neither an MLA nor an MP, for sending a fax on the letter head using the state emblem to the State Resource Centre (Adult Education), Avdhash Kaushal said: “We have already filed a case against him for using scant resources of the cash-strapped state, two cars with red beacons and a pilot vehicle.”

Kaushal said: “We will not stop at this. Wherever Tiwari goes for such inspections, we will be there to protest. If he does not refrain from his activities, a huge public movement will be initiated and demonstrations will be held all over. He has no right to visit any government agency officially and terrorise government officials.”

Dehradun, October 12
The National Mission on Food Processing will be launched in the state.

The project was approved at a meeting of the National Mission on Food Processing chaired by the Chief Secretary at the Secretariat here today.

A state-level empowered committee headed by Jain has been constituted for the approval of food processing programmes, their monitoring and evaluation. The committee will comprise the Secretaries of Horticulture, Finance, Industry, Agriculture, Panchayati Raj, IT, Planning, Dairy and Fisheries Departments, the Managing Director (SIDCUL), representatives of confederations, three experts of food processing, post-harvest management and marketing nominated by the state government and representatives of agri business.

Jain said an immense potential of food processing was available in Uttarakhand and the mission could prove a growth driver for the state. He said forestry and vegetable production could be used for it. Jam, jelly and squash could be produced by processing the early decaying fruits and vegetables.

Jain directed the officials concerned to conduct a survey for setting up food processing units and prepare an action plan and vision for the mission.

He said food processing industry could be instrumental in enhancing the economy of the state. He asked officials to take the task on a priority basis.

Principal Secretary, Horticulture, Om Prakash said 30 to 40 per cent forestry produce got wasted every year and the loss incurred amounted to Rs 30,000 crore. Through management and processing, this loss could be reduced.

The objective of the mission was to provide the people with clean, secure and nutritious food items of high quality. He further said the mission also targeted setting up competitive quality production industries and encouraging modernisation in the agriculture sector, which would enhance economy and generate employment opportunities.

According to the statistics of food processing, Uttarakhand ranked first in spices, 30th in fruits and 23rd in vegetables on the basis of the area covered, production and quality in the country.

The number of food processing units in Uttarakhand is 75, of which 53 are horticulture based. The total capacity of these units is 1,32,610 MT. There are 22 agriculture-based processing units and the present processing capacity is of 1.32 MT (6.98 per cent). The target has been set to increase this capacity through the mission to 15 per cent by 2017.

Various facilities will be provided for establishing the food processing units in the state. The Central Government had provided Rs 6 crore in the first instalment for the same. It will will bear 75 per cent of the expense and the state government will bear 25 per cent.

Secretary, Rural Development, Vinod Fonia, Additional Secretary, Fisheries, RK Sudhanshu, Additional Secretary, Horticulture, Nitish Jha and Staff Officer to the CM MC Joshi attended the meeting.

Dehradun, October 12
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna visited Mahant Indresh Hospital and enquired after the health of the Nainbagh road accident victims today.

He directed the officials concerned to provide permissible financial assistance to the injured.

Bahuguna also instructed doctors to provide all possible medical treatment to the injured. He also enquired after the health of other patients at the hospital.

He said effective measures were being taken to prevent road accidents.

Bahuguna was accompanied by Panchayati Raj Minister Pritam Singh.

A utility van carrying seven passengers had met with an accident on October 10 Nainbagh.

Two persons were killed and five others sustained serious injuries in the accident. 

Dehradun, October 12
Quantum School of Technology, Roorkee, organised a National Conference on Advanced and Sustainable Computing Techniques (ASCOT-2012) today.

Dr SC Handa, Director General of Quantum welcomed over 400 guests, invitees and participants of the conference at Shyamji Auditorium at Roorkee. Handa appreciated the big response to the conference and said 51 research papers had been accepted, out of which three had been received from the USA. The chief guest, Dr JP Gupta, Vice-Chancellor of Sharda University, Noida, along with other dignitaries inaugurated the conference by lighting a traditional lamp.

In his inaugural address, Gupta said by organising the conference on such an ultra-modern subject, Quantum School of Technology had set an example before other technical institutions. He added the school had emerged as a symbol of excellence in technical education in northern India on account of its fine management and skillful administration.

Gupta emphasised that creative thinking and critical thinking should be developed in students by the teachers. Besides academic excellence, a student should grow into an ideal human being with innovative thoughts.

The schedule of the conference consisted of five sessions. The keynote speaker of the first session was Dr Durga Toshniwal, Professor of IIT, Roorkee. At the second session, Dr VK Sharma from Gurukul Kangri University was the keynote speaker. The third session was addressed by Dr Kumkum Garg, Vice-Chancellor, Manipal University. The fourth session was presided over by Dr Manoj Misra, Professor of IIT, Roorkee, and the final session was addressed by Dr PK Garg, another professor of IIT, Roorkee.

At the closing ceremony, the chief guest, Dr RC Joshi, Chancellor of Graphic Era University, Dehradun, was offered a heart warming welcome. The keynote address in the valedictory session was delivered by Dr Rama Bhargava from IIT, Roorkee, on the subject “Can we sustain without computing” ?

Joshi delivered a very scholastic and motivational address on “Cloud Computing and Research Challenges? He gave a brief insight on the basics of cloud computing, some emerging applications based on this emerging technique and issues while dealing with them. The whole house gave Joshi a rousing appreciation.

In the end, NS Chetty summarised the activities and achievements of the conference. Addressing the valedictory ceremony, Prof SC Handa said the school recognised and welcomed every novel and useful idea on research and innovative thinking whole heartedly. 

Mussoorie, October 12
The annual function of Arya Samaj began with the recitation of vedic mantras and bhajans in Mussoorie today.

The chief guest Professor Mahaveer Acharya, speaking on the occasion, said for the people on the path of truth, work should be the duty and not reward.

He further said the human being was much more interested in fruit without treading on path of sanctity and truth, thus was facing suffering in the process.

He said today people had been divided into many sects and religions whereas He is one and the word "Namah" is a living example as it is used in every religion.

Acharya also said Arya Samaj laid emphasis on the education of women and it was much more important for a woman to be literate as she was the nucleus around which the whole family revolved and played an important part in the development of the humanity as a whole.

Dr Priti Vimarshni Aharya from Panini Kanya Mahavidyalaya and her colleagues from the institute also enthralled the audience through bhajans recitation on the occasion.

Mussoorie, October 12
The shooting of Bollywood film ‘Ishkeria’ under the banner of Swaroop Films Private Limited began in the beautiful surroundings of the Mussoorie and Dhanaulti area today. Speaking to mediapersons here today, Producer of the film Ravi Bhushan Wadhawan said Ishkeria was a romantic film and had few comedy scenes.

Neil Nitin Mukesh is playing the lead role opposite Richa Chaddha. The film is based on the story of two lovers studying in a school here, their escapades and how their love triumphs in the end.

Raj Babbar, Bani, Mushtaq Khan and Manish Anand are other stars in supporting role in the film. Wadhawan said the film was the mélange of the new and experienced star cast which would lead to enhancement in the acting skills of the new stars in the film.

Director of the movie is Prerna Wadhawan.

Speaking about Mussoorie as a film-shooting destination, Wadhawan said it was a beautiful place for shooting as it had the needed ingredients for shooting films. He, however, lamented the fact that the absence of adequate infrastructure was the only hindrance that was stopping the state from becoming popular among the Bollywood fraternity. He said the lack of film policy in the state was also one of the reasons for low popularity of the state among the film producers from Mumbai. He said the government should make efforts by organising symposium to attract more such units to the state which would not only popularise tourism in the state but would also generate employment.

Wadhawan said he met Chief Minster Vijay Bahuguna and requested him to form a composite film policy for the state.

Mussoorie, October 12
The Lions and Lioness Club of Mussoorie announced today that their club would organise Durga Puja festival during the Navratras in Mussoorie.

The club would set up a pandal with the statue of Godess Durga at Appu Ghar and prayers would be offered for all nine days during the Navratras and cultural programmes would also be organised on the occasion.

Executive members of the club also said a medical camp in association with Max Hospital would also be organised for the needy.

On October 16, eminent singer Mannu Vandana would grace the occasion. Rangoli and a dancing competition would be organised on October 17. A Navratra cooking competition would be organised on October 18. On October 19, a singing competition will also be started. An inter-school speech competition on "Mussoorie of My dreams" will be held on October 19.

A blood donation camp would also be organised in association with the Indian Medical Association. On October 24, live music, bumper raffle draw and fire show be organised on the concluding day of the festivities. The Lions Club would give away Tata Nano as the first prize of raffle draw.

Dehradun, October 12
Constancia School will take on The Aryan School in the final of the 5th Rohitash Singh Memorial Inter-School Boys Super 8 a side Cricket Tournament being played at the The Heritage School, Dehradun.

In the semifinals today, Constancia School beat Summer Valley School while The Aryan School beat Shivalik International School. In the first semifinal, batting first, Constancia School scored 23 runs at a loss of 3 wickets.

In reply, Summer Valley scored 19 runs at a loss of 6 wickets. In the second innings, Constancia School scored 31 runs at a loss of 5 wickets and Summer Valley scored 19 runs at a loss of 5 wickets. Thus, Constancia School won the match by 16 runs.

In the second semifinal, in the first innings, The Aryan School scored 34 runs at a loss of 2 wickets. Shivalik International School scored 21 runs at a loss of 6 wickets. In the second innings, The Aryan School scored 32 runs at a loss of 4 wickets and The Shivalik International School scored 32 runs at loss of 7 wickets. Thus The Aryan School won the match by 13 runs.

Dehradun, October 12
Second Kargil Martyr Jaideep Bhandari Memorial Football Tournament will be held this year at Nehru Gram here from October 14 to 25.

Addressing a press conference today, Abhishek Shahi, member of organising committee Nehru Gram Combined Club, said 16 teams would be taking part in the tournament. Shahi said the winnerr would get Rs 15,000 while runners up would be given Rs 11,000. He held that the tournament this year would be carried out on knock-out basis. Adhoiwala Boys, Bajrang Club, Sundarwala Boys, Uttarakhand Tigers, Star Balaji Club, Chandramani club, Wills Youth, Doon Star, Rising Star, Akranta, Dehra XI, Doon Challenger, Tapowan XI, Nehrugram and 4/1 Gorkha Rifles will be participating in the tournament. —TNS

Dehradun, October 12
In the Lala Nemi Dass Football League being played at Survey Ground here, Akranta and Chandramani won their respective matches today.

In the first match, Akranta defeated Thakurpur Boys 1-0.

Bhushanpal scored the sole goal in the 15th minute of the match. In the second match, Chandramani defeated Doon United 3-1.

For Chandramani, Subham, Arpit and Mohit scored the goals in the 45th, 62nd and 65th minutes, respectively. For Doon United, Amit scored the lone goal.