Durga Puja starts in Mussoorie
Mussoorie, October 16
The Navratra festival began in Mussoorie under the aegis of the Lions Club of Mussoorie at Appu Ghar with fervour and gaiety today. A katha of Shrimad Bhagwad was organised for the devotees in which Acharya Radheyshyam Nautiyal read out verses from the holy scripture and highlighted the importance of following the path of truth to attain peace of mind.

Haridwar, October 16
As has been the norm, a section of the local people along with saints tried to pass through the Rajaji National Park forest terrain near Bilkeshwar Maha Dev Temple to perform rituals at Maa Chamunda Devi Temple, 4 km ahead.

But due to the presence of a large number of Rajaji National Park officials along with local police personnel, the devotees could not enter the prohibited Rajaji National Park area as they were prevented from doing so.

Notably, for the past few years, every year on the first auspicious Navratras, a section of the local people under the aegis of Maa Chamunda Devi Mandir Bachao Sangarsh Samiti stages a march towards the Chamunda Devi shrine, which they claim to be of immense religious importance.

But on the other hand, the park forest administration claims that no such remains of the temple are there at the spot, with only some statues left. Tibdi Forest Range (RNP) Officer Mahendra Singh Negi and Chilla Ranger DP Uniyal, accompanied by City Kotwali police officials, were monitoring the day's proceedings from the morning itself.

They tried to convince the devotees, citing forest laws, that they could not be allowed to enter the park.

Negi and other officials told the samiti members that a large number of rare animals and plants were found in the park zone, and the movement of people can harm these species.

Unless they had legal permission from the Supreme Court in this regard, they could not be allowed to enter the park to pay obeisance at the shrine place which, forest officials termed, as an open space with remains of a small temple only, which was removed in 1983 when this forest cover came under Rajaji National Park protected periphery.

While the angry devotees tried to forcibly enter the park, a saint gave anxious moments to the forest and police personnel, as he was adamant on paying obeisance at the shrine.

But later the agitating devotees were pacified and were allowed to hold religious rituals and mass food bhandara near the Bilkeshwar Temple pathway, where forest-police personnel had put barricades to stop them.

Deepak Bhatia, a local denizen, said that in his childhood he had visited the Chamunda Devi shrine, which existed, but later due to stringent forest laws, the shrine was removed.

While Roop Kumar, a samiti supporter, accepted that some people were trying to use the religious sentiments to their advantage, devotees could be peacefully allowed once in Navratras to visit the shrine under strict monitoring of forest and police officials.

Haridwar, October 16
The festive season started today with the beginning of auspicious Sharadiya Navratras.

Rituals, rites, yajnas, hawans, religious discourses and offerings were performed throughout the day by devotees with prayers to "Shailputri", a form of Goddess Parvati, being done.

Beautifully decorated temples were thronged by devotees and pilgrims as serpentine queues were seen at shrines of Mata Mansa Devi, Mata Chandi Devi, Mata Vaishno Devi, Shri Dakshin Kali Mandir, Sureshwari Devi, Daksheshwar Mahadev, Maa Sakhumbari Devi, Tibdi bypass, Jwalapur, BHEL temple and at all temples situated in the city.

All temple management committees and the district administration, in view of the heavy rush of devotees on the first of the nine Navratras, did elaborate arrangements.

At Shri Dakshin Kali Temple, rituals were performed amid the chanting of mantras under the aegis of Swami Kailashanand Brahmachari. Mangal Kalash were also established on the occasion which will be prayed throughout the auspicious Navratras.

Former Uttarakhand minister Sarika Pradhan also took part in the rituals at Shri Dakshin Kali Temple along with former sports state minister Narayan Singh Rana.

In his discourse, Kailashanand Brahmachari said during Navratras, three main avatar of the deity Ma Saraswati, Mahalaxmi and Mahakali were worshipped.

Mussoorie, October 16
The Navratra festival began in Mussoorie under the aegis of the Lions Club of Mussoorie at Appu Ghar with fervour and gaiety today. A katha of Shrimad Bhagwad was organised for the devotees in which Acharya Radheyshyam Nautiyal read out verses from the holy scripture and highlighted the importance of following the path of truth to attain peace of mind. He also emphasised on satsang for all devotees to cleanse the mind.

An idol of Goddess Durga was also installed at the site.

Meanwhile, the Durga Puja mela was inaugurated by state Sports Minister Dinesh Agarwal on the occasion.

Eminent singer Manu Vandana mesmerised the audience with her melodious voice and several cultural programmes were also organised on the occasion.

Mussoorie, October 16
Author Robert Hutchison from the Alps met his counterparts from the Himalayas, Shekhar Pathak and Ganesh Saili, in Mussoorie and discussed several issues concerning mountain literature today.

The three authors met during the launching of the latest book by Robert Hutchison entitled "Garden of Fools" based on the life of Sir Proby Cautely, the builder of 530-mile-long Ganga canal during the British Raj at a hotel in Mussoorie. They remembered the contribution of Sir Proby Cautley for conceiving and supervising the construction of the Ganga canal despite severe opposition from what he considered as fools.

Robert Hutchison, the Candaian author who has made Switzerland as his home, said that Sir Proby Cautley was a Britisher with an Indian heart, who helped in removing the famine in the 'Doab' region through this canal.

Ganesh Saili, an eminent author from Mussoorie, speaking on the occasion commended the efforts of Robert Hutchison in immortalising Sir Proby Cautely for his work that is considered as the eighth engineering wonder of the world despite facing turmoil in his family life, and that, too, without expecting any reward or golden parachute in return.

He further said that the importance of Sir Proby Cautely increases as he was pioneer in designing the drinking water supply system of Mussoorie at the request of Captain Young during British period.

Shekhar Pathak said that the story of Sir Proby Cautely's genius, perseverance and betrayal would make a compelling reading.

It was a sheer coincidence that all three authors, who have also worked and researched on another character, Fredrick Wilson or Pahari Wilson, from the Hills of Garhwal, were present during the launching of the book here. All three authors in unison said that it was important to preserve the remaining documents and artifacts related to Pahari Wilson by the government as it was an important part of history of Garhwal.

Ganesh Saili, showing the rare coins minted by Pahari Wilson in his name, said that such artifacts were important for making the future generations aware of the history of the region, and the government should take pains in preserving them at any cost.

He said that the authors from the Alps and the Himalayas had many common concerns, and needed to strengthen the bond by more interaction.

Dehradun, October 16
Pushpa Saklani, 60, wife of advocate OP Saklani, was murdered in the day today. She was found lying with her throat slit, hands tied and mouth gagged with a cloth on the floor of the house by a priest in the afternoon who had come to perform Navratara puja at her residence on New Park Road. The accused have neither been identified nor arrested till now.

The white car in which the culprits absconded has been confiscated by the police at Roorkee. The police is interrogating the maid servant who was present in the house in the morning. The couple has a married daughter, who lives at Delhi.

Deputy Inspector General, Dehradun Range, Sanjay Gunjiyal, and Senior Superintendent of Police Neeru Garg also reached the Saklani residence.

The Dehradun Bar Association has given a call for a one-day strike tomorrow to register its protest against the deteriorating law and order situation in the city. Lawyers said they would hold a meeting with trader associations to decide about observing a bandh tomorrow in the city.

Mussoorie, October 16
A two-day national seminar on "Himalayan States of India - History and Culture" being organised under the aegis of the Uttarakhand History and Cultural Association at MPG College premises concluded with researchers presenting around 140 papers in Mussoorie today.

More than 200 scholars also deliberated on history, culture and traditions of tribal people of the Himalayan region.

The scholars advised the new researchers about the minute details required during research here.

In the first session the research scholars presented reports on the tribal culture of the Himalayas, which was much appreciated by the senior scholars who attended the seminar.

The history and culture of Tharu and Boksa tribal communities were discussed in detail. The historians in their address said that tampering with the environment in the Himalayan region could lead to catastrophic consequences, and if continued, then many rivers of the area will disappear just like the Saraswati river.

Prof DP Saklani, speaking on the occasion, said that the evidence of Saraswati river's existence is present in various Puranas and Upanishads, and if this tampering with environment continued in the Ganga river, it could also disappear soon in a similar fashion.He said that the knowledge of traditional medicines and religious rites was disappearing in the region, which needed immediate attention, and a composite policy for its preservation was needed. Otherwise, humanity was in danger of losing traditional heritage.

The researchers highlighted the plight of women in hills and stressed on their empowerment.

The president of the event, Shekhar Pathak, SS Negi, Ajay Parmar, Sunil Panwar, Sudhir Gairola, RPS Chauhan and others were present on the occasion.

Dehradun, October 16
An investiture ceremony of students of the Rotary Interactive Club was held at The Indian Cambridge School here today.

Jyoti Dhawan, president of the Rotary Club, Dr Luthra, past president, and David Hilton, director, were present to honour and officially present the student office-bearers with their badges.

The ceremony opened with school Principal, Albert Temple introducing the guests from The Rotary Club. The school choir then gave a rendition of “Showers of Blessings”.

Jyoti Dhawan, addressing the students, said it was important for students to take part in such programmes for helping the needy and destitute in the society. She praised the work that the Interactive Club of The Indian Cambridge School was doing. She said she was pleased to observe the sincerity by which the club of the school was functioning.

Dr Luthra presented the president of the club Syed Uwais with the President’s Badge and then pinned badges on to the other club members. Dr Luthra also praised the students who volunteered to join the Interactive Club and advised them never to 
look back.

David Hilton also spoke about an Interactive Club scheme and was happy to see that the school was a group of seven who were chosen to be involved in social service.

He wished the club of The Indian Cambridge School success and thanked Principal Albert Temple for constantly encouraging the students.

The vote of thanks was given by Sandeep Agarwal of the Rotary Club who also praised the students for their resolve to work for society.

Dehradun, October 16
The Dolphin Institute of Natural Sciences, Dehradun, under the aegis of the Dolphin Students’ Welfare Committee organised a freshers' party for the academic session 2012-13. 

The two-day programme was inaugurated by Arvind Gupta, chairman, Dolphin Institute. Addressing the students, he said all-round development was the aim of education.“By participating in programmes like freshers' party, the new students get an opportunity to show their talent,” he said. He congratulated the new students and urged them to carry forward the legacy of the institute.

Dr GN Sinha, Dean, Students’ Welfare, said various competitions were held for Mr and Ms Fresher departmentwise. It was a fun-filled event enjoined by the students as well as the staff.

Mussoorie, October 16
A cross-country race was organised in memory of Peter Alter, the father of actor Tom Alter, here today. It was held under the aegis of the Nand Kishore Bamboo Cricket Academy.

Besides athletes from 12 schools, Tom Alter also participated in the race.

The race was held in four categories.

Speaking on the occasion, Tom Alter said cross-country race helped keeping the body fit.

He said the town required a quality stadium, where players could be trained for national-level events. — TNS

Dehradun, October 16
In the Kargil Martyr Jaideep Bhandari Memorial Football Tournament today, Chandrabani beat Navada Club 4-2 in a tie breaker after two sides failed to score a goal after the end of stipulated time despite making some good moves.

For Chandrabani, Mohit, Narendra, Prashant and Amit scored the goals whereas for Navada Club, Arpan and Shyam scored the goals.

Kailash Joshi, DS Negi, Ajit Negi and Madan were the referees for the match.

Dehradun, October 16
Adhowala and Sundarwala Boys won their respective matches in the Lala Nemi Das Football League here today.

In the first match, Adhowala beat Doon Challenger 1-0. Aman Rana scored the sole goal in the 7th minute of the match.

In the second match, Sundarwala Boys beat Doon Valley 3-0. Subham Bisht, Virendra Bhandari and Shashank Rawat scored the goals for Sundarwala Boys in the 17th, 37th and 57th minute of the match, respectively.