Haridwar railway station stinks, pilgrims inconvenienced
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 7
The railway station at Haridwar has turned into dumping ground as heaps of garbage, filth and leftover have been lying there for days.

It is posing problems for the local people, pilgrims and tourists.

What is more shocking is that just in front of the commercial tax check-post office at the railway station, garbage has been lying for more than a month now, with most of it being dumped by railway sanitation workers only.

In view of this, Commercial Tax Officer, Haridwar Railway Station, Vinod Sharma today wrote a letter to the Chief Health Officer, Haridwar, and the Superintendent of the Haridwar Railway Station apprising them of the shoddy conditions of sanitation just outside his office.

Sharma also complained about the urinal made just behind the office. “The railway administration has not taken action over our complaints for months. Railway sanitation workers dumped garbage collected from inside just outside our office,” complained Sharma.

Arms licences of ex-servicemen being scrutinised
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, December 7
The authorities of various districts in the Kumaon region are scrutinising arms licences of ex-servicemen who have obtained these from states other than Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. A large number of arms licences obtained from other states have been cancelled on the order of the state government.

“Yes, we have also cancelled arms licences of ex-servicemen who have obtained these from Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states during their service time. But we have given them an option to apply again for an arms licence to the district authorities,” said Akshat Gupta, District Magistrate, Almora.

Gupta said of the 180 licences cancelled in the district most of these belonged to ex-servicemen and were obtained from states other than Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. “We have sent the details of the cancelled licences to the SP of Almora district, who will impound the related arms. Thereafter, the procedure to allow the affected ex-servicemen to apply for arms licences to the district authorities will start,” said the District Magistrate.

CMS Bisht, District Magistrate, Pithoragarh, said no action had so far been taken to cancel arms licences in the district as he had not received the government order in this regard. “It seems that the campaign is being run in some districts,” he added.

“Out of 965 arms licences in Champawat district, 280 cancelled licences were obtained from states other than Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Of the cancelled licences, 270 were obtained by ex-servicemen during service time from Jammu and Kashmir and other states,” said Sridhar Babu Adhakhi, District Magistrate, Champawat.

In Nainital district, out of 367 arms licences cancelled so far by the administration, most of these were obtained by ex-Army personnel during service time from Punjab, J&K and northeastern states, said a source in the District Magistrate office.

“The ex-Army personnel need arms not only to protect themselves from wild animals in remote villages where they settle after retirement, but also to get jobs as gunmen in various establishments,” said Col Ram Dutt Joshi (retd). 

Armed Forces Flag Day
Students donate money for war widows, kin of martyrs
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 7
On the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day, various programmes were held in the city today.

Money was collected for the war-affected families of soldiers, physically handicapped Army personnel, war widows and kin of martyrs, who laid down their lives for the cause of the nation.

A special function was held at Shravan Nath Math Jawaharlal Nehru College where students were apprised of the significance of Flag Day and also the bravery displayed by the soldiers from the state.

The Principal of the college, Dr Sunil Kumar Batra, while addressing the students, shed light on Garhwal Rifles and Kumaon Regiment, which have been playing a pivotal role in various wars and the armed conflicts India has faced till date.

Highlighting the role of the Garhwal Rifles jawans in the First/Second World Wars, Batra said the British were so impressed with the bravery, honesty and valour of the Garhwali soldiers that they accorded word ‘Royal’ to the Garhwal Rifles.

“Soldiers from the state won laurels for their bravery in World Wars, Indo-Sino War (1962), Indo-Pak Wars (1965,71) and also the Kargil War of 1999. In the Kargil War, Uttarakhand had the highest number of martyrs among all states while in the China war of 1962, 293 soldiers from the state sacrificed their lives. Youth of the nation need to sustain the Army tradition. Though corporate-retail jobs may have high perks, but it is unique to be able to serve the country in the Army uniform,” said Batra.

Girl students collected monetary donation for the Army welfare funds from the entire college staff and students. Associate professor, commerce department, Dr Tejveer Singh Tomar, shed light on the importance of Armed Forces Flag Day. College union chief Varsha Dhanik said they would be collecting donation on the college premise tomorrow also.

Among others who were present on the occasion were Dr Sanjay Maheshwari, Dr Saraswati Pathak, Dr Sunit Kumar Kulshreshtha, Dr Manmohan Gupta, Dr Sushma Nyal, Dr Manoj Sahi, Kumari Sugandha Verma, Priyanka Pandey, Neha Bhrati, Aswani Jagta, Aarti, Shivani and Radhika.

CM contributes for soldiers

Dehradun: Soldiers’ Welfare Minister Harak Singh Rawat pinned the flag on Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna at his residence here today. The Chief Minister made his contribution for the soldiers in the donation box. Major Karan Singh, Deputy Director of the Sainik Kalyan Board, was also present.

Governor greets soldiers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7
On the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day today, Brig (retd) AN Bahuguna, Director of Sainik Kalyan Board of Uttarakhand, pinned a flag on the Governor Aziz Qureshi’s lapel. The Governor appealed to the people of the state to contribute generously to the Armed Forces Flag Fund for the welfare of soldiers, ex-soldiers and next of the kin of martyrs.

Greeting soldiers, ex-soldiers, widows of martyrs and families of all those who laid down their lives for the country, the Governor Aziz Qureshi expressed respect for the Indian Army and said he was always willing to work for the welfare of soldiers and their families.

“This day helps to boost the morale of the forces and also gives them a sense of assurance that the entire nation is with them,” said the Governor.

Major Karan Singh, Deputy Director of the Sainik Kalyan Board, was also present on the occasion.

IMA all set for passing-out parade today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7
The Indian Military Academy is all set for tomorrow’s passing-out parade autumn term 2012. The Indian Army will be getting 615 young officers with the conclusion of the parade.

The Chief of Army Staff, Gen Bikram Singh, will be the reviewing officer for the parade that will take place at the drill square in the backdrop of the historic Chetwode Building.

The coveted Sword of Honour will be presented to GC Sudeep Kumar for standing first in overall general course. GC Sudeep has also bagged the silver medal. Vikram Mann has bagged the gold medal and Dharmendra Singh has bagged the bronze medal. The Chief of Army Staff banner will be presented to the Basantar Company.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made for the parade by the district administration and IMA authorities. Traffic movement on the main Chakrata Road that separates the two campuses of the academy will be closed during the parade. CCTV cameras and X-ray machines have been installed at the entrance of the academy while Quick Reaction Teams have also been deployed at the academy to ensure full-proof security.

Martyrs remembered 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7
A remembrance ceremony was held at War Memorial of the Indian Military Academy to pay homage to the brave alumni of the academy, who have sacrificed their lives in keeping with the tradition of patriotism and sacrifice of the Indian Army.

Lt Gen Manvender Singh, AVSM, VSM, Commandant, IMA, led the ceremony. He, along with the officers, Gentlemen Cadets and their parents, family and next of kin of martyrs laid the wreath at the war memorial. The ceremony culminated with the presentation of a memento to the next of kin of martyrs who have been commissioned from the academy.

Two young officers, who attained martyrdom recently while operating at different places and braving forces inimical to freedom and democracy of the country, were remembered. The family of late Maj Surendra Badsara, SM, was present on the ceremony.

The late Maj Chandra Shekhar Singh attained martyrdom on May 23, 2012, while successfully carrying out the flying mission at 18,000 ft, which is the highest battlefield in the world. The late Maj Surendra Badsara, SM, who attained martyrdom on June 21, 2012, at Kupwara sector while in an operation-oriented training for the execution of a mission. The memento was received by Maj Nisha R Kulhari, wife of the late Maj Badsara.

Multimedia presentation at IMA
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7
On the eve of the passing out parade of autumn term 2012, a multimedia, audio-visual presentation on theme ‘IMA through ages’ was organised at Drill Square of the Indian Military Academy here today.

The guests included Lt Gen Manvender Singh, AVSM, VSM, Commandant, IMA, along with various military/civil dignitaries, parents and family members of the Gentlemen Cadet of the passing-out course.

A gathering of around 4,000 spectators was mesmerised witnessing such a stunning performance. The aim of the programme was to showcase the history of the IMA since the time of its inception. The event was named ‘Son-Et-Lumiere’.

The academy has earned an international accolade which is evident from the fact that GCs from as many as 30 friendly foreign countries have been trained here so far. As the alma mater of the nation, the IMA has ensured that every six months, a constant flow of motivated and competent leaders cross the ‘antim pag’ through its hallowed portals. 

Out of 421 Gentlemen Cadets, 76 hail from UP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7
Out of 421 Gentlemen Cadets (GC) from the country passing out at this year’s Indian Military Academy (IMA) parade on December 8, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum share with a total of 76 GCs coming from the most populous state of the country.

The demographic statistics of GCs passing out of 131 regular and other parallel courses released by the IMA today had Uttar Pradesh topping the list followed by Haryana with 50 GCs.

Uttarakhand stands third with 46 GCs (10.92 per cent). The youth of the small hill state of Uttarakhand with a population of over 1 crore have shown excellent results in terms of its representation in the academy in recent years.

There are 30 GCs from Maharashtra, 25 from Rajasthan, 23 from Madhya Pradesh, 22 from Himachal Pradesh, 20 each from Punjab and Delhi and 11 from Kerala.

Similarly, 14 GCs from the trouble-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir will pass out whereas four GCs are from the terror-infested Manipur in the North-East. Nagaland and Tripura have one GC each.

There are 10 GCs from West Bengal and 13 GCs each from Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Five GCs are from Tamil Nadu and nine are from the southern state of Karnataka.

The Union Territory of Chandigarh has four GCs. Jharkhand too has five GCs. Five GCs are from Gujarat, four are from Assam, two from Chattisgarh, five GCs are from Orissa and two GCs from Meghalaya.

Among other highlights of the parade, there is one GC from Nepal who has opted to join the Indian Army. According to the Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty, Nepalese citizens can be absorbed as commissioned officers in the Indian Army.

Awareness drive on domestic violence
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7
Members of Astitva, an NGO providing relief to the victims of domestic violence, held an awareness campaign at Gandhi Park here.

They distributed pamphlets to people to inculcate literacy about the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005).

“The one-day awareness campaign is part of a 16-day drive to make women aware about the Act,” said Meenakshi, a volunteer of Astitva.

Prior to this, a silent march was organised and on December 5 a workshop was held in which Sanjha Manch, a grouping of different NGOs from Kumaon, had taken up the case studies of victims.

No animal sacrifice in Jhankarsam temple
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, December 7
Yet another traditional temple became free of the animal sacrifice ritual in the Kumaon region as the administration and temple committee members on Thursday saved eight goats and one buffalo, brought for sacrifice at Jhankarsam temple of Almora district, by returning these without sacrifice on the occasion of Bhairav Ashtami.

“On knowing that villagers brought goats and a male buffalo for sacrifice in this temple on this day, the district administration had deputed a revenue team to stop the sacrifice to honour the court orders in this connection. As the Ashtabali reached the temple, the revenue team informed the devotees about the court orders and they were sent back without animal sacrifice,” said PS Supyal, revenue inspector of the area.

“We held the ritual of worship in the presence of the family and then persuaded them to take back the animals,” said the revenue official. “The initiative of the local administration on preserving the courts orders in this connection has yielded results, since last year no animal sacrifice had taken place,” said a temple committee member.

According to sources, people from villages of Almora district and Gangolihat and Pithoragarh areas used to sacrifice animals in Jhakar Saim temple situated in the Jageshwar area of Almora district.

Bhoj Matayen to get kitchen management training
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 7
The State Council for Educational Research and Training will provide kitchen management training to bhoj matayen who prepare midday meal at government schools.

This will help providing nutritious and variety midday meal to students, besides helping them to identify contaminated or adulterated food material prior to cooking.They will also be given tips on kitchen management, cooking, serving and the hygienic methodology of cooking.

The council said there should be two women cooks for every 100 children to ensure quality and the timely cooking of food. A uniform is also being designed for bhoj matayen.

Deepak Pawar, mid-day meal in charge for Haridwar district, said: “Two master trainers each will impart training to bhoj matas in every block in the district.”

Suman Devi, who cooks midday meal in the rural block of Narsain, expressed happiness over the new guidelines and the kitchen management course.

She said it was imperative that they should also be given training in kitchen management, so that they could execute their cooking task perfectly.

Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, midday meal is served to students up to class VIII in all government schools across the country. 

Gang of drug peddlers busted in Dehradun
6 members held; 1.8 kg opium worth `10 lakh seized
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7
The special task force (STF), along with the city police, has arrested six members of an intra-state gang of drug peddlers with 1.8 kg opium, estimated to be Rs 10 lakh. The team has also seized 16 drugs paper from them, which is worth Rs 50,000 in the international market.

The drug paper is of a stamp size and each one costs Rs 3,000. The paper is laced with chemical Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and is commonly known as ‘acid’. Its effects linger on for as long as 24 hours.

SSP, STF, Santhiyal Abudai, said, “The youngsters prone to drugs in Dehradun prefer and demand acid paper over other drug alternatives despite the fact that it is more expensive than other mediums, for a simple reason that it is easy to carry and conceal within the folds of a napkin. Just by putting it on the tip of the tongue, the user can sense its hallucinating effects for 24 hours. The youngsters can easily dodge their parent or others with the usage of acid paper.”

There is no cumbersome process associated with it like other drugs such as filling it in cigarettes, injecting it in syringes or burning it.

The group of six convicts is headed by Anil Chauhan (28) and his girlfriend Anjali (24). Anil, resident

Mothrowala, runs a mobile shop at Rajiv Colony, and Anjali is a resident of Race Course Officer’s colony. She is doing a course in business administration from a local college.

The other four are Sandeep Chuhan alias Sandi, 22, resident Nehru Colony and a student of DAV college, Sandeep alias Lambu, 25, resident of Araghar and works for Birla Tyre company, and Amrita, 21, resident of Patel Nagar. Amrita and sixth accused Prashant Rawat, 21, are students of hotel Management in Dehradun.

Prashant Rawat is son of an inspector. He had been jailed earlier as well. The convicts were arrested from the Kulhal barrier of the Vikas Nagar police station and had been booked under Section 8/18/20/60 under the NDPS Act. The STF team has also seized a car used by them.

While addressing a press conference, SSP Abudai said the gang used to buy drugs from Manali, Manikaran and Kullu. The acid papers were purchased from the foreigners who would bring it from abroad on demand. He said the STF gathered more information about the entire gang of the drug peddlers, of which this gang was only a part, by taking help of other investigative agencies in this regard.

He said this kind of specific drug was more in vogue at the places like as Goa or Manali, which are thronged by foreigners.

The acid paper has been banned in some countries like the USA.

He said it was important for parents to know about this kind of drug so that they remained cautious of it.