Mussoorie, December 30
The inability of the state government to manage the ice-skating rink of international standards situated at Raipur in Dehradun has prompted the Union Sports Ministry to take matters in its hands.

Youths hold a protest.

The Sports Ministry on the request of the state government will be sending a team to from the Centre to find out the ways to manage the rink and assist the state by providing ample funds so that the ice-skating lovers can avail the facilities on a regular basis in Dehradun without hindrance.

This was said by Minister of State Sports Bhanwar Jitendar Singh during his visit to Mussoorie today.

The minister informing mediapersons said the state government in its letter written to the ministry had said it was unable to run the ice-skating rink on its own due to high maintenance cost which included the electricity cost amounting to several lakhs on a daily basis.

State government officials had demanded that the Sports Ministry should assist them financially in order to run the rink with world-class facilities in the larger interest of sportspersons here.

He further said the ministry was planning to send a team to investigate the ways to manage the ice-rink in consultation with the state government so that the ice-skating lovers did not have to suffer.

Dehradun, December 30
Women and other social organisations today expressed deep grief over the death of New Delhi gang-rape victim, who was a paramedical student in Dehradun.

Holding placards, a group of youths held a vociferous protest at Gandhi Park and demanded justice for the victim.

The speakers were of the view that the country must pay a true tribute to the victim, Damini, by announcing a death sentence to the culprits and take up stringent measures for the security of the women. They also appealed to the city people to not hold celebrations on the New Year.

While holding a joint press conference at Naishvilla Road, the convener of the Mahila Manch Kamla Pant, spokesperson of the Uttarakhand Parivartan Party Rajiv Kothari, representative of People’s Forum Jitender Bharti, Jagmohan Mehndiratta and Mahimanand praised Damini for struggling against exploitation and injustice. They said rape was the most gruesome form of human exploitation, where Damini had become the symbol of fighting spirit and courage.

They said even after 65 years of Independence, women continued to live in fear and insecurity. The government, political parties and social representatives must think about it, they opined. They also advocated formation of fast track courts to wrap up rape related matter swiftly.

Dehradun, December 30
Making A Difference, an organisation of youngsters, along with National Service Scheme volunteers, organised a cleanliness drive at Parade and Pavilion Grounds here today.

The volunteers reached Pavilion Ground at 8.30 in the morning. Before the start of the drive, the participants gathered for a two-minute silence for the braveheart who died at a Singapore hospital while battling the grievous injuries suffered by her during the gang-rape in Delhi. Thereafter, a combined force of over 200 ‘Maddians’ and NSS volunteers started the cleaning-up exercise.

As hours passed, piles of polythene, plastic, wrappers and packets were dug out. The toxic waste was removed from the ground. By the afternoon, the MAD and NSS volunteers moved to Parade Ground located opposite to Pavilion Ground. There, volunteers picked up poly bags littered around the place.

“The ambience of Parade Ground needed to undergo a sea change. For this, the grass must be greener and even. At present, it is no different from a semi-arid desert. Second, the cows must be prevented from consuming the waste,” suggested Vishwas Pande, an MAD volunteer, who participated in the cleanliness campaign today.

Another major problem which was identified in the course of the drive was the absence of dustbins at both places. “It is sad to note that there are absolutely no dustbins in the Parade Ground. Furthermore, the umpteen numbers of fairs and carnivals going on here seem to operate without any guideline. In this way, one cannot expect things to change,” adds Gaurav Chamoli, a new MAD member.

Referring to the importance of today’s drive, Abhijay Negi, founder chairperson of MAD said to bid 2012 a farewell on the right note, the Maddians have decided that they would not sit at home for the weekend and would give a few hours for social service.

Aakash Bhatia, Parth Joshi, Atreyi Bhattacharya, Samarth Goel and Paritosh Dobhal were prominent volunteers at the drive. — TNS

Mussoorie, December 30
Union Minister of State, Youth Affairs and Sports Bhanwar Jitendra Singh has given an indication of shedding the confrontational approach and bringing all stakeholders to the negotiation table to find an amicable solution to the passage of the new Sports Bill. It will help in the promotion of sports at the grassroots level.

Talking to the media during his visit to Mussoorie today, the minister said the new Bill had been returned to his ministry by the Cabinet for modification and efforts were on to introduce it after consulting the authorities concerned.

He said the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had failed to amend its constitution in accordance with the sports code and the ministry was contemplating stopping funding and take appropriate action against such organisations.

He said there was a lack of transparency and accountability among various sports federations at the national and state levels and the new Bill would ensure their proper functioning.

About the complaints of irregularities in state federations, including the Uttarakhand Olympic Association, he said appropriate action would be taken against them after a thorough investigation.

He said the ministry was planning to ensure that more than 25 per cent seats in sports bodies at the state and national levels were reserved for sportsmen.

On the issue of lifting the ban on the IOA, he said the ministry would communicate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in this regard, so that sportsmen do not have to suffer due to the erring federations at any cost. “Talks were on with the International Olympic Committee and I am hopeful that the ban would be lifted soon. Till that time, athletes will be able to participate under the olympic flag ," he said.

He said the ministry was planning making Sachin Tendulkar their brand ambassador. On the issue of creating a high-altitude sporting facility in Mussoorie, the minister said if the state government send him a proposal, he would consider it on a priority basis and assist the Sports Department financially.