St Joseph’s Academy wins overall trophy in cultural extravaganza
Dehardun, August 11
In an annual cultural fest 'Milestone', organised by St George's College, Mussoorie today, St Joseph's Academy, Dehradun won the overall trophy fourth time in a row. The event commenced with a welcome speech by Rev Brother Christopher of St George's College.

Students of St Josephs' Acadaemy with the trophy at cultural extravaganza ‘Milestone’ at St George’s College, and (right) girls perform during the programme in Mussoorie on Sunday.

340 police personnel to get medals
Dehradun, August 11
Over 340 police and Fire Service personnel would be conferred with medals for their meritorious and distinguished services on the occasion of Independence Day.

Multan joth festival ends with milk offering to Ganga
Haridwar, August 11
The 103rd Multan Joth Mahotsava concluded here today with the offering of milk to the holy Ganga river at Braham Kund, Har-ki-Pauri.




Devotees play Holi with milk at Braham Kund, Har-ki-Pauri, in Haridwar on Sunday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Naag Panchami celebrated with fervour
Mussoorie, August 11
Naag Panchami, the festival of snakes was celebrated with fervour and gaiety at Naag Mandir (temple) on the Hathipaon road, 6 km from here today.

School van owners get offer to exchange vehicles
Dehradun, August 11
Giving respite to school van owners, automobile dealers have agreed on providing exchange offer to school van owners who want to change their old vans with new ones.



A meeting of the All-School Cab Operators’ Association in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

UJVNL generates maximum power
Dehradun, August 11
With all its hydropower houses damaged in the flash floods notwithstanding, the Uttrakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) has managed to overcome all its odd by generating the maximum power of 20.89 million unit (MU) on Eid.

PRD staff threaten to intensify stir
Dehradun, August 11
Members of the Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) have threatened to intensify the agitation if the government does not meet their demand of regularisation of their services and setting up of a separate structure of the PRD.

MNREGS employees stage dharna
Dehradun, August 11
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) Employees' Association continued with their dharna today at the Old Raipur bus stand in Dehradun.




MNREGS employees hold a dharna in support of their demands in Dehradun. A Tribune photograph

Sunderwala win district football league’s inaugural match
Dehradun, August 11
Defending champion Sunderwala football club won the inaugural match of the Dehradun Football League that commenced here today at the football ground of the Youth Development Department in Tapovan. Only one match was played on the first day of the league in which Sunderwala won it with a 3-0 win over the Nehru Gram Football Club.

Haridwar, August 11
Life seems to have changed for Vandana Kataria, who was a member of the Junior Indian women hockey team that won the bronze medal at the recently held Hockey World Cup at Monchen Gladbac, Germany.

The Haridwar girl, who rose to fame after being the third highest goal scorer in the world cup tournament, arrived at her town today.

Musical band, a large number of people, including her family members, relatives, friends and villagers of the district welcomed Vandana on her arrival at the railway station.

Talking to the TNS, midfielder Vandana Kataria attributed her success to hard work, guidance of her coach, Krishan Kumar, and the camaraderie between the team members, who all wanted to replicate the Bollywood movie ‘Chak De’ movie success story.

Currently working in the Railways, Vandana said with the maiden medal by any junior eves hockey team at the world cup, all the team members are quite elated and feel proud of their achievement.

She rues that had they played better in the semi-finals against the Netherlands, India could have had a better position.

She also pointed at the 10-1 win against the Russian team in which she scored a hat-trick as a pivotal point in the tournament. She said it gave the team players immense confidence and hope that they were no less than any other other European teams.

Father Nahar Singh got emotional seeing the grand reception her daughter received after winning the bronze.

“Hailing from tiny village of Roshanabad, many villagers asked me not to allow Vandana play outdoor games like hockey. But, seeing her determination and skills, I supported her in all possible ways, “said Nahar Singh.

Dehradun, August 11
It is almost getting clear that money involved in an MBBS admission of a student was the main reason behind Yudhbir Singh Rawat’s death, whose body was found on the Rajpur road in Dehradun on Friday morning.

The police has zeroed in on a woman with whom Yudhbir was allegedly last seen on Thursday . Sources said the police had got important leads in the case after interrogating the woman and was now suspecting it to be a murder.

The police said teams had been formed to nab two persons who were said to be close associates of the woman.

Meanwhile, teams from the Special Operation Group and the Rajpur police station are conducting raids at a number of places in the state and Uttar Pradesh to catch the two close associates of the woman, who allegedly conspired with her to kill Yudhbir.

Requesting anonymity, an officer involved in the investigations, told The Tribune, “The woman is trying to confuse us by changing her statements every now and then, but we are almost sure that the money involved in one MBBS admission was the main reason behind Yudhbir’s death.”

The suspected woman has interests in property business and college admissions. It is being alleged that she had taken money from Yudhbir for an admission in MBBS College in Dehradun and was refusing returning the money to Yudhbir even though she had failed to get the admission done.

On the question of the arrest of the woman, SP Jagdish Chandra told The Tribune, “We cannot arrest anybody without having proper evidence. Our teams are working hard to gather the needed evidence to make arrests in the case.” —TNS

Dehradun, August 11
This Independence Day, Star India is bringing together living legends of the Indian cinema in a rare appearance aimed at raising funds to rebuild lives of the flood victims in Uttarakhand. Living legends, including Amitabh Bachchan and AR Rahman, will appear together in public for the first time at the birthplace of the Indian cinema.

The icons will be joined by young turks of the silver screen, including Alia Bhatt, Ayushmann Khurana, Prasson Joshi and Varun Dhawan at the Star India’s event ‘Saath Hain Hum Uttarakhand’. The event aims at mobilising funds for rehabilitation work in the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.

“The event is a proof that there is a strong desire in the community to help,'' Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India, said. “The unflinching support of the stars is humbling and in turn will help us extend a helping hand to those in need. The film world's support also reinforces our belief in the power and reach of the television and its ability to be a force for good,'' he said.

Advertising revenue from 'Saath Hain Hum Uttrakhand', a seven-hour marathon event on the occasion of Independence Day at the NSCI Grounds, Worli, Mumbai, will be channeled to relief work in the hill state through two civil society organisations-- Himmotthan Society and People's Science Institute (PSI) of Dehradun.

The event will be telecasted live on key channels of the Star India network, including flagship Star Plus, Star Utsav, Life OK, Channel V and Star Pravah.

Amitabh Bachchan will be joined by his son, Abhishek Bachchan, at the event for a performance that promises to be riveting and vibrant. Amitabh Bachchan, Prasoon Joshi and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy will perform a special event anthem ‘Mera Desh’ to instil hope and muster mass support for the cause. Big B will lend his mesmerising voice to recite couplets from Prasoon Joshi’s magical poetry that will be set on Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music.

Oscar-winning maestro AR Rahman will dedicate a special symphony to the nation and perform on some of his most inspirational songs. Versatile actor and singer Ayushmann Khurana will perform a song composed exclusively for the event. Actors from some of the most popular shows from the Star India channels such as Diya Aur Baati Hum, Pyaar Ka Dard among others will also join the cause.

Star India will encourage its viewers across the globe to lend their support and donate generously for the cause. These donation lines will remain open from August 15 to September 7. The use of funds will be overseen by a team of independent auditors.

Film Producers Guild, Federation of Western India Cine Employees, TV Artists Forum, Corporate Charity Trusts and several independent industrialists and donors will be partners to a part of the fund-raising event. It will be attended by senior leaders from the state governments and Centre.

Dehardun, August 11
In an annual cultural fest 'Milestone', organised by St George's College, Mussoorie today, St Joseph's Academy, Dehradun won the overall trophy fourth time in a row. The event commenced with a welcome speech by Rev Brother Christopher of St George's College.

Students from the18 schools of Mussoorie and Dehradun participated in the competitions. Contests were held in Dumb Shiraz, photography, quiz, arts, singing and dance.

St Joseph's Academy, Welham Boys' School, Welham Girls' School, Waverly Hills School, Doon International School, Summer Valley School, Hopetown Girls' School participated in the cultural extravaganza. St. Joseph's Academy emerged overall winner and clinched the 'Champion of the Champions' trophy.

St Joseph Academy was declared champion of the champions in the cultural extravaganza ‘Milestone’ yesterday Students from various schools participated in quiz, ad-bag, music (Indian and western solo and group), painting competition, speech competition and choreography.

The chief guest on the occasion was Rohan Mehra, a rising model and actor. He inaugurated the event along with the school Principal by lighting a ceremonial lamp. In the Indian Solo section, CJM Dehradun, Doon International School and Mussoorie International School were adjudged first, second and third, respectively. In the quiz competition, Summer Valley School, St Joseph Academy and Welham Boys were adjudged first, second and third, respectively.

In the photography competition, Shikar Gupta of St Joseph School stood first, while Jurish Nath from Wynberg Allen and Simi Bhandari stood second jointly. In the jam session, Welham Boys stood first, St Joseph second and Doon International School third. In the arts competition, the RIMC stood first, St Joseph Academy second and Welham girls third. In dumb charade, St Joseph Academy stood first, Mussoorie Public School second and Wynberg Allen School third. In the western music competition, Welham Girls’ School stood first, while St Joseph Academy stood second and Mussoorie International School third. In the choreography contest, Hopetwon Girl School stood first, the RIMC stood second and St Joseph third. The champion of the champion trophy was won by St Joseph Academy.

The event was organised by the school students of the host St George’s College. The event was concluded with the distribution of prizes, followed by a vote of thanks by the Principal, Bro Christopher Dawes, who said co-curricular activities were important as they helped individual in some way or the other. 

Haridwar, August 11
The 103rd Multan Joth Mahotsava concluded here today with the offering of milk to the holy Ganga river at Braham Kund, Har-ki-Pauri.

Thousands of people hailing from the Multan region, now in Pakistan, and living in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi participated in this festival, which has acquired a fair-like status.

The chief of the Akhil Bharatiya Multan Youth Organisation, Dr Mahendra Nagpal, said the Multan Mahotsava began in 1911 when Roop Chan came from Multan in Pakistan on foot to Haridwar to offer ‘joth’ to the holy Ganga river.

He said that since then, it has became a tradition to offer joths and milk to the Ganga, which is considered as a mother in India.

A grand procession was carried out in the city by the organisers, dipping the city in a festive mood. —TNS

Mussoorie, August 11
Naag Panchami, the festival of snakes was celebrated with fervour and gaiety at Naag Mandir (temple) on the Hathipaon road, 6 km from here today.

Devotees from the region gathered at the temple to worship Lord Naag Raj. The devotees offered milk, fruits and sweets on the occasion.

A bhandara and havan was organised by the Naag Devta Mandir Committee for the devotees. The 7-day-old Bhagwat katha also came to an end today.

Temple committee president Hoshiyar Singh Thapli said more than 10,000 persons had already visited the temple. He also said the Naag Mandir is revered around the region and is more than 200-year-old. It was found by villagers when they saw a cow shedding milk at one of the stones around the area. The stone since then has been revered as Naag Devta.

MLA Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi, MC President Manmohan Singh Mall, former MC president OP Uniyal and several other dignitaries also sought the blessings of the serpent lord on the occasion.

Dehradun, August 11
Giving respite to school van owners, automobile dealers have agreed on providing exchange offer to school van owners who want to change their old vans with new ones. This was decided at a meeting held between the School Van Association and automobile dealers here today.

The School Van Association and the administration were at loggerheads after the Transport Department and the Dehradun police started a drive against school vans recently on the issue of vans running for commercial purpose without a commercial vehicle permit. The administration gave two-month time to van owners to register their vehicles on commercial permits or else the vehicles would be seized.

However, the problem with almost 500 van owners was that most to the vans running as school cabs were more than 15 years old, whereas commercial permit was only given to the vehicle which was less than 15 years old.

“Automobile dealers have agreed to provide new vans to the van owners in exchange of their old vehicle on easy terms and conditions,” Suryakant Dasmama, patron of the School Van Association, told The Tribune.

He said two-month time was given to van owners to exchange their vehicles with a new one and get commercial permit. Till then, the police and the authorities will not take any action against school vans. 

Dehradun, August 11
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) Employees' Association continued with their dharna today at the Old Raipur bus stand in Dehradun.

The agitating employees have been demanding insurance and provident fund benefits. They are also seeking the contractual employees status.

Ramesh Gadiya, Dwarika Prasad, Vimal Rana and Bijrendra Jagudi were prominent among the protesters.

Dehradun, August 11
Defending champion Sunderwala football club won the inaugural match of the Dehradun Football League that commenced here today at the football ground of the Youth Development Department in Tapovan. Only one match was played on the first day of the league in which Sunderwala won it with a 3-0 win over the Nehru Gram Football Club.

Harish Kargi opened the tally from Sunderwala side by scoring the first goal at the 16th minute. Surya Sen made it two after scoring the goal at 53rd minute of the game. The tense moment for Sunderwala came at the 58th minute when their player Shubham Bist was shown red card for a wrong tackle. The team did not show any nervousness even after they were one man down and won the match comfortably in the end.

The Dehradun Football League is starting after a delay of almost one month due to non-availability of football ground with the organisers. The league organisers wanted to organise the district league tournament at pavilion football ground but they could not get the it due to the ongoing tussle between the Sports Department and the Nirman Nigam on the issue of handover of the ground after renovation.

“After we were denied the pavilion ground by the authorities, we decided to start the league at the football ground of the Youth Development Department in Tapovan,” Raju Rawat, secretary, Dehradun District Football Association, told The Tribune.

Meanwhile, 40 football club teams from across the district are participating in the month-long district football league.