MAD volunteers make special children’s Sunday memorable
Dehradun, August 25
Volunteers of Making a Difference (MAD) here today organised an entertainment programme for special children at Raphael Home.

Mussoorie, August 25
Adding another feather to their cap, twin sisters Nungshi and Tashi Malik, former students of Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary School in Mussoorie, have achieved another rare feat of scaling Mt Elbrus, the highest peak of Europe. They are the first twin sisters to do so in the world.

The two, residents of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, had earlier brought laurels to the state by becoming the first twins to climb Mt Everest.

Taking on what is considered as men’s domain, Tashi and Nungshi Malik achieved the rare feat of successfully scaling Mt Elbrus (19,000 feet) after an arduous trek of eight to nine hours on August 22 around 11.30 am.

When contacted, their elated father Col VS Malik (retd) informed The Tribune that that his daughters confirmed the successful climb on arriving at the IGI airport, New Delhi.

Tashi and Nungshi said that although not so high, Mt Elbrus is notorious for high wind speeds and very low temperatures. But they did not lose hope and now have become the first Indian twin sisters to step together on Mt Elbrus. In 2012, they became the first Indian twin sisters to scale Mt Killimanjaro.

The Malik sisters are popularly called ‘Shatabdi Express' and Rajdhani Express’ by fellow mountaineers due to their superb fitness and climbing speed. Recently, they also became the first set of twin sisters to conquer a virgin peak in the Bara Shigri glacier of Himachal Pradesh at 6,290 m (21,000 ft) which will now be named by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.

With this feat, the first twin sisters in the world to conquer the Everest have climbed three of the famed ‘Seven Summits’. They solicit financial support from sponsors, former schools and well-wishers to climb the rest of the peaks for more world records.

The twins now plan to conquer Mt Aconcagua in Argentina or Carstenz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea by October-end, Vinson Massif in Antarctica by December and Mt McKinley in Alaska in May 2014, with the motto ‘gender equality -- fight against female foeticide’.

The 22-year-old sisters are residing in Dehradun to pursue their mountaineering pursuits and wish to start an initiative, “Adventure for Peace”, to strengthen their belief by helping young people become responsible ‘global citizens’ and create leadership qualities through adventure.

The twins wish to contribute to regional and global peace by organising joint adventure activities integrated with training on peace and conflict resolution, communication, peace and non-violence.

Incidentally, Tashi is a Tibetan word meaning ‘good luck’ and Nungshi a Manipuri word meaning ‘love.’

Dehradun, August 25
“We should always remember the brave freedom fighters who gave up their lives to save the country and particularly those from Kumoan hills, who opposed the practice of forced labour,” said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, while offering flowers at the memorial of Salam Chhetra on Martyrs’ Day, in Jainti on Sunday.

He said the martyrs of the region had fought against the practice of forced labour, known as ‘begaar’ and ended the ‘maal guzaari’ system of collecting taxes by the British.

Uttarakhand, especially Almora district’s Salam and Salt areas, had made a special contribution to the freedom struggle of the country, he added.

The government was committed to the development of these areas. Rising beyond politics to ensure development of these places would be the real tribute to the martyrs, he said.

Bahuguna also laid the foundation stones for several projects worth Rs 7 crore, including the Kasturba Gandhi Girls’ School in Jainti, which will cost Rs 317.03 lakh, Allopathic Hospital building in the Barakot area of Lamgada development block, costing Rs 12.55 lakh, Kasturba Gandhi School, Sunadi’s building, amounting to Rs 122.15 lakh and reconstruction of the ITI which would cost Rs 161.84 lakh.

At the Martyrs’ Day function, the Chief Minister assured Vidhan Sabha Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal and the Parliamentary Secretary that their demands for their respective areas would be conceded in phases. He said the Speaker would be handed over the related government orders before the coming Vidhan Sabha session.

He also spoke about the devastation caused in the state due to the natural disaster. He said the people would have to get over narrow self-interest and unite to redevelop the state.

Discussions were on to include the Guerrilla volunteers in the relief work, so that their problems could also be sorted out, he added.

Bahuguna highlighted the need to focus on health, roads, electricity, drinking water and education.

He said taking forward the vision of his father, the late Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, the decision to build Gairsen as the capital had been taken. Proper policies for the hill area development would be made and implemented. Policies were also being designed to rehabilitate the victims of Dharchula, Munsyari, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi, he added.

He said work was on to re- establish them in their respective areas, but if it was not possible, then provision would be made for them in the plains.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Govind Kunjwal said everyone would collectively work at solving the problems of the home town of the great freedom fighters. The quick acceptance by the CM to his invitation to attend the function had been a true tribute to the martyrs and also given new hope for the development of the region. He expressed his gratitude to the CM for inaugurating several projects and schemes in the district.

Present on the occasion were Almora Lok Sabha MP Pradeep Tamta, Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Singh Mahra, Legislator Manoj Tiwari, former president, Zila Panchayat, Mohan Singh Mahra and former president, District Cooperative Bank, Diwan Singh Bhaisoda.

These leaders paid floral tributes at the Martyrs memorial.

Kunjwal ephasised on strengthening the education system and rising above petty politics.

The programme was coordinated jointly by former Congress spokesperson Dinesh Kunjwal and Pratap Ram, son of freedom fighter Marchu Ram.

Students from several schools also staged cultural programmes to mark the day. 

Dehradun, August 25
Volunteers of Making a Difference (MAD) here today organised an entertainment programme for special children at Raphael Home.

As many as 60 volunteers from DIT, Graphic Era University, Brightlands, Hopetown, Him Jyoti, Summer Valley etc, who are associated with MAD, reached Raphael Home in the morning with balloons, roses, sweets, gifts and drawing files. A drawing and painting competition was also organised for Raphael's inmates. Refreshments were also given them.

In the end, MAD volunteers selected five best painting and gave away prizes to the winners. The volunteers said today people were so busy in their lives that they had no time for such people, who are devoid of colours of life.

Dehradun, August 25
The Dehradun police today carried out a mock drill ahead of President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Dehradun tomorrow.

He will be here to attend the convocation of the University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES), Bidholi, Premnagar.

SSP Kewal Khuranna and SP (City) Jagdish Chanda, along with other police officials, reviewed securing arrangements. The police also conducted a convoy rehearsal from Jolly Grant Airport to the UPES campus in the afternoon.

The stretch from where the convoy of the President will pass has already been cordoned off.

Meanwhile, commuters will have to face inconvenience due to route diversions through out the day on Monday.

The stretch between Ranipokhri and Jolly Grant Airport will remain closed to traffic from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and all vehicles coming towards Dehradun from Haridwar will be diverted to Nepali Farm.

Traffic from Ballupur and Kaulagarh towards the Army helipad on the Cantonment road will be stopped from 2:30 pm to 4 pm.

Traffic from the Bindal bridge towards the Army cantonment will not be allowed during the President's stay in the city tomorrow.

Dehradun August 25
District Magistrate RM Sundaram here today reviewed preparations and security arrangements for the visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to Dehradun tomorrow.

Besides, the University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Bidholi, Premnagar, where he will be attending a convocation ceremony tomorrow, the DM also inspected those areas from where the President's cavalcade would pass.

He directed officials to strictly follow the instructions with regard to safety and security.

The DM said traffic should be regulated in such a manner that public should not be put at inconvenience. He said policemen should be deployed at all crossings.

Joint Magistrate Ranjana Verma, SDM, Vikasnagar, Ashok Pandey, Secretary, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority, Banshidhar Tiwari and senior police officials, including IG (Law & Order) RS Meena, IG (Intelligence) Deepak Jyoti Ghildiyal, DIG (Garhwal) Amit Sinha and SSP Kewal Khurana, were also 
present.

Dehradun, August 25
The Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) launched its Dehradun chapter at a function here yesterday. Governor Aziz Qureshi presided over the function.

The Governor congratulated the PRSI chapter and expressed confidence that all organisations related to media and communication would resolve to work for a healthy and progressive society and the nation.

The Governor talked about the role of the media in the recent natural disaster that struck Uttarakhand and said it had the power to eradicate superstitions, injustice and exploitation from society.

He said people were losing trust in politicians, bureaucracy and also in the media. Renowned environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt was the key speaker on the topic, “Role of Communication in Crisis.” He said the Chipko movement became internationally known due to the media. He appealed to the people to present facts to the media honestly. “This can rectify many things and also prevent many things,” he added.

Anoop Nautiyal, who headed the 108 ambulance service in the state, said a message of hope balanced with reality needed to be given in the time of the crisis.

Dr Ajit Pathak, national chairman of the PRSI, expressed happiness at the launch of the Dehradun chapter. He said public relation was a powerful and effective tool of building the image of an organisation. He presented a cheque for Rs 2 lakh to the Governor as their contribution towards the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Madhulika Burman, president of the Dehradun chapter, welcomed the guests. She said the objective of the PRSI was to provide a platform for exchanging views, knowledge and experiences. 

Dehradun, August 25
The Uttarakhand Secretariat Review Officers Association yesterday lodged a protest against Uttarakhand officers for failing to reach an agreement regarding the removal of anomalies in the salaries of the review officers during the meeting held on August 22.

At a meeting held at the Secretariat, the members condemned the attitude of certain officers who were not keen to remove the anomalies in the pay structure of the review officers employed in the Secretariat.

Deepak Joshi, general secretary of the Uttarakhand Secretariat Review Officers Association, said they had been pressing for the implementation of the Uttar Pradesh state pattern so that the review officers' pay band is upgraded from Rs 4,200 to Rs 4,600. 

Dehradun, August 25
Tourism Minister Amrita Rawat released a book on “Nanda Key Jagar” written by folk singer Basanti Bisht in Dehradun yesterday. Jagar is a traditional form of worship in Uttarakhand.

In her address, Amrita Rawat reiterated her ministry’s commitment to working for the conservation of folk art and culture. She lauded Bisht for trying to save the dying art of jagar recital.

Bisht along with Roshan Dhasmana, Mandan Mohan Duklana and Bharti Pandey was present at the function.

Dehradun, August 25
Colonel Brown School won the Under-15 Football Tournament by defeating Indian Public School in the final match played at Summer Valley School here yesterday.

Both teams could score only one goal each and the match entered into a tie-breaker. During the tie-breaker, Colonel Brown won the match 5-3.

Dehradun, August 25
Welham ‘A’ reached the finals of Inter-School Hockey Girls Tournament after defeating Welham ‘B’ at Welham Girls School here today. The tournament is played in the memory of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand every year.

Welham ‘A’ won by 6-0 with Aishwarya opening the score in the 2nd minute of the game and Madhvi making it double in the 15th minute. Star of the match was Ishrat who scored three goals.

Welham ‘A’ will be battling it out against MKP hockey team in the finals, scheduled to be played on Sunday. Six teams have participated in the tournament.

Dehradun, August 25
In the only match played in the ongoing Drona College 70th Nemidas Memorial District Football League here today, CTN Football Club played a draw against Vijay Cantonment team.

In the opening minutes of the game, Siring from CTN scored a goal at the 5th minute, putting his team ahead. Both teams tried hard to score a goal but at the 30th minute, Prateek of Vijay Cantonment got the opportunity and converted it into a goal, making it 1-1. Both teams could not score any goal after that and the game ended in a draw with both getting the points.