Damage-control exercise by Bahuguna camp
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 27
The sudden visit of a group of Congress legislators owing allegiance to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna to the national Capital to meet senior party leaders, including party president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi, has led to lot of speculation and is seen as a “damage control” exercise by the group.

According to Congress party sources, the visit by a group of legislators led by staunch Bahuguna loyalist Subodh Uniyal, who is legislator from Narendra Nagar in Tehri district, was part of the damage control exercise from the Bahuguna camp in the wake of reports of complaints about the alleged mishandling of the relief and rehabilitation efforts after the natural disaster in the state.

It was believed that the party high command had been unhappy with the reports of alleged failure of Bahuguna government after the natural disaster that claimed more than 5,000 lives and caused widespread damage in the state.

Interestingly, the powerful section of the Uttarakhand Congress led by Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat had been opposing Bahuguna from the word go but after the natural disaster struck the state, the Harish Rawat camp has remained silent. Harish Rawat avoided any criticism of the Bahuguna government on the issue of relief and rehabilitation. Publicly, he was all praise for the government efforts. Probably, he did not want to give a message at that crucial moment of playing a negative role.

It was learnt that the party high command has been getting information from various quarters about the inefficiency of the state government machinery in mitigating the sufferings of the victims of the natural disaster. Even after two months of disaster, most of the roads in the disaster affected areas remained closed and there are still hundreds of villages which are not connected. Recently, one of the supporters of Bahuguna government, Satpal Maharaj, Lok Sabha MP, also turned against him. He openly criticised the state government for its alleged failure in giving the Central Government accurate ground reports about the disaster to get Central assistance. It was the areas of Satpal Maharaj's Lok Sabha constituency of Rudraprauag and Chamoli districts which suffered maximum damage in the disaster. Local people are extremely annoyed with the state government and Satpal Maharaj would have to bear the political cost in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In the light of these developments, the Bahuguna supporters camped in the national Capital to convince the leaders that the state government had been doing well under the leadership of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. 

CM downplays MLAs’ visit to Delhi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 27
Amid reports of a section of Uttarakhand Congress MLAs rushing to New Delhi for a possible meeting with the Congress high command, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today said that the delegation had gone to New Delhi in order to witness the proceedings of the Lok Sabha where the Food Security Bill was being debated.

“In the delegation there are some MLAs who have been elected for the first time and were keen to witness the proceedings in the Lok Sabha session in New Delhi, especially when there was a debate on the Food Security Bill. I am the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and there are no factions in the Congress,” said Bahuguna while speaking to reporters today.

For the last two days the media was agog with reports after a group of MLAs perceived to be close to Bahuguna left for New Delhi to meet vice president of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Rahul Gandhi in the face of criticism of the alleged casual approach of the Bahuguna government towards relief work.

Interestingly, in the entire episode, the faction close to Union Cabinet Minister Harish Rawat had remained mum with even the Speaker of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Govind Singh Kunjwal saying that not much should be read in the meeting of the MLAs.

Further, the Chief Minister said that a meeting of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) would be held on September 3 to discuss the preparations for holding prayers at the Kedarnath Temple slated for September 11 that were abruptly halted after the mid-June natural calamity.

The Chief Minister also said that the government had decided to hike the monthly rent being extended to the families whose houses had been destroyed or damaged in the floods from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3000. “The government would pay the rent for a period of one year or till such time the affected persons do not get permanent dwellings,” said Bahuguna.

The Chief Minister also said that on September 29, a meeting with the District Magistrates of affected districts would be held who would present reports about areas demarcated for settling the affected persons permanently.

Meanwhile, around 4,500 youth hailing from the affected areas would be providing skill development training by corporate houses, FICCI and Labour Department of Government of India. 

Bahuguna assures Jaunsar Bawar residents of development
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 27
A delegation from the Jaunsar Bawar area, under the leadership of Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Pritam Singh met Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna at his residence, here, today. The delegation presented a memorandum of demands regarding problems being faced by the residents of the area.

The Chief Minister said the state government was committed to the development of the tribal area of Jaunsar, along with the rest of the state. He said the development work has been hampered by the recent disaster.

Work was on to get the development of the state back on track. He assured them that all development promises would be fulfilled.

“Work will be done on a priority basis according to its importance. There is a relation of trust between the state government and the people and we are committed to maintaining this. I am in touch with the people of the region,” he declared.

Chinmayanand reiterates pledge to build Ram temple
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 27
Former Union Minister of State for Home Swami Chinmayanand today reiterated the pledge of saints and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) of building the Ram temple at Ayodhya. He said the ongoing 84 kos parikrama was a step towards realising the dream.

Chinmayanand spoke to The Tribune on his return to his ashram in Haridwar. He was arrested and jailed by the Uttar Pradesh government while he was leading a group of saints on the 84 kos parikrama in Ayodhya three days ago.

He said it was the vision of the saints and the VHP to construct the Ram temple in one year at the same place where Ram Lalla is being worshipped.

“Year 2014 is crucial for the country and for the construction of the Ram temple. This is also the Lok Sabha election year and the next government led by the NDA will pave the way for it,” he said. The Samajwadi Party government would not be able to restrain the saints and the Hindus for long from realizing their dream, he added.

Chinmayanand warned SP national president Mulayam Singh Yadav against playing communal and vote bank politics. He said 1,000 saints from Uttarakhand would take part in the parikrama in Ayodhya on September 9.

“If the Uttar Pradesh government has the guts to stop the saints, it should arrest them on the way. We are saints not terrorists and we are going for a religious cause. The 84 kos parikrama was held for years together even during the Mughal era. But it is for the first time that Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Chief Minister have tried to prohibit it at the behest of an Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister. Muslim brothers and minority organisations have not opposed the parikrama, but it is the Samajwadi Party that is unduly trying to create a controversy over it,” he said.

He added special prayers and rituals would be performed at one lakh places in the country, including at the birthplace of Lord Rama at Ayodhya, on October 18 to pave the way for the construction of the Ram temple. Saints and devotees would take a pledge in the Saryu river on the occasion.

Chinmayanand said a former President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, had passed a special ordinance when the then Home Minister, Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel, had raised the issue of the reconstruction of the Somnath temple in Parliament. “Present President Pranab Mukherjee needs to take a similar action keeping in mind the sentiments of crores of people of India,” he added.

He refuted the arguments put up by the Uttar Pradesh government in the High court that “the 84 kos parikrama is not held during Chaturmas when saints refrain from undertaking pilgrimages”.

Chinmayanand said, “The 84 kos parikrama is a pilgrimage that is undertaken in a round route and is not an ordinary yatra. There is a difference between a parikrama and a religious yatra. Such arguments are baseless and are meant to misguide the people, the government and the court.” 

Nainital MP seeks forgiveness from Nanda Devi for failure to hold yatra
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, August 27
Member of Parliament from Nainital KC Singh Baba, who is considered patron of the Nanda Devi festival in the Kumaon region, today sought pardon from the Goddess at a traditional temple in Almora for not being able to organise the Nanda Raj Jat Yatra this year. Baba belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Kumaon.

The Nanda Raj Jat Yatra, which was scheduled to start on August 29, has been postponed till next year on the ground that track routes damaged due to heavy rains and flash floods on June 16 have not been repaired.

He prayed for forgiveness at the Nanda Devi temple. Goddess Nanda is considered as the deity of the erstwhile Kumaon royal family of the Chand clan.

Baba said he sought pardon from the Goddess for the people of the state as due to unprecedented heavy rains the 12th Nanda Raj Jat pilgrimage could not be organized this year. “We have prayed to the goddess for giving the people of the state enough power to organise the pilgrimage next year,” he said.

According to the history, Kumaon kings had brought portals of Nanda and Sunanda from Garhwal in the 13th century and established these as their royal goddesses in the royal palace of Almora. “Since then the Kumaon kings have been taking part in every festival of Nanda Devi organised in Almora every year,” said Kaushal Kishore Saxena, an archaeologist in Almora, who was part of Baba’s team.

The Nainital MP said, “Members of the erstwhile royal family of Garhwal have also sought forgiveness from the Goddess for not being able to organise the Nanda Raj Jat Yatra this year. Nanda Devi is also the deity of erstwhile Panwar kings of Garhwal. “We have also worshiped Chantoli (sacred umbrella) prepared for the Nanda Raj Jat Yatra from the Kumaon region this year and have decided to invite it for the pilgrimage next year,” said Baba. 

Encyclopaedia of Hinduism launched in America
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 27
An international edition of Encyclopaedia of Hinduism was launched at a function held at University of Carolina, Columbia, USA, with much fanfare yesterday, according to sources here.

The launch ceremony was organised and hosted by the University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA, and is a project of India Heritage Research Foundation, founded by spiritual leader Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh.

According to a spokesperson, India Heritage foundation, Ram Mahesh Mishra, the international edition is published by Mandala Earth Publications of California, USA.The encyclopedia project was headquartered at the University of South Carolina for many years during its compilation and editorial stages, and it is a beautiful and fitting full-circle for the university to be the one to host the official launch.

The launch was graced by the presence of Swami Chidanand Saraswati, founder/chairman of India Heritage Research Foundation, Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina, and the president of the University of South Carolina, Harris Pastides, social leader from India Anna Hazare, Joe Wilson, Congressman for South Carolina. Ajit Kumar, Consul General to India, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Managing Editor of the Encyclopaedia and many other esteemed scholars and dignitaries from around the globe.

Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, speaking on the occasion, said that the Encyclopaedia of Hinduism is a colossal product of more than 1,000 esteemed scholars from around the world, totalling 11 volumes and approximately 7000 entries. The encyclopaedia has taken nearly 25 years in the making and it is the first time in history that the depth and breadth of India’s great spiritual culture is made available in authentic, academic and scholastic form.

“The wisdom, truths, teachings and insights of Indian and Hindu culture are not limited to or applicable to only Hindus or Indians. Rather they belong to the world and can deeply benefit the world. It is, therefore, our aim that the richness of this ancient yet timeless culture and heritage should be made available to the entire world, in a way that is authentic, academic, comprehensive and illuminating,” added Swami Chidananand.

Harris Pastides, the president of the university, speaking on the occasion said: “It is a deep honour to be participating in the American release of the Encyclopaedia of Hinduism. This is a remarkable work of scholarship and research. I hope that many in academia and in everyday life will turn to it as a resource to better understanding the characters, the tenets and the impact that Hinduism has had, and is having, in the world.

Anna Hazare, speaking on the occasion, said: “It was a historic event and Swami Chidanand has undertaken the task documenting traits of Hinduism successfully.”

Swami Chidanand also presented the first official set to the Governor of the state of South Carolina for the state’s Library. Nikki Haley, the Governor, said: “It is so beautiful, and such a great gift, this encyclopaedia of Hinduism. I am so honoured to receive these beautiful 11 volumes on behalf of the state.

UKD (P) workers stage dharna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 27
Expressing resentment over deteriorating law and order situation in the state, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar) workers today staged a dharna outside Gandhi Park, Dehradun.

Led by their president Trivendra Singh Panwar, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar) workers demanded CBI probe into the recent murder of Yudhbir Singh Rawat. They alleged that a peaceful state like Uttarakhand had now become a safe haven for miscreants from UP and other parts of the country. They held the state government and police administration totally responsible for failing to check the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

AP Juyal, Latafat Hussain, Pramila Rawat, Virendra Mohan Uttarakhandi and Khaliq Ahmed were prominent participants in the dharna.

Workshop on info security for B.Tech students
Tribune News service

Dehradun, August 27
Uttaranchal University organised a workshop on information security and data collection for its B.Tech students here today. It was organized under an agreement with a premier information technology company, EMC 2, to train its B.Tech students in enhancing their employability.

Amit Rawat, Senior Program Manager, South Asia, EMC Academic Alliance, Navjyot Singh, Program Manager, Dr Sanjay Singh, Dr Anchit Bijalwan and Dr Suneet Chaudhary conducted the workshop. The experts gave presentations on “emerging technology in the field of information security and data collection”. This system is used by many companies all over the world.

The Vice-Chancellor of Uttaranchal University, Prof SC Joshi, inaugurated the workshop. Ankita Joshi, Chancellor’s representative, Dr Vijay Raj, Dean of Engineering and Technology faculty, Prof Raj K Dhar, Vice-Dean, Academic, and other faculty members were present.

Verdict banning constructions near Ganga welcomed
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 27
With Nainital High Court pronouncing its verdict on a PIL-related ban on construction work within the 200-metre ambit of the holy Ganga river, local residents and representatives have welcomed the decision.

The court’s directive will surely help in lessening the flood impact on the Ganga embankments as now within the stipulated 200 metre-periphery of Ganga river, no construction will be allowed.

City Mayor Manoj Garg said that such a decision was imperative keeping in mind the rampant construction work going on at Ganga ghats and adjacent to the river bed of the Ganga.

The Mayor pointed out that in the past few years in the city periphery, too, where construction has been done within 200 metres of the river bed, flood impact has been most, which now can be evaded due to prohibition.

Ex-Urban Development State Minister Madan Kaushik said that now a comprehensive urbanisation policy needs to be formulated by Uttarakhand government, to take benefit of this decision and ensure rampant construction aimed at accruing commercial profits does not impact the twin pilgrim cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Notably, in Haridwar during the recent floods at Neeldhara, Bhoopatwala and Saptsarovar areas, which are just on the banks of the holy Ganga, major portions of several ashrams, muths and dharamshalas came under flood submersion.

Saints also acknowledge the fact that in view of the June flash floods,habitats and constructions near the Ganga bed need to be avoided and thus the decision of Nainital High Court in this regard is a welcome step.

Jagad guru Shankaracharya Raj Rajeshwaramji Maharaj said that trying to gain commercial advantage by building commercial establishments and habitats on the Ganga bank is not apt and the High Court’s directive is appropriate.

Jagad guru Shankaracharya Raj Rajeshwaramji Maharaj said that this will maintain cleanliness, sanctity of the holy Ganga river and save people from coming into the ambit of future flood like situations on Ganga river bed.

Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti cited the apex court’s directive regarding removal of all commercial establishments in the 200-metre purview, demanding anti-encroachment drive on these establishments too.

Sanjay Chopra, chief of the samiti, said that while new establishment will not get constructed within this radious, the state government should act on removing the existing constructions falling in this ambit, too.

Students hold relief, health camp in disaster-hit Parodi
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 27
Responding to the news article published in The Tribune titled “Disaster-struck villagers of Parodi still await rehabilitation,” a group of former students from St.George's College, Mussoorie, along with the staff and some senior students organised a relief and health camp at the disaster site of Parodi today.

The medical camp was sponsored by the president of the St.Goerge's college alumni association HPS Ahluwalia (Chairperson, Spinal Injuries Centre, Delhi) in which the medical staff after investigation provided medicines free of cost to the villagers here.

The Principal of the school, Brother Christopher, along with IS Bedi, the secretary, Alumni Association (Manorite), and senior students from the school distributed a kits containing solar lanterns,plastic bulk containers, shaving kits, bleaching powder, plastic moulded heavy duty 11/2” depth thalis, refined oil, candles and furniture, school bags and stationery for the school that was damaged during the disaster in the village.

Brother Christopher speaking on the occasion said that he had read about the disaster in The Tribune and could fathom the scale of the disaster after visiting the site in person.

He also assured the villagers that the school would continue its support to the village in near future. He also announced that the school would cater to the education of 10 students at its sister concern in Nirmala Inter College from the affected village with the assistance of the Alumni association of the school.

The senior students accompanying the team said that it was the first experience for them to witness the scale of disaster physically and were saddened by the damage incurred during the natural disaster here. They also resolved to continue supporting the village even after leaving the school.

Manoj Rawat, president of the Him Jyoti Foundation, coordinated the whole event along with the school's social club. The former students Karan Chauhan, Jatin Kapoor, Sanjay Verma, Inderjit Singh Bedi, Bhuwan Gandhi along with John David, R.Chamoli and others were present on the occasion. 

Shock of disaster triggers speech loss in 72-year-old
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 27
Dhirajmani, the 72-year-old villager from Parodi is yet to recover from the trauma suffered after the natural disaster that struck the village in June this year.

After witnessing the large-scale damage to his house and the village, Dhirajmani lost his speech and has not recovered as yet.

The villagers recollect that prior to the disaster Dhirajmani was talkative person, but the disaster had such an impact that he lost his speech and has not spoken a word since. Dhirajmani now sulks and hides from the crowd and refuses the company of the people he is not acquainted with.

Medical staff, from Delhi conducting a health camp under the aegis of St George's College, after making a detailed investigation is of the view that as Dhirajmani is in shock after the disaster and it would require a surgery at the higher medical centre. The old person is also suffering from some heart ailment which would be only diagnosed after an ECG at the hospital.

The medical staff has advised that the old person be immediately sent to a higher centre.

However, Dhirajmani has no one to attend him in this hour as his elder son expired several years ago.

He lives with his daughter-in-law in the village and is finding it difficult to reach the higher medical centre. The villagers have demanded from the social organisations and thegovernment to assit the old person before it’s too late. 

Govt to file plea against HC order on job quota for Uttarakhand agitators
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 27
The Uttarakhand Government will soon file a review petition against the High Court's decision striking down 10 per cent reservation in the government jobs for persons who took part in the Uttarakhand agitation.

Stating this today, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said the government would take all the legal measures at it's disposal so that the order was reversed.

Further, in the light of the High Court order passed yesterday banning construction activity within the 200 m stretch of the river beds in the state, the Chief Minister said he had already issued orders for the same before the High Court orders.

"The courts should provide guidelines to the government and should be of suggestive nature," he said.

The Chief Minister also said a compensation to the tune of Rs 120 crore has been distributed to the flood affected people in Uttarakhand.

The Chief Minister also admitted that inclement weather was proving to be a major hindrance for the Border Road Organisation (BRO) and Public Works Department (PWD) in the repairing of roads in the affected areas.

It may be mentioned that the government has set September 30 as the deadline for repairing of all roads in the affected areas.

"However, re-establishing of mule tracks and pathways had immensely improved the connectivity in the affected villages," said Bahuguna.

Meanwhile, the government is undertaking advise of the Geological survey of India (GSI) for rehabilitating the people affected by the floods in the new areas.

"We are still in the process of earmarking these villages that have to be rehabilitated," added Bahuguna.