Prakash Utsav celebrated
Dehradun, September 8
Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Granth Sahib was celebrated with fervour at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at Arahat Bazaar here today. A shabad kirtan was also organised and hundreds of devotees paid obeisance at the gurdwara on the occasion.

Haridwar, September 8
The Bhagat Singh intersection, which is a gateway to industrial towns of Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) and five hundred odd factories in the industrial estate of SIDCUL, has been posing problems for the people due to regular waterlogging.

Since the sewage nullah passes underneath the stretch, one can see the intersection submerged in water every time it rains.

Local residents avoid passing through the stretch and prefer taking longer routes via Tibdi bypass railway stretch or Arya Nagar-Jwalapur stretch.

The railway bridge built on the Bhagat Singh intersection dates back to 1886, but it’s an irony that the bridge build by the Britishers is still intact, while the road and sewer line built few decades ago can’t even sustain slight rain water pressure.

Two years ago, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and Haridwar district administration had agreed to provide a solution for this nemesis. Two embankments-cum-ponds were proposed to be artificially created on the vacant land of BHEL, located on the outskirts of the Raja Ji National Park.

These embankments were supposed to stop the muddy water coming from BHEL and forest region towards Bhagat Singh Chowk and Chandracharya chowk stretch.

The idea was to lessen the water flow during the rains towards Ranipur side, but it has failed as the digged pond was quite small in area to store the heavy influx of water.

Pertinently, both BHEL and the civic body are playing a blame game on each other. BHEL cites that the Bhagat Singh Chowk is not in their township, while the civic body says that the sewer line is coming from the BHEL side.

City Magistrate Jeevan Singh Nangiyal said in the view of regular water logging during monsoons and even during light drizzle, the stretch gets submerged in water, thereby posing problems for commuters.

“We are trying to come up with a concrete plan to solve this problem. The BHEL administration and officials of the Municipal Corporation have been contacted and hopefully, this problem will be solved by mutual cooperation,” Nangiyal said.

Forest officials said with the construction of artificial ponds, wild animals in the Raja Ji National Park belt will be benefitted. Wildlife expert Dr Ritesh Joshi pointed that with the water stored in artificial ponds, wild animals can use it to quench their thirst.

“Many animals stray into nearby residential areas in the search of water, but with this project, they will be quenching their thirst just on the outskirts of the jungle, thus decreasing the incidents of man-animal conflict,” Dr Joshi said.

Local residents of Bhagat Singh Chowk, Shiv Lok Colony, Chandracharya Chowk and BHEL Sector-1 demanded an instant solution to the water-logging problem.

Dehradun, September 8
Ikmal Singh Chauhan is an unusual personality who has turned a poet in old age. A retired government primary school teacher, Ikmal has two “Maha Kavyas” (poetic volumes) in Hindi on the lives of two legendary figures of the Indian freedom movement and politics-Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He has also got these volumes published.

Teacher-turned-author Ikmal Singh Chauhan with his two “Maha Kavyas” in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

“I am thrilled to see both my epics on shelves. I attribute all this (writing and publication of the books) to Ma Saraswati (goddess of knowledge). Otherwise, I could not have thought all this even in my dreams,” said Ikmal, 70.

His hard work and passion has been appreciated in the Hindi literary circles. “His variety of versification, flow of sentiments, gravity of language and beauty of craft attract the readers,” said Dr Nagendra Dhyani, prominent Hindi poet and former Deputy Director of the Uttarakhand Bhasha Sansthan.

Ikmal, a postgraduate in economics, retired as a headmaster from Government Junior High School at Aurangabad village in Haridwar district in 2005. Interestingly, Ikmal had studied in this school from class I to VIII. He is a native of Anneki Kalan village of Haridwar.

“There were lot of problems in my family and I was forced me to discontinue my regular studies. But I have no remorse as continued my pursuit of education,” said Ikmal, a President’s Medal winner for teaching in year 1999. He now lives with his younger brother, who is a teacher at IIT, Roorkee.

Ikmal’s first poetic creation-an epic of around 2,500 verses divided in 21 chapters of 425 pages-is titled “Louh Purush Sardar Vallabhbahi Patel”. He got it published in 2012. This year, he got another poetic volume titled “Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar”.

“It took me a long time in conceptualising and composing my first book on the life of Sardar Patel. But I have completed my next book in a short period. It is also a volume of 450 pages divided in 24 chapters. I felt that some divine power was writing all that through me,” he said.

Haridwar, September 8
The beautiful-scenic surroundings of the pilgrim city of Haridwar will be soon visible in an upcoming Bollywood flick. A horror movie named “Silent Killer" is being shot at various locations in the city. The shooting of the film began from sanctum sanctorum of the Braham Kund and Har-Ki-Pauri. The movies is produced and directed by M Shafeeq Shahryar. The film will launch new faces for the silver screen.

Director Shafeeq exuded confidence that with the changing demand of the Indian cinema lovers, the film would win a huge box office success after its release next year. Enchanted by the spiritual-religious and natural bliss that the city of Haridwar presents, Shafeeq said it was a blessing for them that they have started shooting of the film from Haridwar.

Director Shafeeq is also running a training institute named, 19 Nepture, in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. He has also written scripts for several SAB television shows like, “Tehdi Baat”, “Yeh Chanda Qanoon Hai” among others.

Currently, he is making his cinematic debut as a dialogue writer for an unnamed movie starring, legendary Mithun Chakraborty, Arshad Warsi of "Munna Bhai" fame and Sharman Joshi of "3-Idiots" fame.

Co-producer Sanjay Kumar said Haridwar and the holy Ganga holds a special place among people and "Silent Killer" will be shot in various locales of the city.

Actress Anamika Kadamb said she was very excited to be in Haridwar and thanked the local people for their cooperation and admiration she was getting, during the shooting of the film. Co-actress Vaishali Arora said "Silent Killer" is a fast paced horror movie that features three romantic songs and one item song. Veteran artist Raza Murad will also feature in the film in a special role. 

Dehradun, September 8
Making a Difference by Being the Difference (MAD) volunteers today conducted a blood donation activity with Max Hospital in the hospital premises. The camp was a part of the youth brigade’s weekend social activity chart.

“We have often been taught that every single drop contributes in making of an ocean. We just wanted to put this principle in practice and imbibe the spirit of voluntary service” explains Vishwas Pandey, MAD volunteer who supervised the blood donation camp.

Around 12 MAD volunteers, all college students, volunteered to give blood. Those underage were also present to encourage others to donate blood. “ I am sad that I am not yet allowed to donate blood, so I brought my uncle along who did it on my behalf” narrates school student, Karan Kapoor, whose uncle Rajat Singhal joined Maddians in their blood donation drive.

Dehradun Institute of Technology students Sakshi and Mayank had also joined MAD in the blood donation drive. “During the course of this donation, there was an emergency requirement of B+ blood group, so I donated blood” boasts Abhinav Bahuguna, who is a core MAD member. 

Dehradun, September 8
Canara Bank’s Chairman and Managing Director RK Dubey assured that the bank would provide all assistance toward rebuilding and reconstruction of disaster torn Uttarakhand.

Dubey addressed a gathering after soft launching five branches of Canara Bank in the Dehradun Zone at the city. He said the bank was committed for all round development of the state, adding that the bank was emphasising opening of new branches in rural and semi- urban areas. Canara bank was providing house loans at lowest possible interest rates in banking industry to consumers in the country, he added.

Canara Bank’s Executive Director PS Rawat and Chief General Manager RR Sharma also spoke on the occasion. Bank’s Dehradun Zone Deputy General Manager AK Gupta coordinated the programme.

Earlier, Dubey handed over a cheque of Rs 5 crore and 28 lakh to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna for Uttarakhand relief. As many as 48,000 employees of the bank contributed their one day’s salary for the relief fund. 

Dehradun, September 8
RIMC will host national level Kashi Naresh Inter-School Hindi Debate competition on September 9. As many as 11 outstation school teams will participate in the competition.

The team includes, Mayo College Girls School from Ajmer, Vidya Devi Jindal School from Hisar, La Martiniere from Lucknow, La Martiniere from Kolkota, Sanskar Valley from Bhopal, RMKK Girls Public School from Jodhpur, YPS from Patiala, among others. The chief guest for the event will be Liladhar Jagudi, a renowned Hindi writer. — TNS

Haridwar, September 8
The main road that connects the sub-urban Jwalapur to the Eid Gah maidan is in dilapidated condition. For the past few months, the residents have been demanding the repair and the maintenance of the road. The residents are facing commuting problem.

Further, the choked sewer line, adds to the woes of the local people during the monsoons. The Eid Gah road issue was also raised by the Muslims during a meeting of the public administration.

City Magistrate Jeevan Singh Nangiyal, gave assurance of the repair and the maintenance of the Eid Gah road.

A month has passed, but the condition of the road remains the same. Led by Hazi Jamshed Khan, vice-chief of the BJP Minority cell, a delegation met the Additional District Magistrate in this regard.

The delegate members demanded time bound repair of the road.

Khan lamented that despite the problem being brought to the notice of the District Magistrate, the representatives of the local parliamentarian, legislator and the mayor, nothing concrete was done.

“Eid-ul-Juha is just a month away. The people will offer holy namaaz at this place but nothing has been done so far,” said the district chief, Anis Khan.

The delegation comprised Hazi Mukkaram Ali, Jamil Ahmed, Nayab Idrish Mansuri, Naushad Mansuri, Pappan Qureshi, Naseem Qureshi, Gulfam Peer, Rustam, Imran Mansuri, Sadik Thekedar and Maulana Alam.

Dehradun, September 8
The police is probing the role of a maid, a clinic employee and a beggar in the murder of 70-year-old woman, Rajesh Kumar. Rajesh was found dead with her throat slit at her house at Sevla Kala in the Patel Nagar police station area yesterday.

According to police sources, the role of the maid, who works at the elderly couple’s house, in Rakesh’s murder is being probed. Reportedly, the maid reached the house after Dr Jaiprakash Sharma, husband of the deceased, had left for his clinic in the morning. She called up Jaiprakash after nobody opened the door from inside.

“The maid has been questioned and we will call her again for questioning in connection with the case, if required,” MP Saini, Inspector, Patel Nagar police station, said.

Meanwhile, the police is also questioning an employee working at Jaiprakash’s homoeopathic clinic at Majra.

It is also investigating the possible involvement of a beggar, who, according to Jaiprakash and neighbours, always came on Saturday morning for taking alms. It is trying to trace the beggar’s whereabouts.

The police is also probing the case from the property angle as, according to sources, Jaiprakash and his family owns a number of properties in and around Dehradun. The Tribune has learnt that the elderly couple owns land at Budhi Gaon on the outskirts of Dehradun and their son has another house on Rajpur Road.

“We are working on all possible angles to solve the case,” said Inspector Saini.

Notably, a forensic team was called to lift fingerprints and other forensic evidences that could be helpful in nabbing the murderers. 

Dehradun, September 8
Moravian Institute beat St Jude by 3-1 in the first match of the ongoing Inter-School Senior Council Football Tournament played at St Joseph Academy in the city on Saturday. Rempeis scored two goals at 15th and 20th minute with Nawang contributing one goal to the tally. Shubham scored the only goal for St Jude in the match.

In a closely contested match, Marshall School won its match against St Thomas School by 1-0. Pawan scored the only goal at 25th minute in the match. The match between Cambria Hall and Hilton School ended in a goalless draw.

The Presidency International won its match against North Point Children’s Academy by 1-0. Ajeet Rana scored a goal at the 40th minute for Presidency International team. Guru Nanak Academy defeated Doon Public School in another game played in the tournament by 2-0. In the last match, Colonel Brown School's contest with Indian Public School ended with a 1-1 draw. Soloman scored the first goal in the match at the 20th minute for Indian Public School with Tarun scoring an equaliser at 30th minute for Colonel Brown.

Dehradun, September 8
Doon Presidency School and DAV Public School won their matches in the ongoing Under-13 Boys' Football Asian Challenge Cup played at Asian School on Saturday.

Doon Presidency defeated SGRR Middle Branch School 4-2 score. Atul scored the hat-rick in the match with Paras contributing for Doon Presidency. In the second match of the day, DAV Public School defeated St. Thomas School 5-3. Pranay Mewar and Anuj scored two goals each for DAV in the match.

For St Thomas, Sagar Ramola, Aditya and Romit Thapa scored the goals. — TNS

Dehradun, September 8
Quarterfinal matches were played in the ongoing under-13 boys Football Asian Challenge Cup played at Asian School here today.

In the first quarterfinal match, Doon International School defeated KV Birpur by 1-0 score. Ankit scored the winning goal at the 42nd minute for Doon International to take his team into the semifinals.

KV IMA entered the semifinal after defeating Doon Presidency School in the quarterfinal match by 1-0, with Shubham scoring the only goal in the match.

Displaying class in a one-sided quarterfinal match, Wyenberg Allen School easily won its match against The Asian School by 4-1 score. Advait scored two goals in the match while Saksham and Tushar contributed one goal each.

In the last quarterfinal match, DAV Public School became the final team to enter the semifinals after winning its match against Summer Valley School by 1-0. Sagar Ramola scored the goal at the 69th minute for DAV Public School and took his team to the semifinals of the tournament. 

Dehradun, September 8
In a one-sided match, St Joseph Academy defeated North Point Children Academy by 4-0, in the ongoing Inter-School Senior Council Football Tournament being played at St Joseph Academy in Dehradun here today.

Madhar found net twice at 10th and 50th minute with Aarya and Apoorv contributing one goal each for St Joseph Academy. The match between Raja Ram Mohan Roy (RRMR) and Doon Presidency School ended in a 2-2 draw. Vaibhav opened the tally by scoring the goal in the 10th minute for RRMR but Ashutosh of Doon Presidency scored the equaliser in the 25th minute. He scored again in the 40th minute to put his team on the front. RRMR’s Ankit scored a brilliant goal in the 56th minute to make it 2-2.

St Jude won its match against Doon School by 3-2. Shubham scored two goals in the 25th and 35th minute for St Jude with Shubham Kharti scoring the 3rd goal for the team. Rishab scored both goals for Doon School in the match. The match between St Thomas and Seven Oak School ended in a goalless draw. In another one-sided match of the day, Carman School defeated Doon Public School, Bhaniawala by 5-0. Rahul scored the hat-trick with Sakar and Shobhit contributing one goal each. — TNS