‘Need to use river waters for tourism to create jobs’
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, September 27
Tourism specialists have demanded the right to use the waters of the Himalayan rivers for tourism purpose for prosperity and employment generation. They were speaking at various symposiums held in the region on World Tourism Day today.

Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj addressed a gathering of a select band of tour operators and foreign delegates at a tourist resort at Dhikuli in Ramnagar. He said the river waters in the Himalayan region should be used in a better way and for a long period for the benefit of the common people. “This is possible only when we use water for the purpose of tourism in the state in the coming days,” said Maharaj.

Tourism Minister Amrita Rawat was the chief guest at the symposium organised by the Uttarakhand Paryatan Vikas Parishad. Foreign dignitaries, besides local people involved in tourism business attended it.

Tour operators, tourist rest house personnel and adventure tour operators also celebrated World Tourism Day in the region. Shankar Singh, a leading paraglider in the state, said at a seminar here that to promote tourism, there was a need to make paragliding a major adventure sport in the state. Shankar recently took part in a world paragliding competition in Himachal Pradesh and made a place for himself among 130 paragliders of the world. “We want a paragliding training centre to be opened in Pithoragarh as the valley is highly suitable for paragliding-like adventure sports. Foreign tourists can be attracted through annual paragliding competitions on the line of Himachal Pradesh,” he said. Shankar is slated to take part in a world paragliding competition being organised in Himachal Pradesh next month.

The adventure sports wing of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam organised a symposium in Pithoragarh district. It was attended by several adventure sports lovers, tour operators and hotel and restaurant owners of the district.

In charge of the KMVN adventure wing Dinesh Gururani said as all routes in the high Himalayan region were damaged and blocked due to heavy rains and flash floods, the only way to increases the tourist flow in the region was to promote adventure tourism during autumn months. “Only when the state government makes clear its priority in this regard adventure tourism can be promoted in the region,” he said.

To attract tourists to Champawat district, the hotel owners announced a 20 per cent discount to the tourists for the coming months. Tourists had avoided tourist spots like Mayawati, Champawat, Symalatal, Rithasahib and Abbot Mount after June 15. “We want a good road network in the district to attract tourists as roads here were damaged due to heavy rains,” said Dinesh Tiwari, a hotel owner.

World Tourism Day

The river waters in the Himalayan region should be used in a better way and for a long period for the benefit of the common people. This is possible only when we use river water for the purpose of tourism in the state in the coming days.

— Satpal Maharaj, Garhwal MP

BJP looking to avenge 2009 defeat at hands of Congress
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 27
Though there are only five MPs representing Uttarakhand in Parliament, the state of Uttarakhand has always figured high on the agenda of the central leadership of the BJP, and the party is increasingly looking at the 2014 general elections not only as a means to raise its overall total but also to avenge its defeat at the hands of Congress in the 2009 elections.

The total rout of the BJP in the 2009 parliamentary elections at the hands of the Congress that had bagged all the five seats is something that the BJP would like to avenge and for this reason the party has begun assessing the candidature of probable candidates.

Though the party had managed to win the Tehri parliamentary byelection last year , the total rout had even jeopardised the political career of BC Khanduri who was the Chief Minister of the state.

While these are early days, yet often the probable leaders and sometimes the party have been making noises about fielding former chief ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal, BC Khanduri and BS Koshiyari but before that, the party sources say, the party would carry out surveys and then announce the names of the candidates.

''The surveys had become quite popular during the last Assembly elections when Nitin Gadkari was the president (central unit) of the BJP. It remains to be seen how the present president Rajnath Singh would go about the task,'' said Suresh Joshi, BJP spokesperson.

Beside the three former chief ministers, even senior leaders like Bacchi Singh Rawat who has expressed his desire to contest the 2014 general elections, Mohan Singh Gaunwasi, Lakhi Ram Joshi and Prakash Pant are said to be eyeing the 2014 elections.

''There is no dearth of leaders in the Uttarakhand BJP but it all depends on what the central leadership under Rajnath would eventually do. If it is looking to repose its faith in older leadership once again, then both Khanduri and Koshiyari would be fair game. However, considering the thin margin that separates the BJP and the Congress in the Uttarakhand Assembly, it is not certain if it would be wise to ask Ramesh Pokhriyal to vacate his Assembly seat and stand for the general elections,'' said a senior leader.

Protests over terror strikes in Jammu
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 27
Condemning the twin terror strikes in Jammu by heavily armed Pakistani terrorists, various organisations held mass protests here today. The protesters burnt the flag and effigies of Pakistan and urged PM Manmohan Singh to cancel the dialogue process being initiated with the Pakistan Prime Minister this weekend.

The Hindu Jagran Manch accused the Pakistan government of adopting double standards, as on the one side, it wanted dialogue process but on the other it was tight-lipped over the terror strikes in India.

The district unit of the BJP also staged a protest at Chandracharya chowk and raised slogans against Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Inter Services Intelligence.

District head of the women wing's of the BJP Sanjana Sharma said India should act tough against such terror attacks and cancel all bilateral ties with Pakistan, which always had an anti-India ideology and stance.

Sanjana alleged that due to weak response from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Pakistan front, terror attacks had increased in the past nine years and that was why the people of the country were looking forward for change in leadership.

The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal has also condemned the act saying that India should give a befitting reply to such terror attacks.

Tanzanian delegates visit ONGC
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 27
Taking a step towards renewing relations between Tanzania and India, a delegation from Tanzania visited ONGC’s Institutes at Dehradun yesterday and evinced a keen interest in promoting joint ventures in the energy sector.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, nine Members of Parliament, Assistant Commissioner for Natural Gas, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Director for Policy and Planning, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, MD, along with the Director of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, besides other senior officials of the Government of Tanzania, were the members of the delegation.

They visited the Subir Raha Oil Museum where Dr Sanjay Jain, head of the museum, gave a brief overview of the history of oil and the exhibits of the museum.

At Keshav Dev Malviya Institute of Petroleum Exploration (KDMIPE), Dr DK Dasgupta, Executive Director, welcomed the guests and organised an interactive session for them. They were given a brief presentation covering the ONGC, OVL, in general with a focus on the R&D Institutes of the ONGC. During the programme, members of the delegation from Tanzania were given an opportunity to raise queries on relevant aspects of business. They were keen to understand the source of funding for the ONGC, prospects and programme for gas hydrates, policy for environment conservation in and around the work sites, besides the trainings being conducted by the institutes.

Officials of the ONGC elaborated on all issues raised in the house. The visiting dignitaries were later given a first-hand experience of the drilling operation as they witnessed simulation of drilling at the rig at the Institute of Drilling Technology of operations undertaken by the ONGC.

They were enthusiastic about visiting actual operational sites of the ONGC. Expressing profuse gratitude to India and the ONGC in specific terms, Ngosi CX Mwihava, Deputy

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania, on the behalf of the entire delegation, said though the visit was very short, it provided them with a valuable insight about the oil and gas industry. He expressed hope that the knowledge sharing of the sort would continue. He also informed about his government’s plan to offer some blocks for international bidding and hoped that the OVL would participate.

Measures discussed to give boost to tourism in the state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 27
Department of Tourism comprising Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam and Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board organised a discussion to celebrate World Tourism Day in Hotel Drona today. The officials of Tourism Department and the people associated with tourism activities were present on the occasion.

District Tourism Officer YS Gangwar said: “Tourism is the backbone of the economy of the state which has suffered immensely due to the natural disaster hitting the state this year. The booming business of tourism has plummeted to its lowest level ever. Tourists have stopped visiting the state for the fear of coming in the sweep of disaster once again.

With such a massive challenge of reviving tourism before us, we will have to use all our resources to send the message across about our destinations being safe.”

KP Sharma, president of travel agencies and tour operators of the state, said the travel agents and tour operators had been contacted to sell “our package tours to the tourists outside”. They had been lured with significant discounts and other benefits. Such efforts, he said, had begun bearing fruit as some scenic cities of the state were being visited by the tourists, including foreign travellers. He also emphasised on the need to keep in touch with these travel agents and tour operators in future as well so that they could continue to bring in business for the state.

General Manager, GMVN, Pratap Shah, said, “The Tourism Department is holding a mega function to promote tourism in Ram nagar to commemorate World Tourism Day. The purpose is also to bring experts related to tourism activities under one roof in the state and take their opinions about reviving tourism in the state in the aftermath of flash flood disaster. This is also the occasion to let the entire world know about the great potential of tourism in the state as well. It is hoped that with such brisk efforts, the tourism health in the state will become better soon.”

Govt staff stage rally in support of demands
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 27
Hundreds of employees under the aegis of the State Employees Joint Council participated in a rally here today in support of their 25-point charter of demands. Prahlad Singh, president of the state unit of the council, said the employees would be forced to go on a statewide strike if the government fails to fulfil their demands.

“We are awaiting the government order and in case it is not issued, we will boycott work from October 3 to 5. After October 5 we will launch an indefinite statewide strike,” he said.

The employees also submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister at the Secretariat reminding him of his commitment made to the employees on their demands. “To press for our demands, we launched an agitation on September 5. We had apprised the government about our demands,” said Arun Pandey, spokesperson for the council.

The major demands of the employees include grade pay for all field employees working in the state, removal of anomalies in pay scales of different departments, increase in retirement age to 62 years, LTC facility for all employees after three years, hill development allowance for all employees at all places, including Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, employees of the District Rural Development Authority be absorbed in the state cadre, land for setting up an office for the State Employees Joint Council, simplification of childcare facility for women employees, remote area allowance to employees working in the remote areas of the state and finalising of a structure for the Department of Horticulture and Bandobast.

Stationery, clothes distributed among 231 students
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 27
The Rotary Club of Mussoorie, in association with the Rotary foundation, distributed school uniforms, stationery items, shoes, track suits, school bags, sweaters and packets of nutritious food to around 231 students from the poor strata under the Child Welfare Project in Mussoorie, today.

The chief guest on the occasion, district Rotary governor Rakesh Agarwal also joined in and distributed some items to the schoolchildren.

Around six schools, namely Rajkiya Prathmik Vidyalya, Dhoodhli, Rajkiya Uchatar Prathmik Vidhyalaya, Dhoodhli, Rajkiya Prathmik Vidyalaya, Kitabghar, Rajkiya Poorv Madhyamaik Vidyalaya, Kitabghar, Rajkiya Prathmik Vidyalya, Kulri, and Rajkiya Prathmik Vidyalaya, Bhatta were were benefited from the activity.

Speaking on the occasion, Agarwal commended the efforts of the Rotary club of Mussoorie. He said the Rotary Foundation, through a newly created trust, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttarakhand government to rebuild more than 100 schools that had been damaged during the natural disaster in Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts.

Nominated district Rotary governor Dilip Patnaiak, DGD Daid Hilton, project chairman Shailendar Karanwal, Mussoorie Rotary president Nitin, Rotary members Ranvir Singh, Alok Mehlotra, Nitish Mohan and others were also present on the occasion.

Birthday party at Haj House criticised
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 27
A birthday party hosted by Haj Committee chairperson Rao Sher Mohammed has not gone down well with the minority community members in Haridwar. Notably, the Haj Committee chairperson two days back organised a birthday party of his minor relative at the newly built Haj House at Piran Kaliyar, where it is alleged that song and dance presentations were also given.

Muslim clerics, political and religious/social organisations have condemned this act, terming it as ''unreligious and misuse of government/religious property.''

BJP minority cell leader Rao Shamshed sought an explanation and resignation of Haj Committee chairperson Rao Sher Mohammed.

Kisan Sangharsh Samiti senior vice president Sajjad Gaud questioned the very motive of hosting a lavish birthday party just near the holy Piran Kaliyar shrine, revered by both Muslims and Hindus.

The Samajwadi Party also held a meeting in this regard, terming the act as blatant misuse of government property.

Shahnazar Ansari questioned the permission given to Rao Sher Mohammed by the government to allow such a family party in Haj House meant for Haj pilgrims and Haj-related programmes.

Master Islam, Amjad Ahmed, Vijay Khan, Naved-ul-Haq, Rashid Rana, Moshin-ul-Haq, Tasleem and Munnawar Ali among others registered their resentment.

World Tourism Day celebrated at varsity
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 27
World Tourism Day was celebrated at the Himgiri Zee University, Dehradun, today. Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof SC Bagri was the chief guest on the occasion. Inaugurating the celebrations, Professor Bagri informed the students about the interdependence of environment and tourism. The number of tourists was more where there was a healthy environment, he said.

Referring to the recent calamity in the state, he said there was a need to stop rampant exploiting of the environment and efforts should be undertaken to conserve it.

Professor Bagri also shared his experiences with the students of hotel management and management and also explained to them the finer points of tourism.

“Tourism survives by the sheer strength of tourists. They should be welcomed with the motto ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’,” he added.

Head of Department of Hotel Management Dr Subodh Chaudhary and Head of Department of Management Dr Devkant Kala presented a momento to the VC. During the programme, students spoke on the current state of tourism in the country and on ways to improve entrepreneurship. Assistant Prof Shailesh Chamola was also present.

UKD opposes Tourism Day functions
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 27
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar) staged a dharna near Shahidi Sthal in the city today to protest against holding gala functions to commemorate Corbett Mahotsav and World Tourism Day. The party activists ranted slogans against the state government. Later they gave a memorandum in the office of District Magistrate which was addressed to the Governor.

Party president Trivender Singh Panwar said: “The state government is going to celebrate Corbett Mahotsav from October 3 to 7 at Ramnagar and in Nainital where artists are coming from Delhi, Mumbai and other states. Holding such colourful events at a time when the state is still reeling under the effects of disaster shows that the state government is not sensitive about the calamity. Spending Rs 10 to 14 crore on these programmes is wastage of money.”

He said Rudraprayag and other border districts such as Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Bagheshwar were immensely affected due to flash floods and other calamities which devastated several villages completely and claimed hundreds of lives. People were still living in tents, schools and public places. He said despite th mammoth relief material and money donation received by it failed to provide relief to the affected people.

CM to attend NDRF foundation day function in Delhi

Dehradun, September 27
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna will visit New Delhi next month to attend a function on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) foundation day, where he will acknowledge the crucial role played by the force in relief and rebuilding efforts in the flood-ravaged areas of the state.

"I will be attending the foundation day function of the NDRF in the national capital in October to express my gratitude to the force for lending a helping hand to the state government in dealing with the after-effects of the mid-June calamity," Bahuguna told mediapersons here today.

He will also pay tributes to NDRF personnel who died in a chopper crash while rescuing people stranded in the high-altitude areas of the state after the tragedy.Apart from assisting in rescue operations, the NDRF also contributed in debris cleaning and disposal of bodies in Kedar valley after the disaster which finally led to the resumption of prayers at the Himalayan shrine on September 11. — TNS

Eerie silence on premises of DMC
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 27
An eerie silence prevailed on the premises of Dehradun Municipal Corporation today after a disturbing day. Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Ashok Kumar did not come to office today. BJP councillors, too, were not seen in the building. However, Mayor Vinod Chamoli came in the afternoon.

The DMC Employees' Association, which had decided to boycott work in

wake of scuffles and damage to the property, however, made up their minds to return to work. President of the association Nam Bahadur said: “We have filed a case against BJP councillors for spoiling the working atmosphere as well as damaging the property of the corporation. They broke the structure outside the MNA office and were trying to damage official cars. Since now the case has been registered against the miscreants, the ball is now in the judicial court.

Hence we have decided to resume our work.”