Dehradun, November 1
More than anything else, politics played a major role in the selection of Sahaspur by the Vijay Bahuguna government for setting up the second Spices Park in the state. The foundation stone of the first Spices Park was laid at Sitarganj, the Chief Minister’s constituency.

With an eye on the 2014 parliamentary elections, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna wants to boost the election prospects of his son Saket Bahuguna, who had lost the Tehri byelection to Raj Laxmi Shah of the BJP, and is, therefore, pulling all stops for him.

Initially, Majri Grant in Doiwala and Sitarganj were selected for setting up Spices Parks but when Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma arrived in Dehradun in October with the intention of inaugurating a Spices Park, the plan had undergone a change.

“The setting up of a Spices Park at Majri Grant was not politically beneficial for the Congress. The Doiwala Assembly seat is held by former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank at present. It seems the government now is no longer interested in setting up Spices Park at Majri Grant in Doiwala for which a detailed project report has already been prepared. Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma was to lay the foundation stone of the park at Majri Grant. Hence, it was decided overnight to first inaugurate a park at Sitarganj and then later at Sahaspur,” said a senior official.

The Sahaspur Assembly seat, which is with Sahdev Singh Pundir of the BJP, falls under the Tehri parliamentary seat from where Saket is expected to try his luck again next year.

“The Centre-funded Spices Park will definitely enhance the profile of the Sahaspur constituency where the Dehradun campus of Sridev Suman University, a flower seeds and plant production centre and the Dehradun campus of Uttarakhand Horticulture and Forestry University, Bharsar, Pauri Garhwal, have already been approved,” said a BJP leader.

Spices Parks have been proposed under the 11 five-year plan in some of the states which are leading in spice production. Interestingly, for states to aspire for a Spices Park, among other things, the production of a particular spice should be more than 50,000 metric tonne.

In Uttarakhand, the total production of spices is 75,000 metric tonne and the production of ginger is 45,000 metric tonne. Tehri (Agrakhal) and Dehradun districts lead in ginger production. Clearly, Anand Sharma’s largesse and friendly terms with the Chief Minister helped in clinching the deal and the latter is keen to ensure that his son too benefits politically from it. 

Dehradun, November 1
Since the creation of the state, appointments to the State Public Service Commission (PSC) are allegedly being made in violation of the constitutional provisions.

According to the provisions, members can only be appointed to the PSC after submitting their resignations from their parent government institution, university or organisation. Also, once these members complete their tenure with the PSC, they are not eligible for any government position. “But in rampant violation of these provisions, not only members are procuring fake NOCs from their previous institutions for their stint at the PSC, but also after completing their stint, they are rejoining their duties in the parent organisation. Recently, a head of the Hindi department at HNB Garhwal Central University, who is a member of the commission, was given deputation of two years by the university authorities, which is in gross violation of the constitutional provisions. The sanction was given on October 17 by the university,” alleged Ravinder Jugran, a senior BJP leader. Jugran has now appealed to the President to intervene in the matter.

“The members of the PSC, officers of the PSC and universities are violating the provisions of 319 (D) of the Constitution. These individuals by not resigning from their government jobs leave a door open for themselves for rejoining their previous jobs once their tenure comes to an end as members of the commission,” alleged Jugran. 

Dehradun, November 1
Markets across the city witnessed a huge rush on the occasion of Dhanteras today.

With the festival of Diwali also nearing, shopkeepers are attracting customers by extending huge discounts on their products, including utensils, jewellery and electronic appliances.

Jewellery and utensil stores witnessed a huge rush today as everybody wants to follow the age-old custom of buying something new on Dhanteras.

People were seen buying LCD and LED TVs. New range of firecrackers attracted children.

Sweet shops in the city also remained open till late night.

Dehradun, November 1
The police foiled shiksha acharyas' bid to gherao CM Vijay Bahuguna's residence in support of their demand here today. They were detained by the police on way to Bahuguna's residence.

The shiksha acharyas also raised slogans against the police and the government today. In 2008, the government had closed all EGS and AIE centres across the state, leaving a number of shiksha acharyas and part-time teachers unemployed. They are now demanding that they be adjusted against the1,797 vacant posts of shiksha mitra. The teachers claimed that through its order in 2010, the government adjusted 1,107 shiksha acharyas and part-time teacher.

However, 1,745 are yet to be accommodated. — TNS

Dehradun, November 1
The Ecole Globale International Girls School, Horrawala, Dehradun, conducted its 2nd Inter-House English Recitation Competition here today.

Two students from each house participated in the junior, middle and senior category. In the junior category, Kirti Rupani and Akshata Joshi from Terra House clinched the top two positions. In the middle school category, Shraddha Sawhney from Ignis House won the first position and Bhargavi from Aqua House won the second position.

In the senior category, Gunisha won the first position and Sakshi Lakhotia won the second position. Brinda Ghosh, principal, congratulated the winners and gave them tips on reciting poems in an impressive manner. She stressed that poetry recitation was more about eyes and facial expressions. — TNS

Dehradun, November 1
Artistes from the Jaunsar and Bawar regions of Dehradun enthralled the audience at Virasat last evening.

The programme started with "Mahasu Devta ki vandana", followed by "Harul", a regional dance based on the tales of men's bravery. Men and women of all age groups take part in this dance.

Lord Mahasu is the chief deity of this area and is worshipped in Mahasu Devta Temple by the people of Hanol and nearby villages. The Mahasu Devta fair is held every year in August. Traditional folk instruments like dhol, damau, ransingha, dholak, khanjari, harmonium and khodtal were used as the accompaniments.

The next performance was by Sunanda Sharma of Benaras Gharana.

The last performance of the evening was a sitar recital by Manju Mehta from Jaipur. Her formal musical training is extensive.

She took her training in sitar from Shashi Mohan Bhatt, her elder brother, who is a disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar.

She won various central and state scholarships and also received training from Damodarlal Kabra and Pt Ravi Shankar.

Dehradun, November 1
Garhwal Sporting and Nehrugram Football Club played an interesting match during the ongoing 3rd Jaideep Bhandari Memorial Football Tournament here today.

Both the teams looked equal from the beginning and could not score any goal. The match further went to the extra timing with the teams scoring no goal. Both the teams got ready for the penalty shoot and each team was given five penalties.

Dehradun, November 1
Two matches were played during the ongoing Drona College 70th Nemidas Memorial District Football League here today.

The match between Doon Star football club and Adhoiwala Boys ended in a 1-1 draw. Akash from Adhoiwala scored a goal in the 15th minute of the match. While, Nitesh from Doon Star scored a goal in the 25th minute, thus, equalising the scores.

The second match was played between Sunderwala football club and Dehra Eleven football club. The match ended with a goalless draw. The league matches were concluded today. Three teams from the four groups entered in the super league, which would commence after Diwali.

From Group A, Cant Blue, Sunderwala and Dehra Eleven made it to the next stage. From Group B, City Young, Vijay Cant and Tapovan would play in the super league. From Group C, Akranta, Wills Youth and Balaji Boys and from Group D, Garhwal Sporting, Adhoiwala and Doon Star would play in the super league.

Dehradun, November 1
Karan Walia, a professional shooter, has brought laurels to the state by winning the silver medal in the 6th Asian Shooting Championship held in Iran recently.

The 19-year-old ace shooter was a member of the Indian junior squad and won the silver medal in the 25-metre rapid-fire pistol event category. Karan is being trained by one of the country’s best known names in the game, Jaspal Rana.

Karan has won medals in various shooting competitions in and outside the country earlier also.

Dehradun, November 1
St Jude’s School celebrated its 12th annual primary school sports and PT display day on the theme of ‘100 years of stainless steel’ here today.

The event began with a march past by the students. The main attraction of the event was an action song by the play group students. It was appreciated by the parents and the guests present on the occasion. Different PT drills added colour to the event.

The traditional sack race and various other entertaining races were held. Preparing bouquet for Ms Universe race, the Pied Piper getting us rid of the mice, flower and the leaves, balancing the bowl pyramid, bursting the balloon, Jack-n-Jill, who will be the king of the jungle and 'Phata poster nikla hero' events were liked by all.

The karate display and the umbrella drill by class I and II were appreciated the parents.

Susan Mann, vice-principal, Carman School, Dalanwala, was the chief guest at the function. She praised the tiny tots for their performances and wished them success in their further endeavours.

Dehradun, November 1
The Doon Girls School and Dehradun Boys School celebrated their 4th annual sports day here today.

Col Sugandh Sharma, who was the chief guest on the occasion, presided over the function.

The students took part in the track events and made the day memorable. They displayed PT with lezim, a march past, aerobics with bamboo sticks, formations and pyramids using various yoga postures, skilful karate techniques and artistic skating.

The best athlete trophy was awarded to Manpreet Singh of Dehradun Boys School and Kashvi Saharan of The Doon Girls School.

Dehradun, November 1
The Rajpur police arrested two drug peddlers from the Mussoorie diversion last evening and seized a carton containing drug capsules worth lakhs from their possession.

They have been identified as Islam, a resident of Sahaspur, and Aslam, a resident of Kedarwala. SSP Kewal Khuranna said these capsules were banned under the NDPS Act.

During interrogation, Islam told the police that he had a clinic at Vikasnagar and he bought these capsules from a medical store there. The SSP has announced a cash reward for the team that arrested them. The duo has been booked under Section 8/22 of the NDPS Act.