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ASI replaces broken door of Kedarnath temple
BJP confident of winning 5 LS seats
Class IV staff back college employees’ stir
RLEK against panel on hydroelectric projects |
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Protesting ASHA workers refuse to relent
Striking pharmacists suspend agitation for 14 days
Striking pharmacists raise slogans in support of their demands at Doon Hospital on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir
CS: Three small hydropower projects to generate 90 MW
Kailash Mansarovar Landscape
Scientists and conservationists involved in the Kailash Mansarovar Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative at a workshop
in Pithoragarh on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph
World yet to recognise Garhwali culture, says French student
Manch hails decision on pension to statehood agitators
Love for mountains emerges as the binding force at writers’ festival
MoU for C-Pact cell signed
Teachers as booth level officers violates RTE Act: Rights body
Maintain balance between development and ecology, say geologists
OP Varma, Chairman of the Indian Geological Congress, releases a souvenir at a national workshop held at LSM Government PG College in Pithoragarh on Tuesday.
Tribune photograph BLOs to receive claims by Nov 18, says Doon DM
Eco-task force gets training in nursery, plantation technology
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ASI replaces broken door of Kedarnath temple
Dehradun, November 12 “A fresh spell of snowfall had already been predicted by the time we began replacing the door. On November 1 and 2 we worked round the clock to replace the two-panel door,” said Atul Bhargava, who has just returned from Kedarnath. The new panels have been fitted on the hinges made of stone. These too had broken in the natural disaster. Interestingly, while the door panels made of deodhar wood were being readied in Dehradun, the ASI had a tough time ferrying them to Sonprayag and then to Kedarnath. “The sheer weight and size of the door posed a challenge. Not many porters were willing to carry the door that weighed around 300 kg and was around 10.50 feet long,” said Bhargava. If it was a daunting task ferrying the door to Kedarnath, working in the temple barefoot in freezing cold was no less challenging. The ASI team adhered to the instructions of the temple priest while doing its job. The ASI team worked overtime and managed to remove debris, which had collected due to flash floods, from the paved platform of the temple. “The preliminary examination suggests that the southern part of the paved platform of the temple is intact while its eastern part has taken some knocks. However, the rest of the structure was severely damaged due to flash floods and huge boulders flowing down,” said Bhargava. While the ASI managed to install a new door, its efforts to undertake repair work in places where packing between stones had eroded could not be carried out for want of masons. “Only masons from Rajasthan posses the expertise to do the repair work. We did manage the services of two persons, but overwhelmed by the working conditions they left unannounced,” added Bhargava. The ASI now plans to take up the remaining work in April. Besides its Dehradun circle, the science branch of the ASI too was involved in the chemical cleaning of the temple. “The mandap, the antral (passage) and the garbha greh (sanctum sanctorum) have undergone chemical cleaning and an area encompassing 9 feet has been cleaned,” said Bhargava.
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BJP confident of winning 5 LS seats
Haridwar, November 12 Rawat told party workers at a meeting at Jawalpur today that they needed to focus on their respective Assembly constituencies, tehsils, blocks and villages to disseminate BJP’s ideology, election manifesto, Narendra Modi’s vision and ill-governance of the Congress-led governments at the Centre and
Uttarakhand. He said unless party workers take up local people’s issues the party could not hope to win any election. “You need to disseminate among the masses the party agenda, manifesto and the ideology. Simultaneously, local and national issues related to the common man need to be
raised seriously. The ill-governance of the Congress-led governments at the Centre and in Uttarakhand too should be exposed,” added Rawat, who is a legislator from the Chaubatkhal segment in Pauri Garhwal district. He said the whole country was witnessing a wave in the favour of the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, which could be guaged from the huge turnout at his rallies. Rawat added the party workers needed to expose corrupt practices, scams, poor economic and defence policies of the Congress-led Union government and its weak Prime Minister. On the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Rawat said the BJP would win all five seats this time. |
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Class IV staff back college employees’ stir
Haridwar, November 12 Led by district chief Shiv Narayan Singh and state general secretary Dinesh Lakheda, employees carried out an agitation on the college premise here today. The protesters said due to “indifferent” attitude of the college administration and the Principal, employees of the college had not been credited with the hike in grade pay from Rs 2,400 to the present Rs 2,800. They said despite numerous reminders, the college administration did not lend an ear to their demand, forcing them to resort to an agitation. Dinesh Lakheda said the college administration had also failed to whitewash the college staff building, which is in poor condition and was also not considering temporary workers working for years on permanent staff roll. Agitating employees also compared the hike in grade pay being given to the employees of Rishikul Ayurvedic College, the other state accredited Ayurvedic College in Haridwar. “This is an indifferent attitude by the college administration and the state government should look into this aspect, too.Our union has decided to lend support to the affected employees of Gurukul Ayurvedic College and will give up only after the hike in grade pay is implemented,'' said Shiv Narayan Singh. Office-bearers of the union Tajbar Singh Negi and Arun Kumar said that the consequences due to the strike solely lies with the college administration as it had been less concerned about the employees' woes and forced employees to take the agitation route.
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RLEK against panel on hydroelectric projects
Dehradun, November 12 The panel will be headed by Dr Ravi Chopra of People Science Institute, Dehradun. In a letter to Union
Minister of Environment and Forest Jyanti Natrajan, RLEK chairperson Awdhash Kaushal said members of the panel were known to be against hydroelectric projects. “We are of the opinion that the committee
needs to be chaired as well as co-chaired by neutral experts, preferably from Central Government organisations such as the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the
Ministries of Power and Planning Commission, so that the terms of reference are properly taken care of,” said Kaushal. He said that the Planning Commission, which was responsible for overall planning for the development of the country, should also find a place in the committee
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Protesting ASHA workers refuse to relent
Dehradun, November 12 The workers hailing from Kalsi, Chakrata, and Vikasnagar are demanding regular salaries on the lines of the government staff. The ASHA workers under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) are voluntary workers who receive performance linked incentives. The honorarium is linked with the performance indicators comprising hospital deliveries etc.
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Striking pharmacists suspend agitation for 14 days
Dehradun, November 12 The pharmacists who had met the Minister for Health Surinder Singh Negi in the afternoon were told to call off their stir and come to the negotiating table. ''I have urged the striking pharmacists not to adopt rigid postures and if their demands are genuine they would be met, but the strike cannot go in this manner when scores of patients are suffering,'' said the health minister. Earlier, the Chief Minister also conveyed the message to the striking pharmacists not to test the patience of the government. ''The Chief Minister and the government had been concerned about the demands of the pharmacists but these have to be examined by the Department of Finance. We understand that in view of the forthcoming elections the employees too are resorting to strikes. While we care for our employees, we will not succumb under pressure,'' said Negi In the morning the pharmacists owing allegiance to Diploma Pharmacists' Association raised slogans against the government demanding immediate fulfilment of their demands, but as they were aware of the meeting with the minister later in the day, the office bearers were cautious in their approach. ''The talks have been fruitful, and in the interest of the public we have decided to suspend our strike for the time being. We will wait for the government to issue orders regarding fulfilment of our demands and then take future course of action,'' said BS Kaluda, president (state) of Diploma Pharmacists' Association. While the pharmacists have suspended their stir for the time being and would be resuming work from tomorrow, the strike left several patients fuming and without any medicines. |
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CS: Three small hydropower projects to generate 90 MW
Dehradun, November 12 In the meeting held by Subhash Kumar with Uttarakhand Infrastructure Projects Company, it was decided that that an appeal would be made to Government of India to give forest clearance in the matter. Subhash Kumar said: ''These three power projects are less than of 25 MW. The procedure regarding environment evaluation has already been completed. After taking requisite legal opinion, MOEF will be requested to facilitate clearance with regard to forest aspect of the projects.'' |
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Kailash Mansarovar Landscape
Pithoragarh, November 12 Speaking as the chief guest at a three-day seminar of the project, Dr LMS Palni, former Director of the GB Pant Institute of Environment and Development, Almora, said the preservation of distinct species of wildlife and flora was important for the future of the region. “We will have to maintain a balance between environment conservation and obtaining means of sustenance for the people of the region,” said Palni. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, had launched the Kailash Mansarovar initiative in 2009 to preserve 31,000 sq km of area around it that falls in India, China and Nepal. The project is financed by institutions in the UK and Germany. “The landscape is not only the source of four major rivers of the region but is also revered by the Hindus, the Buddhists, the Bons, the Jains and the Sikhs,” he said. Dr Pradeep Kumar Mathur, a senior scientist at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, said due to increasing human interference in the region not only wildlife was in danger but also the temperature was rising, thus affecting the flora and fauna. “Community participation in preserving the landscape is essential to preserve the natural resources of the region,” he said. About 7,120 sq km of the Indian area situated at an elevation of 428 metre to 6,895 metre and having a population of over 460,000 is covered under the project. |
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World yet to recognise Garhwali culture, says French student
Mussoorie, November 12 Highlighting her reasons for research on Garhwali music, she said that while doing her masters on the impact of Garhwali online music on the listeners in France, she found the Garhwali music to be very melodious and decided that she will base her research and the evolution going in the field of Garhwali music. During her research she found that Garhwali music presently was going through a transformation phase, where on the one hand the artistes were struggling to earn their due to CD piracy, and on the other hand were trying to find their place on the Internet and were looking towards uploading their concerts online to gain much needed status in the field for themselves. Speaking on the urbanisation of the Garhwali music she said that the double movement of experimenting with the traditional styles and bringing in Bollywood influence in Garhwali music was also being witnessed presently and it had both its positive and negative impacts. She was of the view that the both traditional and the urban styles could coexist provided it does not harm the singers who are still following the traditional style of singing. Florence said that the flute used in Garhwali music was unique in a way and very dear to her apart from traditional dhol and dhamau used by the traditional artistes. Florence further said that it was important to preserve the traditional music because it brings diversity. In France there is very little regional music left which gives less choice to listeners. Therefore it is imperative to preserve traditional music so that the beautiful melody of the region is not lost in the oblivion and the government can play an important role by supporting the
traditional artistes of the region. Florence also said that there is need of more interaction at international level, avoiding commercialisation and people who are performing such arts should also be taken care of and should be helped as well in order to preserve the beautiful music of Garhwal. She said she looked forward to more Garhwali-French inter-cultural exchange programmes so that more people are attracted and help in popularising the traditional art forms of the region. |
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Manch hails decision on pension to statehood agitators
Mussoorie, November 12 Devi Godiyal, president of the manch, said the statehood agitators had been demanding an adequate pension relief for the past several years. However, due to a cumbersome procedure of the government it was not possible for them to get pension. Godiyal thanked Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna for accepting the long-standing demand of the statehood agitators in recognition of their contribution to the creation of Uttarakhand.
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Love for mountains emerges as the binding force at writers’ festival
Mussoorie, November 12 A consensus seems to emerge between mountaineers over the reasons of climbing the high altitude mountain peaks despite inhospitable conditions, and it was visible in the slide show presentation shown during the festival. For some mountaineers it was the journey to the peak that was important and for some testing their body to extreme and reaching the peak in order to discover themselves was an ultimate experience. The mountaineers such as Kryzstof Wilicki from Poland, Kaaren and Jeph Mathiasfreddie Wilkinson, Steven Sherpa and Daniele Nardi during talks said that the Himalayas, over the centuries, had attracted mountaineers since time immemorial. ''The rugged heights crowned with snow, draped in vast glaciers have lured men to pit their courage and ingenuity against its dangerous challenge and it all was due to their love for mountains,'' added the moutnaineers. Dainele Nardi, alpine style climber, speaking about his climbing experience in the mountains said that for him the whole journey undertaken to reach the peak was an important factor which attracted him towards climbing mountains rather than scaling the summit. “The vivid scenery and the challenge thrown by the mountains was one reason for him to keep on climbing,'' said Nardi. Polish mountaineering legend Krzysztof Wielicki, the first man to climb Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, and Lhotse in the winter, speaking about his experiences, said that for him climbing meant working as a team and camaraderie shown by the climbers was a great reason for him to return to the mountains. He further said that in comparison to summer months climbing, the winter climb was much difficult as the conditions were harsh and the temperature extremely low. The jet streams also made the conditions windy and difficult to scale the summit. But despite such shortcomings the love for mountains had made him come back year after year, and climbing the mountains during winters and at the age of 62 was his passion. Kaaren and Jeph Mathias practising medicine at Mussoorie, speaking on their Mekong expedition, ''inspired by the breath of life,'' said that being a part of magic of nature in itself was a great feeling. The sceneries and meeting indigenous people during the exhibition was enough a reason for keeping the adventure spirit alive in them. The duo talked about how they became the first team to navigate the entire length of the Mekong river from its source in the Tibetan plateau through China's Yunnan province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Documentary filmmaker Rom Whitaker and Jerzy Porebski also shared their love for mountains as main reason for working for years in the wild and capturing the magical moments through their lenses. The writers, too, echoed the same sentiments but said that for them writing about mountains was an enriching experience. The director of the Writers' festival Stephen Alter said that the festival was a success as it brought out the passion for mountains among the writers, mountaineers, artists and filmmakers despite the different approaches followed by each. He said that a resolve for preserving the fragile environment also resonated among the participants during the festival. |
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MoU for C-Pact cell signed
Dehradun, November 12 The MoU was signed between Sunil Kumar Matoo, chairman, Revenue Board, and Palash Srivastav, managing director, Uttarakhand Infrastructure Development Company Limited (U-DeC). U-DeC is a joint venture company between the Government of Uttarakhand and the infrastructure development foundation. Matto said rebuilding activity would pick up pace with the signing of the pact. It would also keep an eye on the quality of work.
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Teachers as booth level officers violates RTE Act: Rights body
Dehradun, November 12 “The deployment of teachers as Booth-level Officers violates Section 27 of the RTE Act,” chairman, SCPCR, Ajay Setia said yesterday. He added that the law clearly states the teachers will not be deployed for non-educational purpose other than decennial population census, disaster relief and elections to the local bodies, state legislature and the Parliament. Setia alleged that District Magistrates and Sub Divisional Magistrates were using the letter written by the electoral officer Radha Raturi in 2008 and 2010 as a pretext for engaging teachers as BLOs. “The department of election has wrongly interpreted the BLO duties as election duties,” he said, adding that according to the Supreme Court judgement, the teachers can be deployed on the days of elections and on the days of counting only. All other duties relating to roll revisions, as per the judgement, can be performed by the teachers on holidays, Setia said. He said if the teachers are deployed on BLO duties, it would mean they will be away from the teaching job, their primary concern, for a period of one month which violates the norms under the RTE Act. “Under section 27 of the RTE Act it is mandatory for the teachers to undertake 220 days of teaching,” Setia said. |
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Maintain balance between development and ecology, say geologists
Pithoragarh, November 12 Addressing a gathering of geologists from across the country, OP Varma, executive president of the Indian Geological Congress (IGC) and chairman of the organising committee, said the workshop not only aims at minimising the loss to civilian property and human life due to disaster, but also in searching suitable terraced land for resettlement of the victims. “We will not only have to make environmental, ecological and economic balance in harnessing the natural resources of the Himalayas, but we also need careful application of modern technologies in keeping the balance between developmental pace and ecological preservation,” Varma said. In his inaugural paper on ‘geology and geo heritage sites of Himalaya’, with special reference to geo scientific development of the region, the executive president of the IGC said: “Himalayas are not only holding complete ecological system, but it also comprises enormous amount of natural resources and the Hindu culture places.” “This workshop has been planned to keep p\erfect harmony between the nature and the sustained development of local inhabitants,” he added. Varma, on the occasion, also focused on conserving medicinal herbs of the region, so that they can be utilised as raw material in small and cottage industries that are environmentally protective. “We will have to develop methods of safe harnessing of these resources to protect the environment,” he said in his paper. Meanwhile, the participants also deliberated on the protection of the river Ganga and its tributaries. “Before planning to build big dams in the 135km-long stretch from the Gangotri to the Gaumukh, we must honour the aspirations of the local people through strict implementation of codes to protect environment, as the river is not only a source of livelihood for them but also maintains terrestrial and aquatic bio diversity,” a research paper stated. |
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BLOs to receive claims by Nov 18, says Doon DM
Dehradun, November 12 Purushottam directed all election registration officials to instruct the BLOs working under them to receive the claims by November 18. He said they must ensure punitive action against those BLOs who would be found negligent and careless in the execution of the assigned task as per the Public Representation Act. Purushottam had earlier transferred all Deputy Collectors. Deputy Collector Narayan Singh Dangi had been transferred from Dehradun to Chakrata - Kalsi - Tyuni as Additional Revenue Officer, Ramji Sharan from Dehradun had been transferred to Rishikesh as SDM, Mohan Singh Bernia who was serving as SDM Chakrata-Tyuni-Kalsi had been transferred to Dehradun as SDM and SDM Rishikesh Himalaya Singh Martoliya had been transferred to Dehradun as Additional Revenue Officer.
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Eco-task force gets training in nursery, plantation technology
Dehradun, November 12
The training was being organised by the Silviculture division of the Forest Research Institute (FRI). The battalions based in Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Uttarakhand are participating in the training. Dr PP Bojvaid, Director, FRI, was the chief guest and inaugurated the event. He said Eco-Battalions of Territorial Army were doing a commendable work of afforestation on the degraded and disturbed sites, especially in Mussoorie hills. He said the training would provide scientific inputs on nursery raising and plantation managements. AS Rawat, head, Silviculture division, said the institute was regularly organising training on nursery and plantation technology for the eco-battalions and their feedbacks had been positive in the past. Dr Ombir Singh, course coordinator, gave a detailed report of the course and told that more emphasis was being given to practical exposure in nursery and plantation activities. The training module included techniques of seed dormancy pretreatments, seed storage, clonal propagation of bamboo and nursery techniques of important tree species of India. The training lectures also included soil fertility management in nursery and plantations and management of fungal and insect-pest diseases in nursery and plantations.
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Pressure tactics and assurance by the Uttarakhand Minister for Health forced the pharmacists of government hospitals to suspend their indefinite stir for 14 days.
The pharmacists who had met the Minister for Health Surinder Singh Negi in the afternoon were told to call off their stir and come to the negotiating table.
Scientists and conservationists involved in the Kailash Mansarovar Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative have reiterated that community cooperation is a must for the preservation of wildlife and ecology and the generation of livelihood sources on the Indian side of the project.
A two-day workshop highlighting the role of geo sciences in preventing natural disasters, like the one that struck the state on June 16, was organised by the Indian Geological Congress in association with the Department of Geology, Pithoragarh PG college, here yesterday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Uttarakhand film award ceremony yesterday, she said that being a comparatively new state the world was still not aware about its being as a separate entity and with only six million people from the region, the need was to popularise it more in the West, especially Europe.