No place to keep rescued children in Dehradun
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
Despite being a state capital, Dehradun till date does not have a roof for rescued child labourers, thus posing a challenge to the law enforcement agencies involved in rescuing these children.

In the absence of any government-run rehabilitation centre or shelter home, children above 10 years of age rescued in various operations have to be sent to either Haridwar or Almora by the authorities concerned. Speaking to The Tribune, Additional Commissioner, Labour, D. Lal said the biggest hurdle they faced after rescuing child labourers was to find a proper place to send them.

“Often we have to seek the help of the NGOs to help in keeping the children under their protection until their parents are informed. In fact many a time it happens that the children do not want to go back to their parents fearing that they will be pushed back into labour. In some cases, the children have to be handed back to factory owners until their parents are traced.”

“We had sent a proposal to the state government as well as the Central government for the construction of a rehabilitation centre for these kids who have been rescued under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, but to no avail,” he added.

The Bal Niketan in Dehradun has a clause under which it can’t keep children above 10 years of age. For the rescued girls there is a Balika Niketan that allows girls up to 18 years of age to stay there.

Dwarka Nauni from the Dehradun chapter of Child Helpline said even the NGOs felt helpless at times. “The children who have been rescued under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act or from kidnappers and those who have been lost have to be sent to the juvenile home in Haridwar. Most of the NGOs working here do not have a proper place to give these kids a comfortable stay that is required post-trauma.”

“We have spoken to the administration about making some kind of arrangement, but nothing concrete has been done so far,” added Nauni. SP, city, Navneet Singh, said at times they kept the children in the women cell where policewomen looked after them. “However, in case their parents take more time to reach the city or are not traceable, we have no option but to seek the help of the NGOs to provide a shelter to these children. In most of the cases where the parents express helplessness to travel, we drop the children at their places on our own.” 

‘Buggies’, the treasured wealth of the nation
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
From ferrying the royals of yesteryear to giving VVIPs visiting the portals of Indian Military Academy a taste of royalty, two royal stagecoaches or ''buggies,'' as they are called in local parlance, are the treasured wealth of the nation.

A fine piece of craftsmanship bringing out the intricate detailing and efforts gone into making these royal carriages, Patiala Coach and Jaipur Coach are indeed the most cherished possession of the IMA.

Smelling of freshly coated paint and brass polished to perfection, the stagecoaches ferrying the Reviewing Officer and the academy’s Commandant are a highpoint during the passing out parades of the academy.

Gifted by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala in 1969, the Patiala Coach, driven by four horses, is used for the VVIPs visiting the academy and the RO for the PoP. Painted black and golden, the carriage has red velvet covers that is replaced year to keep the coach shining as new. Talking about the Patiala Coach, IMA’s equitation officer Lt Col Rakesh Sharma said: “Though officially the coach has been gifted by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, but legend says that it was Capt Amarinder Singh who played an important role in getting the buggy to the Academy.”

“The mechanism of the buggy is so fine and the ride so smooth that even if you drink something while sitting in the carriage, the liquid won't spill,” he added.

His Highness Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh gifted the other royal carrier, called Jaipur Coach, to the academy. Covered in blue velvet and varnished to retain the wooden charm of the yesteryear, the coach, driven by two horses, carries the IMA Commandant on special occasions, including the POPs. “According to an old tradition at the academy, the Commandant is supposed to travel to his office on his buggy. Of course the tradition cannot be followed these days, but still the Commandant at times travels on the carriage within the campus,” said Lt Col Sharma.

The academy also houses two stagecoaches manufactured locally for the Deputy Commandant and the equitation officer.

“The coaches are maintained throughout the year but it is mainly during the PoPs that they get a major facelift. We have a person living in Saharanpur who comes every year to repair, maintain and oil the coaches. We spend around Rs 40,000 annually to maintain these coaches,” said the equitation officer.

Villagers oppose orders restricting constructions near Corbett
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
The recent Uttarakhand government notification to restrict constructions up to two stories in a radius of 2 km around tiger famous Corbett National Park has further fuelled fire to the anger of the Eco-Sensitive Zone Virodhi Samiti, Ramnagar, that has been opposing the very concept of eco-sensitive zone in the region tooth and nail.

Proposed eco-sensitive zones around the Corbett is likely to affect around 100 villages that fall in close proximity to this key protected areas. Most of these villages fall in Ramnagar, while others include villages in Kotdwar, Kalagarh and Rikhnikhal areas. Villagers are planning to register a strong protest against Tourism Minister and Ramnagar MLA Amrita Rawat against any efforts to come up with eco-sensitive zone in the region.

Envisaged by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, the very concept of eco-sensitive zones was aimed to provide better sanctity to the protected areas as an added tool to strengthen the buffers and corridors around the wildlife park and sanctuaries and also to check the negative impact of industrialisation and unplanned development in and around these areas.

President of the samiti, Mahesh Joshi, who has been spearheading the agitation against setting up the eco-sensitive zone in Corbett, alleges that villagers residing in close proximity to Corbett are suffering the most in the name of wildlife conservation. “We can’t work in our fields because wild animals attack us. We can’t rear livestock, as wild animals attack our domestic animal and if we try to check intrusion of wildlife in our habitation, we are accused of working against wildlife conservation,” Mahesh Joshi argued. He said the concept of the eco-sensitive zone had virtually deprived them of all their rights even in their land of forefathers.

He also accused the state government of adopting double standards. He said while resorts and hotels would continue to flout all norms and would go upto any number of storeys, it would be an ordinary house owner in villages that would be harassed under this new storey restriction law, Mahesh Joshi pointed out.

Another forest rights activist from Ramnagar, Munish Kumar, said villagers would allow coming up of eco-sensitive zones in the Corbett region. He said a strong protest was planned shortly against MLA Amrita Rawat against the zone.

Significantly, the Corbett Mahotsava that was proposed on the first week of October had to be cancelled after the affected villagers opposed it vehemently. Mahesh asserted that the samiti would continue with its protest till the inhabitants on periphery of Corbett National Park got justice from "constant harassment" in the name of wildlife protection.

Garhwal Range DIG directs SSPs, SPs to check crime
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Garhwal Range, Amit Sinha, took the range crime meeting at range headquarters here today with SSPs and SPs of seven districts taking part in it.

He directed the district police heads to make sure that all banks follow the Reserve Bank of India's security guidelines and all ATMs are guarded by security personnel to curb the incidents of loot. The SSPs and SPs were also directed to hold training programme at police lines for the private security guards.

Measures for controlling heinous crimes such as murder, loot, kidnapping, cheating, chain snatching, vehicle theft and burglary were also discussed during the meeting. District police chiefs were told to put special emphasis on women's security to curb incidents of crime against women.

The SSPs and SPs present in the meeting were also asked to constantly oversee the implementation of Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) project and make sure that all general diaries and FIRs are registered online. DIG Amit Sinha also raised concerns over the carelessness of the police in the cases booked under Gangster Act and directed the senior officials to make sure that effective investigation is done in such cases.

SSP, Dehradun, Kewal Khuranna, Haridwar SSP Rajiv Swarup, Chamoli SP Ajay Joshi, Rudraprayag SP Barjinder Singh, Pauri SP Vimla Gunjyal, SP Tehri Janmyay Prabhakar Kailash and SP, Uttarkashi, Jagat Ram Joshi, were present in the meeting.

Traffic police take measures to lessen congestion in Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 29
In the wake of sharp rise in the number of vehicles, coming up of dozens of commercial-shopping establishments and increase in population, leading to traffic congestion and jams, the traffic police has now initiated various measures to lessen the congestion.

Initially the traffic police commenced its pilot project from the city's busiest commercial square, Chandracharya square in Ranipur, which is the gateway to public sector undertaking Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Integrated Industrial Estate, Sidcul, which has more than 125 -odd industrial factories.

The intersection is also pathway towards suburban Jwalapur and well connected to Har-ki-Pauri, Kankhal, bus stand and railway station and other major religious-tourist spots.

Talking to TNS traffic inspector Devendra Dabral said that apart from demarcating yellow line put up outside parking lots at commercial market zone, now ropes have also been put up for demarcation,as majority of vehicle owners were flouting the yellow paint line mark.

''Deployment of traffic police personnel and home guards has also been increased at Chandracharya Chowk-Bhagat Singh Chowk stretch to ensure people follow traffic rules and park their vehicles in an orderly manner. We have also urged traders, social organisations and local commuters to cooperate and coordinate with the traffic rules to ensure traffic congestion and jams don't occur at these busy intersection stretches,'' said Dabral.

A tow-away vehicle has also been deployed at Ranipur for four-wheeler vehicles, which today ferried six vehicles which were parked wrongly on the roads, hampering the flow of normal traffic.

Chandracharya-Bhagat Singh square trader Uday Ram Semwal of Brijwasi Sweets welcomed the initiative of traffic police, assuring them of cooperation in this regard.

He said that haphazard parking of two and four-wheelers at this zone has been posing problems galore in the past few years as many commercial shopping marts have come up ,while delay in broadening of Chandracharya square has also aggravated the situation owing to encroachments by some traders ,who are associated with a leading political party,' said Semwal.

As part of strict penalisation, traffic police today carried out a vehicle papers and helmet checking drive.

On the directives of SSP of Haridwar Rajeev Swarup, the drive saw a total of 701 challans being issued to the traffic rules violators.

As per Superintendent of City Police Surjeet Singh Pawar, a total of Rs 74,900 penalty was accrued from the offenders, which has been deposited in the state exchequer. Adding further, he said that in the coming days too this drive will be carried out, keeping in mind the number of fatal accident cases and vehicle theft in Haridwar in recent times.

UP, Uttarakhand farmers to get sufficient water following rise in Sharda level
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 29
Thousands of farmers of UP's Terai region and US Nagar and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand will get sufficient water to irrigate their Rabi crops of wheat this year as the water level of Sharda river was recorded 1500 quesecs higher than that of last year at the same time.

“The water level at the Sharda canal, which was opened today for these districts, was recorded at 5568 quesecs on Thursday evening against the level of 4088 quesecs, which was recorded during the same period last year,” said Jagdish Prasad, attendant at the barrage.

The attendant attributed the increase in the water level to the recharged natural sources in the hill region due to this year’s heavy rain.

“The farmers in the UP districts of Hardoi, Unnao, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, Sitapur and Bareilly, besides other districts of UP's Terai region get water from the Sharda barrage, which is situated in Champawat district of Uttarakhand,” said PC Tiwari, an agriculture expert at Pantnagar Agriculture University.

According to Tiwari, the crop of wheat needs first irrigation within 20 to 25 days after sowing. The release of water from the barrage will help these farmers retain one-fourth of the production loss in wheat crop, as lack of first irrigation damages the wheat crop up to one-fourth quantity. “Due to the dry session this month, the wheat crop in these major wheat growing districts needs first irrigation this time,” said Tiwari.

Experts: Hindi cinema has gained respectability among writers
Doon Lit Fest begins with theme “Reflections: Literature and Cinema''
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
From being condemned as a lowbrow writing and confined to gossip magazines, Hindi cinema as a topic for writers has gained a certain respectability, even becoming a viable proposition for book publishers, experts said on Friday at the first Doon Lit Fest that began today and devoted the first session on the theme ''Reflections: Literature and Cinema.''

''One would shun anything written about Hindi cinema, as it was thought to be devoid of intellectualism. But since the 90s, perception about Hindi cinema changed and it became more respectable, even forcing famous writer Amitav Ghosh to say that Hindi cinema has now become the ''most popular artifact,'' said Shantanu Choudhury, Managing Editor, Harper Collins.

Shantanu went on to say that things were looking up for this kind of writing. ''The production of value of these books has vastly improved and even the narrative seems to be easy to follow. Though the list may be fledging but books on cinema are here to stay,'' said Choudhury.

On the other hand author, journalist and columnist Sathya Saran was of the opinion that while it was literature that was driving cinema, the cinema was also responsible for rekindling interest in literature. ''Take the case of the Great Gatsby, authored by American F.Scott Fitzgerald. The theme of the book continues to attract hotshot Hollywood film directors. Though when the book was first released, it did not elicit that much interest. But when adapted into a film in the 1920s, it was a roaring success, forcing playwright Tennessee Williams to say that the movie was better than the book. No guessing then, the themes of love, money and relationship which find place in literature would continue to reverberate in cinema. In that sense literature (Books) would have everlasting value for cinema,'' she said.

Significantly, former bureaucrat and poet Vijay Ranchan was in favour of giving literature and cinema it's due.

Decision of reducing wards to waste company gives jolt to DMC
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
The recent decision of the state government in reducing 20 wards from the allotted 60 wards to the Doon Valley Waste Management, run by SMPL, a private company hired for the door-to-door collection of garbage in the city, has given a setback of Rs 28 lakh to the already cash-strapped Dehradun Municipal Corporation.

On Thursday, perturbed over the mismanagement and failure of SMPL in effectively disposing the garbage and keeping the city clean, Pritam Singh Panwar, Minister for Urban Development, had ordered for reducing the number of wards allotted to the company. The DMC authorities would now look after the 20 wards from December 1onwards.

While maintaining that they have not shortlisted the wards to be looked after by the DMC yet, the Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Ashok Kumar said that it has caused a financial burden on the DMC, which is already reeling under financial losses.

“We have chalked out the requirements, including dustbins, equipment, maintenance of vehicles and staff. It would cost approximately around Rs 28 lakh. Apart from this around Rs 1 to 2 lakh is likely to be spent on fuel and upkeep of the vehicles,” said the MNA.

However, unlike the door-to-door collection being done by the DVWM, the DMC would be placing 3 dustbins per ward where the area residents would have to drop the garbage on their own.

“We have around Rs 13 lakh that was deducted from the DVWM as penalty and would now require to raise additional amount from some other funds,” said Kumar.

In 2011, an MoU was signed between the DMC and SMPL to run the project for next 15 years. However, with the workers hired by the company often going on strike owing to non-payment of their salaries and the frequent breakdown of the vehicles in the absence of no maintenance, the city was slowly turning into a garbage dump. For collecting and disposing the garbage, the DMC paid Rs 350 per metric tonne to the company.

Power situation in state continues to be grim
Residents bear brunt of cuts ranging from 2 to 4 hrs
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
Power situation in the state continues to be grim. The total power availability in the state yesterday stood at 30.10 million units against the demand for 31.54 million units.

Sources in Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited said out of the 30.10 million units, only 8.51 million units were generated in the state’s powerhouses while the remaining came from the Central pool and other sources.

To meet the shortage, four hours of power cut each are being imposed in the rural areas of Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar districts. Other cities of Garhwal and Kumaon are facing power cut for two hours each. Power shortage is likely to continue.

Gauri Shinde enlivens festival literary sessions
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
Closer home, for her first film, debutant director Gauri Shinde only had to turn her gaze at her mother for inspiration and the iconic character of a housewife who travels several miles to perfect her English, essayed no less than by top Hindi cinema star Sridevi, emerged frame by frame in the highly rated film, ''English Vinglish.''

''It was my mother all the way and who better than actress Sridevi could have essayed the role of a woman of substance with gay abandon and equal panache,'' said Gauri Shinde, while speaking with The Tribune.

Hailing from the ad-film background, Gauri said: ''While the inspiration behind the character played by Sridevi was her mother, anybody could face this problem at some point of time. It strikes at the root of our confidence and even mental well-being,'' she said.

Gauri Shinde along with lyricist Kausar Munir and film director Tarun Mansukhani today enlivened the first Doon Lit Fest with their presence at the literary sessions.

Unassuming Kausar Munir, a lyricist for several popular Hindi films, was at pains to point out there was immense pressure on lyricists to deliver and at times they are forced to bow to the demands of the market. ''At times there is pressure to go by a set pattern that may be dictated by the market forces and by succumbing to them, the quality may be the first causality, but discerning audience would understand that this is a demand of the changing times,'' she said.

In fact, she said that the songs with folk idioms that have become popular since the last few years are reflective of ''the times that we live in, and for this reason climb the popularity charts.''

On the other hand Tarun Mansukhani, an alumni of Lawrence School, Sanawar, who made his directorial debut with film ''Dostana'' said that his next film too would be racy and would appeal to the youth.

Two-day national seminar on hill women begins
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 29
A two-day national seminar on hill women began in Nainital today. The event was organised by Uttarakhand Open University.

The speakers present in the seminar said the nation still had challenges in terms of giving women equal status in the society which was being run by the male dominated values.

Dr Subash Dhulia, Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Open University, said despite 50 per cent reservation in the panchayat bodies, enactment of the Domestic Violence Act and other measures for women in all the sectors of government services, women were still suffering from the onslaught of the male domination.

“The hill women still struggle round the clock for her survival,” he added.

Dr Uma Bhatt, Editor, Uttara magazine, said though the condition of the hill women had improved in the field of education and work, but she still lagged behind in social status as the society was dominated by paternal values. “We will have to put in more efforts to change the male dominated mentality of our society,” said Dr Bhatt.

Dr Arvind Joshi, a social scientist from Banaras University, said the condition of Indian women had changed in the recent years due to the global effects and change in the agricultural sector.

“Despite all these influences only one per cent of women population in the world has been able to avail the benefits. Women in the hill society are still deprived of their socio-economic and gender rights. They are lagging behind women in other parts of the country,” added Dr Joshi.

On the first day, the seminar was addressed by Prof Surajbhan from Haryana, Dr Girija Pandey from Nainital and Dr Bibha Joshi from Banaras Hindu University.

They said until the women would be given economic independence, they would not be able to contribute in the progress of the society.

“We need such an atmosphere in our society that the women could interact across the society without any hesitation and fear,” said Dr Bibha Joshi.

Six booked in missing girls' case
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
Two minor girls from Sahaspur and Rishikesh have been reported missing. In the first case reported from Sahaspur, the father of the girl has lodged a complaint at the police station against Aagam and Abdul who, he alleged, were responsible for the girl missing from his house. The police have started investigations.

In another case, a woman has filed a complaint against four persons in connection with her missing daughter. They have been identified as Shaanu, Navbharat, Samit and Rakesh. The police have registered a case.

Demand for redressal of safai karamcharis' grievances
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
The State Cleanliness Employees' Commission has asked the authorities of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation and the Doon Valley Waste Management to stop "harassing" workers and resolve their conflicts at the earliest.

At a meeting held here today, chairman of the commission Bhagwat Prasad Makwana asked the authorities to solve the problems faced by safai karamcharis at the earliest, so that the city does not suffer.

The MNA told the gathering that educated safai karamcharis would be promoted as per their capabilities within 15 days. He said a detailed project report for the residences of these workers had been sent to the higher authorities and they would be allotted government accommodation soon.

Makwana urged the MNA to help workers get their salaries in time, besides leaves, EPF and insurance from the company.

Manch seeks martyr status for 5 state agitators
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
The Uttarakhand Nagrik Manch has sought martyr status for five state agitators, who went missing during the state agitation days.

Shankar Singh Bhatia, convener of the Uttarakhand Nagrik Manch said while the state government declared all the missing persons dead during the recent Kedarnath disaster, but was yet to declare the five state agitators as dead, who went missing during the state agitation.

He said Kunwar Singh Khanka from Pithoragarh, Atmaram Amola and Gopal Dutt Semwal from Tehri Garhwal, Rajesh Negi and Ramesh Raturi from Dehradun went missing during the state agitation, more than thirteen years back.

“But they are still being identified as missing in the government records which is preventing their family members from getting the benefits,” said Bhatia.

Dept of health proposes merger of cadres
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
To tide over shortage of manpower, the Department of Medical, Health and Family Welfare has come up with a proposal to merge the medical officers' cadre and specialist cadre, which would come up for approval during the Cabinet meeting on December 5.

The merger of cadre would help the department depute the general duty medical officers (GDMOs) against the sanctioned posts of specialist, which have been lying vacant for several years now.

''Though there is an all-round crisis of trained hands, so far as the Department of Health is concerned but the problem is acute, so far as specialists are concerned. Despite offering higher pay packets, we were not able to fill these posts in the hills,'' said Om Prakash, Principal Secretary, Health.

Time and time again, the Uttarakhand government has been rapped by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for its failure the fill the vacant posts in the districts of Rudraprayag and Bageshwar, the districts with poor health indicators, but the state government has been hamstrung by the shortage of staff.

''We have to accept the fact that the specialists would not be willing to work in these districts and the only solution right now is to merge the cadre. Though there is a fear of dilution of cadres as the posts of specialist are highly coveted professionally, but we have to fill the posts. At least the general duty medical officers with an MBBS degree would be able to respond in case of emergencies and even write prescriptions for the patients that may not be the case with others,'' said Om Prakash.

Significantly, even member of Provincial Medical and Health Services (PMHS), too, are amenable to the proposal, as this would address the problem of promotions. ''With a single cadre, all the medical officers would be eligible for promotion at the same time, there by addressing the grouse of the specialists who were denied promotions for the last couple years,'' said BS Jangpangi, Addl CMO and president of PMHS. 

PNB Prerna distributes fifty coats to needy students
Tribune news Service

Members of the PNB Prerna organisation give a coat to a needy student of Santan Dharm Girls Inter College in Mussoorie on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Mussoorie, November 29
PNB Prerna, a social oraganisation, distributed around 50 coats to poor and needy students of Santan Dharm Girls Inter College at a function held here today.

Members of the organisation also announced to donate books for the school library and scholarship to 10 bright students.

Secretary of the organisation Sadhna Jain said the PNB management had taken a constructive step to serve poor and needy students by involving women officials of the bank.

Principal Rashim Kulshresth thanked the organisation for its timely help. PNB Prerna president VK Mahajan, members of PNB Prerna, Nisha and members of the school management Radhey Shyam Tayal, Rakesh Agarwal and others were present on the occasion.

Minister Negi inaugurates health centre at Ukhimath
Tribune News Service

Rudraprayag, November 29
Keeping in mind the lack of health infrastructure in the calamity-hit core zone of Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district, Max Super Specialty Hospital opened a free health centre at Ukhimath today.

The health centre was inaugurated by Uttarakhand Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi, who pointed at the need of such efforts in the area.

Negi said apart from the government, private sectors too should get involved in rehabilitation and other services in the flash flood region.

On the occasion, doctors and nurses who had provided services during the natural calamity in the region were felicitated by the Health Minister.

Max India Foundation had conducted free surgeries and catered to the patients during the post calamity period in the affected areas of the state.

Rahul Khosla, Managing Director of Max India Limited thanked the state government for allowing them to set up a health centre at Ukhimath.

He also assured them of providing best available services to the local residents of Rudraprayag district.

“The health centre will be operational for the next six months as a majority of the roads that were destroyed have been re-connected and people from far-flung villages of the district can avail the benefits from the centre,” he added.

“The natural disaster has affected the normal life of the people immensely and we are trying to provide them health aid via this centre. We will provide free consultation, distribution of essential medicines free of cost to the patients, spread health awareness and provide immunisation too. In case of specialised treatment, we will refer the patients to MSSH, Dehradun, the cost of the treatment will be paid by the Max India Foundation,” said Mohini Daljeet Singh, head of Max India Foundation.

In addition to a team of doctors, a medical officer, two nurses and two support staff have been deployed at the centre on full time basis.

International trainees to carry forward yoga globally
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 29
Twenty four yoga practitioners from Africa, Brazil, China, France, Japan, Netherland, South Korea and Turkey, who were trained at Swargashram, based Parmarth Niketan in Pauri Garhwal, have vowed to carry forward the art of yoga in their respective countries to benefit people.

These yoga trainees were now well versed in the art of yoga.

They were trained under the guidance of yoga experts and Swami Chidanand Muni of Parmarth Niketan ashram for two weeks.

The yoga practitioners aimed at disseminating the knowledge of yoga art and ayurveda.

Swami Chidanand Muni said the acceptance of yoga by these trainees was a proof of western world’s acceptance and curiosity towards Indian culture, yoga, ayurveda and diversity.

He said since ancient era, art of yoga and ayurveda had been practiced in the Indian civilisation and now the world was looking towards India.

“At the same time, the yoga trainees will also carry forward the message of Ganga conservation, Himalayan ecology and the rich heritage of Uttarakhand, the land of deities” he added.

Sadhvi Abha Saraswati, one of the yoga gurus, said the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the learners from different countries was commendable and they wanted to learn the intricacies of the art of yoga.

Yoga experts Shanti Mata, Yogesh Sharma said both the mind and the body needed to be healthy and pure, which the art of yoga taught. 

Tulip House wins quiz
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
The Department of Science at Unison World School organised a science quiz for junior section students, here today. The students from class IV to class VIII participated in the event.

The quiz was divided into six rounds, namely mixed bag, your choice, audio-visual and rapid fire.

Jumbled words and visual round was especially for the students of class IV and class V. All the students participated enthusiastically. The quiz was won by Tulip House. Jasmine House won the second position and Orchid House won the third position.

City Young, Garhwal Sporting enter finals of football league
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
City Young Football Club and Garhwal Sporting entered the finals of the Drona College 70th Nemidas Memorial District Football League after winning their respective semifinal matches here today.

The first match between City Young and Vijay Cant Football Club was decided through a tiebreaker. City Young beat Vijay Cant 6-5. In the normal allotted time, both teams could score one goal each.

In the second match, Garhwal Sporting Football Club beat Adhoiwala Boys Club 1-0 score with Rahul scoring the lone goal of the match in the 39th minute.

Paralympians feel let down by the state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
Paralympians from Uttarakhand, who brought laurels to the state on numerous occasions, have accused the state government of doing nothing to encourage them and promote paralympic games.

Prem Kumar, a wheelchair badminton player, who had represented India in the commonwealth and world championship paralympic sports, said, “The government is meting out step-motherly treatment to us and has done a little to encourage paralympic games in the state."

He alleged the government had never extended any monetary support to them and they had achieved their goals on their own. “The government has no policy to reward paralympians, whereas normal sportsmen get all type of institutional support along with cash rewards for their performances,” he rued.

For voicing their concerns, sportsmen with disabilities have formed the Uttarakhand Disabled Sportsmen Struggle Committee and Ravindra Jugran, a political leader, has been made its patron.

“Whenever we go to other states to participate in any tournament, the government does not even provide us with travelling allowance,” said Mukesh.

Another paralympian, Anil Kavi, who is a wheelchair shooter, has participated in 27 championships and won 54 medals in his 17 years of career.

He demanded that there should be a state policy for the improvement of paralympic games and the welfare of sportsmen.

Meanwhile, on International Day of People with Disability on December 3, sportsmen with disabilities have decided to organise a symbolic dharna at Gandhi Park as mark of protest.

Chakrata block win in kabaddi, Doiwala block in kho kho
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
Kabaddi and kho kho finals were held on the last day of the ongoing Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA), organised by Youth Development and Prantiya Rakshak Dal Department here today.

In the boy's category, Chakrata block won the kabaddi championship whereas Kalsi block and Doiwala block remained on second and third positions, respectively. On the other hand, Sahaspur block won the kabaddi competition in girl's category whereas Vikasnagar stood at second spot.

In the kho kho competition, Doiwala block stood first with Raipur and Vikasnagar blocks stood second and third.

Vivek Das corners glory in 400-mt race
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
The final events of the athletic meet in the ongoing Graphic Era President Cup Volleyball Tournament were held today at the university campus.

Vivek Das won the 400-metre race with Ishan and Saurav taking the second and the third position respectively.

In the finals of javelin throw event, Deepak Vinayak outperformed other participants and won the competition. Sadiq Hassan stood on the second position and Himanshu Rawat remained on the third position.

In the 400-metre relay race, NCC-2 won the race followed by Mech-1 and BCA-II, which stood on the second and the third positions respectively.

Volleyball junior team enter last four
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 29
The Uttarakhand volleyball junior team entered the semifinals of the Mini National Volleyball Championship after defeating West Bengal in the quarterfinal match played at Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh today.

The team will play its semifinal match on November 30. The team reached in the first four categories after defeating the teams from Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.

Avadhesh Kumar, president of the Uttarakhand Volleyball Association, and General Secretary Kamlesh Kala congratulated the team for their brilliant run in the tournament.

Badminton tournament results
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 29
Yash Aggarwal, Aman Gupta, Akhil Kumar, Devansh Tandon, Anirduh Shankar, Savinay Mengi, Vaibhav Golchha and Ayush Maniktala won their respective matches in the ongoing National Inter Delhi Public School Badminton Tournament here today. In the boys' category (U-14 singles), Aman Gupta of DPS, Ranipur, beat Ayush Bargoti of DPS, Moradabad, to enter the quarterfinals.

In the girls' category (U-14 singles), Kashish Mittal of DPS, Faridabad, Harshita and Rishika of DPS, Ranipur, Srishti and Kashish of DPS, RK Puram, Apoorva Goyal and Meera of DPS, Sonepat, reached the quarterfinals by winning their respective matches.

Doc ends life

Dehradun, November 29
A 36-year-old doctor allegedly committed suicide by injecting himself with a sleep-inducing drug in Pauri Garhwal district, the police said.

Vikash, an assistant professor in Srinagar Medical College in Uttarakhand, was found dead on Thursday at his government residential complex, they said. — PTI