Lakhs take holy dip on Somwati Amawasya
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 2
A million devotees took a dip in the holy Ganga River in Haridwar today on the pious festive occasion of Somwati Amawasya.

From the wee hours itself, a huge influx of devotees from various parts of the country began pouring in for the religious bath, which holds tremendous significance for the Hindus.

Particularly at the sanctum sanctorum of Braham Kund, Har-ki-Pauri, the spectacle reminded one of the Kumbh festive baths.

Last year, as per administrative figures, the number of devotees had touched 10-12 lakh and this time it had surpassed that mark.

Elaborate security and management arrangements were put in place for the festive bath. The core mela zone was bifurcated into 10 zones and into 36 sectors for better management and policing.

District Magistrate Nidhi Pandey, Senior Superintendent of Haridwar Police Rajeev Swarup, Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Pawar, Circle Officers Jodh Ram Joshi, Rajesh Bhatt, Chandra Mohan Negi, Traffic inspector Devendra Dabral, along with other subordinate officers, monitored the proceedings.

From the City Control Room tower, opposite the Har-Ki-Pauri, the mela proceedings were monitored via control room and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footages from 70 cameras placed in the core mela zone and other important parts of the city.

For the mela bath, 10 Deputy Superintendents of Police, 22 Station House Officers, 103 Sub-inspectors, 10 women Sub-inspectors, 69 Head constables, 504 constables, 65 women constables, two platoons of Provincial Armed Constabulary, six cavalry police teams, four Jal police teams, two fire tankers and three bomb disposal squads were put in place.

Parking lots for buses were made at Green Vista Parking, Alaknanda parking, Bairagi camp, Neel Dhara, Gauri Shankar parking and Rishikul ground.

Services of Laljiwala and Chamgadarh parking lots were also utilised, which were put in reserve parking segments.

Initiative to strengthen 1,700 van panchayats
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Mount Kailash in Tibet. A file photo

Dehradun, December 2
The Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative is helping in strengthening as many as 1,700 van panchayats of the state.

A project under the guidance of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Kailash initiative, which started in 2009, aims at ensuring conservation and sustainable development in the Greater Mount Kailash region of China, India and Nepal encompassing a total region of 31,000 sq km.

In India, the project covers the entire Pithoragarh district and a part of Bageshwar district of the state. The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, which is a partner institute in the project, is working on sensitising villagers about the conservation of this area.

Spearheading the project in the state, Dr PK Mathur, Senior Scientist, Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, said they had carried out a series of sensitisation workshops on conservation and participation of community members in conservation efforts through the medium of van panchayats.

Dr Mathur said the landscape comprised a wide variety of globally significant flora and fauna. He said it was home to some of the endangered species such as snow leopard and Himalayan musk deer, besides having a diverse forest ecology. “However, the changes in weather patterns resulting in accelerated loss of biodiversity and cultural heritage have affected the local communities the most and the ecosystem they depend on,” he said, adding that it had been difficult for the local communities to adapt to this change.

He said van panchayats were unique in Uttarakhand and symbolised an excellent man-forest relationship in the state. “We have a team of seven scientists and six researchers from WII, who are working in the landscape, moving from village to village, sensitising locals on the importance of conservation and the role of community members in it,” he said.

Subhash Chandra Pant of Lali village in Pithoragarh district, who has been managing the Lali van panchayat for many decades said that the project had given further strength to van panchayats. 

DM forms panel to ensure Winter Line Carnival is a hit
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
The district administration has formed a committee to ensure that the upcoming Winter Line Carnival in Mussoorie is a hit among tourists and locals.

In a specially called meeting District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam instructed the members of the panel and the officers associated with the carnival to successfully implement the duties assigned to them.

In the carnival that would be celebrated from December 28 to 30 will also see the performance of cultural troupes, especially called from the other states.

The members who are part of the core committee of the carnival include District Magistrate, Chairman Mussoorie Municipal Corporation, MLA, Mussoorie, Chief Development Officer and Additional District Magistrate (Administration and Finance) along with several other officials.

The Cultural Department has been given the responsibility of advertising of the event along with organising the famous Choliya, Nanda Devi, Jaunsar Kumaoni and Garwhali dance forms on the opening day of the carnival.

While giving the outline of the carnival, the DM said that Mussoorie heritage walk, circuit mountain biking, run for Mussoorie, rock climbing and cultural evening would be part of the opening day.

The second day, December 29, would see photography competition along with cultural performances in the evening. The closing day would include a vintage car rally that will be carried from Mussoorie till Rishikesh, painting competition and a magic show.

Those who were present in the meeting included MDDA Secretary Banshidhar Tiwari, Harak Singh Rawat, Sonika, Arvind Pandey, along with several others. 

A day after, DMC pulls up socks to clean city
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
A day after the Principal Secretary, Urban Development, pulled up the officials of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC), it formed teams today to clean up the garbage overflowing from the dustbins in various corners of the city.

Starting today, the DMC also took over the disposal of garbage from 20 wards, which it had taken from Doon Valley Waste Management, a private player hired by the DMC for door-to-door collection and disposal of garbage.

The wards that are now under DMC include Rajpur (ward number 1), Hathibarkala (ward number 4), Dhobhawala (ward number 6), Krishan Nagar (ward number 8), D L Road (ward number 9), Chukkhuwala (ward number 13), Indra Colony (ward number 14), Ghantaghar (ward number 15), Khudbuda (ward number 20), Shivaji Marg (ward number 21), Dhamawala (ward number 23), Jhanda Mohalla (ward number 24), Dalanwala (ward number 26), Racecourse (ward number 38), Rest Camp (ward number 39), Kargi (ward number 42), Patel Nagar (ward number 43), Ghandigram (ward number 55), Shridevsuman Nagar (ward number 58) and Kaulagarh (ward number 60).

Upper Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) Uday Singh Rana said from today the DMC had taken over the 20 wards completely. “Though the dustbins are yet to be placed in some places, we have asked our workers to ensure that the garbage is not strewn here and there.”

“Also, four tractor trolleys have been hired and about 20 workers have been placed in every ward to remove garbage from the bins on daily basis. Though we would try our level best to ensure that the residents do not suffer and the areas are kept clean, we would not be doing door-to-door collection of garbage like DVWM. The area residents will have to throw the garbage in the dustbins allocated for the area” he said.

On Sunday, Principal Secretary, Urban Development, M H Khan lambasted the DMC officials for the deteriorating condition of the city in a surprise check.

Blaming the DMC for the poor conditions in the city, Khan had said, “It seems that the DMC is not doing its work properly which is evident from the heaps of garbage at different places in the city. This has not only caused problems to the residents but might also cause an epidemic breakout.”

Mishra brothers, Birju Maharaj set to take Doon by storm
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
Propelled by a desire to give back to the city that has been a second home to them and usher in harmonious vibrations in a state that is still recovering from the devastation wrought by the mid-June natural disaster, musician brother duo Rajan and Sajan Mishra have lined up an alchemy of music tomorrow.

It is rare that legends Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Birju Maharaj, Kumar Bose and Sivmani have performed together but at the call of Mishra brothers, the legends would be coming together under one stage for the Swarangan concert dedicated in memory of the disaster victims.

''What unites all the musicians is pure love for each other. There is seldom a discordant note and the denizens of Dehradun can expect an aural and visual treat as we have never performed together in the past. The spontaneous coming together would be there for all to see. There is no prior preparation, but only a desire to understand each other and give in to the call of rhythm and melody,'' said Rajan Mishra, while speaking with The Tribune.

Disturbed by the mid-June natural disaster, Rajan Mishra is of the firm opinion that a balance has to be maintained between man and nature. ''Calamities take place when we disturb that delicate balance existing between man and nature. We can only achieve bliss, if we live in total harmony with nature,'' he said.

The brothers who have been musical companions from a very young age say there has never been a clash of egos. ''When we sing together, there is never a desire to excel or bring the other down. It is total harmony and bliss. We give in to the power of music,'' added Sajan Mishra.

That apart, the forty winks that Sajan Mishra manages to snatch in the afternoon too helps him to stay calm and collected. ''This is a secret antidote against all kinds of stress and leaves me rejuvenated,'' said Sajan Mishra letting into a secret that was passed on to them by their father.

For that matter, tabla player Kumar Bose, who too is looking forward for tomorrow's concert, is looking forward to playing with Sivamani. ''As an instrument, tabla lends itself to any instrument and is the most beautiful invention ever made,'' he said.

Though Bose has performed with maestro Zubin Mehta of the philharmonic orchestra, it will be the first time that he would be performing with Sivamani. ''As an instrument, tabla is popular all over the world. It is a versatile instrument in the hands of an expert,'' he added. 

Good policing, parenting vital to check drug menace: SP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
Manikant Mishra, who has assumed the charge of the SP (Rural), Dehradun, said breaking the network of drug smugglers would be one of his priorities. The twin-pronged approach of effective policing and good parenting could help in eradicating this menace from roots.

“The police role is to ensure that the network of drug peddlers does not get space to operate the parents’ role is to keep a tab on the habits of their children and where they are regularly going and whom they are meeting,” said Mishra.

“We have arrested a number of persons hailing from Sahaspur for their involvement in drug peddling,” he added.

RLEK training programme for village women ends
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a voluntary organisation, conducted a three-day training programme for village women under the Integrated Watershed Management Programme from November 28 to 30.

The aim of the training was to bring awareness on gender sensitisation, equity benefit sharing, constraints, coordination, linkages and self-help groups.

Neena Grewal, IFS, inaugurated the programme. She spoke about importance of awareness among women and their role in society.

Women were informed about the working of village panchayats so that they could understand their rights and duties. They were educated on various livelihood activities.

On the second day, they were introduced to the concept of the self-help groups (SHGs) and their activities, role of SHGs in watershed management and entrepreneurship development programme i.e. cottage industry and other livelihood activities corresponding to small scale loans available at village level.

On the last day, they were made aware about various banking and insurance schemes. They were educated on networking with various government departments.

As many as 30 women from the state participated in the training programme.

Farmers demand MSP for sugarcane, hold protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
Farmers of Haridwar held a protest against the government in front of the state Legislative Assembly here today for not declaring the minimum support price (MSP) of sugarcane.

The protesting farmers burnt sugarcane and raised slogans against the government. They blamed it for adopting anti-farmer policies. They said the neighboring states had declared the sugarcane MSP while farmers in Uttarakhand were not able to take their sugarcane crop to sugar mills in the absence of the MSP.

Moreover, the farmers were also angry over their outstanding sugarcane payments. They alleged that about Rs 100 crore was outstanding from the sugar mills. They urged the government to look into their concerns as, otherwise, their sugarcane produce would get destroyed due to delay in the declaration of the MSP.

Acute shortage of specialists at Coronation Hospital
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
The recent transfers undertaken by the Department of Health and Family Welfare has once again created an acute shortage of specialists at Coronation Hospital.

Since the transfers were undertaken a few months back, the department has not posted any relievers.

In order to decrease the patient load from Doon Hospital, the Department of Health and Family Welfare had begun strengthening Coronation Hospital.

But the repeated shortage of manpower, especially in the area of specialised services, has put paid to all the efforts of the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

''These days, the hospital is without the services of an eye specialist, paediatrician, orthopaedic surgeon and a general surgeon who has not been keeping well,'' said Dr Bharti Rana, Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS), Coronation Hospital.

Such has been the fate of Coronation Hospital that when the patient flow picks up pace, the hospital is faces acute shortage of specialists.

Due to the publicity given by the Uttarakhand government to the two speciality centres set up at the hospital, the flow of patients had risen but now there are no doctors to tend to the patients.

''Since the last two days, I have been coming to the hospital to find out when the eye specialist would join duty at the hospital but I have drawn a blank response,'' said Sarita, a patient.

Meanwhile, at the emergency too, the hospital authorities are facing problems as only one emergency medical officer has been discharging duties.

In the coming days, a lone anesthetist, who hails from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, is expected to be issued relieving orders, which would again compound the problems of the hospital. 

Statehood agitators stopped from marching to CM's house

Dehradun, December 2
The police stopped midway statehood agitators from marching in protest towards the Chief Minister’s residence here today.

On a call given by the Uttarakhand Rajya Andolankari Sangathan, the statehood agitators had started an indefinite fast on November 9 in protest against the non-fulfillment of their demands. To register their protest more strongly they had decided to stage a protest outside the Chief Minister’s house. However, the police stopped them midway at Hathibadkala. The protesters said the government was not fulfilling their demands despite an assurance by the CM. They added no one from the administration had sought the well being of those who had gone on indefinite fast.

The protesters said they were fed up with the step-motherly treatment being meted out to them.

Promila Rawat, Jagmohan Rawat, Jitendra Chauhan, Jabbar Singh Pavel, Rakesh Bhatt, Mohan Bhatt and Sanjay Sharma took part in the protest. — TNS

Band performance marks founder's day celebrations
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
The three-day 76th founder's day celebrations of Welham Boys School ended amid much bonhomie and cheer with vibrant carnival marking the last day of the event here yesterday.

The whole atmosphere was electric during the carnival as the students and their parents were seen enjoying the food and music.

Number of games and food stalls were put up at the lower field of the school. Games like Feed the Giant, Fish the Bottle, Drop the Coin, Lucky Dip, Pin the Donkey Tail and Basket the Ball attracted the crowd. The performance by the school band ‘Anesthesia’ remained the central attraction that enthralled everyone.

A junior school musical play was also organised, which was followed by a Hindi play ‘Taj Mahal ka Tender’. Harpal Singh, Chairman of Fortis group, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Bureaucratic reshuffle
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
The Uttarakhand Government today transferred Uttarakashi District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Pandey to Udham Singh Nagar as District Magistrate in place of Brijesh Kumar Sant was posted as the vice-chairman of the Haridwar Development Authority (HDA). Sri Dhar Babu, Joint Secretary, Forest and Environment, would be the new District Magistrate of Uttarkashi.

Pratap Singh Shah, General Manager, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), was given the additional charge of Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Dehradun, while Jharna Kimthan, ADM, Dehradun was transferred as ADM, Rudraprayag.

Lalit Narayan Mishra, ADM, Rudraprayg, was shifted as ADM, Dehradun, in place of HS Martoliya who was posted as ADM, Rudraprayg. Santosh Kumar Pandey, ADM, Tehri Garhwal, was transferred as ADM, Dehradun, in place of Ashok Kumar Pandey who was posted as ADM, Tehri. 

Ministerial employees on strike till Dec 8
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
Perturbed over the non-fulfilment of their demands, employees went on strike under the banner of Uttarakhand Ministerial Collectorate Employees Federation here today. The strike will continue till December 8.

The protesting employees, while raising anti-government slogans, demanded immediate implementation of their five-point demands. Seeking implementation of the proposal drawn in July 2011, regarding the re-formation of the collectorate, with in a week, the protesting employees also demanded that out of the total promotions as Naib Tehsildar, 10 per cent should be earmarked for the ministerial employees.

Bahuguna govt delaying panchayat poll: TS Rawat
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
Making a common cause with Govind Singh Kunjwal, Speaker of Uttarkhand Legislative Assembly, who had been putting the government in the dock on the issue of holding of Panchayat Raj elections on time and other issues, the national secretary of BJP Trivender Singh Rawat today said that the Speaker is only discharging his constitutional duties.

''He has been raising these issues in the interest of the state and it is the people and as a responsible Opposition, we, too, have raised these issues from time to time,'' said Rawat while addressing a press conference.

The national secretary held the Bahuguna government responsible for delaying the panchayat elections. ''How can an elected government stoop so low and delay the holding of the panchayat elections for the fear that it would affect the party prospects in the Lok Sabha elections,'' asked Rawat.

Trivender Singh Rawat said that his party supports the High Court order urging the Uttarakhand government to hold panchayat elections as soon as possible.

Rebutting, the charges made by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna who had said that the Opposition was trying to malign his image, Rawat said: ''Whose image is he talking about ? When was his image good that it should provide a reason for BJP to tarnish it ? We feel the Chief Minister has not been able to create any image,'' said Rawat.

Trivender Singh Rawat also raised apprehensions about a possible conspiracy against BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narinder Modi being hatched by anti-national forces who were keen to prevent the BJP from coming back to power at the Centre.

''In the coming days, attempts would be made to lower the prestige of the BJP and it's prime ministerial candidate Narinder Modi by certain forces that are unhappy with the rise of Modi,'' he said without elaborating further. 

Giving health centre on PPP mode to private hospital resented
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, December 2
Chairperson of the Lohaghat Nagar Panchayat Lata Varma has threatened that if the local community health centre (CHC) given to a private hospital on the private public partnership (PPP) mode is not taken back, she will launch an agitation against the state government.

Lata told mediapersons at Lohaghat that the health services at the CHC had gone out of gear since it was given to a Bareilly hospital on the PPP mode. She said immediately after taking the charge of the CHC from government doctors, the hospital staff started using it for publicity of the hospital and installed their own promotional hoardings after removing the boards depicting national health programmes.

“The hospital management even removed the hoardings depicting national programmes related to mother and children welfare, vaccination and the security of mothers and child after delivery,” said Lata.

“In a recent example of negligence of duty, the hospital staff referred an expectant mother to a Pithoragarh hospital for delivery. However, she delivered the child in the 108 emergency ambulance. Te ambulance staff saved her life as well that of the newborn,” she said.

“We will not accept the mockery of the medical services in our town. We have decided to launch an indefinite agitation if the government does not change its decision and takes back the CHO from the private hospital,” said Lata. 

The hospital management has removed the hoardings depicting national programmes related to mother and child welfare, vaccination and the security of mothers and children after delivery.
—Lata Varma, chairperson of lohaghat nagar panchayat 

Striking UPCL contractual staff resort to begging
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
Upset with the attitude of the government, the striking contractual employees of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) resorted to begging in Paltan Bazaar today in support of their demand of regularisation of their services.

The protesting contractual employees blamed the government of having apathetic attitude towards their concerns and for creating livelihood crisis for them. One of the protester said: The government has failed to take action on the tripartite talks agreement between the government and three power corporations in the state, which clearly stated that the process of regularisation must begin and dearness allowance must be given to all the contractual employees twice a year.''

Moreover, the protesting employees said that they would be forced to take up begging if the government does not meet their demands immediately. ''We are going to intensify our agitation to pressurise the government,'' said, Yogendra Vishwal, state president of UPCL's Contractual Employees Association. 

Residents sore at sub-tehsil status for Nainbagh
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, December 2
The state government has retracted its decision to give the status of a tehsil to Nainbagh in Tehri Garhwal district and instead has now decided to make it only a sub-tehsil, thus inviting the ire of the residents of the region. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had earlier announced the decision to grant the status of tehsil to Nainbagh.

The state government in its order yesterday decided to make Nainbagh a sub-tehsil.

The BJP said the Congress-led government had earlier announced to give the tehsil status to Nainbagh and now had converted it into a sub-tehsil. It was playing with the sentiments of the people and misleading them on the issue.

Khajan Das, a former Cabinet minister from the BJP, said the Congress-led state government had shown its true colours. “If the government was not in a situation to make Nianbagh a tehsil, it shouldn’t have kept the people of the region in dark over the issue,” he added.

Mahavir Rangad, Dhanaulti MLA, said the people would oppose any such move by the government. The BJP leaders were of the view that with the formation of a sub-tehsil the people would have to run from Nainbagh to Dhanaulti for their work.

However, Jot Singh Bisht, senior Congress leader, said the work like the issuing of birth and death certificates would be done from Nainbagh sub-tehsil, thus ensuring that the people did not suffer.

Other congress leaders from the region said they would meet the Chief Minster again and demand the tehsil status for Nainbagh.

Kunjwal releases book on terrorism
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal yesterday released “Shadows of Terror,” a book by Sanjeev Sharma, an Indian Air Force veteran and educationist.

Releasing the book at his residence, Kunjwal said terrorism was the biggest challenge before the countryand referred to the hardships being faced by the defence forces while dealing with it.

Author Sanjeev Sharma said the book encompassed the experiences of defence force personnel while undertaking terror operations. The book also dwelt at length on the heroic deeds of the Indian defence forces.

Senior literary personalities Gurdeep Khurana, Madan Sharma and Shailesh Chandola were present at the ceremony.

Sensitisation workshop for cardiac patients
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
A sensitisation workshop for cardiac patients was organised by Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun, yesterday to mark 800 successful cardiac procedures conducted since its inception a-year-and-a-half ago.

Addressing the gathering, Gaurav Rekhi, General Manager, Operations, said the hospital team had been working towards generating happy hearts and healthy patients and had completed more than 800 successful cardiac procedures with a success rate of 100 per cent. He also took the opportunity to announce the launch of the Max Healthy Heart Club that would provide various services to cardiac patients.

Rekhi said the club members could avail various services like invitation to quarterly health talks, free ambulance service in case of emergency within the range of 10 km, special invitation for cardiac health camps every quarter, free sample collection within range of 10-km and free home delivery of medicines up to 10-km.

Another speaker, Dr Preeti Sharma, Head Cardiology, said the team of doctors at the hospital had successfully performed various advanced cardiac procedures like coronary artery bypass procedures, valve repairs and replacements and correction of congenital heart diseases.

A large number of people suffering from cardiac problems were present on the occasion.

Garhwal varsity athletics meet gets underway
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 2
The 39th Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (HNBGU) Athletics Meet started at Maharana Pratap Sports College Ground here today, with teams from 22 colleges affiliated with the university participating in the event.

DAV PG College, Dehradun, is organising the athletics meet this year.

During the three-day meet, almost 20 field and track events will take place with teams from various colleges sweating it out to win the competition.

On the first day of events, DAV PG College, Dehradun, won maximum gold medals with the players of the college displaying brilliant performance and excelling in almost all the events.

Earlier, Uttarakhand Sports Minister Dinesh Agarwal inaugurated the meet in presence of DAV PG College principal Devendra Bhasin, Raipur MLA Umesh Sharma and Rajpur MLA Raj Kumar. 

Geographic info system vital to know position of lakes, glaciers
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 2
The geographic information system (GIS) is vital for getting information about the exact position of Himalayan lakes and glaciers to prevent natural disasters at the time of their movement, besides obtaining information about the natural resources so that these could be utilised according to plans, said Dr HS Dhami, Vice-Chancellor of Kumaon University. He was speaking after inaugurating a workshop on GIS education on the SSJ campus of Kumaon University in Almora.

The seminar was organised by the Almora campus of Kumaon University with the help of Academic Staff College, Nainital, and the Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology (UCOST). It emphasised on the introduction and wider use of the GIS system to know the right location of the natural resources like water, flora and fauna, minerals and land for planning at the time of the natural disaster.

“As India lacks human resources in this field, youths can brighten their career in this field, besides helping the nation in the utilisation of the natural resources for appropriate planning,” said Prof AS Jasrotia, head of department of the Remote Sensing and GSI Department, Jammu University, Jammu.

Dhami said, besides Canada, which started using this technique in 1960 for better use of the natural resources, Turkey, Nepal, and Qatar also started using it to make better use of their natural resources.

“By using the GIS we can find the exact position of all 127 Himalayan lakes situated in Uttarakhand during the monsoon when these start moving,” said Dhami.

Prof VPS Arora, Vice-Chancellor of Super-tech University, chaired the seminar. Thirty experts from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, besides experts from the U-COST and Kumaon University, Almora campus, are participating in the seminar.