Avani bags Uttarakhand CII’s green award for 2014
Honour for conservation and creation of sustainable livelihoods in the state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
Pithoragarh-based voluntary organisation Avani was awarded the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Uttarakhand Annual Green Award for 2014 at a function held here today.

The award was presented to the organisation’s secretary Rajneesh Kumar Jain by IK Pande, financial advisor to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister.

Giving away the award, Pande said sustainability in the context of Uttarakhand includes ecological and social aspects that involve removal of poverty and alleviating the position of the disadvantaged population.

Implementing these requires governance perspective, providing rights to the poorest and ensuring these rights. He also emphasised on the need for ensuring the efficiencies of institutions and efficient use of resources.

Avani was awarded for its outstanding work in the field of conservation and creation of sustainable livelihoods in remote rural areas of Bageshwar and Pithoragarh over the last 14 years.

Following a community-based model, Avani works in three areas i.e. provides equipment to utilise solar energy in rural areas, produces electricity and charcoal from pine needles and make handmade naturally died silk and woollen textiles.

The CII Uttarakhand Annual Green Award was instituted in the year 2006 and is given out every year at the annual session to recognise the efforts of individuals or organisations in Uttarakhand, in the field of environment improvement systems.

While thanking CII for the award, Rajneesh Kumar Jain emphasised on the importance of engagement between industry and NGOs to address sustainability issues. He urged the industry to work with grassroots organisations like Avani in addressing their own needs for clean energy. He shared his experience of bringing in skills, technologies and cottage level industry to some of the remote areas of the state where the only livelihood opportunity available otherwise were to work as labour in cities.

Elaborating on the priorities of CII, Jayant Davar, Chairman CII Northern Region said CII had picked up a theme based on accelerating growth and generating more employment. The focus areas include entrepreneurship, making education employability oriented, skill development, promoting manufacturing, enhancing export competitiveness and expediting reforms, he added.

On the occasion, Lovelena Mody, Co-Chair, CII Uttarakhand State Task force on Uttarakhand Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Initiative, shared the key initiatives of CII in the disaster affected areas of the state.

Mody highlighted that 758 families across 118 villages were supported through 14 relief distribution drives organised by CII, in districts of Rudraprayag and Chamoli.

The ongoing rehabilitation initiative includes rebuilding of schools in Tehri Garhwal, supporting the rebuilding of ITI Srinagar by setting up an IT Center cum CAD Lab as well as providing other state of the art equipment for various labs, and livelihood interventions. She added that till now 107 youth from disaster affected areas have been benefited by the livelihood initiatives.

The session was followed by a plenary session on ‘Rebuilding Uttarakhand the Sustainable Way’. The session was chaired by YVN Krishna Murthy, director, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing.

The panel of speakers included: Dr Jaijit Bhattacharya, partner, Infrastructure and Government Services, KPMG; Palash Srivastava, director, PPPI and programmes, IDFC Foundation; Pankaj Chandan, Head, HAWS Programme, WWF, India; Dhiraj Dolwani, Co- Founder and CEO, B2R (Business to Rural) Technologies; Jayant Rasaily, Manager EHS, ITC, Haridwar; Dr P S Negi, Scientist, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology.

Tiwari’s entry into poll fray may upset Cong, BJP calculations
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
The possible entry of veteran Congress leader ND Tiwari into the Lok Sabha election fray from his home constituency of Nainital in Kumaon region could upset the calculations of both the Congress as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the seat. ND Tiwari, a shrewd politician, has not yet announced his decision to enter the electoral fray but it was a well known fact that he wanted to remain active in his political and public life.

His recent admission that Rohit Shekhar,a youth who has won the paternity suit against him, was indeed his own son has again brought the veteran leader into the limelight. His announcement that he would be touring his home constituency of Nainital from March 21 has made both the Congress as well as the BJP leaders of the area nervous.

On the other hand, supporters of ND Tiwari are planning a grand reception for the seniormost politician of the country in his native area. Tiwari is one of the most popular leaders of the Kumaon region and has done a lot for the development of the region as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and then CM of Uttarakhand from 2002 till 2007.

Despite the sex expose at Hyderabad Raj Bhavan in 2009, which forced Tiwari to resign as Governor of Andhra Pradesh, he has a large following in the entire Kumaon region. Tiwari was disillusioned with the Congress for being completely sidelined by the party after the Hyderabad Raj Bhavan episode and had even alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to malign him.

However, for the past more than a year Tiwari spent most of the time in UP and New Delhi. He was courted warmly by Samajwadi supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. With election round the corner, senior state Samajwadi Party leaders want that Tiwari should contest Lok Sabha elections from Nainital.

However, his close supporters believe that if ND Tiwari decides to fight elections, he would like to contest as an Independent rather than becoming a candidate of a political party. They argue that Tiwari commands respect with the leaders of both Samajwadi Party as well as Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Already, Samajwadi Party and BSP have announced their candidates from Nainital but entry of Tiwari could change the equations. Interestingly, one of close aides Laiq Ahmed is the Samajwadi Party candidate from Nainital. Laiq Ahmed was his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) during his tenure as Uttarakhand chief minister.

KC Singh Baba is the sitting Congress sitting MP from Nainital since 2004, who is likely to get the party ticket. Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari is a strong contender for the BJP ticket. But if Tiwari enters the elctoral fray, all the calculations of both Congress and BJP would go haywire.

Cong, BJP remove hoardings to avoid violation of code
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
Workers of the Congress and the BJP have removed 90 per cent of the hoardings to avoid any action for the violation of model code of conduct implemented in the state since March 4.

District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam had passed stern orders for the removal of hoardings, posters and other publicity material of various political parties in the state capital, in view of the model code of conduct.

Though the concerned parties have removed hoardings and banners, there was still a sizeable chunk of posters and pamphlets sticking on the walls in every nook and corner of the city.

Congress District general secretary Mahesh Sachdeva said they had removed the hoardings from all the prominent spots in the city in compliance with the model code of conduct.

“We started removing hoardings from the day the elections were announced and the model code of conduct came into force across the state. We are also on a look out for the hoardings, if any, left in the remote areas of the district. As far as the posters are concerned, it is not possible to remove them from all the walls. Moreover, with rain lashing the city every alternate day, they are likely to be washed out on its own,” he added.

BJP state president Teerath Singh Rawat said they had asked party workers to remove hoardings though it was the job of the local bodies.

“It is not the job of the political party, but that of the local bodies to remove the hoardings, posters and bill boards that have been placed in the city. We are not sure about the places where the party has put up its hoardings,” he added.

Alleging that the national parties were violating the model code of conduct, Samar Bhandari, state secretary CPI, said: “The Congress and the BJP has not taken off hoardings in the state capital and the nearby areas. Despite the clear instructions from the District Magistrate about the removal of any poster or publicity material belonging to the political outfits, whether in relation with the polls or otherwise, the parties have not paid any heed.”

BJP lodges complaint against CM for code violation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
The Uttarakhand BJP has lodged the first complaint against Chief Minister Harish Rawat for using the Bijapur guest house as his personal residence in alleged violation of the model code of conduct with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) here today.

“We have given notice to the Election Commission through the CEO, objecting to the use of the Bijapur guest house by Chief Minister Harish Rawat, since he took office more than a month back. It is in violation of the model code of conduct as the guest house can be used only for 48 hours. The Chief Minister has a residence earmarked for him and he should move there,” said Prakash Pant. 

Satpal Maharaj wants horticulture portfolio for Rawat

Dehradun, March 11
Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj said today that Chief Minister Harish Rawat had accepted his folly that it was not proper on his part to deny Horticulture portfolio to Cabinet minister Amrita Rawat.

In a statement Maharaj also said the subsidy given to his family for construction of polyhouse was as per norm and there was nothing wrong about it. He pointed out that the horticulture department was doing this to promote polyhouses linked horticulture across the state.

“The Chief Minister has now admitted his mistake, he must now give back horticulture portfolio to Amrita Rawat,” Satpal Maharaj pointed out. — TNS

Mayor forms panel to check encroachment on DMC land
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
After facing the ire of the protesting councillors demanding the survey of land belonging to the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC), Mayor Vinod Chamoli has formulated a monitoring committee to check encroachments.

The decision to form the committee came after Congress councilors, led by Opposition leader Ninu Sehgal, continued with their protest on the DMC premises on the second consecutive day.

The protesters said a majority of the 230 hectares of land belonging to the DMC had been encroached upon, but the authorities were taking no steps to remove them.

The protesters demanded that the DMC should mark its land in every ward so that everybody was aware about the ownership. Also, strict action should be taken against the violators.

Ninu Sehgal said the Mayor had ordered the formation of a committee comprising the Leader of the Opposition, members of the executive committee, ward members and a team from the DMC.

“ The committee will conduct a ward-wise survey of the land in the entire city and earmark the land belonging to the DMC. The anti-encroachment team will remove illegal encroachments, if any. Also ward councillors will be asked to submit a proposal for the usage of the vacant DMC land in the interest of the area residents,” he added.

Traffic snarls on Mussoorie-Kempty-Yamunotri road
Two sidewalls collapse, leaving behind debris
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, March 11
The traffic was disrupted for several hours on Mussoorie-Kempty-Yamunotri road when the two sidewalls (embankments) being constructed by the PWD, Thatyur division, collapsed near Mussoorie bend, leaving behind the debris around 11 pm last night. One loaded truck got stuck in the mud debris, blocking the traffic for several hours. The local residents summoned JCB machines at night after which the road was opened for commuting after four hours of struggle.

The PWD officials failed to reach the site despite several calls, said local residents.

The residents blaming the PWD for the fiasco said that the two sidewalls had caved in due to the use of substandard material during the construction. The shoddy construction has revealed the kind of work being done on the Yamunotri highway by the concerned department and with such work in progress, the chances of withstanding the first spell of monsoon were far from remote, added residents. Executive Engineer, PWD, Thatyur division, NS Kholia, said he was not aware of any such damage in the area and if such damage is reported he will send subordinate officers to the site for investigatation.

Incessant rain in Mussoorie puts life out of gear
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, March 11
Incessant rain triggered by western disturbances over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir put life out of gear in Mussoorie today.

The overnight rain induced by the low pressure in the region lead to a dip in temperatures, forcing the residents and tourists alike to remain inside their cosy rooms here.

The daily wagers also suffered as they could not go for work on various construction sites in and around Mussoorie and were seen huddled at the various tea stalls to keep them warm in the cold weather here.

The higher reaches around Mussoorie received mild spell of snow. However, no reports of damage to crops have been received as yet, said Met officials of the state.

The shopkeepers blamed the PWD for water entering their shops due to faulty road construction, which has led to rise in the level of roads in comparison to the shops on Mall Road.

One shopkeeper opined that the PWD assigned with the task to improve the condition of the roads over the years had not taken into account the rise in the level of roads, which resulted in water entering their shops on Mall Road with every spell of incessant rain, and today was no exception. Meanwhile, the famous tourist destination received a spell of hail for an hour leaving a thick cover of white sheet on the road.

The school children were the most affected as they had to counter heavy rain while on their way back to their homes.

According to Met Department, the weather outlook for the next few days is heavy rain or snowfall at isolated places over the state, including Mussoorie.

State agitator Baba Bamrara ends fast
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
Uttarakhand Congress spokesman Dhirendra Pratap today offered fruit juice to aged state agitationist Baba Mathura Prasad Bamrara, who had been on hunger strike at the Doon hospital for the past several days in support of reservation in state government jobs for state agitationists and their dependents.

In his brief address made on the occasion, Dhirendra Pratap said the Congress was committed for betterment of state agitationists and was taking their concerns on priority. Pratap said Chief Minister Harish Rawat, state Congress president Yashpal Arya, Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj and former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna had also appealed Bamrara to end his hunger strike.

Bamrara said the Uttarakhand of state agitationists dream was still to be realised. He said Dhirendra Pratap had assured him a proper redressal of the concerns of state agitationists following which he had ended his hunger strike.

Tibetan refugees hold demonstration
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 11
More than a hundred Tibetan refugees, residing in Nainital town today held a demonstration on the National Uprising Day and took out a procession against the occupation of Tibet by China in 1959.

The demonstrators shouted slogans about freeing Tibet from China and cautioned that the Chinese occupation in Tibet was dangerous for the Asian countries.

“Chinese occupants took over our motherland after brutally killing peace loving Tibetan people on March 10, 1959, and since then they have killed thousands of Tibetan citizens. We will not rest till our motherland becomes free from Chinese occupation,” said Tsering Topgal, organiser of the demonstration.

The Tibetan refugees staged a demonstration from Malli tal to Talli tal via Mall road.

They reached near the Gandhi statue near Talli tal and prayed in the memory of those who laid their lives for the freedom of Tibet.

“We have appealed to the international community to come forward to stop violation of human rights in Tibet and pressurise the Chinese to free Tibet,” said Tsering.

Gurdwaras not to be used for political activity: Sikh body
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
The Uttarakhand Sikh Federation has directed the gurdwara committees to ensure that the holy place is not used for any political activity in view of the ensuin g parliamentary elections in the state.

At a press conference organised here today, state president of the federation, Gurdeep Singh Tony said that it was a usual practice of candidates to hold meetings in gurdwaras.

“In case, the committees do not adhere to the instructions, we will launch a protest against the same. We will also ask other communities to ensure that their holy places are not used by political parties for their personal gains,” he added.

DVWM finalises 10 wards to begin work
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
Barely 10 days after it revoked the 15-year contract with the state government for the collection and scientific disposal of garbage, the Doon Valley Waste Management has made a comeback and finalised 10 wards to begin its work.

The wards that have been chosen by the company for door-to-door garbage collection includes Arya Nagar, Jakhan, Karanpur, DL road, Dalanwala (ward number 25, 26, 27), Clock Tower, Dhamawala and Sahastradhara.

Speaking to The Tribune, Sidharth Jain, CEO, DVWM, said: ''Following the assurances from the District Magistrate and acting Mukhya Nagar Adhikari BVRC Purshottam, we had decided to resume the work. We have finalised the wards and would start the work in these wards once the Dehradun Municipal Corporation gives us the written permission. Also, a fresh memorandum of understanding (MoU) needs to be signed between both the parties for the work to begin,'' he added.

It may be recalled that the company hired for waste management project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) ended its contract after being operational for three years in the state capital. According to the company, they revoked the contract after the failure of DMC to fulfil their demands and resolve the issues.

Among the demands raised by the company was revision of the tipping fee from existing Rs 350 per metric tonne to Rs 472 metric tonne. The Chief Minister had formed a three-member committee to ascertain whether there is a need for an increment or not.

In fact it was due to the deteriorating sanitary conditions of the state capital and the failure of the MNA Ashok Kumar to handle the situation that he was removed from the post and attached to the secretariat.

''The vehicles and manpower are presently with the DMC. We have submitted our requirement for the 10 wards. The work would start immediately after the DMC gives us in writing. We have burnt our hands once and are not going to get into the same trouble again. Therefore, we have made it amply clear to the authorities that we will not start the work until a clear written instruction is issued for the same,''added Jain.

UKD opposes renaming of Doon varsity

Dehradun, March 11
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) opposed re-naming Doon University as Maharishi Valmiki University.

Addressing a meeting of the UKD workers in Dehradun, General Secretary Shashi Bhushan Bhatt said the Congress had taken the step to woo Dalit votes in run up to the Lok Sabha elections.

He said Doon University had its own identity and there was no justification renaming it as Maharishi Valmiki University.

Bhatt said if ruling Congress was worried about Maharishi Valmiki, it should have come up with another institution in his memory. He said the UKD will never accept the vote bank politics of Congress.

UKD spokesman Manmohan Lakhera also sought implementation of Article 370. Shanti Prasad Bhatt, Chatur Singh Negi, Rajkishore Rawat and Vinod Bahuguna were also present on the occasion. — TNS

Govt has not done much for SCs: Doon varsity students
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
Agitating for the last several days against renaming of Doon University as Maharishi Valmiki University, Doon University students today charged the incumbent state government with doing little for the betterment of Scheduled Castes in the state and resorting to cheap election gimmicks.

A delegation of students from Doon University today went to the office of Dehradun District Magistrate (DM) seeking permission for holding of a peaceful protest. However, DM was out of office at that time.

The agitating students asserted that while they respect and honour Maharshi Valmiki, the state government has done the name change only for electoral benefit.

“Maharishi Valmiki is a great Hindu saint and represents great Indian culture as he wrote The Ramayana, a sacred Hindu epic. We want to again clarify that we are not against him but against the politics of change of name being done in the state”, said Aditi Rawat, one of the protesters.

“Our former Governor Margret Alva proposed to establish a research chair in the name of Maharishi Valmiki and BR Ambedkar in Doon University which has yet not been put into action,” Adil Fayazi, another student asserted. He alleged that the state government spends very little of his budget meant for Scheduled Castes.

The agitating students even asked Valmiki community to support their agitation. “We request the Valmiki Samaj to join us in this campaign and not let politicians play with their emotions and sentiments for their own benefits as they have been doing for more than six decades,” Sanjeev Chamoli observed.

Liquor vends’ auction from March 28
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
The Department of Excise will undertake the auction of liquor vends from March 28 to 30. The department has set a revenue target of Rs 14,000 crore for the 2014-2015 excise financial year.

To give concessions to the retailers, the department has relaxed norms pertaining to the submission of certificates, including residence and income proof certificates.

“Earlier, all these certificates had to be submitted at the time of submitting applications. This year, we have decided to end the practise. Now these will have to be submitted only after the vend is allocated to the applicant, said Vinay Shankar Pandey, Excise Commissioner, Uttarakhand.

Staff take up ‘exploitation’ issue with CM

Dehradun, March 11
A delegation of State Employees' Joint Council today lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister Harish Rawat against the alleged exploitation of employees by the Secretary, State Public Service Commission.

The delegation led by Prahlad Singh, president of State Employees' Joint Council, apprised the manner in which the State Public Service Commission issued termination orders against employees who had participated in the agitation under the banner of Uttarakhand Public Service Commission Employees' Union in support of their demands. — TNS

Make immediate honorarium payment, says SCRPC chairman
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
Perturbed at the non-payment of honorarium to the members of the child welfare committees and members of the juvenile justice boards, chairman of the State Child Rights Protection (SCRPC) Commission Ajay Setia, wrote to the chairman of the child welfare committees and district probations, to make an immediate payment of honorarium.

For every meeting, the honorarium for the members of the child welfare committees and members of the juvenile justice boards had been fixed at Rs 500. Though, the budget had already been released, but the concerned authorities have not paid the honorarium.

“I have directed the authorities to release the amount which has been sanctioned under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), so that the budget allocated could be utilised for the ongoing financial year,” said Setia.

Rimcollians set to gather for founder's day today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
The three-day 92nd founder's day celebrations will begin at the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) here tomorrow.

The celebrations, which also serve as a reunion of Rimcollians, will see the participation of a large number of dignitaries, including Gen VN Sharma, former Chief, Army Staff, Air Marshall DC Kumaria, Lt Gen SS Dhillon, Air Vice- Marshall KG Bewoor, Air Marshall BS Dhanoa, Lt Gen A Chakrovarty, Lt Gen Rakesh Nanadan and Lt Gen KS Rao.

Hockey and boxing matches between the old boys and cadets following a meeting of the Rimcollians Old Boys Association (ROBA) will be organised on the first day of the celebrations.

The second day will include wreath laying at the war memorial, the general body meeting, horse show, cricket and presentation of awards.

Politicians use Holi to spread party message
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 11
The festival of colours that falls in between the parliamentary election process this year is being utilised by the politicians as an opportunity to campaign for their respective parties.

Taking the lead is Chief Minister Harish Rawat himself, who is visiting Lohaghat town in Champawat district and Danya in Almora district, to participate in the Holi functions.

“Rawatji has traditionally been participating in Holi festivities in the Kali Kumaon region in the past. He is visiting like every year to greet people, who have invited him to the festival,” said Mahendra Singh Mahra, Rajya Sabha Congress MP.

Mahra reached Lohaghat to check the preparations for the Chief Minister’s visit. According to the programe, the CM is scheduled to meet Holi singers and participants at the Ramlila ground in the town. He will also meet the Congress workers there.

Rawat’s visit to Lohaghat and Danya to participate in Holi programme is seen politically important.

“The respect given to Holi singers in the region is immense,” said Ganesh Pandey, a senior journalist from the town.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Bishen Singh Chufal would also celebrate Holi at his constituency i.e. Didihat.

“Our team of devoted workers is visiting every village to greet people on the occasion of Holi and thus covering even the remote part of the constituency including the parts that were affected by the flash floods, last year, said Chufal, from Garali village of Didihat, where he is on tour at present.

“If the Chief Minister really want to meet the people during Holi, he should visit remote villages of the state, where people are still living under fear of the coming monsoon. They have neither been rehabilitated nor have the check dams been erected,” claimed Chufal.

Uttarakhand Kranti Dal leader Kashi Singh Airy has also planned a ‘Holi milan’ programme at his residence in Pithoragarh district where he is scheduled to meet his party workers on March 17.

Officials given training in poll management
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
The district administration organised a one-day training camp to impart training to its officials for the successful conduct of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam told the nodal officers attending the camp that they should perform their duties related to the elections sincerely.

The District Election Officer said the nodal officers would keep a check on the poll expenditure by the candidates, and video record rallies and gatherings organised by them. "A media team has also been formed to keep a tab on the money spent by the political parties and the candidates on advertisements and other publicity materials," he added.

He instructed police officials to take action against anti-social elements under Section 107/16 of the IPC. Alok Kumar Pandey, Pratap Shah and Jagat Singh Chauhan attended the meeting.

Disaster-hit Tehri villagers yet to get relief
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, March 11
Villagers of Tehri district are still awaiting relief for the destruction caused by the natural disaster last year.

A delegation led by members of the Jaunpur Block Congress Committee, Tehri, yesterday met District Magistrate Yugal Kishore Pant and submitted a memorandum of demands to him.

Committee members informed the DM that the Bahdrigad, Mogikhudd, Baredgad, Bichhugad, Sadab and Kharson areas in the district had suffered a massive damage in the last year's disaster. Nearly 334.725 hectares were damaged due to landslides, besides 271.137 hectares of non-irrigated land and 189.753 hectares of irrigated land.

They said cash crops on 2.939 hectares were also destroyed. However, the affected villagers were yet to get any relief.

President of the committee Jot Singh Rawat said several watermills were washed away in the deluge and their owners were also yet to get any compensation.

SSB conclave for journalists
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, March 11
The 55th Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) today organised a conclave of journalists from India and Nepal at the border town of Jhoolaghat.

The SSB urged the mediapersons from both the countries to help maintain an atmosphere of peace and tranquility on the border and requested coverage of the welfare programmes, it is running for people living at the border.

Besides mediapersons, police officials, businessmen, senior citizens, and employees of security and intelligence agencies participated in the conference. “We have sought cooperation from various sections of the society on the works the force is running for social welfare at the border which benefits residents from both the countries,” said Manavendra Negi, commandant of the SSB.

Officers of the security force informed the people that it has introduced a mobile medical service at the border in Champawat district and has demanded same facility for this region. “The security force right from its inception in 1963 has been active in social works at the Indo-Nepal border besides its security assignments,” said the commandant.

The programme was followed by a medical camp organised by the force for residents and animals.

Exhibition on Tagore begins
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
A week-long exhibition entitled ‘Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, A Visionary, Artist and Poet’ started at MKP (PG) College, Dehradun, today in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi, on its campus.

District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam inaugurated the exhibition and described Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore as an ambassador of the Indian culture to the world. He reminded the gathering that Tagore was the first Indian to be honoured with the Noble prize in 1913 for ‘Gitanjali’.

Dr Richa Kamboj, head of Department of Drawing and Painting, MKP (PG) College, said the exhibition was aimed at bringing forth Tagore’s literary voyage, his contribution to the form of poems, dramas and paintings. She added the exhibition also gave the relevant information about Shantinikean, which was conceptualized by Tagore as the embodiment of the Indian ethos and the western education. “The exhibition is open for public view till March 16,” she said.

Lecture on professional education and society

Dehradun, March 11
A guest lecture on professional education and society by Denise Scott from the Department of Sociology, University of New York, was held today at Himgiri Zee University.

Denise Scott defined and identified the relations between professional education and society which can be inculcated in relation with society and in syllabus on higher education.

Under Full Bright Educational Programme, Denise, who is in Uttarakhand these days, interacted with the students on contemporary and relevant issues.

She elaborated few examples where Indian students had acquired professional skills based on western education and then later on faced difficulties while relating it with their culture. She also emphasised on the social values in education.

During the interactive session, she gave her inputs by commenting on cultural and sociological aspects of Indian society and how that would lead to originality and creativity among students.

Before the start of the lecture, SC Bagr ,Vice Chancellor, Himgiri Zee, and Chakradhar Kandwal, Dean &HoD, Mass Communication Department, welcomed Denise Scott. — TNS

Haridwar areas to face 2-hr power cut
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
Power availability in the state yesterday stood at 32.14 MU against the total demand for 32.50 MU .

According to Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited, out of the 32.14 MU, only 8.24 MU were generated in the state’s power houses while the rest came from the Central pool and other sources.

After the closure of the Maneri Bhali phase II hydropower project, power generation from the project remained nil.

To make up for the shortage, the corporation has ordered power cut of two hours each at Roorkee, Luxor, Bhagwanpur and Mangalore in Haridwar.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited has decided to keep bill collection counters open in the city in March. However, it will remain closed on March 16 and on account of Holi.

sports
Finals of inter-section boxing at RIMC today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 11
On the second day of the inter-section boxing competition at Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Shivaji Section led the points tally, here today.

The ‘Mother of all Cups’, this boxing trophy has a lot of prestige attached, due to which the finals are held during the annual reunion of the RIMC.

The main focus of inculcating this sport in RIMC was to remove fear from the minds of cadets. After two days of closely contested bouts, Shivaji Section led with 23 points, followed by Pratap at 19, Ranjit at 18 and Chandragupta at 10.

The finals shall be held on March 12 and promise to be a closely contested match, with Shivaji, Pratap and Ranjit still on the hunt for the coveted trophy.