Nishank reprimands MLA Kaushik's supporters for missing his campaign
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 20
Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, former Chief Minister and BJP candidate from the Haridwar parliamentary seat, has reprimanded party leaders, mostly belonging to local MLA Madan Kaushik's faction, for showing little interest in the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. He is angry because while Chief Minister Harish Rawat is extensively campaigning for his wife and Congress candidate from Haridwar Renuka Rawat these leaders have shown a lackadaisical attitude towards the elections.

The lack of enthusiasm among three-time city legislator Madan Kaushik is a worrying Nishank as it may prove costly for him. Nishank is facing a stiff competition from Renuka Rawat and Aam Aadmi Party candidate Kanchan Roy Bhattacharya. Kaushik, who has a major hold in Haridwar city segment and has won three consecutive Assembly elections from the seat, has not been active in campaigning for Nishank during the past fortnight.

Nishank had tried to placate Madan Kaushik by visiting his Khanna Nagar residence twice but Kaushik’s lack of interest is worrying him. As a result, a large number of party leaders and workers, including Mayor Manoj Garg, are rarely seen at Nishank’s election campaign meetings or activities.

Such is the attitude of the Kaushik faction that the day when filing nominations, there was no crowd, with them which is normally seen during Kaushik’s meetings.

Taking all this into account, Nishank has now taken a stern stand towards the Kaushik faction. During a closed-door meeting at Ved Mandir Ashram today, Nishank came down heavily on the party leaders and activists who were not serious about his campaign.

Party insiders say Nishank made it clear during the meeting that no individual had a higher stake in a party as the party is always the priority.

Without naming Kaushik, Vikas Tiwari and Manoj Garg, Nishank said he had observed that some party leaders in Haridwar, who were fully active during the Assembly poll and the Municipal Corporation elections, had suddenly lost enthusiasm for the Lok Sabha elections.

It has been learnt Nishank also apprised state party president Teerath Singh Rawat about the inactivity of Kaushik and his supporters, which may prove costly as the Congress has intensified its campaign. The Chief Minister is visiting the constituency daily to canvass or his wife.

Madan Kaushik told The Tribune he was coordinating all election-related campaigning for party candidate Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, in fact he said he had inaugurated an election office on Saturday.

He added, “All these rumours are being spread by rival political parties. People of Haridwar have seen in the last five years, what Congress parliamentarians have done, so they (Congress) have nothing to counter against us in terms of issues. Nishankji is aware about my ability and loyalty towards our party, so I do not have to answer questions regarding my activeness or contribution towards his election campaign.”

UPA govt worked for the poor: Pradeeep Tamta
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 20
The UPA government at the Centre during its 10-year rule has empowered poor people by introducing various schemes, said Pradeep Tamta, Congress candidate from the Almora parliamentary seat, during a roadshow in all 15 wards of Pithoragarh town today.

He urged people to strengthen Chief Minister Harish Rawat's hands by voting for him in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Chief Minister is scheduled to visit Kanlichina tomorrow.

Tamta reached the town after campaigning in the Gumdesh area villages situated on the Nepal border in Lohaghat subdivision of Champawat district. He appealed to voters to compare the five years of the previous NDA government at the Centre with the last 10 years of the UPA rule. “While the UPA regime empowered the poorest sections of society by introducing MNREGA, PMGRY, RTI, RTE and Right to Food Security, the previous NDA government did nothing for the villagers and the poor,” said Tamta in a corner meeting held at the Siltham ward of the Pithoragarh Nagar Palika Parishad.

Tamta lauded decisions taken by the Chief Minister in his one month's rule before the imposition of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections. He said these decisions and public welfare projects inaugurated by the Chief Minister in this short time were historical. It was due to his foresightedness that the works in the disaster-affected areas and on the Char Dham Yatra route could be possible before the elections.

Local Congress leaders, including Pithoragarh MLA Mayukh Singh Mahar, district Congress chief Mahendra Singh Lunthi and Nagar Palika Parishad chairman Jagat Singh Khati accompanied Tamta.

No Modi wave, Khanduri factor in state: CM
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 20
Chief Minister Harish Rawat, while addressing public meetings here today, said there was no Modi wave or Khanduri factor at work in Uttarakhand. On the sidelines of a public meeting at the Nirankari ashram, Harish Rawat said he had toured all five Lok Sabha seats in the state and most of the people there were in favour of the Congress. He said a huge turnout at a public rally at Ramleela Maidan in Pauri Garhwal yesterday was a testimony to the victory of the Congress in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

He claimed Haridwar candidate Renuka Rawat, Pauri Garhwal candidate Harak Singh Rawat, Almora candidate Pradeep Tamta and Nainital candidate KC Singh Baba would emerge victorious.

He said development works carried out by the state government and the UPA government at the Center would help them regain power.

Harish Rawat addressed another meeting at the party election office at Devpura and said the Congress was the only party that had worked for all communities in an unbiased manner.

He welcomed a group of members of the minority communities into the party fold and said the BJP, the SP and the BSP had always used them as vote bank.

He also asked the BJP to come clean on the Mahakumbh funds scam that took place during Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank's tenure and when Haridwar legislator Madan Kaushik was the mela in charge.

Satpal Maharaj praises Modi

Dehradun, April 20
BJP Leader Satpal Maharaj has welcomed BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s recent statement that he pledged never to seek votes in the name of religion.

In a statement issued yesterday, Satpal Maharaj said the country was already divided in opinion in terms of religion and only a personality like Narendra Modi had the ability to take the nation forward. Citing the example of France, he said in a country like France, it was now easy to identify voters with religion as the issue of nationalism prevailed over religion in that country. — TNS

BJP steps up poll campaign in Jaunpur region
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 20
Mahaveer Singh Rangad, BJP legislator from Dhanaulti, stepped up the poll campaign in the Jaunpur development region today. He asked party workers to gear up for the elections to ensure the party victory from the Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat.

Rangad along with Meera Saklani president of the district BJP Women Cell toured Satyon, Thatyud, Kempty, Gadkhet, Mogi, Shrikot, Jakhdar and other villages. He instructed the party workers to garner vote and support for Mala Raj Lakshmi Shah under the Ten youth one booth programme. He told the party workers to motivate other workers and try to get voters to poll booths to increase Mala Raj Lakshmi's winning margin this election. Meera said all women party workers would campaign in each ward with mehandi imprints of the party’s logo - lotus - on their hands. She added the BJP would win all five seats in Uttarakhand.

Four CMs, celebrities to campaign for party

Actor Hema Malini, cricketer Navjot Singh, former Army Chief Gen VK Singh (retd), TV star Smriti Irani and Chief Ministers from four states, Narendra Modi (Gujarat), Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Madhya Pradesh), Raman Singh (Chhattisgarh) and Vasundhra Raje (Rajasthan), will campaign for BJP candidates from the five Lok Sabha seats in the state. The committee on the election campaign has finalised the list of star campaigners who would come to the state for campaigning.

“The programmes of the star campaigners will be finalised by tomorrow. All senior leaders, including LK Advani, MM Joshi, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Shahwaz Hussain, Arun Jaitley, Ram Lal, Anath Kumar, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Uma Bharti and Venakaiah Naidu, will be campaigning for our candidates,” said Ajay Bhat, coordinator of committee on election campaign.

The party has also asked Munna Singh Chauhan, Dhan Singh Rawat, Madan Kaushik, Lakhi Ram Joshi and Ajay Bhatt to tour parliamentary constituencies to assess the booth-level arrangement.

MLA Joshi to get EC notice for attending bus trial run function
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, April 20
A Volvo luxury bus belonging to the Uttarakhand Transport Department carrying officials on a trial run from Delhi reached Library Chowk here around noon today. Local BJP legislator Ganesh Joshi’s presence on the occasion is bound to earn him a notice from the Election Commission due to the imposition of the model code of conduct for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

Elated residents of the town said the start of the Volvo luxury bus service from Delhi to Mussoorie and back would help bring in more tourists.

Assistant Engineer, PWD, DC Nautiyal, said the trial run of the bus was done on the directions of Principal Secretary BS Sandhu. It was brought to Mussoorie from Katra in Jammu and Kashmir to check whether it could negotiate narrow bends on the road to the town without risk.

Nautiyal said except two bends the Mussoorie-Dehradun road was found to be suitable for the bus service. He told mediapersons that the work of widening the road was in full swing and would be completed soon. Thereafter, the Volvo bus service from Mussoorie to Delhi would become a regular feature.

However, Ganesh Joshi’s presence during the programme has earned him the ire of the Election Commission. SDM and Assistant Returning Officer, Mussoorie, Ramji Saran, said they were aware of the scheduled arrival of the bus here on a trial run but the MLA’s presence during the programme amounted to breach of the model code of conduct. A show cause notice would be served on the MLA in this regard.

Police officials have made a video of the event and it would be shown to the Assistant Returning Officer soon.

Poll observers appointed for Tehri
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
Officials from the Election Commission today appointed observers for the Tehri Lok Sabha constituency at a meeting with senior district officials from Tehri, Uttarkashi and Dehradun districts at the Dehradun Collectorate's office.

Election observers Hriyadesh Mohan and Kailash Chandra Gupta presided over the meeting. District Election Officers (DEOs), Superintendent of Police (SP) and other officials from three districts from the Tehri Garhwal constituency attended the meeting.

The Election Commission officials briefed the election observers about the preparations made for the coming Lok Sabha poll scheduled for May 7.

All senior officials from the three districts were directed to ensure that the poll preparations were done in advance and DEOs must supervise the work on priority.

The election observers directed the police heads of the districts to ensure foolproof security arrangements where sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling booths were situated in the three districts.

They also directed the officials to make sure that the election model code of conduct was implemented fully and violation of the code by any political party or candidate should be dealt strictly.

It is to be noted that District Election Officers, Superintendent of Police and other officials from Dehradun, Tehri and Uttarkashi districts participated in the meeting.

AAP candidate Kanchan campaigns in Doon areas
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
Kanchan Chowdhary Bhattacharya, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, held a roadshow in parts of Dehradun today. The roadshow started from Mohabbeywala and proceeded on the Charkhamba-Subhash Nagar route.

Kanchan appealed to the people to vote for her and assured them to take up their concerns with sincerity. She said Aam Aadmi Party was committed to uprooting corruption from the country.

The roadshow passed through Mehuwala, Manjara, Azad Colony, Turner Road and Baruwala areas of Dehradun. All these areas have a considerable presence of the minority community members.

More funds required for scientific research: CNR Rao
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 20
Disappointed with the central governments’ disinterest on spending money for scientific research in the country, Prof CNR Rao, Bharat Ratna winner and scientific adviser to the Prime Minister, said neither the governments nor huge business houses such as Tatas or Ambanis had shown interest in scientific research in the last six decades.

Talking to mediapersons at the Nainital Club, Rao said while the funds for scientific research should be 6 per cent of the GDP in a country like India that had high expectations from scientists and technology, the actual money being spent on research was only 1 per cent of the GDP at present.

“The USA and China have secured the number one position in the field of technology due to vast scientific research done by allocating more funds for the purpose, while India lags behind due to paucity of funds in this sector,” he said.

Rao, who was felicitated for his contribution to scientific research by NGO Pahar, added as the Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister he succeeded in opening the Indian Institute of Science, eight IITs and also started research in earth sciences and health.

“At present, I am busy in research on electricity generation through solar energy in the next five years,” said Rao. The country at present needed 4 lakh MW, which could only be produced through solar, wind and nuclear means in future, he added.

CM reviews preparations for Char Dham Yatra
Tribune News Service

Dehradun/Mussoorie, April 20
Chief Minister Harish Rawat reviewed the preparations for the Char Dham Yatra last evening. He directed the officials concerned to conduct medical fitness tests on the pilgrims.

The Chief Minister also directed the officials to ensure speedy restoration of the yatra routes and take up necessary cleanliness measures. He asked the Irrigation Department to construct a protection wall around the Kedarnath shrine.

Rawat directed the officials to deploy JCB machines on the yatra routes so that the debris could be cleared at the earliest in case of any landslide.

The Chief Minister asked the officials to set up a police post equipped with satellite phones and latest gadgets and advance provision of ration in Kedarnath.

It was also informed at the meeting that arrangements for parking around 2,000 vehicles had been done at Sonprayag. A total of 1,200 state disaster response force personnel have also been deployed on yatra routes.

State Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma and other senior officials were present in the meeting.

Work on widening Yamunotri highway goes on at snail's pace

The incomplete work to widen the Yamunotri highway near Nainbagh has raised doubts about the start of the Char Dham yatra this season.

The widening project was sanctioned a few months post-natural disaster in June last year. However, the work on the highway is going on at a snail’s pace.

Expressing concern over the issue, the business fraternity said tourists might return after seeing the incomplete work here. It would also result in loss of business.

Local residents said the road near Marod village on the way to Yamunotri had suffered a massive damage in the disaster. However, the PWD had not shown any interest in carrying out the construction work yet. The department did some cosmetic exercise in the name of patchwork, but commuting on such roads remained a risky business.

Executive Engineer, PWD, RC Agarwal, said he had directed subordinate officials to speed up the work. It would be completed before May 2, prior to the start of the yatra season.

Gujarat’s development model a farce: Cong
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
The state unit of the Congress has said that Uttarakhand's model of development is must better than Gujarat's model of development.

In a statement issued here, party spokesperson Dhirendra Pratap said the Gujarat's model of development being propagated by the BJP across the country was nothing but a farce.

He said Chief Minister Harish Rawat was rather giving a better model of development which was more inclusive.

Dhirendra Pratap said Harish Rawat, after taking over as the Chief Minister of the state, laid the foundation stone of 3,000 development schemes within a period of 32 days, which was a record in itself. He said most of these development schemes were being undertaken in the far-flung areas.

He claimed the Congress was all set to win all five Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Tough road ahead for both BJP, Congress
Anti-incumbency to be decisive factor in polls
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
With the last date of filing nominations for the five Lok Sabha seats in the state over, the main political parties, the Congress and the BJP, are ready to fight one of the most interesting elections.

While the BJP is banking on the anti-incumbency factor of the state and central governments and the popularity of its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the ruling Congress' campaign depends on the political acumen of Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

The BJP has fielded three former Chief Ministers, Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd), Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, from Pauri Garhwal, Nainital and Haridwar seats, respectively, and is banking on their popularity. It has also pitted sitting MP Mala Raj Laxmi Shah from theTehri Garhwal seat and Ajay Tamta from Almora (reserve).

Both BJP and Congress are making the best possible efforts to woo the voters ahead of voting on May 7.

The prestige of Chief Minister Harish Rawat is at stake in Haridwar from where his wife Renuka Rawat is contesting the poll. He is campaigning extensively to retain the seat. The Congress is also hopeful of getting the votes of members of the Muslim community in Haridwar.

Although the BSP and the Samajwadi Party are also actively campaigning in the constituency, it is expected that the majority of Muslim votes will go in Renuka's favour.

On the other hand, Nishank, a BJP legislator from Doiwala, is no pushover. He, along with his team of BJP and RSS workers, is making all efforts to beat the Chief Minister factor here. The party has been working overtime to woo Dalit voters as it did in the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh in the earlier phase of polling.

The BJP is also facing internal sabotage with a section of Haridwar BJP leaders opposing Nishank's nomination. After defection by sitting Congress MP Satpal Maharaj from Pauri Garhwal to the BJP, the Congress has pitted Rudraprayag legislator Harak Singh Rawat against Khanduri.

Most of the disaster-hit areas of Rudraprayag, Pauri and Chamoli fall in the Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat where relief and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of the natural disaster is the major issue.

Khanduri, who has represented the seat four times in the past, is a highly respected leader here, but Harak Singh Rawat has a reputation of being a practical fighter, who has won all elections since the inception of Uttarakhand.

While Khanduri is hitting out at the alleged inefficiency of the state in providing succor to the disaster-affected people, Harish Rawat alleged BJP leaders were projecting a negative image of the preparedness for the Char Dham Yatra outside, which would impact the livelihood of the people of the region dependent on pilgrimage.

Moreover, Harak Singh Rawat is also banking on the support from the Thakur community, while Khanduri is expected to get the support of ex-servicemen living in the area.

From Tehri Garhwal, BJP's Mala Raj Laxmi Shah is banking on pro-Modi votes in Dehradun city while Congress' Saket Bahuguna is banking on development works carried out by his father Vijay Bahuguna for the people of the constituency.

The BJP candidate is expected to get a majority of Garhwali, Punjabi and Nepalese votes and the Congress has high hopes from Muslims, Dalits and tribals in Uttarkashi and Dehradun districts.

The Almora (reserve) seat is also a matter of prestige for Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who belongs to the district and represented the seat thrice in the past. He is appealing to the voters to vote for Pradeep Tamta for his sake. On the other hand, BJP candidate Ajay Tamta, who had lost the 2009 Lok Sabha polls by 7,000 votes, is targeting the state and Central governments for their alleged overall failure.

It will be an interesting fight between sitting Congress MP KC Singh Baba of the Congress and former Chief Minister BS Koshiyari in Nainital. Koshiyari, a former RSS pracharak, is banking on the Narendra Modi wave with active support of the BJP rank and file.

The recent appeal to the people by veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister ND Tiwari after he was denied the ticket would also hamper the chances of the Congress on the seat.

Prayers mark Easter celebrations
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
A large number of Christians celebrated Easter in Dehradun today. Prayers were offered in various churches of the city.

A large gathering offered prayers during morning hours at St Francis Church, Morrison Memorial Church, St John’s Church and other churches in Dehradun. These were followed by exchange of greetings.

Meanwhile, bakeries in the city have made special Easter cakes and cross buns for the celebrations. The Christians world over celebrate Easter for the rising of Jesus Christ after his death on Good Friday.

4 held for property dealer’s murder
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 20
The district police today arrested two sharpshooters and two others for murdering a property dealer in broad daylight near the SIDCUL bypass here four months ago.

The police nabbed Dr Rakesh and Balendra Kumar, both residents of Brahma Puri, near the SIDCUL Industrial Estate, when they were handing over the blood money to the two sharpshooters, Bobby and Nishu, near the Pathri powerhouse in the morning.

On December 14, 2013, Rampal, a property dealer was shot dead near the SIDCUL bypass by two motorbike-borne assailants. A case was registered under Section 302 against unknown persons at Ranipur police station. A special investigation team was formed under Circle Officer Rajesh Bhatt, which finally cracked the case after closely following the activities of Rampal's fellow property dealers.

Dr Sadanand, SSP, Haridwar, said Rampal was associated with Dr Rakesh in a land deal in 2012. He had paid the full amount to Dr Rakesh on a promise that he would get the total amount along with profit by selling the plot at a higher price.

Meanwhile, the land rates multiplied after the coming up of the industrial units at Roshanbad. Rampal brought a buyer who wanted to purchase the land.

Rampal then asked Rakesh to refund the money along with his share of profit. This irked Rakesh, who then connived with his friends and fellow villagers Ravindra and Balendra to kill Rampal.

They hired sharpshooters Bobby and Nishu, residents of Shahpur, Muzzafarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, in a deal of Rs 3 lakh, to kill Rampal.

The SSP said on December 14, Bobby and Nishu followed Rampal and fired three bullets on him near SIDCUL bypass. He was declared brought dead by doctors at the district hospital.

SP City Surjeet Singh Pawar said the police seized a revolver, 9 bullets, Pulsar motorcycle, an Alto car and Rs 5,400 from Dr Rakesh and Balendra, who had arrived to hand over the remaining amount to the sharpshooters.

The sharpshooters were paid Rs 2.10 lakh in December as advance for carrying out the murder.

Relatives and friends of the deceased also arrived at Ranipur police station and were shocked to see Dr Rakesh being the main accused.

They said Rakesh had even staged protests, demonstrations and misguided police too by referring a property dispute as a probable reason behind the murder.

DIG Amit Sinha has announced a cash prize of Rs 5,000 to the police team comprised of SHO Ranipur Mahendra Singh Negi, SSI Vidhya Bhushan Negi, SI Kundan Singh Rana, SI, SOG Harpal Singh, SI Sukhpal Singh Man, SI Manohar Singh, constables Shravan, Uday, Satendra, Padam, Harveer, Shashi Kant, Prem Singh and Parmendra Rana.

‘Media must play fair during poll’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
The increasing trend of paid news is adversely affecting the credibility of the media in the eyes of the common man. Madhulika Burman, in charge of Corporate Communication, ONGC Ltd, said this during a discussion on paid news and its implication on the Lok Sabha elections organised by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) in association with the Uttarakhand chapter of the Indian Media Centre here today. The discussion was organised as part of National Public Relations Day.

She added mediapersons played an important role during the elections as their political write ups and shows influenced voters.

Amitabh Shukla stressed on the need to give more teeth to laws formulated to deal with paid news. He said it was the responsibility of the media houses to ensure the faith of the readers in them was not shaken.

RBS Rawat, vice president of the Indian Media Centre, proposed a vote of thanks. General secretary of the organisation Anil Sati coordinated the event.

Additional Secretary, Information, Uttarakhand, Nitin Upadhyaya, was present on the occasion.

Sonia, Rahul to campaign in state

Dehradun, April 20
A total of 50 star campaigners, including AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi, will campaign in the state in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

The central leadership of the Congress has given the list of star campaigners to the state chief electoral office. Several state Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Cabinet ministers Indira Hridayesh, Harak Singh Rawat and former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, are also on the list. Interestingly, in the list sent in the morning for seeking permission, the names of Cabinet minister Amrita Rawat and Congress leader Tilak Raj Behad were missing. However, in the afternoon, the list was amended and their names were included. — TNS

HC notice on illegal quarrying

Dehradun, April 20
The Nainital High Court has issued a notice to the state and sought a reply within three weeks regarding illegal quarrying in Uttarakhand. The court directive came in the wake of a PIL filed by the Jan Sangharsh Morcha.

Raghunath Singh Negi, president of the Jan Sangharsh Morcha and former chairman of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, has been alleging that the state government has allotted land for quarrying where there is a little possibility of getting minerals and, in another way, has been facilitating illegal collection of minerals from rivers. Negi sought a CBI probe saying the administration had only impounded some trucks in the name of action against the quarrying mafia. — TNS

Gayatri House overall winner of talent, cultural show
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 20
The 20th annual talent and cultural fiesta was held at Mussoorie International School auditorium here today. Gayatri House was declared the overall champion. Shantanu Prakash, CMD of Educomp Solutions, was the chief guest on the occasion. Prakash along with Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Shyama Chona inaugurated the programme. They lighted the ceremonial lamp and garlanded the portrait of Maa Gayatri and gurudev.

The event started with the chanting of traditional verses from the Vedas by the students.

An instrumental, musical event rendered in traditional ‘ragas’ of the Hindustani and Carnatic music. The students also played different instruments as well.

Santoshi House played raga Pilu, Gayatri House played raga Bhahaar and Lakshmi House played raga Desh.

The students also competed with each other in Hindi song section composed by S Ghildyal and Jhadav.

The instrumental music event was followed by instrumental musical drums, where students played instruments including, congo, tabla, xylophone, bongo and western drums.

The students also displayed their talent at the on the spot painting event.

The students of Santoshi House presented an English mime based on a poem written by Toru Dutt.

An English play ‘Draupadi’, tribal folk dances including, Dollu Kunitha from Karnataka, Siala from Chattisgarh and Dhalkai from Sambalpur were also performed by the students on the occasion.

The students also mesmerised the audience by their Kathak performance.

They displayed a saree fashion show at the end.

Principal Priya Peter said such talent shows helped in instilling confidence among the students.

The chief guest also gave away the winning trophy to Gayatri House.

Reward for police team
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
DGP, Uttarakhand Police, BS Sidhu, has announced a reward of Rs 20,000 for the police team that has arrested absconding criminal Rajendra, alias Raju Boxer.

The Dehradun Kotwali police along with Special Operation Group personnel arrested Raju Boxer, a resident of Indira Colony, on Friday.

Raju Boxer had stabbed and grievously injured two constables Angeshwar and Anuj Kumar on Neishvilla Road in Dehradun on September 30 last year. Since then the police have been looking for him.

Heart check-up camp held
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
The Doon Sikh Welfare Society organised a free heart check up camp at Guru Nanak Niwas here today. A total of 200 persons attended the camp. Blood sugar, blood pressure and ECG tests were conducted free of cost.

GS Jassal, president of the Doon Sikh Welfare Society, said they had regularly been organising health camps for the poor and deprived sections of society.

Bharat Heart Institute assisted the society in conducting the camp. KS Chawla, founder president of the society was present on the occasion.

Realtor found dead
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
A man was found dead on the first floor of a under-construction building near IT Park on Sahastradhara Road here today. The deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Kunal Gupta, a resident of Jakhan. He was a realtor and reportedly did not share cordial relations with his wife.

He had been missing from his house for the past few days. His bike was today spotted by a passerby near the building and he reported the matter to the police. The police is suspecting it to be a murder case as there are injury marks on his head.

Welham boys lift basketball title
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
Welham Boys School won the 24th Afzal Khan Memorial Basketball Tournament after defeating Delhi Public School, Delhi, 64-31 in the final match played at The Doon School here today. Arpit scored 28 points for Welham Boys School while Shon scored 10 points from Delhi Public School.

Earlier, in the first semifinal match, DPS defeated Woodstock School 59-51 with Sharsh of Woodstock scoring 21 points.

Shon of DPS scored 35 points for DPS. In the second semifinal match, Welham Boys School trounced Th Doon International by50-21. Suyush of Welhams scored highest 13 points.

SGRR lift U-19 handball c’ship
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
Sri Guru Ram Rai (SGRR) Nehrugram won the district-level Under-19 boys handball championship after defeating Shiwalik Club 23-10 here today. For SGRR, Rohit Saini scored 7 points, Kailash 6 points and Satya Prakash 6 points. Whereas for Shiwalik, Aakash scored 4 points and Sandeep scored 2 points.

International basketball player Dinesh Kumar was the chief guest and distributed prizes to the winner and runner-up teams.

Tanush club trounce Woodstock School

Mussoorie, April 20
The Tanush Cricket Club won the Late Anil Godiyal memorial six-a-side cricket tournament held at the Survey ground in Mussoorie, today.

Tanush Cricket Club batting first scored 103 runs. Dhanraj and Anil with 55 and 41 runs respectively, were top scorers for the team. Chasing the target, The Woodstock School could only manage 98 runs in the stipulated overs. Pankaj and Shubham with 44 and 24 runs respectively, were the top scorers for Woodstock.

Tanush Club won by five wickets. Pawan from Tanush Cricket Club was adjudged the man of the match while Pankaj Bisht from Woodstock School was adjudged man of the series.

The best batsman trophy went to Pratap Kandari, best fielder trophy to Shubham and Dinesh Kumar, while Shubham, Vaibhav and Anurag bagged rising player award by the Rotary Club of Mussoorie. — TNS

Paralympic badminton tourney
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
Paralympic badminton player from Uttarakhand Prem Kumar has been selected in the Indian paralympic team to play in the Indonesian Para Badminton Championship to be held from June 11 to 15.

He will be participating in both singles and doubles category matches.

Prem Kumar has represented India in various paralympic events in foreign countries like Germany and the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

350 participate in roller skating c’ship

Dehradun, April 20
Nearly 350 students from various schools of Dehradun participated in the 18th Inter-School Roller Skating Championship held at Welham Boys School here today.

The overall trophy was won by host Welham Boys School while The Aryan School bagged the second position.

In both senior and junior roller skating matches, Welham Boys defeated Aryan School 3-2 and 2-0, respectively. In the sub-junior category, The Aryan School defeated St George, Mussoorie, 4-1.

In the roll ball, Jaswant Modern School defeated Pestle Weed College 4-2. — TNS