Edu Dept helpline fails to help parents, wards
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
The much-hyped helpline and complaint cell launched by the state Education Department to help parents and their wards from the atrocities of private schools during the admission season seems to be of little use, as a majority of complainants refuse to divulge their identity or file a formal complaint.

On an average around 100-150 calls are received everyday on the number while four-five written complaints are registered with the cell. To safeguard the students and their parents against the obnoxious demands being raised by the private schools in the name of fees, admission, stationary, books etc., the Education Department had formed a cell under the Right to Education (RTE).

Speaking to The Tribune, district coordinator RTE SK Verma said the biggest hurdle is that majority of the parents are not willing to reveal their identity. “Around 60-65 per cent of the complainants refuse to reveal their identity or file a formal complaint. It raises a problem to ascertain the genuineness of the complaint. Even though the record of the complaints is safe with the department, the parents are still not forthcoming,” he added.

The complaints of the parents vary from issues of hike in fees, harassment of their wards by private school authorities, admission test, being forced to buy books, stationary and uniforms from a particular seller.

In fact during a recent meeting, the education cell said the private schools were blatantly violating the norms laid down by the RTE by not giving admissions to poor students and increasing the fees every year.

Recently, a team from the State School Education Department conducted a raid on three prominent private schools and stopped the re-examination being conducted by them for students who had failed certain subjects.

A team led by Chief Education Officer SP Khali conducted a raid on Jaswant Modern School, The Cambridge School and Children Modern School, and asked them to return the re-admission fee to the parents.

To clip the wings of such private schools further, the department sent a notice to erring schools. The notice states that schools should not fail or repeat the students from class I to VIII, there should be no admission test and the admission should be done on the lottery system, the children should not be subjected to physical or mental torture, no capitation fee during the admission, issuance of transfer certificate within a week, not forcing the parents or students to buy uniform, books and other material from a particular shop, fee should be increased according to the norms and if possible take the fee once every month.

No help from this line

The state Education Department had launched the helpline number 0135-2787027 to help parents and their wards register complaints regarding atrocities by private schools during the admission season.

Cleanliness of rivers comes to a standstill
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
With the Lok Sabha elections in the state nearing, the cleanliness of rivers in the state capital has come to a standstill.

The cleanliness drive was started jointly by the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) and the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC).

Under the project launched by Chief Minister Harish Rawat soon after taking over the reins of the state, the riverbeds of three prominent seasonal rivers, Rispana, Bindaal and Choti Bindaal, were to be cleaned.

In the first phase that was started in the second week of February, work on the Rispana was undertaken. Daily labourers and vehicles were deployed by the MDDA for handpicking the garbage strewn on the riverbeds.

In the absence of any permanent measure to stop the dumping of garbage in the riverbeds, they have only got filthier than before. The same areas where the garbage was removed a few days ago present a sore sight with bigger dumps back at the same spot.

With officials now busy in election-related duties, there is no one to monitor the work.

Two companies of disaster response force sent to Kedarnath
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
Two companies of the recently set up State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were today flagged off to Kedarnath for the ensuing Char Dham Yatra.

The SDRF is a specialised force to deal with any emergency situation.

The companies were flagged off from the Police Lines in the presence of senior police officials.

Notably, six companies of the SDRF were set up on the lines of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) post the Kedarnath tragedy last year.

DIG Sanjay Gunjyal said members of the two SDRF companies would be deployed in four zones of the Kedar valley and would help pilgrims during the yatra.

They would also keep a vigil on the danger zone in the valley.

No headway in youth's murder case
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
The Dehradun police are yet to make any headway in the alleged murder of property dealer’s son whose body was found inside the under-constructed building on the Sahasthradhara Road on Sunday evening.

27-year-old Kunal Gupta was found dead with injury marks on his head and face. The police sources said, there seems to be role of drugs and loot in the death of Kunal.

According to the Rajpur police, the deceased's mobile phone, gold chain and two gold rings were also missing. The police said the deceased was a drug addict. His body has been sent for the postmortem.

The deceased got married in November last year and with in 3 months after marriage, he got divorced. 

Seminar on emerging trends in mass communication
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
A two-day national seminar on ‘Communication: emerging trends and future prospects” began at IMS Unison University here today.

It is being organised by the School of Mass Communication.

After inaugurating the seminar, Prof Subhansh Dhuliya, Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Open University, congratulated the university for organising the event.

He highlighted the changes in the field of communication in the past one decade.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the university MP Jain also shared his view on the topic and informed the participants about the importance of communication in today’s world.

On the first day, researchers also presented their work on the field of communication.

51 BTech students attend workshop at ICFAI varsity
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
A five-day workshop on ‘Finite elements analysis and finite volume practices’, organised by the department of mechanical engineering, ICFAI University, Dehradun, in association with Arya Systems, Hyderabad, concluded here today.

J Ravinder Rao, chief technological officer of Arya Systems, was invited as an expert for the workshop.

A total of 51 B.Tech students from mechanical engineering participated in the workshop. The workshop covered different mechanical aspects with live projects such as structural analysis, thermal analysis, CFD, CFX etc. Certificates were also distributed to the participants.

Ravinder said the students of mechanical engineering should have a basic knowledge of CAD/CAM.

He said job opportunities in India were growing in the area of CAD/CAM and engineering services.

“Software companies in India and abroad are looking for engineers, who have knowledge of design software. The students should improve their designing skills besides academics,” he added.

Razia Beg may affect poll prospects of Renuka Rawat 
She enjoys good reputation among minority workers in Haridwar
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 21
Electoral prospects of Congress candidate Renuka Rawat may get affected as former Uttarakhand Bar Council president Razia Beg is contesting as an Independent candidate from the Haridwar parliamentary constituency.

Razia Beg, a former member of the women commission and currently a member of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board, enjoys good reputation among minority voters, who are around 3 lakh in this constituency. Their are total 15 lakh voters in the Haridwar Lok Sabha constituency.

She filed her nomination papers on the last day of the election nomination process. Congress electoral campaign managers are feeling the division of minority votes in Haridwar.

The Congress was feeling reprieve earlier as Samajwadi Party had named a women candidate Anita Saini in lieu of its former declared Muslim candidate Nawaz Azmal Khan. As Samajwadi party had a good base among minority voters ,fear of deflection of minority votes was not being envisaged by the party.

But now with a strong woman minority candidate in the election fray, Renuka Rawat would have to work hard to get maximum minority votes from the constituency.

Interestingly a section of the district Samajwadi Party unit is also lending support to Razia Beg as they are annoyed with party high command’s decision to field Anita Saini ,who was earlier in the BJP. She had joined the Samajwadi Party last month.

Talking to TNS Razia Beg said she decided to contest the election owing to neglect of minority community by the major political parties in the state.

She said I am not a dummy candidate. For the past one and half years, I had been actively working for the causes of the community in Haridwar and Dehradun Assembly segments. “I have been raising minority community issues but their condition has not improved despite formation of the separate Uttarakhand state.

Be it the Congress, BJP, Bahujan Samaj Party or Samajwadi Party, all have just used Muslims as vote bank. Having a long stint at the Waqf Board, the Bar Council of Uttarakhand and at the Women's Commission, I want to utilise that experience for not only minority but also for all sections of the society here,” said Razia, who had contested the Swami Ram Teerth Campus Students Union election in 1989.

Refuting allegations of her being a dummy candidate to provide electoral gain to BJP candidate Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, she made it clear that the pain of people of Uttarakhand, who dreamt of development in a separate Uttarakhand made her feel to contest election as by being representative she can do much more than as a normal citizen.

Razia Beg is getting support from various sections of the society including Muslim Reformative Society.

Apart from it a section of state hood fighters, women organisations and legal fraternity are also likely to support Beg’s candidature.

Hussain Ahmed president of Minority Reformative Society said neither fear of 'Modi wave' nor false pro-minority stance of the Congress can deter minority voters during casting of vote.

BJP district president Kuldeep Gupta also refuted that Razia Beg has been fielded deliberately as a political ploy to divide minority votes.

He said Nishank was already getting support from various leaders and voters hailing from Muslim community and instead of wasting time and money on such candidate’s, he would better utilise it in convincing Muslim voters.

536 poll officers get training in first session 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 21
The first training session for presiding officers, polling officers, zonal magistrates and sector magistrates concluded in all four districts of the Almora constituency today.

BS Manral, District Election Officer, Bageshwar, said, “We have trained 536 poll officers, including six zonal magistrates, 50 sector magistrates, 33 micro observers and 447 presiding officers. The second phase of the training camp will be organised from April 27-29 and the third from May 3 to 5.”

He said according to the arrangements done by the Election Commission of India, the voters who did not have their voter identity cards had been allowed to get 13 other valid identity proofs to cast their votes.

“The voters will have no trouble in looking for their name and sequence or have to queue before polling agents this year as booth level officers have been asked to distribute name slips of voters door-to-door,” said Manral.

In Champawat district, a training session for presiding officers by master trainers in EVM operations was organised at the district headquarter.

The master trainers addressed all queries of presiding officers during the training session. “We have asked the presiding officers to manage voting in their concerned booths without any fear and peacefully as full security has been provided to every booth according to its nature,” said Dipendra Kumar Chaudhari, District Election Officer, Champawat.

According to Champawat District Election Officer, the election machinery has procured 121 vehicles for election purpose in the district for which fuel arrangements have also been completed.

Meanwhile, the observer appointed for Almora seat, Madhusudam Sharma, visited the district in connection with preparation for voting on May 7 and inspected training sessions and strong rooms to keep EVM machines after polling.

“I have asked for updated security and barricading arrangements around strong rooms till the counting day and also sought information about other arrangements at the information centre, election office and the control room,” said Sharma, the observer who is a Rajasthan cadre IAS officer.

BJP claims record victory for Nishank in Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 21
Kuldeep Gupta, president of the district unit of the BJP, has claimed a record win for their candidate Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank from the Haridwar parliamentary 
constituency.

Addressing mediapersons here, Gupta said by the time, the Congress announced Renuka Rawat as its candidate from Haridwar, Nishank had already covered a lot of ground in campaigning in all Assembly segments of the constituency.

He said Chief Minister Harish Rawat was now worried and attending election meetings on a daily basis in Haridwar to ensure victory of his wife and Congress candidate.

“Renuka Rawat is only a mask as behind the scene it’s Harish Rawat who is contesting the elections. However, the public is aware of everything. Nishank is an experienced political leader. He has been into politics for more than two decades and has served in various capacities in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. People from all walks of life are in the favour of Nishank,” said Gupta.

He said the BJP had won the Haridwar seat thrice in 1996, 1998 and 1999, but didn’t win thereafter.

“This time it will surely regain this seat,” he claimed.

When asked about the absence of three-time city legislator Madan Kaushik from Nishank’s election campaign, Gupta said, “Kaushik is in Haldwani and is in touch with the local leaders.”

Youth wing leader Rajesh Sharma said young voters were hooked with Narendra Modi’s wave, which could be gauged by a huge response Modi rallies and social site campaign had received.

BSP, Muslim League workers join Cong
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
Thousands of party workers from Muslim League, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and other parties joined Congress at a function held at Congress Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Harish Rawat here today.

Asif Hussain, Muslim League’s Haridwar candidate, along with his supporters Akil Ahmed, Faizan, Afzal Ali and Gulzar joined the Congress party. Former Haridwar district BSP president Yograj Singh along with Leela Singh and Kamla Singh also joined the Congress party.

Other prominent members who joined Congress included, Subodh Rakesh, brother of expelled BSP Minister Surender Rakesh from Haridwar, Shahnawaz, who fought election for the post of Roorkee Mayor, Sushil Chaudhary, chairman of Haridwar district cooperative bank and Chaudhry Veer Singh, chairman of Mandi Samiti.

All of them pledged to work sincerely forthe Congress candidates in the Lok Sabha elections. Chief Minister Harish Rawat welcomed everyone in to the party fold. He also called upon people to join hands to defeat communal forces in the country

BSP urges EC to ban Muzzafarnagar riot-accused BJP MLA Sangeet Som 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 21
In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, major parties were banking upon issues such as development, poverty and corruption. But, with the elections nearing, these parties are now resorting to mud-slinging, personal comments and communal comments.

Sensitive issues such as Indo-Pak relations are also being dragged by politicians to gather precious votes.

Recently, at a rally in Roorkee BJP legislator from Sardhana Assembly segment in Uttar Pradesh, Sangeet Som, who was also accused in the Muzzafarnagar riots, addressed an election meeting in support of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, where he claimed that the Kashmir dispute would no longer exist if BJP came to power.

In his fiery speech, Som said the Congress government’s weak stance on Kashmir dispute and Pakistan has only weakened India’s cause, but all will change if Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister. “Kashmir dispute will no longer exist; instead we will be solving the issue of Lahore. The process of dialogue is ok, but if Pakistan continues with its terror tactics, it will be replied in a similar manner,” said Som at a rally in Beeti Ganj, BJP party office.

Som also lashed out at Congress for catering to a specific minority community only.

“For saving Hindu culture and religion, I can go to prison, not once but a thousand times. Indian culture and Hindu religion need to be spread and what better opportunity to start it from the pilgrim city of Haridwar, which has been the land of seers, saints and warriors,” added Som.

Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party urged State Election Commission to issue an instant ban on public meetings of controversial legislator Sangeet Som as he has been involved in the Muzaffarnagar riots and was fuelling communal tension via his electoral speeches.

Notably, legislator Som served imprisonment for making hate speeches, circulating inflammatory videos on his Facebook page, during Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013, which later turned out to be a two-year-old footage of Pakistan riots.

EC instructions to banks
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
District Election Officer-cum-District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam has instructed banks to report any transaction more than or up to Rs 10 lakh to them.

In a press note issued here, Purushottam said based on the instructions from the Election Commission of India in the wake of the model code of conduct, every transaction of more than Rs 10 lakh had to be reported to the District Election Office immediately.

“Also the details of the money being ferried by the banks to various ATMs or any other sources needs to be reported,” Purushottam added. 

UKD (A) promises separate ministry to speed up development works
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, April 21
Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) Aeri faction, candidate Jaiprakash Upadhyaya, during a road show conducted in Mussoorie said if his party was elected, it would work towards creating a separate ministry for the state in order to speed up the development works.

He said if the people wanted to save the state from the clutches of the two national parties namely Congress and BJP, then they should vote for the UKD (A) group in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He said BJP and Congress have failed to fulfill promises made by them in the past. He said it was only UKD (A) group, which had been continuously fighting for the interests of the people of the state.

Upadhyaya said Congress candidate Saket Bahuguna, instead of providing relief to the disaster torn people of the state, was busy filling his own pocket as it was evident from the fact that his income had risen from around Rs 90 lakhs to Rs 10 crore in the past two years.

He also sought explanation on how Saket Bahuguna earned such a huge amount in two years.

Kasha Singh Aeri, head of UKD (Aeri) group, said BJP and Congress were misleading people by raising frivolous issues and not talking about the basic problems of ‘jal jungle’ and ‘zameen’ being faced by the state during their election campaign.

He further said the main issues in these elections were migration from hills, road construction, water, electricity and the UKD was seeking votes on all these issues instead of raising personal issues as being raised by both the national parties.

Rajkumar Kanaujia, Harish Pathak, Nathi Lal Semwal, Sunil Hyanki and Sahdev Bisht were also present during the roadshow.

State Election Watch urges public to vote responsibly
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
To ensure that honest and capable candidates are sent to the Parliament, Uttarakhand Election Watch in association with Association for Democratic Reforms will launch an awareness drive in the constituencies of Tehri and Haridwar that go to polls on May 7.

Addressing a press conference, Dr BP Maithani of Uttarakhand Watch said nukkad nataks and other publicity material would be used to educate the voters to use their votes judicially so that only worthy candidates are elected.

“In case they are not satisfied with the profile of the candidate voters can the NOTA (none of the above) button on the EVM to express their dissatisfaction,” said Maithani.

He said in the study carried by ADR, it was found that more than 11,000 candidates had criminal cases pending against them at the time of filing of nominations, “More than 5,000 candidates faced cases of serious crimes such as murder, rape etc. In the present Lok Sabha, 162 MPs i.e. 30 per cent have criminal cases registered against them and 76 MPs face cases of serious crimes,” he said.

On the other hand Dr S Farooq member of Uttarakhand election watch said day-by-day the standard of the elected representatives was going down, “They are engaged in filling their own pockets instead of paying attention to the problems plaguing the country.”

Narendra Modi addresses 100 live meetings through 3D technology
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 21
Chief Minister Harish Rawat addressed two election meetings in the Almora parliamentary constituency while BJP leader Narendra Modi's address was brought live to the town with the help of 3D Hologram technology today to boost the election campaign in the area. "Pithoragarh was included in the 100 towns, where the live speech of the BJP leader, delivered from Ahmedabad, was telecast live by the Hologram technology," said Manoj Samant, a BJP leader who arranged the delivery of speech with a team of 30 technicians.

Addressing the audience at 100 places in the country through the technology, Modi said heavy polling witnessed in this year's parliamentary elections showed that people of the country had now awakened and set to remove the corrupt UPA-led government at the Centre.

Harish Rawat, who addressed the election meetings at Kanalichina in Pithoragarh and at Devithal in the Malla Salam area of Almora district, said there was no "Modi wave" in the state and the people would vote only for those who can bring development in the state."Compare our track record with the previous BJP government in the state and the NDA at the Centre, you will find that the Congress has cared for poor people," he said. 

AAP's Tehri candidate on tour to hilly areas

Dehradun, April 21
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Tehri Anoop Nautiyal today started his five-day tour to the hilly areas to conduct a people-to-people programme.

According to a press release issued here, Nautiyal would visit Saklana Patti, Kadataal, Satyon, Nagri, Baadshahi Thaul, New Tehri, Bhagirathi Puram, Ghopra Ghar Chamilyala, Lamb Gaon, Ghansali market and Anjani Saind.

Addressing a gathering at the Ghansali market today, Nautiyal said people living in the tough terrains of the state were unhappy with both the BJP and the Congress.

“Both parties have given false promises to people. The tall claims made by representatives of both parties have not been fulfilled, leaving the people in lurch,” he alleged.

He alleged while campaigning for their respective parties, BJP and Congress candidates had presented their clean picture, which was far away from the reality that the people were aware about. The voters should elect such candidates who represented and become their voice in Parliament, added Nautiyal. — TNS

Govt gives finishing touches to Char Dham Yatra preparations
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
With barely 10 days left for the Char Dham Yatra to begin, the state government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the yatra starts on its designated date i.e. May 2.

The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri will open on May 2, while the portals for Kedarnath Shrine, the epicentre of last year’s natural disaster, will open on May 4. The pilgrims will be allowed at the Badrinath shrine from May 5 and the state government will also commence the Hemkunt Sahib Yatra from May 25.

The repair and reopening work of the routes to the famous four shrines is being carried out at war footing. The biggest challenge being faced by the team is the frequently changing weather conditions, particularly in the Kedarnath valley.

A joint team of National Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) and Task Force (state police) has been formed to ensure the opening of the routes covered with up to 10 feet of snow.

Headed by Girish Ranakoti, instructor at NIM, who underwent training at France, the team has been able to reopen the heavily snow-clad route from Nimchatti till Kedarnath temple.

Following the clearance of the route, the area has once again received a fresh spell of snowfall up to one and half feet. The teams have erected temporary sheds on the route so as to take shelter from rain and snowfall, hitting the area frequently. The team is also prepared to work during the night to complete the reopening of the routes in time for the Yatra.

After the reopening of the route, ETF Commander DIG GS Martoliya, along with the team members paid obeisance at the temple. Giving the details of the operation, Martoliya said they have deployed ATV’s (All Terrain Vehicle) for ferrying the workers to the spots from where the snow is yet to be cleared.

“At a given time, the vehicle can carry up to 30 persons in one go. The morale of the team is very high and we are positive that the routes will be ready before the re-opening of the Kedarnath shrine,” he added.

Speaking about the Yatra, Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Umakant Panwar said the district administrations and various government department involved in the repair works have been given a deadline of April 30 to finish the repair of roads and other necessary works for the Yatra to begin smoothly.

Maintaining that the main aim behind starting the Yatra was to revive the local economy, Panwar said: “According to the estimates, approximate revenue of Rs 12,000 crore was lost in the disaster that struck the state in June 2013. By resuming the Yatra, we are trying to recover and get the economy back on track. Also, livelihood of majority of the people residing in these areas depends on the pilgrims or tourists visiting the areas.”

Elaborating upon the security arrangements that have been put in place for the safety of pilgrims, the tourism secretary said teams from state police, 108 emergency services and special task force will be deployed all along the route.

“On the lines of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), we have raised a state team to tackle the emergency in the event of any disaster taking place. A special team of state police and (NIM) will be posted on the newly constructed walking path between Bhimbali and Kedarnath. Provision of STD booths and mobile towers has been set up on the entire route at a distance of 15 kilometers,” he added.

“A fully functional police station has been established in the valley of Kedarnath in April. The Rudraprayag District Magistrate has been appointed as the coordinator for the Kedharnath Shrine and facilities enroute the shrine,” said the secretary.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Subash Kumar took a meeting to review preparations for the Char Dham Yatra beginning from May 2.

He was informed by officials that preparations in Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath have been completed whereas preparations in Kedarnath are underway and will be completed before April 27.

He said the Lincholi helipad had started functioning and over 1,500 persons were working round-the-clock between the stretch of Gaurikund and Lincholi to finish the work.

An additional bridge at Rambara has been built and the main bridge at Kedarnath will be completed before April 27.

The Tourism Department is also building makeshift huts at Kedarnath for the pilgrims.

The BSNL has installed additional towers to have better connectivity.

The Chief Secretary has directed the officials to make sure that all arrangements are put in place before time and pilgrims face no inconvenience during the yatra. 

MLA Joshi gets notice for poll code breach
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 21
Assistant Returning Officer, Mussoorie, Ramji Saran today served a notice on Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi for violating the model code of conduct.

Saran told mediapersons that MLA Joshi had been given notice for inaugurating the trial run of Volvo Bus in Mussoorie yesterday. Another notice was served on the MLA for distributing food to party workers on Kalidas Road in Dehradun in violation of the Election Commission's guidelines.

When contacted, the MLA said he had done nothing wrong and would be submitting his reply to the Election Commission soon.

Against the guidelines

Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi has been given notice for inaugurating the trial run of Volvo bus in Mussoorie on Sunday and distributing food to party workers on Kalidas Road in Dehradun.

Conference for U’khand Ratan awardees

Dehradun, April 21
The 33rd All-India Conference of Intellectuals was held for Uttarakhand Ratan Awardees here on Sunday. A seminar on “Fundamental Duties, Challenges of Human Rights and Role of Intellectuals” was held in which Justice Rajesh Tandon was the chief guest. Lt Gen K M Seth, a former Governor of Chhattisgarh, presided over the function.

Uttarakhand Ratan awardees Dr KK Rattu, Director, Doordarshan, Dehradun, won the award for his contribution in the field of media, and Subardhan, State Election Commissioner of Uttarakhand, Dr HS Dhami, Surendra Kumar,V-C, Kumaon University, V-C Gurukul Kangri,

Haridwar and other recipients were also present.

Initiating the seminar, Dr S Frooq said it were human beings bound by

the fundamental duties towards the society and the in turn were guaranteed certain human rights.

Speaking during the seminar, Raghvan, Advocate-General of the Chennai High Court said everyone must vote and guide their neighbours to vote for strengthening the democracy. — TNS

Patanjali university’s ambulance impounded
Was ferrying two bodies without requisite documents
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 21
An ambulance of Patanjali Ayurvedic University was impounded by the police today as it was ferrying two bodies to the university from Khadkhadi cremation ghat.

On the complaint of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party workers, the police stopped the ambulance at Kankhal in which two bodies were found. The driver and conductor of the ambulance failed to give a satisfactory reply and couldn't show approved documents.

Police brought the vehicle to Kankhal police station and contacted Patanjali University officials, who claimed they had legitimate consent and papers from Ganga Sabha for using the dead bodies for medical purposes as is the norm in medical 
colleges.

Congress and AAP activists alleged that Patanjali ambulances were involved in human trafficking and pressed for registering of a case against the university by gheraoing the police station.

They also raised slogans against Patanjali Yogpeeth Swami Ramdev and Acharya Bala Krishan. By evening, Ganga Sabha, which operates the affairs of Ganga ghats at Har-Ki-Pauri, in a statement, said they had given written consent to Patanjali Ayurvedic University for taking the two unknown corpses for the research of medical students of Patanjali Ayurvedic University.

Ram Lal, office bearer of Ganga Sabha, said they had sent the requisite documents to the SSP’s Office and the Kankhal Police station to release the impounded ambulance.

Doon school, YPS win football matches
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
The 3rd Asian Challenge All-India Basketball Tournament kicked off at The Asian School here today. Various schools from across the country are participating in the prestigious tournament.

Doon International School won the inaugural match against The Asian School by 43-27 with Zul from Doon school remaining the top scorer after scoring 22 individual points. YPS Mohali also won its match against Sherwood College by 44-26. Jaskaran from YPS Mohali scored 18 points and was the top scorer in the match.

Woodstock School also started its campaign with a win in its first match against Aryan School by 37-28. The match between The Doon School and Whynberg Allen proved to be a close fight but in the end, The Doon School won it by 1 point margin with a final score of 41-40 in its favour.

Kasiga School beat Summer Valley 3-0
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 21
Te 2nd Inter-School Girls' Football Challenge Cup began at Pavilion Ground here today. It was inaugurated by Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli.

Fourteen schools are participating in the tournament. In the inaugural match, Kasiga School defeated Summer Valley School 3-0 with Aditi scoring a hat-trick and goals in the 7th, 24th and 38th minutes of the match.

In the second match, Doon International School defeated Hopetown School 1-0 with Miochand scoring the lone goal in the 4th minute. 

Nainital drub Doon by 9 wickets 

Dehradun, April 21
Nainital defeated Dehradun by 9 wickets in a match during the Inter-District Cricket Tournament here today.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Dehradun scored 132 runs with Akhil Rawat scoring 37 runs. For Nainital district, Jagmohan took 4 wickets in the match.

In reply, Nainital team got off to a brilliant start with opener Dinesh scoring 79 runs and Amit 42 runs.

The team achieved the target at the loss of 1 wicket and won the match. — TNS