IndiaVotes 2014 
Nation will vote for a change this time: Nishank
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 22
Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, BJP candidate from the Haridwar parliamentary constituency, addressed several meetings here today and urged voters to bring the BJP back to power at the Centre.

The former Chief Minister said the people wanted change this time as they were fed up with the corrupt ways and misgovernance of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the last 10 years.

“People want a change as governance of Gujarat by Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the last 11 years has become a model concept. Modi has ushered in a ray of hope among the voters, who want a change and good governance at the Centre,” said Nishank.

Referring to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government headed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Nishank said during Vajpayee’s regime inflation was under control, LPG prices were controlled by the government and not by oil companies, India’s image globally was much stronger and interests of all communities were secured.

“In the last ten years, price rise has touched an all-time high. Oil companies raise petrol prices every now and then and corruption has reached even the office of the Prime Minister. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened,” said Nishank. He criticised the government saying in the last two years the state had witnessed two Chief Ministers leading two factions in the Congress.

Nishank alleged that Chief Minister Harish Rawat was misusing the state machinery during the election campaigning as his wife Renuka Rawat was on the back foot in Haridwar.

Nishank urged the voters belonging to the minority communities to not get influenced by Congress’ propaganda of the BJP being communal and said the BJP was in fact a party that catered to the interests of the minorities effectively during the NDA government.

“During my tenure as a Chief Minister, various steps were taken for the welfare of the minority communities. Be it development of Piran Kaliyar, improvement of the Haz House facilities or other social welfare schemes, the interests of the minorities were always taken care of,” said Ramesh Nishank.

Nishank, Khanduri to register easy victories, claims Kandari
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 22
Matbar Singh Kandari, former Uttarakhand minister and BJP leader, today claimed that the party candidates would register a record victory from the Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar Lok Sabha constituencies.

Kandari, who recently rejoined the BJP, said former Chief Ministers and party candidates Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank would win by record margins from Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar, respectively. Besides their stature, weak candidates fighting the elections against them had made their victory easier.

Kandari, a six-time legislator, told The Tribune on the sidelines of an election campaign meeting here that Harak Singh Rawat and Renuka Rawat were fighting a losing battle and they were no comparison to political biggies Khanduri and Nishank.

He said he had been campaigning in the Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal constituencies and could state with surety that a pro-BJP wave was prevalent there. The BJP was all set to register big wins in all five Lok Sabha seats of the state keeping in view the feedback received from the other three constituencies of Tehri, Almora and Nainital.

Kandari added that he made a mistake by leaving the BJP to join the Congress during the 2012 Assembly elections. He said, however, his experience in the Congress had been an eye opener and he realized that it was a dynasty-based party which had no room for common party workers.

“I apologised to BJP president Rajnath Singh for my mistake. Now, I will work hard to ensure victory on all five seats to regain the lost confidence of the party workers,” said Kandari, who had represented the Devprayag, Tehri and Rudraprayag Assembly segments of Pauri Garhwal.

He criticized factionalism in the Congress and said both Harish Rawat and Vijay Bahuguna had been at loggerheads for the post of Chief Minister. The two leaders also managed the Congress ticket for their family members. District BJP president Kuldeep Gupta said Kandari’s presence in political gatherings in Haridwar had given a boost to Nishank’s campaign.

Officials make list of items required on polling day
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 22
Officials on election duty in the Almora parliamentary constituency have prepared a list of 116 items that are required on the day of polling on May 7.

“Officials will have to ensure that they carry all things mentioned in the list on the polling day. The essential items include matchboxes, candles, thread, tape and first aid material,” said RC Arya, in charge, polling material in Champawat district.

In Pithoragarh district, 668 presiding officers were trained in operating EVMs at Government PG College yesterday. The college is a strongroom and counting centre.

“A total of 2,348 employees have been put on election duty in 511 polling booths in Pithoragarh,” said HC Semwal, District Election Officer, Pithoragarh.

Nominations of 17 cancelled during scrutiny
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
The nominations of 17 candidates from the five constituencies in the state were cancelled after the respective returning officers found anomalies in the forms submitted by them.

According to a press note issued here, 96 nominations were received from the five constituencies. However, during the scrutiny of the forms, only 79 forms were found to be complete.

Out of the 17 cancelled nominations, two are from Tehri (Sharafat Ali and Suresh Chandra), two from Pauri (Deepak Kumar Surya and Habib-ur-Rehman, two from Almora (Narayan Ram and Chandramohan Beri), four from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar (Ajay Vashisht, Faeem Miyan, Chowdhary Vijay Pal Singh and Akeel Ahmed) and seven from Haridwar (Taseen, Sardar Khan, Zulfana, Khurshid, Md Irfaan, Rekha and Md Yunus).

The last date for the withdrawal of nominations is April 23. District Election Officer-cum-District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam said the scrutiny of the forms for the Tehri constituency was conducted by Hridyesh Mohan and Kailsah Chandra Gupta, who have been appointed by the Election Commission of India.

Two nominations were cancelled on the basis of incomplete information in Form 26. Sarafat Ali represented the Muslim Manjlis Manch and Suresh Chandra is from the Republican Party of India.

A total of 20 candidates had filed nominations from the Tehri constituency, out of which only 18 are in the fray now. The remaining candidates are from the Congress, the BJP, the BSP and the CPM, the Aam Aadmi Party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal, the Bhartiya Mul Niwasi Samaj Party and the PeaceParty. 

Modi wave a media hype: Sarika Pradhan
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 22
Former vice-chairperson of the Women Child Development Council Sarika Pradhan said today that there was no Modi wave at work in Uttarakhand and it was only a media hype.

Addressing political meetings at Chiddarwala and Haripur Kalan, Sarika said the much-hyped Modi wave was like a new heavier balloon filled with gas, which was likely to burst shortly.

Praising the Congress, Sarika said the party had a development-oriented vision and had introduced several flagship schemes, including MNREGA, the Right to Information Act and the Right to Education Act.

Sarika ,who was the youngest minister in the ND Tiwari-led state government from 2002-07, said the Congress had several senior leaders at the central and state levels. She said Congress' Haridwar candidate Renuka Rawat was no less than her husband and Chief Minister Harish Rawat in terms of political acumen and knowledge.

“Women and the youths are with the Congress this time while corporates and muscle men are with the BJP. Renuka Rawat enjoys a clean image while BJP candidate Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was removed from the post of Chief Minister by his party. No one would like to vote for a failed Chief Minister," claimed Sarika, while addressing another meeting at Gadmirpur village.

Dhasmana accuses 
BJP of disturbing communal harmony
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
The Congress has accused the BJP of disturbing communal harmony in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, Uttarakhand Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana said the BJP was disturbing communal harmony in the country in order to polarise voters in its favour.

Dhasmana said the recent statements made by VHP leader Praveen Togadia and Bihar BJP leader Giriraj Singh amply revealed the party's divisive policies. These statements were aimed at creating a wedge in society in the name of religion.

He said the Congress strongly stood by the ideology of secularism and would not allow the BJP go forward with its nefarious designs.

He added the Congress-led state government was taking all communities together on the path of development.

It would not allow communal forces to have their say in the state.

Uttarakhand Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana said Congress president Sonia Gandhi, vice-president Rahul Gandhi, senior leaders Sushil Kumar Shinde, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Salman Khurshid were expected to visit Uttarakhand to campaign for the party candidates.

BJP, Congress failed to serve people: Nautiyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Tehri candidate Anoop Nautiyal today visited Saklana Patee, Satyon and Nagri areas to seek votes for the party.

Addressing public meetings at various places, Nautiyal alleged both the Congress and the BJP had failed to serve the people of the state. He said villages in Uttarakhand still lacked basic infrastructure.

Nautiyal said neither the BJP nor the Congress had introduced any policy for unemployed and women. He appealed to the public to give a chance to AAP this time.

The AAP candidate said he was receiving a good response from the people during his canvassing." I am hopeful of a record victory in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections," he claimed. Party workers Sunil Kala, Mohan Lala, Omkar Bhatia and Avtar Singh Rana also participated in the canvassing.

Centre, state govt failed on disaster front: BJP
Tribune News service

Former BJP minister and vice-president Khazan Das addresses mediapersons in Mussoorie on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Mussoorie, April 22
Khajan Das, vice-president of the state BJP, attacked the Congress-led governments at the Centre and in the state for their failure to properly deal with the natural disaster of June last year.

He said inaction on the part of the Congress-led Central and state governments would cost the party dearly in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to mediapersons in Mussoorie yesterday, he said while sitting Tehri Garhwal MP and present BJP candidate Mala Raj Lakshmi Shah had demanded in Parliament that Uttarakhand be declared a disaster affected region, the Congress failed to anything.

Das said the insensitivity towards the people of the state would prove costly for the Congress and it would lose all five seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He said the nation was looking towards Narendar Modi for good governance and the BJP would win all five seats.

Das refuted the charges levelled by the Congress against Mala Raj Lakshmi Shah that she had been inactive in the Tehri Garhwal constituency during the natural disaster and said she was the first to reach the disaster-affected people. She also made all efforts to provide solace to the affected people.

“Lakshmi is one of the few MPs to utilise more than 90 per cent of her MP LAD fund. She has maintained a people-to-people contact in her constituency,” added Das.

He added the Congress was accusing Mala Raj Lakshmi of indifference in order to hide its own failure, both at the Centre and in the state.

He alleged that Saket Bahuguna, Congress candidate from Tehri Garhwal, had a dubious record of being involved in irregularities and scams while his father was the Chief Minister of the state.

Training course for SMIH doctors begins
Tribune News service

Dehradun, April 22
A training course for doctors of Shri Mahant Indresh Hospital (SMIH), Dehradun, attached to Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (SGRRIMHS)was organised here today. Dr NK Singh, principal of SGRRIMHS, inaugurated the programme.

More than 60 senior doctors, heads of departments and professors participated in the training course. The training will be conducted on all working days up to May 10. Twenty topics will be covered by senior facilitators from the SMIH and its parent institute.

Dr NK Singh stressed on the need for continuing training of medical doctors to update them about the quality standards to be used in health care.

He appreciated the training inputs from the faculty in running the training courses.

Brig Dr Vinay Rai (Retd), medical superintendent of SMIH stressed upon the need of medical ethics in all spheres of medical services.

The senior faculty of SGRRIMHS, namely, Prof DK Singh, Prof S Acharya, Prof RK Verma, Prof Puneet Gupta, Prof RK Bansal, Prof Sunita Mittal, Prof VK Kataria, Prof BS Mahawal, Prof SK Mittal, Prof AK Mehta, Prof Rajiv Azad, Prof GS Jheetay, Prof SK Rana, Prof Vineeta Gupta, Prof VP Singh, Prof Punam Verma and Prof RN Prasad Sinha were present during the inaugural function.

The college is conducting training course for the nursing staff of SMIH from April 9 to April 25. They will start the third training course for the attendants of SMIH from April 23 to April 25, in which 13 topics will be covered.

Course itinerary

• More than 60 senior doctors, heads of departments and professors participated in the training course
• The training will be conducted on all working days till May 10
• 20 topics will be covered by senior facilitators from the SMIH and its parent institute

NGO installs dustbins in Jakhan on Earth Day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
Waste Warriors, a local voluntary group, celebrated Earth Day by installing nine dustbins in the Jakhan area of the city here today. The beautifully painted dustbins purchased with funds from Mahindra’s Spark the Rise competition will be emptied by Waste Warriors volunteers and staff daily.

Meanwhile, the NGO carried out mass cleaning of the area and removed posters from walls as part of a cleanliness drive today. Volunteers Yameen, Nikhel and Omal educated people about the importance of cleanliness and distributed “Please Use a Dustbin” posters made by local children.

Paper bags were distributed free of cost to vegetable vendors in a bid to reduce the number of polythene bags being used illegally. Waste Warriors has noticed a sharp increase in the number of businesses using polythene bags as the administration has stopped challaning them for over a year.

Jodie Underhill, CEO and co-founder of Waste Warriors, said, “For us, every day is Earth Day and we operate in a way that is kind to the environment and all living creatures. We work in a professional manner and strictly follow the Municipal Solid Waste Rules 2000. We believe in leading by example.”

Due to an increase in the number of people visiting Jakhan and Pacific Mall, cleanliness in the area has become a casualty. The Waste Warriors volunteers clean the Jakhan area, including the fruit and vegetable market daily and even pick up piles left behind by municipal corporation sweepers.

The NGO has a no burning waste policy and all garbage is segregated. The recyclable waste regardless of its value is sold to scrap dealers and the non-recyclable waste is disposed of in the Doon Valley Waste Management containers or taken directly to the trenching ground. Leaves and garden waste are also collected separately and composted in the NGO’s office garden.

Waste Warriors has also transformed and maintained the cleanliness of the Anekant Palace, Astley Hall and Manda House shopping localities, thanks to financial support from local businesses. Plans are underway to expand the model to the Rajpur Road area from Clock Tower to the Mussoorie diversion.

Waste Warriors president Shanti Varma, former Principal of Welham Girls School, said, “We would be grateful if from May 1, local businesses start supporting us by making small donations to Waste Warriors each month. The donated money will be used to pay waste workers, who will be permanently assigned the work to clean up Jakhan. We have been cleaning the area for the past two years but due to lack of funds, we simply can’t continue.” 

Global warming harming health, says Doon University VC
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
The Uttarakhand Science Education and Research Centre in assistance with the Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology (UCOST) organised a programme on the occasion of World Earth Day at Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya in Dehradun today.

Prof VK Jain, Vice Chancellor of Doon University, was the chief guest at the function. He spoke at length on global warming and its adverse effects on health and life. He told the students about the green house effect and stressed on the importance of planting more trees to safeguard the environment.

Vijay Kumar Dhoundiyal, Director General of UCOST, said school students would have an important role in environment conservation in the coming days. He added climate change was posing a grave threat, particularly to the Himalayan region.

Dr Rajendra Dobhal, Chairman of the National Research Development Corporation, spoke of the adverse impact of climate change on the Himalayan biodiversity. Dr Manju Sundriyal, Principal of Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dehradun, Dr Prashant Singh, Dehradun Coordinator of UCOST, Dr OP Nautiyal and Amit Pokhriyal also addressed the gathering.

A poster competition, a debate and an essay competition was organised for school students to mark the occasion. Students from Jaswant Modern Senior Secondary School, Doon Blossoms School, Phool Chand Nari Shilp Inter College and Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya participated in the competitions.

Hindi elocution contest at Unison school

Dehradun, April 22
An inter-house Hindi elocution competition was held at Unison World School here today. The competition organised to develop oratorical and presentation skills among students was held under two categories — group A (classes IV to V) and group B (classes VI to VIII).

The judges for the competition were Reeta Singh and Aarti Seghall, who is working with Brightland School, Dehradun. The judges and the audience were mesmerised by the confidence exhibited by the students. They appreciated their delivery and expression as well as the choice of poems. In group A, Orchid House stood first, Daffodil House stood second and Tulip House won the third position. In group B, Tulip House stood first, Daffodil House stood second and Jasmine House stood third. — TNS

DM launches website on Sahastradhara

Dehradun, April 22
District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam launched a website - www.sahastradharadmc.com, developed by Sahastradhara Tourism Destination Management Committee, here today.

A café ‘Sulphur Spring Café’, located at the famous tourist destination, Sahastradhara, was also inaugurated. Famous for its natural waterfalls, the destination attracts thousands of tourists particularly during summers. The website carries detailed information of not only Sahastradhara, but also nearby spots.

Addressing the gathering, Purshottam said in today’s fast-paced era, technology plays a pivotal role. “The websites plays an important role in providing information about the tourist spot to those who wish to go there,” he added.

The DM instructed the officials to maintain cleanliness of the area and insisted on provision of basic amenities such as clean toilets, lights and drinking water. The DM also asked the committee members to ensure that the information boards were written in both English and Hindi and the website should be regularly updated.

Those present on the occasion included: Alok Kumar Pandey, Mohan Singh Barnia, Dr Rahul Sachan, YK Gangwar and Kirti Sharma along with several others. — TNS

Court commissioner inspects Doon area for encroachments
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
Rajiv Sharma Bantu, the court commissioner appointed by the Nainital High Court, inspected various spots for encroachments in the city here today.

A team comprising officials of the MDDA and the DMC and led by Rajiv Sharma inspected the area from Aara Ghar till Aanchal Dairy on the Haridwar Road.

Sharma said: “The entire stretch has largely been encroached upon by local residents and shopkeepers. Even drains have not been spared as the shopkeepers have constructed concrete slabs and extended their shops. The places where footpaths are marked on the map of the area are nowhere to be seen.”

“The encroachers have not even spared government land. Area residents have encroached upon a land belonging to the Irrigation Department and constructed homes on it. Aanchal Dairy, Ahuja Sweets and the Kripaleshwari workshop have encroached upon about 50 to 60 feet of the government land and extended their shops,” he added.

“I have asked Secretary, MDDA, Banshidhar Tiwari, to provide the details of the entire area and take steps to remove the encroachments. I have also sought a report on the Ashley Hall as according to the records, every shop must have at least eight feet of verandah space outside,” he added.

Meanwhile, the team issued challans to those who had dumped construction material on the road without permission of the authorities concerned. The Irrigation Department also sent notices to the shopkeepers and the residents who had encroached upon its land.

Delhi HC declares Tiwari as biological father of Shekhar
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, April 22
After a six-year legal battle, the Delhi High Court today declared veteran Congress leader ND Tiwari as the biological father of Rohit Shekhar.

Shekhar’s mother Ujjawala Sharma broke into tears as Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw pronounced the verdict. Shekhar appeared calm and composed.

The court decreed Rohit’s suit in his favour as Tiwari failed to contest the case yesterday and today. Also according to media reports, the Congress veteran had reportedly admitted that he was his son.

After meeting Tiwari recently, Rohit had said the Congress leader had blamed relatives for the delay in accepting him as the son.

The DNA test conducted on the three at the instance of the SC and the HC had revealed in July 2012 that Rohit is the biological son of Tiwari and Ujjawala. Even after this, the Congress leader refused to acknowledge Rohit as his son and challenged the test results. 

Justice delivered

Rohit Shekhar’s mother Ujjawala Sharma broke into tears as Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw pronounced the verdict. Shekhar appeared calm and composed.

No coordination among depts makes people suffer
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
Brig KG Behl (retd), state president of the All India Consumers Council, today said the people were being made to suffer, as there was no coordination between different service departments.

In a press note issued here, Brig Behl said the condition was worsening for the public as disputes between different service departments of the government were not being resolved.

“Owing to the present state of condition, sewer lines that were damaged during the cable laying process have not been repaired till date. The issue could have been resolved amicably and work taken up had there been an interaction between the two departments. As a result, the sewer lines are choked and the area is stinking. It may even affect water pipelines, which are running close to them in case timely action is not taken,” he said.

“It is the duty of the installing/repairing department to repair their equipment immediately irrespective of why or who damaged it and then bring the culprits to book. They should not wait until the tussle between the departments is resolved and people are made to suffer,” he added.

Brig Behl urged the Jal Sansthan to take action and said, “Since sewer and waterlines come under the Jal Sansthan, it should get them repaired immediately. Moreover, since a number of days have passed, it is learnt that muck is breeding flies and mosquitoes which is again dangerous to people living around. It is suggested that the state government should constitute a committee of officials which should work for coordination among different departments.” 

Need to optimally use natural resources stressed
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, April 22
The Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology (UCOST) and various educational institutions organised various programmes to celebrate Earth Day in the Kumaon region today.

“We have been given topics like 'how to use natural resources for long term', 'sustainable use of natural resources', 'earthquakes: its reasons and methodology of relief and rescue' and our duty in containing increasing global warming,” said Dr Kumkum Shah, a postgraduate college teacher and nodal officer of UCOST programmes in Champawat and Pithoragarh districts.

Shah said UCOST organised a conference at Champawat on the occasion of Earth Day today. Dr CD Suntha, principal of Government PG College, Champawat, addressed the conference.

Dr Suntha said. "If we want our future generations to benefit from natural resources as our ancestors did, we should be wary of their excessive exploitation.“

Various educational institutions in the district headquarters also organised programmes. Seminars and conferences were followed by painting and essay writing competitions. “We have organised a programme in our school which was based on how to take precautionary measures at the time of earthquakes. We have briefed students on the topics and told them to make depictions on them,” said Preeti Singh, principal of Manas Academy, Pithoragarh.

Separate directorate for child protection scheme
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
A separate directorate will be set up in the state to oversee the implementation of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS). It will be headed by a director and a secretary.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Subash Kumar here yesterday.

The Department of Social Welfare and the Department of Woman and Child Development had been at loggerheads over the implementation of the scheme. Therefore, the government decided to create a separate directorate to oversee the implementation of the scheme.

The Department of Home has been given the responsibility of implementing the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). Special courts will also be set up in all 13 districts of the state.

Permission will be sought for the appointment of members of the Juvenile Justice Board and the creation of child welfare committees.

The approval has also given for setting up temporary children’s homes in Tehri and Pauri. A new children's home will come up at Tehri, Pithoragarh and Champawat. Child welfare offices will be opened on rented premises in all districts.

Among those who attended the meeting on the implementation of ICPS, were officials from the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Departments of Home, Legal Affairs, Woman and Child Welfare and Social Welfare.

Labourer’s body kept in maternity ward, Nainbagh residents furious
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, April 22
People are angry that the body of a labourer was kept in the maternity ward of the government women health centre at Nainbagh in Tehri district for two days. They are now demanding that a separate ward instead of the maternity ward in the health centre be used as mortuary.

The residents came to know about the matter when 23-year-old Deen Dayal, a native of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, slipped and sustained serious injuries while working at a bridge site on the Yamunotri highway, near Naingaon, on April 20.

On receiving information, the revenue police rushed Deen Dayal to the government women health centre at Nainbagh. However, he died and his body was kept in the maternity ward while efforts were being made to contact his family members.

The body remained in the maternity ward for two days and was removed and handed over to the bereaved family after a post-mortem today.

The Nainbagh residents, namely Jot Singh Rawat, Shyam Singh Chauhan, Tikam Singh Rawat, Gambhir Singh and others, said they would not let the local administration use the maternity ward as a mortuary. They demanded that a separate place be earmarked in the health centre to keep the bodies so that the newborn were not exposed to risk.

SP Agarwal, Chief Medical Officer, Tehri district, said it was wrong to keep the body in the maternity ward and it should have been brought to the mortuary in the government hospital at Mussoorie as per the government notification. He added the health centre at Nainbagh was not a full-fledged health centre and lacked a mortuary as per the guidelines of the Health Department.

Manjeet Singh Gill, Naib Thesildar, Nainbagh, said as it had become dark and and there was no means of transportation the administration was unable to bring the body to Mussoorie. Hence, it decided to use the maternity ward for the purpose as it did not have any patient.

Gill said the administration was facing immense problems in the absence of a mortuary in the region, which was also hindering investigations. He added that they also faced problems in the absence of a funeral van to carry the body.

However, the residents are not buying the argument. They said the 108-ambulance service was available and the body could have been sent in it.

Cine buff hosts film fest to commemorate birth anniversary of director BR Chopra
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
Paying tributes to yesteryear writer-director Baldev Raj Chopra in a unique manner, historian and a well-known cine buff Dr Manoj Panjani organised 'BR Chopra film festival,' at Doon Library, here today.

Born on April 22, 1914, Chopra crafted gems in the world of Bollywood such as Naya Daur, Baghban, Babul, Dhund, Humraaz, Nikah and many more.

Celebrating the birth anniversary of the legendary producer-director, Panjani showcased six movies of the celebrated director--"Ek Hi Rasta", "Naya Daur", "Afsana", "Kanoon", "Gumrah", "Insaaf Ka Tarazu" and "Nikah".

Later addressing the gathering, Panjani said BR Chopra was a role model for the directors of the present era. "Chopra always had a strong belief in him and the stories he wrote, directed or produced. Though his critics occasionally slammed his films, they left the audience captivated," he said.

"It is said that during the screening of "Ek Hi Raasta", Chopra was tense about the reaction of the audience as its theme was second marriage. However, the public loved the film and the critics declared it a hit as well," said Panjani.

Manch to oppose Centre's move to allow field trials of GM crops
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
The Swadeshi Jagran Manch has opposed the Central government's decision to allow field trials of genetically modified (GM) food crops in the country.

Kashmiri Lal, secretary of the manch, told mediapersons in Dehradun today that it was a hasty decision on part of Union Environment Minister Veerapa Moily to allow field trials of genetically modified food crops in the country.

"When the Lok Sabha elections were being held in the country, why was Veerapa Moily in such a hurry to allow field trials of genetically modified food crops," Kashmiri Lal said. He added the UPA government had taken the decision under pressure from international corporate houses.

He said the manch would oppose the decision tooth and nail and stage protest rallies across the country starting from Panipat in Haryana on June 1.

Kashmiri Lal said he particularly appealed to the people of Uttarakhand to vote for a party that ensured environment-friendly development in the state. He added every development activity in Uttarakhand should be environment friendly or else it could prove to be disastrous as was witnessed in form of flash floods in June last year.

Kripa Shankar and Vipin Kumar were present on the occasion.

2-day national seminar at IMS Varsity concludes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
A two-day national seminar on mass media concluded at IMS Unison University here today.

Prof MP Jain, Vice Chancellor of IMS Unison University, was the chief guest of the valedictory session. He said there was a lot of scope for research in the sphere of mass communication. Such workshops greatly helped in furthering the research in the subject.

Senior journalist Jay Singh Rawat said mass communication could be a means to ensure betterment of society.

Jay Singh Rawat further added mass communication could be a great boon if used in a positive way. Twenty researche papers were presented at the workshop.

All Saint College defeat Unison school
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
In a one-sided victory, All Saint College defeated Unison World Girls School 4-0 in the ongoing 2nd Girls Football Challenge Cup-2014 being organised by the Uttarakhand Football Referee Association and the Dehradun Football Academy here today.

In the first match of the day, All Saints College adopted a strong attack and defence mechanism to emerge victorious. Simran scored a goal in the 13th minute, Kritika scored two goals in the 23rd and 34th minute, respectively, while Richa scored a goal in the 43rd minute.

In the second match, Tibetan Children Village School defeated MKP College 4-0. Bening Paldon scored a goal in the 6th minute, Samtein scored another goal in the 15th minute while Tenzing Yang scored two goals in the 37th and 40th minute, respectively.

Meanwhile, in other matches, Unison World School defeated KV Birpur 2-0; Dehradun Football Academy ousted Maa Anandmayee Memorial School 7-0; and Hopetown Girls School routed Summer Valley School 4-0.

Doon school beat Aryan school, lift basketball trophy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 22
The Doon International School won the 3rd All-India Asian Challenge Cup 2014 here today after defeating The Aryan School (TAS) 72-38.

In a well-contested match, the DIS players managed to lead 22-14 in the first quarter. The second quarter saw the teams struggling to basket with the DIS taking the lead once again 15-7.

In the third quarter, The Aryan School could score only 15 points. The last quarter could see some tremendous netting by the DIS, leading to a thumping victory of 72-38.

Arjun and Zul were the top scorers for the winning team with a score of 20 and 15, respectively.

Abhijit of The Aryan School was declared the most promising player of the tournament while the most valuable player title went to Zul of DIS.

Chief guest F Shridhar, senior HR executive, ONGC, gave away the trophies to the winners.

Prominent dignitaries present on the occasion were president of the Asian School Amarjeet Singh Juneja, directors of The Asian School, Gaganjyot Singh and Tarunjyot Singh Juneja , Principal AK Das, Vice-Principal Anant VD Thapliyal, middle school coordinator Mukesh Nangia, Headmistress Kalpana Grover and coaches from the participating schools.

St Thomas College, Carman School victorious

In the 19th Gardener Premier League, inter-school indoor cricket matches, St Thomas College and Carman School won their respective matches today.

In the girls’ category, St Thomas College won by 22 runs against Summer Valley School. In another match in the boys’ category, Carman School won by 2 wickets against Ann Mary School.

Ann Mary School will take on the Mount Ford Academy whereas Hilton School will clash with Touchwood School in tomorrow’s matches.