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Road, rail network Shanta's priority
Campaign
trail:
Chander Kumar
MPs, MLAs do not help us: Migratory shepherds
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Anurag Thakur plays Modi card
Dhumal: Voters have right to oust anti-people Congress govt
Leaders eye floating votes in Kangra
BJP is Dhumal-Anurag private firm: CM's son
‘Achievements will change the tide in our favour’
Lok Sabha Poll
Poll boycott threat takes political turn
Lok Sabha Poll: Tribal
Areas
Ramdev not allowed to hold yoga camp
VIGNETTES
Campaigning fails to pick up in Solan district
High Court tells HPU to decide on pensionary benefits
Lok Mitra Kendra operators up in arms
BCS wins inter-school debate
At Chamba shop, Modi tea at premium
Cong has not kept words: Anurag
'Leaders should answer questions about their business empire'
Former NGO leader arrested from Amritsar
Only Cong can provide a secular govt, says CM
Mandi BJP candidate holds meetings 3,000 notebooks distributed ‘Seized cash belonged to Kangra bank’ NSS volunteers distribute clothes
29 crates of liquor seized in Una
Complaint against Ramdev Ex-minister, ex-MLA’s death condoled
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Road, rail network Shanta's priority
Palampur, April 27 Besides, he would also try to link Pathankot with Leh by train and get the project declared as "national project" on a par with rail projects of Jammu and Kashmir. He said when he was Union Minister in the Vajpayee Cabinet in 2002, the expansion of the Gaggal airport was taken up for the landing of 90-seater planes. He said he had now planned to expand this runway for the landing of bigger aircraft. He said Himachal had emerged the biggest tourist destination of the North India and needed large-scale infrastructure for the development of tourism which the state lacked. He said the state needed ropeways to lift tourists to high-altitude areas on the pattern of Switzerland and Austria where they could enjoy snow and environment. He said these projects could not be taken up without the assistance of the private sector and the state needed new master plan for the development of tourism. He regretted that in the 10 years regime of the UPA government, the state failed to get its share from the Centre and projects were hit. Though the Union Government declared six state roads as national highways, no funds were released and conditions of these roads turned from bad to worse, he added. He alleged that despite the fact that the Congress government was in power in the state, it failed to persuade the UPA government for the allocation of funds to the state. Even the state failed to get funds for losses caused by natural calamities which hit the state in last monsoon, he said. Shanta said because of rampant corruption during the UPA regime, most of the development projects proved to be a big failure as deserving and poor failed to benefit from these schemes. He said cash transfer of subsidy to the bank accounts of LPG consumers also failed to take off because of its faulty implementation. He said now this schemes had been discontinued still there were thousands of consumers who were awaiting the transfer of subsidy to their bank accounts. His promises
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Campaign
trail:
Chander Kumar Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service
After having a breakfast, Chander Kumar leaves for campaigning in white Mahindra Balero vehicle. He is accompanied by one supporter. Enroute, Chander Kumar greets people. The rallies of Kumar are planned by Congress MLAs or block Congress leaders in their areas. Chander Kumar, a prominent OBC leader from Kangra, is relying heavily on his caste-based support. He says that the OBC and SC/STs in the constituency are united and will support him. The OBC and SC/ST comprise about 25 per cent vote in Kangra. Chander has no hassles in using caste for seeking votes. He said, "Though I am against caste in electioneering, it is difficult to ignore these groups in real life. Even the opposition parties are using caste to their advantage," he said. During his speeches in the public rallies, Chander Kumar lists the achievements of the UPA government. He informs people that MGNREGA and Food Security Scheme have been launched by the Congress government. He also relies on the state government to garner votes. He says that most of the development in Kangra has been carried out by the Congress government led by Virbhadra Singh. The government has announced developmental schemes in entire state, he maintains. Her believes that the national and international issues being raked up by his rival, BJP candidate Shanta Kumar, were of no use in the rural areas. The people are not concerned about black money stashed in foreign banks. They are more concerned about their local problems that are sorted out by the state government, Chander Kumar says. Kumar says that at places people complain that he has not given any grant to them during his last stint as MP from 2004 to 2009. Chander Kumar says that at that time his MPLAD fund was just Rs 2 crore. Now it has been increased to Rs 5 crore. I will give grants with interest to people who were left out last time, Chander Kumar says. He also rates AAP candidate Rajan Sushant out of competition. "I am hoping that he will cut into the votes of the BJP".
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MPs, MLAs do not help us: Migratory shepherds
Rohru (Shimla), April 27 "MPs and MLAs make false promises to get votes. We are looted on the way. We lose thousands of livestock due to miscreants, accidents or leopard attacks when we go up in higher pastures in summers or down to the plains in winters grazing our livestock. But MPs and MLAs never bother to help us," rued Bhuwan Negi, a shepherd from Nichhar, Kinnaur, who was on his way back from Sirmaur to the Bhawa valley for grazing his herd near Narkanda. "We get nothing from elections and have no interest in the Lok Sabha or Assembly polls," Negi said. The shepherds claimed that they had to pay permit fees to the Forest Department. "We have to make rounds of Forest and Animal Husbandry departments for compensation whether it is in Keylong or Rohru or Kinnaur," they resented. The shepherds have faced natural calamities such as snowstorms, floods, thieves and leopards and traffic hazards on the way all alone. The grazing pastures have shrunk and so is the case with a number of sheep and goats. The state has 9.01 lakh sheep and 12.4 lakh goats as per government's available figures. "If we have to make futile rounds of offices for days, who will graze our sheep and goats?" asked Chatru, a shepherd from Chirgaon. "We lost 25 sheep and goats and out of these, 10 were found dead as these were killed by a leopard in the Riuni-Pabaas jungle in Chopal on April 20-21," he rued. The shepherds rued the departments did the paper work, while they had to move from pillar to post seeking compensation. The small farmers were not getting scheme benefits, which were cornered by the bigger 'thakedar-cum-breeders', they claimed. Director, Animal Husbandry, KS Pathania said the shepherd paid Rs 80 premium while Rs 240 was paid by the government for LIC life insurance scheme for shepherds. In case of death or a permanent disability, a shepherd got Rs 1.5 lakh as compensation, Rs 60,000 in case of natural death and Rs 75,000 in case of 50 per cent disability. "A shepherd can buy 40 female and two male livestock and gets 33 per cent subsidies with Rs 1 lakh as loan and livestock is insured under Bhed Palak Smridhi yojana," he added. Pathania said the sheep and wool development project in Kangra, Chamba, Bharmour, Kinnaur, Kullu and Rohru had been benefiting shepherds as they could get 3 kg to 5 kg wool per sheep as compared to 1 kg they used to get from local breeds like Gaddi, Rampur Bushair, Bhakarwal and others. "The native sheep breeds are cross-bred with Merino and Russian breeds," he added.
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Anurag Thakur plays Modi card
Bilaspur, April 27 Sensing well that the Congress has made the Hamiprur seat a prestige issue, he is taking no chances. Banking on his father's hold and the Modi charisma working in his favour, he is confident of victory. Campaigning in Kuthera, Talwara and Talyana panchayats falling under Bilsapur (Sadar) Assembly segments, he addresses almost 15 elections meetings and informal interaction. "The only achievement of the Virbhadra regime during the last 15 months has been registering six cases against me and my only crime is that I created world-class stadium at Dharsmsala and four other places," he said. He said a boy from Himachal had got Rs 3 crore in the IPL matches and many more would make a mark at the national level. "The targeting of the HPCA will only work in my favour as people no longer approve of this kind of politics of vendetta," he says. He is not only the head of the HPCA, but also secretary of the BCCl." He rued that the targeting of the HPCA had delayed the plan of cricket academies in Bilaspur and Una, under Harbhajan Singh Bhajji and Yuvraj Singh. He said playing politics with sports was only enraging the public who took pride in international matches being held at Dharamsala. "Ensure the development of not just your area but the whole of Himachal by ensuring the victory of Anurag who will become a minister in the Modi government," urges Suresh Chandel, a former three-time MP from Hamirpur. He had contested the 2012 Assembly poll from Bilapsur (Sadar) unsuccessfully. Anurag tried to strike a chord with the people by talking of the Bhanupali-Bilaspur rail line. "Bless me with your support and I will ensure the train reaches Bilaspur as the train fare from here to Delhi will be Rs 110 while the bus fare of Rs 410," he said. He also accused the Chief Minister of stalling hydro engineering college in Bilaspur and failing to secure adequate funds for the rail network expansion in Himachal. He also rubbished Congress propaganda of his absence and the Dubai-Mumbai hopper tag as false propaganda. "I have been ranked among the top parliamentarians with my attendance being 85 per cent as compared to 40 per cent of Congress darling Rahul Gandhi and I initiated debates on several important issues on black money and on the Rail Budget," he said in his defence. Sensing that the Congress has turned the heat on him, he tried to play up the emotional card by stating that the good old days of Atal Bihari Vajpayee could be back. "Like Atalji, Modi too is bonded with HP. Vote for him and me and you will have your own Prime Minister," he said. Senior BJP leader from Bilaspur Dr Ashwani Dogra was also present on the occasion.
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Dhumal: Voters have right to oust anti-people Congress govt
Shimla, April 27 “As a representative of people and as the Leader of the Opposition, I have every right to say that the Virbhadra government will stand dismissed as the election results on May 16 will emphatically prove beyond doubt that people have withdrawn the razor-thin mandate they gave in the Assembly elections to the Congress,” he said in a statement
here. Dhumal said the Virbhadra government enjoyed the bare minimum support of 35 MLAs with one seat vacant and one Congress MLA behind bars facing charges of murder and moral turpitude. He regretted that the “morally high” Congress and Virbhadra Singh have so far not expelled the Doon Congress MLA, who is in jail for the past 16 months in a murder case.
Dhumal said once the Congress lost all four seats, the Congress high command would itself show the door to Virbhadra Singh whose conduct is already under the CBI scanner for alleged corruption charges. “The Congress government in state will collapse like a house of cards under its own weight and contradictions,” he predicted. UNA: Prem Kumar Dhumal today alleged that the ruling party was flouting the laws of the land in the run-up to the elections and there was no law and order in the state. Talking to mediapersons at Saloh village of Haroli Assembly segment after a public meeting, he said the party in power was openly distributing liquor and money to woo voters, while the police were silent. He said the election publicity material of the Opposition parties was being destroyed and removed at the behest of Congress leaders. He said on various occasions, the BJP workers were attacked. He said if the situation did not improve and the law of the land did not prevail, the BJP workers would not sit silent. Quoting an incident at Haroli Assembly segment, where a BJP publicity van was allegedly attacked and banners torn by Congress workers today, Dhumal said: “Goonda raj prevails in this
(Haroli) segment. All types of mafias are thriving here.” Later, the BJP workers lodged a complaint with the Haroli police in this connection.
Dhumal said as soon as the NDA government would assume office at the
Centre, the CBI inquiry into the allegations of corruption against Virbhadra Singh would be initiated. He said people need to know how the income from Virbhadra Singh’s apple orchards increased overnight and what role Vakamullah Chandershekhar played in the life of Virbhadra Singh and his family. Claiming that the Virbhadra government was destined to fall after the Lok Sabha elections, Dhumal said a number of Congress ministers and MLAs were already in touch with the
BJP. Dhumal claimed that the Rs 450 crore Swan river flood protection project in Una was conceived and initiated during the BJP regime and most of it was also completed during its tenure. He said as an MP, it was he who had voiced the one-rank-one-pension issue in the Parliament. Ex-minister Vijay Joshi and BJP contestant from
Haroli, Ram Kumar Sharma, accompanied Dhumal. |
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Leaders eye floating votes in Kangra
Dharamsala, April 27 However, most of Gujjars are migratory in nature. They keep on migrating with their buffaloes in the area surrounding borders of Punjab, Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir. In summers, they go to the higher reaches in Himachal while in winters they migrate to the lower areas along the borders. Varinder Singh, BJP worker from Tissa of Chamba district, said many Gujjars were enrolled as voters both in Punjab and Himachal. Leaders in Punjab and Himachal had got them enrolled at both places as voters for their advantage. They got them to vote at both places as per their convenience, he alleged. He further said in the border areas of Punjab and Himachal, Gujjars did not own any land. They resided in the land of local farmers and rear their animals in winters. Since they were under obligation of local farmers, they use them during elections. Varinder said they had complained to various authorities but no action had been taken. Vikrant, another political worker in Chamba, said politicians ferry Gujjars in cars on the day of voting in many areas of the district. Since each vote counted in elections, the candidates did not take any chance to get their votes. In Kangra, the BJP was more concerned about Gujjars dual voting as they believed that the members of the tribe were traditional Congress voters. Like Gujjars, the Gaddi tribals, who live in Chamba district, are also migratory in nature. Gaddis from the remote areas of Chamba district move to lower areas in winters and higher reaches during summers. They reach their villages in Chamba during summers in April and May. Since the elections are scheduled in May, most of the Gaddi’s are likely to vote in the coming elections. Gaddis are traditionally BJP supporters and the party is trying to make it sure that they reach their homes by May 7 and vote. |
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BJP is Dhumal-Anurag private firm: CM's son
Haroli (Una), April 27 Vikramaditya said Dhumal had ousted Rajinder Rana from the BJP since the former wanted a safe political ground for his younger son Arun Dhumal. He said Dhumal knew that if Rana became popular, the political future of Arun would be at a risk. He said his mother was the Congress candidate from Mandi and it was his duty to assist in her campaigning. However, he said, "As a true soldier of the Congress, I am working in the Hamirpur segment to strengthen the party," he said, adding that in contrast, former CM and BJP star campaigner Dhumal had confined himself to campaigning in his son's segment. Vikramaditya said it was a common talk among BJP leaders that their voice was being throttled and Dhumal was only concerned about the political future of his sons. He said during the last six years as MP, the only interest Anurag Thakur showed in the state was to identify and grab prime land in the name of cricket. The Youth Congress leader charged that similar undemocratic setup prevailed even at the national level in the BJP where Narendra Modi, in his quest for the prime ministerial post, had crushed senior leadership. Vikramaditya said Rana had been in social service for many years and had proved his capabilities as a leader, first by winning the Assembly seat with a huge margin, and secondly, by bringing about unprecedented development in the segment in a short span of 15 months. Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, district Congress president Varinder Dharmani and former vice-chairman of the Agro Packaging Corporation Omkar Sharma were also present. |
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‘Achievements will change the tide in our favour’
Shimla, April 27 The choice to lead the party after Virbhadra Singh resigned on becoming the Chief Minister fell on his shoulders in January 2013. Despite having lost the 2012 Assembly elections, he found favour primarily because of his long experience as the state president of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) for six years and as Youth Congress chief for nine years. Even as he is trying to bring in winds of change, especially in terms of strengthening the party and building a cadre base, he has an arduous task at hand. Enforcing discipline and dealing sternly with party hoppers are high on his priority list even as he is accused by detractors of giving prominence to lightweight leaders and ignoring senior leaders with a strong base. On assuming office, he declared his personal assets, expecting other leaders to follow suit. He is trying to ensure that the block and district Congress committees get full powers and are also made accountable for their actions. He has tried to assert himself and on certain issues even adopted a stance opposite to that of the government, much to the discomfiture of others. In an interview with The Tribune he shares his views. Q What according to you are the main poll issues dominating the election scene in HP? As has always been the case, the electorate in Himachal vote on the basis of the performance of the state government and this time too I am confident that they will keep this tradition alive. The one-year achievements of our government, including the grant of skill development allowance for the educated unemployed, opening of three new medical colleges and enhancement of daily wages and social security pensions, will change the tide in our favour. The rampant corruption, illegal land deals by outsiders and irregularities by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), which were the highlight of the Dhumal regime, will sound the death knell for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh. Q There is a feeling that the differences between you and Virbhadra Singh over candidate selection will affect the party’s prospects? There might have been some difference of opinion, but finally every decision was taken unanimously and with complete consensus and now all are working unitedly to ensure victory. Such a healthy and positive difference of opinion is important to ensure internal democracy and this cannot be referred to as differences or conflicts. It is but natural that there will be a difference in thinking between the old and the young generation. Q Do you think the Modi factor will have its impact in HP? There is no Modi impact either in the country or the state, as it is a hype created through aggressive advertisements. The voters in HP do not get swayed by the national trend and always vote according to their preferences as was the case in 2009 when the BJP did well here contrary to the trend in North India being in favour of the Congress. Q What are the changes that you have made in the party since you took over? The party is going through a transitional phase as per the vision of Rahul Gandhi. In HP too we are giving more opportunities to the younger lot with thrust on transparency, morality and honesty. Besides enforcing discipline, I am keen to have dedicated and sincere workers whose sole objective is not to contest MLA or MP elections. Q Will the Aam Aadmi Party have an impact in Himachal Pradesh? There will be no impact as they do not have an organisational base to implement their ideas even if they are good. Moreover, after the Delhi experiment, people will think twice before voting in their favour.
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EC has surveillance teams in place
Kuldeep Chauhan Tribune News Service
Shimla, April 27 As many as 47.40 lakh voters will cast their vote at 7,382 polling stations on May 7 in the eighth phase of the Lok Sabha poll. The FS and SST teams have seized cash and contraband substances worth Rs 1.15 crore till date, which is comparable with the seizures confiscated in normal times, Chauhan says. "No political party or leader is involved in the cases of seizures and agencies are investigating the cases," he adds.
All electronic voting machines (EVMs) will reach all 7,382 polling stations, including the ones at snow-bound Lahaul-Spiti, remote Dodra Kwar in Shimla, Bara Bhangal in Kangra and Pangi in Chamba, by road or chopper in time. Roads to Dodra and parts of the Miyar valley in Lahaul are being opened and poll parties and EVMs will reach the polling stations in time, he adds. The Central expenditure observers are monitoring the expenditure of each candidate in all four Lok Sabha constituencies -- Shimla, Mandi, Kangra and Hamirpur. "We have assistant expenditure observers in each constituency and all public meetings by parties are videographed," he adds. Citing the Supreme Court judgement, the ECI has banned liquor and asked the FS and SST teams to conduct a random checking of vehicles of political persons and VIPs and check the cash flow during elections. If non-political persons are found with a cash of Rs 50,000 or above without necessary documents, then the cash should be seized. And in case, Rs 10 lakh or above are found from any political leader, the money should be seized and brought to the notice of a nodal officer and a case under Section 171-B, IPC, should be booked. To check the illicit liquor from outside the state, they have laid 92 nakas in border areas, Chauhan says. The sale of liquor is being monitored under the assistant excise and taxation commissioners and complainants can send complaints at the control rooms set up at nine checkposts located in Baddi, Solan, two at Una, Nurpur, Chamba, Kangra, Sirmaur and a helpline at the state headquarters. As many as 352 polling stations in four LS constituencies have been declared hypersensitive and another 991 as sensitive. "Five police personnel will be deployed at each hypersensitive station to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling on May 7 in the state," Chauhan says. No political party or candidate will be allowed to set up a camp for voters at a distance of 100 m of the polling station. "The ECI will set up a facilitation centre for voters giving the list of voters in an alphabetical order free of cost at each polling station manned by the designated booth-level officer," Chauhan says. To keep tabs on the cases of paid news, hate speech and campaigns in social media, committees have been set up under the supervision of regional officers. The teams have been assigned 15 different duties during the poll.
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Poll boycott threat takes political turn
Shai Ropa (Kullu), April 27 The issue will affect thousands of voters from 13 panchayats as the affected residents are fighting for their traditional and forest rights in the GNHP area. The local residents even sought the consent of local area deity Brahma Rishi, who has also opposed the move. Guman Singh, the convener of the Himayalan Niti Abhiyan, who is spearheading the campaign against the move, said: “The fight for traditional forest rights of the locals is continuing since 1999 when the awards were given to residents of Shangahd panchayat depriving nearly 20,000 locals of it.” He said: “Grazing rights, right to extract herbs from the area, right of deities and other traditional rights are being denied to locals. The heritage status will increase the area from 754 to 1,100 square miles under the park with an increase in the eco-sensitive zone, thereby restricting these rights.”
Pratap Singh, panchayat president, said: “We are seeking promise from candidates to protect our rights and oppose the heritage status to the GHNP.” Meanwhile, GHNP director BS Rana said: “The World Heritage status to the GHNP will give it an international status. It will boost eco-tourism, besides improving the environmental value of the area.” “The IUCN, an agency of UNESCO, has prepared a report and we have also held a consultation session with locals. The state government has submitted its reply to UNESCO on various issues raised by the IUCN concerning the rights of the locals,” he added.
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Forest Rights Act, hill ecology key concerns
Bhanu P Lohumi Tribune News Service
Reckong Peo (Kinnaur), April 27 The tribals are concerned over the delay in the regularisation of encroachment and freezing of timber distribution rights causing harassment to people. Tribals, under the banner of the Him Lok Jagriti Manch, Kinnaur, have prepared a 17-point charter of demands for political parties, seeking their view and strategy in solving people's problems in Kinnaur district. People are angry that the cases for grant of “Nautor” land have not been perused and sanctioned despite implementation of the Forest Rights Act under which the ban on grant of Nautor has been lifted. The timber distribution rights have been restored, but the government has infringed upon the rights by forming TD rules - 2010 depriving the tribals of their rights, tribals in several villages complain. There are about 6,600 pending cases for grant of Nautor in Kinnaur district and due to change in TD rules, people are not getting timber for construction of houses, cowsheds etc, it has been stated. President of the manch RS Negi regretted that environmental laws were being violated with impunity and illegal and unscientific blasting for tunnelling and other construction work was damaging the natural sources of water, forest and vegetation and posing a threat to lives. Climate change has triggered landslides and soil erosion has posed a threat to about 50 per cent villages. Villages like Ponda, Sholding and Khadra can collapse any moment. Villagers have been urging the government to get a geological survey conducted and prepare a catchment area treatment (CAT) plan to save the villages, he said, adding that nothing had been done so far. The state government has put in place a provision for providing 70 per cent employment to local people in projects and industries, but tribals are not getting the benefits as the government has failed to enforce its own rules and regulations, said Prithvi, a local. The tribals have also raised the question of reservation in promotions given under the 85th Constitution Amendment and rued that they are being deprived of this benefit.
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Ramdev not allowed to hold yoga camp
Kangra, April 27 Kangra Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ajeet Bhardwaj today said the permission accorded to use the Kangra municipal ground for organising the mahotsav on April 28 in favour of Rajnish Sharma, district in charge, Patanjali Yog Samiti, issued on April 16, was withdrawn keeping in view media reports wherein it was reported that the yoga shivirs organised by the said organisation were being used for political purposes. Soon after the permission to hold the mahotsav was withdrawn, Kangra Tehsildar Naresh Sharma reached the venue of the shivir and asked the organisers to stop erecting tents and a pandal at the municipal ground. He was accompanied by the police in the effort to make the organisers vacate the ground before it was locked by the municipal authorities. Samiti workers vacated the venue. Rajnish Sharma, district in charge of the samiti, said the mahotsav was being organised to raise awareness among people regarding the contribution of yoga to better health. He said Baba Ramdev was to speak on national reconstruction in the country and claimed the programme was a non-political one. He said 475 yoga teachers and 1,250 activists of the samiti had moved in different parts of Kangra and Chamba districts for inviting people to attend the programme, which was stalled by the authorities at the last moment. Laxmi Dutt Sharma, Kendriya Prabhari of the samiti and Bharat Swabhiman, said the samiti approached Kangra DC C Palrasu against the order of the SDM today and would also move the Himachal Pradesh High Court in this context. |
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Through the lens of Mela Ram Sharma
Shriniwas Joshi
The exhibition, that had a dozen panoramic views of Himachal, besides 147 photographs, was a great attraction. A stream of visitors continued flowing in on all the five days of its display. Mela Ram Sharma (MRS), 55, hails from Sirmaur district and has done PG in journalism from Rajasthan University, Jaipur. He is Deputy Director in the Department of Information and Public Relations. While he has been using the camera since 1980, this was his first solo exhibition. His take on the mountains is extraordinary and these photographs reminded me of the quote of Jane Austen: “What are men to rocks and mountains?” The mountains showing the ruggedness of the cold desert of Spiti were breathtaking and for one of these photographs, MRS had bagged a prestigious award too. I believe that an enlightened viewer goes to an exhibition and gauges the focus, sharpness, detail, depth of field, colour, brightness, contrast, saturation of and usage of light for the photograph. MRS scores points on these aspects, but I wondered how the colours of some of his photographs were brighter than what our eyes saw, for example, the maroon roofs of Shimla houses looked reddish here. It is tremendous work of light and shade. I suggest that attention should always be given to captions for photographs and to the spellings of the words used when an exhibition is mounted. What does a viewer ask himself in an exhibition? He asks, “Is the photo creating the visual impact it should?” The two photos from the exhibition answer this question (See photos).
Comparing Parmar with the sun, the poet says: "He is the only sun/That slices the mountain fog;/This sun/Is visible from the top of Churdhaar/This sun/Reflects in the ponds of every village.” The second photograph is an excellent piece of right timing that shows when and how to work with the shutter to bring about the desired result. The photo of the church under the neck of the horse reminds me of the story of monster wooden Trojan horse camouflaged as an offering to the gods carried to the church, that resulted in the loss of Troy. Each photograph in the exhibition was astounding, showing the deftness with which MRS holds the camera and his authority over the lens. MRS had displayed a number of attractive photographs of present day Shimla. Samuel Bourne, the great photographer, who had come to Shimla in 1864 to join Shepherd, another photographer of repute, as partner, was, however, initially disappointed with Shimla and had said: “Its great defect to the photographer is its lack of water…There are no lakes, no rivers, and scarcely anything like a stream in this locality, neither there is a single object of architectural interest, nor rustic bridges, and no ivy-clad ruins, trees and mountains; and the beautiful play of light and shadow about them, are, therefore, all that the photographer has to compose his picture of. On some days, we get a very good view of the higher and snowy ranges of the Himalayas, but they are too distant, and the atmosphere not sufficiently clear to render them in a photograph.” TAILPIECE: If an old man asks a young girl to marry him, that’s his business. If the girl accepts it, that’s her business. If they marry, that’s their business. If they want great wedding photographs, that’s my business. — Sign on a studio wall
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Campaigning fails to pick up in Solan district
Solan, April 27 Interestingly, a few banners that are visible happen to be placed outside the houses or business establishments of party leaders only. Banners are, however, put up only when some senior party leader holds an election meeting. A leader said earlier they used to spend several lakhs on every constituency where as many as 2,000 posters, 50,000 handbills, 10,000 strings of party flags, and at least 250 cross banners were put up. But now, with the election commission restricting their use, campaigning has acquired a more personal character. He said party workers now prefer door-to-door campaigning and meeting people to apprise them of their candidate and appeal them to vote in his/her favour. This may have put an end to wasteful expenditure incurred on publicity material by political parties, but has increased the headache of politicians, as they have to invest more time in reaching out to people now. The Election Commission has also restricted the use of loudspeakers on vehicles by making it mandatory to seek written permission from the local administration. A time limit has been drawn for using loudspeakers and in rural areas its use is permissible from 6 am to 11 pm. Similarly, its use has been permitted from 6 am to 10 pm in urban areas. The police are supposed to keep an eye over its misuse. This, however, has come as a relief to the elderly and students who are preparing for various examinations. After initial rounds of holding constituency level poll meetings, little political activity is visible in the district. Both parties are now banking on major rallies of national leaders. While the BJP is making preparations for Narendra Modi’s April 29 rally at Solan, Congress too is expecting senior leaders such as Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi to visit the district soon. |
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High Court tells HPU to decide on pensionary benefits
Shimla, April 27 During the course of the hearing, the university registrar was present before the court and submitted that he was not in a position to commit as to how long it would take for the university to the implement the court judgment. He submitted that the decision was to be taken by the Executive Council of the university. After hearing the Registrar, Justice Rajiv Sharma directed the council to take a final decision within two weeks. The court further made it clear that the model code of conduct would not come in the way of convening of the meeting of the council since the petitioners had been deprived of the pension. It further observed that the university could not be oblivious to the difficulties the pensioners were beset with. The court further observed that it would be open to the university to seek special grant-in-aid from the state. It further said in case the state government received such a request, it would be considered sympathetically. The court passed this order on an execution petition filed by former employees seeking the implementation of the court judgment vide which their petitions had been allowed and the university had been directed to pay them pensionary benefits. Petitioners alleged in their petitions that the university administration was delaying the matter and harassing them with the court already having directed the university to pay the pension with all benefits. |
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Lok Mitra Kendra operators up in arms
Kullu, April
27 The VLEs alleged that the DIT had altered the online payment gateway of the portal maintained by GNG Company after a short notice to a new
firm APNACSC. An entrepreneur Vikrant rued that the new company was to charge additional 1 per cent as processing fees for the amount to be deposited in
advance. SDIT Deputy Director, Anil Semwal confirmed the shifting of online payment gateway and
added that the department had halted using services of the GNG due to certain issues. He clarified that while net-banking transfer
will invite charges of Rs 3 for depositing advance in APNACSC portal, the fee of 1 per cent would be applicable
when it comes to online funds transferred through debit card. Meanwhile,
the consumers and residents were a harried lot after being denied services by the Lok
Mitra Kendras. Village Level Entrepreneurs demanded that previous payment gateway should also be kept active till the normalisation of new services
by APNACSC. |
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BCS wins inter-school debate
Shimla, April 27 The debating event lasted five days. The whole programme was conceptualised and planned by master in charge, Debates, Sushma Kaul under the leadership of school Headmaster RC Robinson. The final debate was held between BCS and St James’ School, Kolkata, on the topic “During elections, image building makes a mockery of Indian democracy.” The chief guest for the evening was Additional Chief Secretary Deepak Sanan. Yashvardhan Singh and Ankit Gongal of BCS bagged the Best Speaker award, while Ved Mehta
of St James’ won the third position. Among the individual prizes were "Courage in the face of Adversity", which went to Syed Rafay Hassan (Aitchison College), the Most Promising Speaker to Ved Mehta (St James’ School) and the Best Speaker of Slater Debates to Yashvardhan Singh (Bishop Cotton School).
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At Chamba shop, Modi tea at premium
Bhanjraru (Chamba), April 27 When asked about it, Sikandar said there was no difference in preparation of the said tea. "I prepare the same milk tea for everyone coming to the shop,” he said. "However, since I have categorised the tea naming it after political leaders, their supporters come to the shop and demand the tea named after a particular leader," he added. When asked why Modi tea was being sold at a premium, he said the area had more BJP supporters who come and asked for Modi tea. "So I have priced Modi tea at Rs 7, since it is in maximum demand,"
he said. Sikandar said he had heard on TV Modi had claimed he was once a
tea vendor. His family supposedly supports the Congress. |
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Cong has not kept words: Anurag
Dharampur (Mandi), April 27 He alleged, "The Congress has cheated the state's people by not fulfilling the promises made in its election manifesto. It did not even fulfil its promise of giving unemployment allowance to youth." Talking about the HPCA controversy, Anurag said, "We made an effort to promote cricket and built an international standard cricket stadia which helped cricket players and lovers of the game, but the state government is targeting us for this." He said, "People are well aware of the long misrule of the Congress. They are now waiting for change of government at the Centre." |
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'Leaders should answer questions about their business empire'
Mandi, April 27 Replying to a question while talking to mediapersons here today, Punj said, “The allegations of manifold increase in businesses of Congress leaders is a serious issue in the election. The ruling party leaders in Punjab should also reply to such questions.” He said, “At present, the CBI is working under the influence of Congress leaders and after coming to power, the NDA government will free it of political influence.” Attacking Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, he said, “Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is avoiding CBI investigation in the alleged charges of corruption and after May 16, he will have to go.” Punj said corruption, price rise and national security were some major issues being raised by the BJP in the election, but the Congress was trying to divert attention from these issues.
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Former NGO leader arrested from Amritsar
Shimla, April
27 He was brought to Shimla and would be produced in a court tomorrow, Shimla SP Abhishek Dullar
said. Verma was booked under Section 420 of the IPC at the Chhota Shimla police station for allegedly taking about Rs 2 lakh from his tenant Gopal Sharma for getting him a job of forest guard, but did not fulfil his promise, sources said. The police were tracking his mobile phone for the past few weeks and his locations were traced in Kangra, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana before he moved to Amritsar, the sources added. Once a powerful NGO leader, Verma was dismissed by the Shanta Kumar government and in spite of his best efforts he could not get himself reinstated by successive governments, headed by Virbhadra Singh and PK
Dhumal. |
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Only Cong can provide a secular govt, says CM
Kullu, April 27 He blamed the BJP government for the carnage in Godhra district of Gujarat, adding that the Congress initiated various development schemes throughout the country. He said PK Dhumal was day-dreaming by assuming that a democratically elected government could be toppled overnight. He said: “Prof
Dhumal should clarify the subject of which he is the professor, as it could surely not be politics.” He consoled the victims of recent fire incident and assured rehabilitation for the affected. He earlier addressed public gathering at
Thras village and is scheduled to address a public meeting at Anni tomorrow and will head for Kinnaur thereafter. |
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Senior BJP leader contesting from Kangra Shanta Kumar today declared
his agenda of development for the state, particularly for Kangra and Chamba districts.
Addressing an election meeting at Sulaha, 10 km from Palampur, Shanta Kumar said if the NDA was voted to power at the Centre, his top priority would be to strengthen the road and rail network in this region.
Shanta Kumar
Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader PK Dhumal today said the Congress government would be ousted after the Lok Sabha polls.
He said: “People of Himachal have an unchallenged right to oust the anti-people Congress government led by Virbhadra Singh and they will dump it in the dustbin after the Congress loses all four parliamentary seats.”
Haroli (Una), April 27
Sikandar, a tea shop owner in
Bhanjraru, a remote area of Chamba district, is giving his business an election high.
His tea shop bears a small cardboard hoarding declaring rates of various cups of tea. The tea cup varieties have been named after political leaders of three parties in the Lok Sabha elections this year. The Rahul cup of tea costs Rs 5, while the Kejriwal tea comes for Rs 6 per cup and Modi tea is priced at Rs 7 per cup.
Mandi, April 27
Ram Swaroop Sharma, BJP candidate from the Mandi constituency, held meetings with party members of Bandrol, Patlikul, Jagatsukh and Buruwa in the Manali Assembly
constituency in Kullu yesterday. Sharma continued attacking Congress candidate Pratibha Singh and the Chief Minister. He said if he was voted to power, he would provide new opportunities to youth in the tourism sector. He said he would ensure better road connectivity and raise basic infrastructure to support the tourism industry. During the BJP tenure, various development projects were initiated in the district, he claimed.
National treasurer of BJP ST Morcha Yuvraj Bodh, Durga Thakur, Reshma Thakur, Arvind Chandel and BJP office-bearers and members were present during his campaign.
OC
suffering from a shortage of teaching staff. The samiti had deputed trained teachers at the schools and their salary expenses were borne by them. Besides financial support of NRI OP Dogra, the samiti received free service and support from retired school principals and teachers, who trained their staff members and kept a check on the standard of teaching.
OC
Jawali (Dharamsala), April 27
A photographic exhibition showing the physical, cultural and spiritual segments of Himachal Pradesh was held at the Tavern Hall of the Gaiety Complex recently. Vivek Mohan, a film director, wrote in the visitors’ book: “A photograph says more than 1,000 words, but each photograph here says more than 10,000 words.”
It is said Satyajit Ray, the great filmmaker, used to wait for hours together to let the sun and the clouds appear at a vantage point to obtain the shot of his liking. MRS deserves kudos for having waited for the sun to shine beneath the feet of Dr YS Parmar’s statue on The Ridge. It reminded me of a poem in Hindi (English translation is mine) that I had read on August 4, 1984 when Virbhadra Singh had unveiled this very statue.