Doon’s Lord Bilimoria appointed Chancellor of Birmingham varsity
Tribune News service

honour for state: Lord Karan Bilimoria, a Dehradun native, who has been appointed as the next Chancellor of Birmingham University, the first Indian appointed for the post. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, May 13
Lord Karan Bilimoria, a Dehradun native, has been appointed as the Chancellor of Birmingham University in England. He is the first incumbent of Indian origin to be have been appointed as the Chancellor of the British university. Karan is son of late Lt. Gen. FN Bilimoria (retd). His mother Yasmin and younger brother Nadir live here in their family house in Vasant Vihar.

According to a press release of the university, Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE, the India-born founder of Cobra Beer, will take up his post at an installation ceremony in July, making him the seventh University of Birmingham Chancellor. Professor David Eastwood, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Lord Bilimoria will be our new Chancellor. He is a highly respected global business man and cross bench peer with a clear passion for higher education and the value it brings to society and to the economy. He not only encapsulates the university’s commitment to internationalisation but his appointment underlines further the importance we place on forging strong, mutually beneficial partnerships between business and higher education.”

The Chancellor acts as the ceremonial figurehead of the university and has an important ambassadorial role, working with the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor to raise the university’s profile and advance its interests nationally and internationally.

On accepting the post, Lord Bilimoria said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been asked to be Chancellor of this internationally renowned university with its vibrant, global community. I am also delighted to have the opportunity to take on such a prominent role at the university where both my mother, my uncle and my maternal grandfather studied; the university which instilled the value of higher education in them, and in turn drove my own passion for learning and discovery.”

Lord Bilimoria is already a member of the University of Birmingham's Business School Advisory Board. Lord Bilimoria received a bachelor of commerce degree from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, in 1981 and then moved to London where he qualified as a chartered accountant. He then went on to read law at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, graduating in 1988.

Lord Bilimoria is the founder of Cobra Beer, Chairman of the Cobra Beer Partnership Limited and of Molson Coors Cobra India, both joint ventures with the global brewing company, Molson Coors. He is also the founding Chairman of the UK India Business Council. In 2004 he was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to business and entrepreneurship, and in 2006 he was appointed an

independent cross bench peer in the House of Lords and was made Baron Bilimoria of Chelsea in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, making him the first ever Zoroastrian Parsi to sit in the House of Lords.

In Parliament, Lord Bilimoria is active in a wide range of matters, including commerce, entrepreneurship, education, diplomacy, minorities’ contributions, and academia. In his frequent speeches in the House, he has spoken of the need to reform immigration policy to allow the brightest and best to come to the United Kingdom to develop their skills and business plans. He has been acknowledged as an ambassador for Britain, India and the Parsi community. In 2013, he established the Zoroastrian All-Party Parliamentary Group, which is intended to provide an official forum for parliamentarians to increase their awareness of this ancient religion.

DVWM plans to increase wards if govt raises tipping fees
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
After working smoothly for over a month, the Doon Valley Waste Management (DVWM) is planning to increase the number of wards being handled by them, if the state government hikes the tipping fees given to them.

The DVWM had signed a 15-year contract with the state government and the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) for door-to-door collection of garbage and its scientific treatment of waste.

The project was being sponsored by the Central Government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Under the contract, the company was being paid tipping fees of Rs 350 per metric tonne for the waste being collected and dumped at the Sahastradhara based trenching ground.

A rift between the DMC and the company started after the DVWM demanded an increment of tipping fees to Rs 472 metric tonne and a clearance certificate from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

When the government failed to fulfill the demands of the company, it revoked its contract. However, following a fresh round of talks with the officiating Mukhya Nagar Adhikari-cum-District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam, the company returned to resume work in 10 wards of the city.

Siddharth Jain, CEO of the DVWM, said: “The work is being carried out smoothly for almost a month now. We are facing no problems as far as the infrastructure, manpower and machinery is concerned. The amount of Rs 350 that we are getting as tipping fees is sufficient for 10 wards. However, we would certainly take up more wards if the rates are revised.”

“We had revoked the contract as the company had suffered huge losses due to the existing tipping fees being paid by the DMC. Until the solid waste treatment plant is made functional, the company will again suffer losses if we take additional wards. We do not wish to get involved in the same unpleasant situation as before. Therefore, we will wait for the revision of rates before taking up additional wards of the city,” said Jain.

Siddharth Jain, Additional Mukhya Nagar Adhikari, said discussion on the revision of rates would be held after the election counting process is over. “Even if the tipping fee is increased, it would not impact the consumer charges being taken from public,” he said.

At present, out of 60 wards in the city, the DVWM is catering to 10 wards including Arya Nagar, Jakhan, Karanpur, DL road, Dalanwala (ward number 25, 26, 27), Clock Tower, Dhamawala and Sahastradhara. The remaining wards are being handled by the DMC.

The unaddressed demands

• The company was being paid tipping fees of Rs 350 per metric tonne for the waste being collected and dumped at the Sahastradhara based trenching ground
• A rift between the DMC and the company started after the DVWM demanded an increment of tipping fees to Rs 472 metric tonne and a clearance certificate from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)
• When the government failed to fulfill the demands of the company, it revoked its contract
• However, following a fresh round of talks with the officiating Mukhya Nagar Adhikari-cum-District Magistrate BVRC Purshottam, the company returned to resume work in 10 wards of the city

Rape ‘victim’ held for bid to extort money from suspect
Gaurav Talwar
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
In a new twist to the sensational rape and blackmailing case against Joyland Water Park owner Pradeep Sangwan, the police on Tuesday arrested the ‘victim’ girl, who made allegations against Sangwan on the charge of extorting money to settle the case.

“The police team arrested the girl today morning from her house in Banjarawal after it was revealed in our investigation that she was trying to extort money from Pradeep Sangwan in lieu of changing her statement in front of the magistrate made against the former,” said DGP BS Sidhu.

During the search of her house on Tuesday, the police recovered Rs 6 lakh from her house.

According to the DGP, after the complaint was filed against Sangwan in the month of April, the victim's mobile call details were taken out to know the list of people whom she has been in contact in the recent past. “Our suspicion increased after seeing that she was in constant touch with one person of Terai and we recorded their phone conversation of May 5 in which both were talking about the Pradeep Sangwan agreeing to give Rs 5 lakh now and the rest Rs 10 lakh after the elections,” said Sidhu.

Reportedly, in the conversation, both the ‘victim’ girl and her close friend were also allegedly taking about some house property in Banjarawal, which was allegedly given to her by Pradeep Sangwan. The police took out the copies of every registry done in the April and May from the district land office and found that on May 2 a registry of a house in Banjarawala on the name of the ''victim'' girl was done.

“The registry was done for Rs 17 lakh but when we questioned the girl, she could not explain the source of the money,” said DGP Sidhu.

He also said that another charge under Section 201 of the IPC has been included against Pradeep Sangwan for trying to influence the case by money.

On the question of efforts made to nab Pradeep Sangwan who has been running from the police for the last many days, the DGP said: “We are still trying hard to arrest him and we have got the orders from the court under Section 81 to attach his properties.”

It is to be noted that Pradeep Sangwan, who runs a water park in Dehradun, is the son of three-time Member of Parliament from Sonepat late Kishan Singh Sangwan, and is also active in Uttarakhand politics. His former female employee filed a complaint in Rajpur police station against him of physically assaulting her for the last two years.

The girl used to work as cashier in the water park, which is owned by Sangwan. Since then Pradeep Sangwan has been evading arrest. The police have made numerous attempts to nab Sangwan and even searched his house in Sonepat and seized the CPU of a computer and a mobile phone memory card.

Uttarakhand cops arrest murder accused from Mumbai
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 13
A Uttarakhand Police team has arrested a person from Mumbai who was accused of murdering a woman and her child in Haridwar district. Mohammed Rafi, alias Rafia, was wanted for the brutal murder of Noorjahan and her child at Piran Kaliyar village in Roorkee tehsil of Haridwar on August 8, 2009. Rafi along with his three accomplices had been on the run since then. A case was registered against him under Section 302 of the IPC at Roorkee police station.

Rafi allegedly had a property dispute with Noorjahan. She reportedly had property worth Rs 2 crore at Yamuna Vihar in New Delhi.

The police had a few months ago arrested Rafi?'s two accomplices Imam Raza, alias Vakil, and Hafiz Mustakin, a resident of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. However, Rafi and his other accomplice Azam had been evading arrest.

A special Uttarakhand Police team on a tip-off arrested Rafi from the Nagpada area of Mumbai. He was presented in a Mumbai court, which granted a transit remand to take him to Uttarakhand.

Police officials said with Rafi in custody they would soon be able to arrest his fourth accomplice Azam.

SSP, Haridwar, Sadanand Date said the police were making special efforts to arrest culprits who had committed crimes in Uttarakhand and escaped to other states.

Meanwhile, BS Sidhu, Uttarakhand DGP, has announced a reward of Rs 10,000 to the special police team comprising Special Task Force Inspector Yogesh Purohit, Sanjay Mishra, constables Satyendra Batola, Mahendra Singh, Lokendra Bahuguna, Ashish Verma and Sandeep Negi.

Over 24 huts destroyed in fire
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 13
More than 24 huts were gutted in a fire near the Bhimgoda railway track here last evening.

The fire started because of a lighted bidi in a hut and spread to nearby huts in no time due to windy conditions. More than 24 huts were destroyed by the time a fire engine arrived.

Firemen said the fire started from the hut of Maya Devi, who was lighting a bidi and the matchstick fell on dry leafs. It spread to nearby huts before Maya Devi noticed it.

Lakhan Pal, municipal councillor of the area, said the civic body would provide assistance to the affected slum dwellers. He also urged the district administration to provide compensation to them immediately.

Fire Officer Madhu Sudan urged people to take precautionary measures as fires spread quickly during the summer. A similar fire incident had occurred at the Chandi Ghat slum colony a fortnight ago. The slum-dwellers should cooperate with the Fire Department by remaining extra vigilant.

He added that while the fire was quite intense yesterday, the windy conditions made the job of the firemen tougher. They still did a commendable job.

Villagers search for Yarsa Gumba drug in higher reaches
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 13
Villagers of Chaundas, Darma and Byans valleys in Dharchula subdivision of Pithoragarh district have started leaving for higher reaches of Himalayan valleys in search of Yarsa Gumba, the miracle drug widely used in Tibetan medical system for aphrodisiac purposes.

“Over 300 villagers from Jauljibi, Darma and Byans valleys have left for Chipla Kedar meadows in Dharchula, a forest range, in search of the drug, which starts germination immediately after the snow melts,” said Guman Singh Kunwar, a villager from Khet village in lower Darma valley.

According to Guman Singh, more than 8000 villagers from 40 villages will follow suit in the coming days as the pace of melting of snow gets fast. “Due to unexpected cold and snowfall still in these meadows, the season of Yarsa Gumba has got delayed this year,” said Kunwar.

According to the villagers, they earn an average of Rs 3 lakh to 15 lakh per session if the weather remains good at the time of collection of the drug on the higher reaches. “To get earnings from this drug for rest of the year, the villagers have to remain in these 12,000 feet high Himalayan meadows at 5 degree temperature for nearly 2 months,” said the villager.

The conflict over right to collect this rare drug is likely to continue this year also as the villagers from Khet, Khela, Syankuri and Jamku have asserted their ownership on the meadows of Chipla Kedar.

The villagers from Munisiyari subdivision of the district leave for Rajrambha and other nearby meadows to collect this drug. In Munsiyari subdivision the van panchayats control the Yarsa Gumba market by taking levy from the collectors.

Expedition to cover Kumaon, Garhwal regions
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 13
The fifth expedition titled ‘Askot to Aarakot Abhiyan’ to know the ground realities of the hill region of the state will be organised from May 25 to July 8. Pahar, an NGO based at Nainital, is organising the expedition which will cover about 1,100 km. It was earlier held in 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2004.

Pahar coordinator Shekhar Pathak said the expedition was being organised to know the ground realities of the Himalayan region. It would begin from Pangu village in the Askot region in Dharchula subdivision of Pithoragarh on May 25 and conclude at Aarakot in Uttarakashi on July 8, he added.

Pathak said the expedition would traverse hill regions of Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Chamoli Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi and Dehradun districts for 45 days. It would cover 350 villages, 35 rivers, 16 meadows, 153 transit camps, besides eight tribal regions, five pilgrims routes and three traditional passes to Tibet. It would also cover eight regions where the famous ‘Chipko’ movement was active some 40 years ago, added Pathak.

Residents protest against water shortage
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
Angry over scarcity of potable water in the capital city, residents from Nehru Colony staged a protest at Jal Nigam office here today. The agitators threatened to intensify their agitation if the department did not take effective steps within a week to overcome the problem of shortage of potable water in the region.

Dozens of villagers led by Zila Panchyat member Subhash Bhatt staged a protest at Jal Nigam office, and submitted a memorandum to the chief general manager in support of their demands. The agitators lamented that several localities are facing acute shortage of potable water, and the department is not taking effective steps to overcome shortage of potable water even after a memorandum was submitted to the higher officials.

The agitators claimed that Uttaranchal enclave, Shahi enclave, Badripur, Shiv Vihar, Ramprasat enclave, Nathanpur and adjoining localities are facing shortage of potable water. They also wanted the department to take effective steps to stop supply of contaminated water to colonies. The agitators said that they will intensify their agitation if their demands are not met by department in the near future.

Power cuts, fluctuation, low voltage becoming frequent 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
Residents are facing heat due to frequent power cuts, low voltage and voltage fluctuation, which have now become more frequent in summer in the state. State power department has been imposing unscheduled power cuts to meet with the demand of electricity.Officials blamed lesser power generation in the state-run hydropower projects for shortage of electricity. Among the worst affected areas are rural parts of the state, where frequent power cuts have become a perennial problem.

Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) officials claimed that the department had been continuously procuring electricity from the open market to meet with demand of electricity in the state.

Speaking to The Tribune, Managing Director of UPCL SS Yadav said that the department is replacing obsolete transformers with new transformers having high capacity in order to overcome the problem of low voltage in the state.

The latest data compiled by UPCL clearly highlighted that the demand of electricity is between 30-35 million units per day, whereas electricity generation hovers around nine million units. In order to meet with the demand of electricity, the department has been continuously procuring electricity from the open market.

Several cities have been continuously facing the brunt of power shortage, and rural parts of Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts of Uttarakhand are among the worst sufferers in terms of frequent power cuts. Officials claimed that availability of electricity will increase in the coming days, once turbines of Maneri-Bhalli-II restart to generate electricity after undergoing renovation, modernisation and upgradation work. 

Several Central health schemes face uncertain future in state
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
With the new government likely to take over at the Centre, several Centrally-funded health schemes in Uttarakhand now face an uncertain future. Among them the free for all generic medicine scheme that was launched by the Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in October last year awaits revalidation by the new government.

As of now patients falling in the BPL category undergoing treatment at the government hospitals were eligible for the free generic medicines. But after the Central Government under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) decided to bear the costs of medicines, the Uttarakhand government took the decision to extend the scheme to all the patients.

“We have not received information about implementing the scheme. Earlier we were told that it would be implemented after the polls but so far there has been no intimation from the government,” said Dr RS Aswal, Principal Superintendent, Doon Hospital.

The Central Government is already providing the state government with essential drugs. But if the free for all generic medicines were to be implemented, the inventory of free medicines was expected to go up. Along with essential drugs, the medicines provided under the existing NRHM programmes, TB and other diseases were to be included in the inventory of medicines along with consumables.

The Directorate of Medical, Health and Family Welfare had already framed a policy for distributing the generic medicines and that also called for opting out for a procurement information management system to boost the information on the availability of medicines, their expiry dates and their condition.

Along with the free for all generic medicine scheme, other schemes funded by the Central Government too are expected to be given a relook by the new government.

Among them the fate of setting up cancer care units at both Haldwani and the proposed Doon medical college at Dehradun too seems uncertain. 

Health benefits

• The Central Government is already providing the state government with essential drugs
• But if the free for all generic medicines were to be implemented, the inventory of free medicines was expected to go up
• Along with essential drugs, the medicines provided under the existing NRHM programmes, TB and other diseases were to be included in the inventory of medicines along with consumables

World Sanskrit conference to be organised in September
Was earlier scheduled for the first week of July; postponed to make adequate preparations
Tribune News service

Dehradun, May 13
The World Sanskrit conference, earlier proposed for the first week of July will now be held from September 26 to 28 in Dehradun.

A meeting chaired by Governor Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhavan today, took this decision. The Governor told the vice-chancellor of Sanskrit University Prof Mahavir Aggarwal and all others present at the meeting that the conference was being postponed so that there would be adequate time for preparations and arrangements to make the conference a milestone event.

The Governor said from a scientific point of view, Sanskrit was one of the richest languages of the world. He said the objective of the world conference to be held in Dehradun would be to make Sanskrit the language of the masses. Sanskrit scholars from all over the country and other countries would be invited to enable the conference to establish and present Sanskrit as a relevant language to be used on computers for practical purposes.

He also said that only when Sanskrit was presented in a modern format would it become the language of the masses.

The Governor said before the conference was held, literature and educational material regarding the language as well as Indian culture should be published. A souvenir should also be released on the occasion, which could carry articles by Sanskrit scholars that would make the youth aware of the importance and richness of Sanskrit.

An organising committee was constituted under the chairmanship of the principal secretary (Sanskrit education).

The V-C of Sanskrit University has been made its’ vice chairman. Other members of the committee are cultural secretary, tourism secretary, finance secretary, vice-chairman of Sanskrit Academy, Haridwar, additional secretary to Governor and additional secretary, Sanskrit education.

Other committees would soon be constituted and an action plan would also be chalked out to make the event a success. These directions were given by the Governor at the meeting.

The Governor would monitor the preparations from time to time. Aiming to promote Sanskrit, the Governor expressed concern at the neglect of the language in Uttarakhand. He said no efforts had been made till now to establish the importance of Sanskrit at the Devbhumi despite the fact that Sanskrit was the second language in the state.

Present at the meeting were secretary to Governor Arun Dhaundiyal, V-C of Sanskrit University Prof Mahavir Aggarwal, additional secretary to Governor Nidhi Pandey, additional secretary Sanskrit education VP Raturi, additional secretary Finance LN Pant, director of Sanskrit Education RK Kunwar and deputy secretary Sanskrit Education RP Bahuguna.

Damaged railing along road poses threat to tourists at Kempty Falls
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 13
Even though the tourist season is inching closer, there is no sign of upgrade of basic amenities at its famous tourist destination, Kempty Falls near Mussoorie.

On one hand, the administration is still struggling to begin the repair work at the pool in Kempty that incurred damage due to last year’s natural disaster, while on the other, damage to the railing built recently on the side of the road poses as a threat to the life of tourists visiting the site in huge numbers.

The pool at Kempty was damaged due to the landslide triggered by the flash floods, last year. Following this the PWD Department had started the repair work and constructed a railing on the side of the road here, but due to the use of sub-standard material, the newly constructed railing failed to last even six months.

The residents of Kempty rued that due to the damaged railing, the risk of tourists or even locals falling into the pool has become imminent and are demanding immediate repair to avoid any danger in the near future.

The vehicles on their way to Yamnotri also have to tread cautiously near the damaged railing site as the concerned department have remained apathetic to the whole situation.

When contacted, Apar Mukhya Adhikari Zila Panchayat, Tehri, Rajiv Kumar Tripathi, said the repair work on the Kempty pool was on and the work would be completed within three days.

Speaking about the damaged railing, he said the PWD Department has been assigned the task and he had no say in it. All the attempts to contact the PWD Department official for their version failed due to no response from there end.

MLA Ganesh Joshi wants drinking water supply restored 
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, May 13
The MLA Mussoorie, Ganesh Joshi, met the GM, Uttarakhand Jal Santhan, SK Gupta, at his office and demanded restoration of the drinking water supply to the six gram panchayats near Dhanaulti through Buraskhadna pumping project that has remained shut due to the faulty motor used for pumping the water from the source.

Ganesh Joshi lamented the fact that the villagers are facing immense water crisis due to the fault in the motor pumps and have to tread several kilometres to quench their thirst in the region. He also rued the fact that on most of the occasions the motor pumps used to draw the drinking water remained out of order, making it difficult for the villagers here.

He said that despite several reminders for installing the hand pump as an alternative arrangement, no action had been initiated by the concerned department so far. Ganesh Joshi presented a memorandum to the GM, Jal Sansthan, SK Gupta, in this regard demanding immediate relief to the villagers here.

Service policy for nurses soon, says CS 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar yesterday assured members of the Uttarakhand Nurses Service Association that the state government would soon announce a service policy for them.

Subhash, while speaking at the concluding function to mark Nurses Week, said a service policy for nurses would help in resolving most of their problems. “The government is ready to sit with the members of the nurses association to discuss their long pending demands. Depending on their qualification, we will give them better facilities in the state,” he said.

The Chief Secretary added the government was working on a new policy to address the problem of shortage of doctors. “We will set a time limit for doctors for serving in hill areas. There have been complaints that once doctors are posted in the hill areas they are forced to stay put. To allay the fears of the doctors about posting in hill areas, we will issue relieving orders to them at the same time,” said Subhash.

He said a 10 per cent hike would also be given to doctors every year who were willing to serve in the hill areas more than the required time limit. Rameshwari Negi, president of the Uttarakhand Nurses Service Association, Anjana Bhowmick, Principal Medical Superintendent of Doon Hospital, and Dr RS Aswal were present on the occasion. 

Peyjal Nigam assures adequate water supply

Dehradun, May 13
The Managing Director of Peyjal Nigam, Bhajan Singh, said that every possible measure would be taken by the department for ensuring supply of potable water to even in slums of the state. He claimed that most of damaged potable water pipelines in disaster-hit districts were repaired by the department.

Addressing the media persons here today, Bhajan Singh said that supply of potable water was started in 978 slums out of targeted 1073 slums, in the last financial year. According to him, the department is working to supply potable water to 1028 slums of the state by the end of the current financial year.

Singh said that 4819 projects were damaged in last year's natural disaster, and supply of potable water was resumed in most of the affected areas. He claimed that Jal Sansthan and Peyjal Nigam departments may merge in near the future in order to overcome the problem of shortage of potable water in the state.

Expressing his views, Chief General Manager of Jal Sansthan, DD Dimri, said that two water overhead tanks were under construction, out of the sanctioned 37 water overhead tanks. He assured that 1.5 lakh water meters would be installed in Dehradun by the end of the current financial year.

Dimri said that stern instructions were already given to technical staff to rectify snags within days in order to overcome the problem of shortage of potable water in the affected area. He said that the revenue of the department was Rs 115 crore in the last financial year and the department is working to improve potable water distribution system, even in fringe parts of state. 

Poll results will seal fate of state govt: BJP chief
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
Buoyed with the results of the exit polls predicting five seat victory for the BJP in the May 7 Lok Sabha poll, the Uttarakhand BJP chief Teerath Singh Rawat said that the May 16 results would seal the fate of the Congress-led government in the state.

“The people of the state are fed up with the Congress government rule and it would be reflected in the results to be declared on May 16. The Modi wave has been evident all across the country and if the exit polls are to be believed, Uttarakhand too has not remained untouched,” said Teerath Singh Rawat.

In case the BJP bags all the five seats in the state, it would further strengthen the hands of the BJP chief whose appointment a year ago was opposed by senior BJP leader Bhagat Singh Koshiyari.

“The win is expected to silence the detractors of the BJP chief who have been at odds with his functioning. But since taking over the office of the BJP chief, he has been lucky as the BJP won the local bodies election in the state. Now, if he the BJP wins all the five parliamentary seats, it would further boost his prospects,” said a senior BJP leader. 

Political parties meet for peaceful counting of votes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
To ensure a peaceful conduct of counting process of the general elections, a meeting of candidates from various political parties was held at the Collectorate hall, here today.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Development Officer Alok Kumar Pandey said to oversee the counting process the candidates should submit their forms for appointing counting agents.

“An application, along with the duly filled form number 18, with two colour photographs of the agent has to be submitted in the office of the Assistant Returning Officer,” he added.

“The application should also mention the table on which the agent is to be appointed. A total of 15 tables have been set up for each Assembly segment in the district,” he said.

Pandey also instructed the candidates to ensure that their counting agents should be present at the counting venue by 7 am.

Sonika, NS Dangi and PS Rawat were also present in the meeting.

Traders keep shops shut
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, May 13
Though the Char Dham Yatra has begun, shopkeepers on the Chamba-Rishikesh-Gangotri route are shying away from opening their shops as they are still awaiting reconstruction projects following the damage caused by the natural disaster last year.

The shopkeepers, from small hamlets of Aamsera, Bemunda and Jajal on the Rishikesh-Chamba-Gangotri route, did not open their shops in protest as no reconstruction work started.

The debris can be seen strewn on the road near Bemunda and Jajal. The roads were damaged during the disaster, say the shopkeepers here. The government had promised to remove the mud debris that had entered their shops last year, but nothing was done in this regard, they rued.

The shopkeepers are of the view that due to the government's apathy they have not been able to open the shops making it difficult for them to earn their livelihood.

School teacher accused of sexually assaulting minor still at large 
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, May 13
Residents of Ghansali, a small hamlet in district Tehri, are agitated at the failure of the local police in arresting the teacher accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disturbed minor girl, studying in primary school even after the incident was reported 19 days ago.

The incident of a teacher, sexually assaulting a minor girl student from Government Primary School, had come to light on April 25 when the mother had filed a report accusing a teacher from the school of sexually assaulting her daughter, who is also known to be mentally disturbed.

The teacher in question is absconding from duty since his name cropped up in the dastardly act and has not been arrested by the police due to his political connections to one Cabinet minister of the state, alleged the family members of the victim.

The minor is seven months pregnant, according to the police, and her statement was recorded in the court on May 2.

The residents of Ghansali and the family members of the victim are agitated at the lethargic attitude of the police that has not been able to catch the perpetrator who is still at large.

The residents of Ghansali are threatening mass protest against the inaction shown by the police. Around 2200 voters around the region had boycotted the Lok Sabha elections as a mark of protest, demanding the arrest of the teacher accused but the police instead have remained a mute spectator in the whole matter, said the state general secretary of Youth Congress, Vijay Pal Singh Rawat.

He also accused the police of acting under political pressure as the accused is believed to be related to a Cabinet minister in the state, said Rawat.

SP, Tehri, Janmajay Khanduri, refuted the charge of being under any political pressure in arresting the accused. He further said that the necessary directions have been given to the station house in charge at Ghansali to do the needful keeping in mind the sensitivity of the case, as the victim is mentally disturbed and a minor. He also reiterated his commitment to apprehend the perpetrator as soon as possible. The police were still on the lookout for the teacher accused of the sexual assault.

On the run

The incident of a teacher sexually assaulting a minor girl student from Government Primary School came to light on April 25 when her mother filed a report accusing the teacher of the school of sexually assaulting her mentally disturbed daughter.

Customer care camps for power consumers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
With an aim to address grievances of electricity consumers, a series of customer care camps would be held in different development blocks of Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Officials said that new electricity connections would be allotted to consumers, rectifying electricity bills, and damaged electronic meters would be replaced with new electronic meters in the camps.

The data provided by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited highlighted that customer care camps would be held at three development blocks of Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The camps would be organised at 12 cities by the end of this month. The camps would be held at Durgadhar, Chopta, Agyustmunni, Chandpuri, Lawara, Mori etc. in Rudraprayag district.

Speaking to The Tribune, Managing Director of UPCL, SS Yadav, informed that customer care camps would be held in different parts of the state, in order to address grievances of consumers. 

Science cong to focus on climate
Our correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 13
The children science congress this year will focus on understanding patterns of changing weather and climate conditions. The Union Ministry of Science and Technology has set the subject for discussion as ‘Child scientists: understanding weather and climate’ for this year’s children science congress, said Dr Ashok Kumar Pant, state coordinator of the science congress, here today.

Pant said six more topics have also been included in the congress. The topics included, understanding weather around one’s habitat, effects of human interference on weather and climate, correlation between weather and climate and subjects on society and culture.

“An orientation workshop for the preparation of the conclave, which is likely to be organised in Chennai, will be organised in Pithoragarh in July,” added Pant.

He said the aim of the congress was to make young scientists aware of the causes of untimely rains, droughts, increasing incidents of floods and flashfloods and excessive snowfall.

Music, meditation mark Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s birthday
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
A large number of people gathered for an evening of music and meditation to celebrate the 58th birth anniversary of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living at Tussat Function Centre here today.

Art of Living singers Usha Dangwal, Aparna Mishra, Ritu Juneja, Atul and Pramod kept the audience spellbound with melodious and enchanting bhajans.

Anil Mishra, a retired ONGC officer, said: ''It is amazing to see people from all walks of life like youngsters, old people, professionsals, homemakers etc have come together for this programme. It is like a microcosm of society is here today for the celebrations.''

While Krishna Manocha, a devotee and homemaker, added: ''Ater attending the satsang I feel energetic and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a universally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader. His vision of a violence-free, stress-free society through the re-awakening of human values has inspired millions to broaden their spheres of responsibility and work towards the betterment of the world.''

BSF officer’s wife commits suicide in Dehradun
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
Wife of a Border Security Force (BSF) officer allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her house here on Sunday.

Sangeeta, wife of Deputy Commandant Mahesh Kumar, was living with her father-in-law and sister-in-law while her husband was posted outside the state. The police have sent the body for a postmortem.

According to sub-inspector Pradeep Chauhan, the family members panicked when they did not get any response from Sangeeta this morning and after opening the door they found her hanging from the ceiling fan.

The police have not found any suicide note from the room and still trying to figure out the reason behind the death.

The police also questioned the family members of the deceased. 

Cultural evening at Ecole Globale
Tribune News service

grace and poise: Delhi-based Bharatanatyam dancer Ragini Chandrasekhar performs in Dehradun. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, May 13
The SpicMacay organised a dance and musical evening at the Ecole Globale School on Sunday.

A Bharatanatyam dance was performed by Delhi-based danseuse Ragini Chandrasekhar. She was also accompanied by Carnatic musicians. The group included Shankar on the nattu vangam, Venkateswaran on vocals, Chandrashekhar on mridangam and Anirudh Bharadwaj on the flute.

Ragini has performed in many parts of the world and trained many young people at Kala Angan Centre in New Delhi.

She is also the recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Award for 2010. Speaking about the dance form, she said: “Expressing everything is possible through the body. This dance form is elastic and the more it expands, the more it encompasses.”

The performance began with an invocation of the divine through a piece called ‘Pushpanjali’, followed by the traditional ‘Allarippu’ and closed with two mesmerising pieces of ‘Abhinaya’. Ragini also interacted with students.

Focus on upcoming Ardh Kumbh fair in 2016
Millions of devotees expected to take holy dip in Ganga; CM to hold crucial meeting after May 16
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, May 13
After the successful completion of Maha Kumbh 2010, now all eyes are set on the upcoming Ardh Kumbh fair to be held in Haridwar in 2016,which will again witness devotees in millions taking a holy Ganga dip at the sanctum sanctorum of Braham Kund,Har-ki-Pauri.

While Maha Kumbh comes every 12th year, Ardh Kumbh is held midway of the Maha Kumbh fair.As 16th Lok Sabha election process is almost over, with just counting remaining, the district administration has now started holding meetings regarding the Ardh Kumbh fair.Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat will soon be holding a meeting of government departments and nodal agencies related with Ardh Kumbh fair preparations, post May 16,after which the model code of conduct gets over. In the first high-level meeting at CCR Tower today, regarding Ardh Kumbh fair, District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan stressed on the need of using high end technology for infrastructure and construction works for the semi Kumbh fair.

DM Pendiyan cited the need of resorting to latest technology, be it construction of bridges, expansion of single lane roads to multiple lanes, special Kumbh structures or making new or renovating existing Ganga ghats. Soon, a consultation committee will be formed, which will be giving recommendations on all the projects and schemes related with Ardh Kumbh fair.

''We need to emphasise on hi-tech preparations as still there are two years for Ardh Kumbh fair to commence. Long-term infrastructure development should be the priority as work done for Ardh Kumbh fair comes into use for the next Maha Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh fairs, too, emphasized Pendiyan.

Irrigation department, which holds majority of Kumbh mela land, has also been asked to carry out inspection on its land so as to ensure no encroachment has been done on the mela land. Keeping in mind the upcoming fair, three roads will be made into double lanes, Dhanauri-Sidcul, Roshanabad-Bugghawala and Lakshar road. For this the estimate has been sought ,while Birla Ghat bridge ,where in 2010 Maha Kumbh stampede occurred ,suggestions have been sought for lessening crowd pressure and such stampedes at the bridge.

The DM has also directed electricity department to earmark four places, where new power houses can be made under Ardh Kumbh fair budget. Tourism department has been asked to make a detailed project report on the expansion-beautification of the Kanwar stretch ,for which the administration has sought financial assistance from Asian Development Bank to the tune of Rs 50 crore.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who has laid special emphasis on Char Dham pilgrimage and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, is also quite serious about the successful completion of Ardh Kumbh fair in Haridwar ,as he is a sitting parliamentarian from Haridwar, too.

Residents of Hill View apartments call off protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
After getting an assurance from Dehradun Municipal Corporation, residents of Hill View apartments called off their protest against the dumping of garbage at the Sahastradhara-based trenching ground.

It may be recalled that on Friday, a huge fire had engulfed the trenching ground with clouds of smoke and stench emanating from the area. The area residents, including, the inhabitants of Hill View apartments, had objected to the burning of garbage in clear violation of the MoU signed between the residents and DMC officials. Speaking to The Tribune DS Bhatia, president of the Hill View apartments, said that they received a call in the morning from the DMC officials who assured of possible measures. ''They have doused the fire and it is only smoke that is coming out. However, if the garbage dump catches fire again in future we would be completely blocking the garbage dumping in the ground,'' he added. 

IRDE exhibition on tech day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
As part of National Technology Day observation, Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) today organised an exhibition for its products.

Inaugurating an exhibition put up on the occasion, Director, IRDE, Dr AK Gupta, said the organisation observed National Technology Day as open day every year.

He said the organisation had been inviting general public, particularly students, apprising them about their workings.

The exhibition was open to general public and school going students and the products on display include holographic display, laser products and photonics.

Students took part in a quiz competition.

IRDE Assistant Director SP Gaba, AB Khare and other senior IRDE officials were present on the occasion. 

Industry body holds blood donation camp

Dehradun, May 13
The Industries Association of Uttarakhand (IAU) and the IMA Blood Bank jointly organised a voluntary blood donation at JBPL Industries in the Patel Nagar Industrial area here today. A large number of industrialists and workers donated blood under the supervision of IMA Blood Bank doctors.

President Pankaj Gupta said the blood donation camp reflected the commitment of the industries towards social welfare. Gupta said IAU would organise more blood donation camps in Mohabbeywala, Selaqui, Langha Road. — TNS

Welham Girls’ School win hockey tourney
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 13
The host Welham Girls’ School won the 4th Invitational Girls Hockey Tournament after defeating IDPL Inter College, Rishikesh, 2-1 in the final match played at Welham Girls’ School here today. Aryashree and Ishrat scored the goals for Welham Girls' School while Surbi scored the only goal for IDPL Rishikesh.

For her exceptional performance throughout the tournament, Medhavi Gupta of Welham Girls' School was adjudged most valuable player of the tournament while Prerna Kejriwal of the same school was given the most promising player award.

Tara of IDPL Rishikesh won the best goalkeeper award whereas Surbhi Dhangi of IDPL Rihsikesh bagged the best defender award of the tournament. The chief guest for the evening was District Sports Officer, Satish Kumar Sarki.

He appreciated the standard of hockey and commended the efforts of Welham Girls’ School, in organising a tournament of this magnitude. He gave away tokens to the referees and prizes to runners-up and the winner team.

Welham Girls’ School has been organising this tournament since the last 4 years and the tourney has been attracting more and more teams each year.