Under-construction bridge collapses due to heavy rain
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
An under-construction bridge on the Asan rivulet collapsed in heavy rain in Dehradun last night. Two construction workers were injured in the incident. They have been admitted to a primary health centre.

The bridge over the Asan on the Dehradun-Paonta Sahib highway was under construction and Rs 11 crore had already been sanctioned for the purpose in the last two years. Doon Associates is the agency for the project.

The bridge was in the last phase of construction and it collapsed due to a sudden surge of water in the Asan following heavy rain last night. Two of the construction workers present at the site, Shiv Kumar and Ravi Kumar, were injured in the mishap. However, the condition of both is stated to be out of danger.

Shailendra Mishra, Executive Engineer, Roorkie unit of the National Highway Authority of India, said the bridge was damaged extensively. He estimated a loss of Rs 50 lakh in the incident. He, however, assured the people of speedy reconstruction of the bridge.

Mishra admitted that the sudden rise in the water level in the Asan rivulet was not predicted and was quite contrary to the expectation.

12 vehicles damaged in drain wall collapse

Twelve vehicles were damaged when the retaining wall of a drain collapsed following heavy thundershowers in Indresh Nagar this morning. Heavy rain led to flooding of the drain and panic among the area residents.

Raj Kumar, MLA, Rajpur Road, instructed the officials concerned to draft a detailed report on the damage caused due to heavy rain. He pacified the residents and assured them of monetary compensation for the damage caused due to the rain.

The City Magistrate along with municipal corporation officials started salvaging the situation. The City Magistrate expressed concern at the choking of the drain and instructed the officials to take stringent steps to clean it in order to avoid such incidents in future.

Meanwhile, the area residents expressed resentment as Mayor Vinod Chamoli did not visit the area after the incident.

  Inclement weather throws city into darkness

Dehradun, June 1
Power supply was disrupted at several places for nearly four to six hours this morning due to the inclement weather. Officials said linemen and the technical staff had a tough time repairing power lines till late in the evening. The supply of potable water was also hit in the city. Except for a few colonies, power supply to most of the areas was restored by the evening.

According to Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), the 132 kV Purkul transmission line of Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (PTCUL) was damaged, leading to power crisis in Mussoorie and northern parts of Dehradun for nearly two to three hours.

Hathi-Bar-Kala, Anarwala, Salawala, Dilaram, Garhi Cantt and Dakra remained without power for nearly one hour due to a technical snag at the 33 kV Anarwala feeder. The Bindal substation also developed a technical snag.

Among the worst-affected localities was Defence colony, where branches of a tree fell 
on transmission lines at several places. Power supply to the area was yet to be restored till late in the evening. Spokesperson for UPCL Madhusudan said the power distribution system was badly damaged owing to the the inclement weather this morning.

“The MD, UPCL, SS Yadav, has issued strict instructions to mobile vans and the technical staff to rectify technical snags at the earliest to ensure disruption-free power to consumers," he said.

Meanwhile, a delegation, led by chairman of the Industries Association of Uttarakhand Pankaj Gupta, met CM Harish Rawat and apprised him of the problems being faced by industries due to erratic power supply. He demanded that the government should take effective steps to meet the shortage of electricity in the state. — TNS

  Sikh delegation thanks CM for Hemkunt Sahib yatra resumption

Dehradun, June 1
A deputation of Shri Guru Singh Sabha met Chief Minister Harish Rawat here yesterday and expressed gratitude to him for the smooth resumption of the Hemkunt Sahib yatra in the state.

The deputation also urged the Chief Minister to check the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority’s decision to seal Guru Nanak Niwas in Dehradun. The CM on his part assured it of all support on the matter. President of the sabha Rajendra Singh Rajan, general secretary Gulzar Singh and Sardar Dilip Singh were part of the deputation. — TNS

  23 cadets pass out of RIMC 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Twenty-three cadets of the 175th Course graduated from Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) here yesterday. At an official event attended by various heads of military installations, the finest and most dynamic cadets of the batch were awarded various prizes for their excellent performances during the term.

Cadet A Maiekel Singh was awarded the College Blue in boxing while Cadet Sachinpreet Singh received the College Blue in hockey. Tanmay Malik and Purnendu Kumar were given academic awards. Cadet Captain Mayank Kumar of the 175th batch was adjudged the best in leadership while Cadet NCO Abhijit Vaish was given the Major General Manoharan Trophy.

Lt Gen RN Nair, GOC, UB Area, was the chief guest of the ceremony. He praised the institution for producing brilliant cadets and also masters that played a vital role in grooming the cadets.

 POLITICAL DIARY
Cong plays Gairsain card to divert focus from Lok Sabha election rout
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections in the state has forced the Congress to play the emotional card of Gairsain. The state government has decided to hold an Assembly session at Gairsain in Chamoli district from June 9.

The demand for declaring Gairsain as the permanent state capital has been an emotional issue with the people of the state since the days of the statehood agitation.

Former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna after his son Saket Bahuguna's defeat in the Tehri Garhwal byelection in 2012 had held a Cabinet meting at Gairsain on November 3, 2012. He also laid the foundation stone of a new Assembly building at Gairsain.

Now after the Congress' defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, incumbent Chief Minister Harish Rawat has decided to go to Gairsain. The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), a regional outfit, during the statehood agitation had declared Gairsain as the future capital of the proposed state of Uttarakhand.

However, due to various reasons, Dehradun was made the interim state capital on November 9, 2000, the day Uttarakhand state was formed.

When Nityanand Swami took oath as the first Chief Minister of the state on November 9, several protests demanding Gairsain as the permanent capital were held. In deference to public sentiments, the interim state government appointed the Virender Dixit Commission to determine the place for the permanent state capital. After several extensions, the commission submitted its recommendation to the state government without giving a definite solution.

The commission stated that while public sentiments were in favour of Gairsain as the capital, it would face the problems of connectivity, water availability and infrastructure. The previous BJP government also did not take any action on the report.

Statehood agitators, who had been demanding Gairsain as the permanent capital, said the money should not be spent on a new state Assembly building in the interim capital (Dehradun) and the new Vidhan Sabha building should be built at Gairsain only after declaring it as permanent capital.

Since Vijay Bahuguna formed government in March 2012, Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha MP Satpal Maharaj had been demanding focus on Gairsain since it is part of his parliamentary constituency. Before the Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha byelection in 2012, former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had announced to hold a Cabinet meeting at Gairsain on November 9, 2012, which was later advanced to November 3.

At that point of time, the Congress-led government had only wanted to give a political message that it cared for the residents of the hill areas and was committed to the development of hill districts. However, the situation changed after the defeat of the party in the Tehi Garhwal Lok Sabha byelection in October, 2012.

The Congress seized the initiative and played it big. It not only held a meeting of the state Cabinet at Gairsain but also announced to construct a new Vidhan Sabha building there.

The state government also decided to hold at least one Assembly session at Gairsain in a year. Though the government did not announce Gairsain as the permanent or summer capital of the state, the decision clearly indicated that Gairsain would be summer capital in the future.

It will be difficult to change the decision by any state government due to public emotions involved. The Congress has played the Gairsain card well keeping in view the sentiments of the hill people.

It is debatable whether this rhetoric will result in the genuine development of the hill regions which lack basic health, educational and infrastructural facilities.

However, with the construction of another Vidhan Sabha building and the appointment of support staff, there will be infrastructural development at Gairsain, which in turn would also fuel economic activities benefiting the people of the area.

On the other hand, the BJP is finding itself in an awkward situation on the issue. A section of BJP leaders has criticised the Congress-led state government and termed the move as a mere rhetoric.

 Youth should be aware of their culture: Harish Rawat
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Society can progress only if it preserves its history and connects to the modern world. Chief Minsiter Harish Rawat said this while presiding over the silver jubilee function of the Rann Welfare Organisation of tribals of Pithoragarh held at the ONGC auditorium here today. He added it was important for the youth to be aware of their cultural heritage. He appreciated the work being done by the Rann Welfare Organisation.

The Chief Minister said there was hardly any city in north India where people of the Rann Samaj were not living. He added that the culture of the people of the border areas and their connection with the past was praiseworthy. "The gathering is a confluence of three generations as one generation teaches another," he said.

The Chief Minister said the Rann society of Dharchula was Uttarakhand's pride. He announced that Joshimath, Mori, Chakrata, Dharchula and Munsyari would be developed culturally. He added the state had cultural diversity and it was the government duty to maintain it. Kumaon and Garhwal universities had been asked to conserve regional languages.

Rawat said the Jauljeevi-Tanakpur route, which was approved earlier, would be completed and trekking routes would be developed on the Kailash-Mansarovar route. Harish Dhami, MLA, Dharchula, said the government had already sanctioned assistance for the Guji festival, the Kooti festival, the Darma and Jauhar Mahotsavas.

The Chief Minister felicitated Lakshmi Rontli and eye surgeon Dr Jeevan Singh Tityal with the Rann Ratna award. Shanti Nabiyal and Director General, Forests, Dr Satyavan Gabryal, were also felicitated. He also released a souvenir of the organisation.

Patron-in-chief of the organisation Nrip Singh Napalchyal, president Chandra Singh Napalchyal, Madan Sinh Rautela, Chief Postmaster General of Uttarakhand Udaykrishna, KS Rautela, Darban Singh Garbyal, Arvind Singh Hayanki, Mohan Singh Tayal, Pushkar Singh Sailal and other members of the Rann Samaj were present on the occasion.

 Abhishek with 95% tops UPMT 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Abhishek Gupta of Mussoorie topped in the Uttarakhand Pre-Medical Test (UPMT) the results of which were announced yesterday. He secured 95 per cent marks and got a score of 190 out of 200 in the examination.

Following closely, Akansha Valdiya of Delhi and Saumya Agarwal of Roorkee secured 187 marks each and took the combined second position in the examination. In the Scheduled Caste category, Prabhat Kumar of Dehradun stood first while Kavita Panchpal of Pithoragarh bagged the first position in the Scheduled Tribe category.

The successful candidates will now seek admission to 195 MBBS and 100 BDS seats in the state-affiliated medical colleges, both private and government.

Raising the bar by performing exceptionally well in the UPMT examination, 22 students got 90 per cent marks and above while 198 students obtained 85 per cent and around 406 students secured 80 per cent marks.

Most of the successful candidates said they opted for the medical field with an objective of serving society and they were going to work towards strengthening the health sector in Uttarakhand.

Others who passed with flying colours

n Akansha Valdiya of Delhi and Saumya Agarwal of Roorkee secured 187 marks each and took the combined second position in the examination.

n In the Scheduled Caste category, Prabhat Kumar of Dehradun stood first while Kavita Panchpal of Pithoragarh bagged the first position in the Scheduled Tribe category.

n As many as 22 students got 90 per cent marks and above while 198 students obtained 85 per cent and around 406 students secured 80 per cent marks. 

  Art exhibition begins

Dehradun, June 1
The 12th annual state art exhibition organised by the Uttarakhand Kala Parishad began here yesterday.

Harbans Kapoor, MLA, Dehradun Cantt, inaugurated the event. He said he was aware of the long standing demand of the artists of the state of an art gallery in Dehradun. He assured the artists of taking up the matter with the municipal authorities.

BP Kamboj, president of the Uttarakhand Kala Parishad, sought adequate promotion of art in the state. Fifty-six paintings, three drawings and two sculptures have been put on display at the exhibition that will conclude on June 2. — TNS

 Traffic jam on Haridwar road
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
With a large number of tourists heading towards Dehradun and Mussoorie, a huge traffic jam was witnessed between Mokampur and Harrawala on the Haridwar road this afternoon.

Commuters had a tough time as hundreds of vehicles remained stranded for hours. The ongoing road widening work near the Maukampur railway crossing gate further aggravated the problem today. Traffic Police personnel also had a tough time streamlining movement of vehicles.

 Stationery, tracksuits given to needy students in Mussoorie 
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, June 1
Freemasons from Lord Dalhousie Number 10 distributed stationery among poor students of four villages in the Jaunpur development region under the Child Care and Concern project at a function held at Masonic Lodge in Mussoorie today.

The chief guest on the occasion Grand Lodge of India, MW Grand Master VJ Masurekar, distributed stationery, tracksuits, and sweaters, besides other material to about 90 needy students from adjacent villages.

Masurekar commended the efforts of the member of Lord Dalhousie for his voluntary services to society. He said the students were the future of the country and it was important to instill confidence in them so that they could become responsible citizens.

He showed his concern at falling female ratio in the country.

He announced to assist two girl children and provide education to them on his own cost.

Earlier, Freemason member advocate Ranbir Singh and project coordinator of the society said the members had also installed solar lights Ladur village in the past and had been providing assistance to the needyfor long.

The Northern India, Grand Master RW HS Ranauta also commended the efforts of the Mussoorie branch of the Freemason. Deepak Gupta, master of the lodge, thanked the gathering for being present on the occasion

 All set for Cabinet meeting at Almora
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, June 1
The Almora administration has booked all guest houses for the proposed Cabinet meeting at the town as part of the preparations for the event.

According to district administration sources, the state Circuit House, the PWD guest house and guest houses of the irrigation and forest departments have also been booked for the use of officers and other staff likely to come for the meeting being conducted in the town for the first time.

"We have also asked the hotel owners in the city to make rooms available for the personal staff of the ministers and the government officers, who are likely to take part in the Cabinet meeting," said the sources.

Congress leaders in Almora said the Cabinet meeting would be a milestone in understanding local problems before taking any decision on these.

"The meeting will also be a preparatory meeting for the Assembly session to be held at Gairsain from June 9," said Bittu Karnatak, Almora district Congress chief.

The district administration is also mulling calling security forces from surrounding areas for the event.

D-Day preparations

The state Circuit House, the PWD guest house and guest houses of the Irrigation and Forest Departments have been booked for the use of officers and other staff likely to come for the meeting being conducted in the town for the first time.

 Leopard injures dog
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Leopard attack continues to create terror among the residents of Dehradun. In one of the latest incidents, a dog was injured by a leopard in the Horawala area of the Kalsi forest division on the outskirts of Dehradun.

Fortunately, a boy playing in the close proximity to the dog did not catch the attention of the prowling leopard.

Nikhil was playing in the house compound with the domestic dog when a leopard jumped into the compound and attacked the dog. The boy raised the alarm but by the time the villagers could react the leopard had seriously injured the dog.

 LS majority: BJP owes it to Atal, Advani, Joshi, says party veteran
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 1
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishan Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi nurtured Jan Sangh (later came to be known as BJP) in its earlier days and that service has now resulted in the BJP gaining a full majority in the 16th Lok Sabha elections.

Veteran BJP leader Ram Moorti Veer, who has been associated with Jan Sangh since 1951, said this here yesterday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a felicitation function organised by the Haridwar BJP unit, Ram Moorti Veer, a former minister rank post holder in the Uttarakhand government, reminisced the grass-roots level work done by Vajpayee, Advani, Joshi after the Jan Sangh split from the Janata Party coalition government in the late 70s.

He said from just two seats in Parliament, that too were not represented by the trio, the party today enjoyed full majority by having 282 seats in the Lok Sabha. It had been a remarkable journey for the BJP.

“I have been associated with the Jan Sangh ideology since 1946 when India was on the verge of Independence. The Congress, the Muslim League, Communist parties, the Forward Block, and the Praja Shakti Party, among others, were the major political parties then.Today, the BJP has emerged as the lone national party that has more than 50 Lok Sabha parliamentarians while Congress which ruled the country for 60 years has plummeted to a historic record level of 44 seats. It is not easy to achieve this feat, nor easy to realise for someone like me who has seen the initial days of the Jan Sangh that later became the BJP,” he said.

Ram Moorti Veer is regarded as a father figure by not only BJP activists but also local city people as he still remains in touch with them and the local issues. He raises them at the ward, municipal corporation, legislator, MP and even state levels for which the local people regard him like Vajpayee, Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi.

Three-time Haridwar legislator Madan Kaushik, Mayor Manoj Garg along with several other former legislators hailed Ram Moorti as their mentor and political idol. Kaushik said he owed much to Ram Moorti as he closely followed his political acumen and working. Similarly, Manlj Garg attributed his win as the first Mayor of the Haridwar Municipal Corporation to him saying, “I learnt the basics of politics from Ram Moortiji. He is an able mentor, guide, motivator and leader."

The BJP district unit is demanding that Ram Moorti Veer be made Uttarakhand Governor. Senior party leader Jage Ram Shastri has written a letter to the BJP central leadership in this regard.

 Landslide blocks school students’ route to Milam glacier
Our Correspondent

A landslide at Jimighat that blocked the trek route to the Milam glacier in Pithoragarh district. A Tribune photograph

Pithoragarh, June 1
A group of 42 students of Pragyan Public School, Noida, had to return from the Jimighat camp on the Munsiyari-Milam route due to a massive landslide on the trek route to the Milam Glacier last night.

“The batch had to return after travelling 20 km from Munsiyari as the route to Milam was blocked due to a heavy landslide,” said Purushotam, a teacher who was accompanying the students.

According to sub-divisional administration sources, a delegation of the Indian Mountaineering Federation had to travel 20 km more towards the hill side near Jimighat due to the landslide. It was on way to Milam to gather information about the conditions of the Himalayan peaks.

Due to the landslide at Jimighat, which is situated between the Lilam and Bugdiyar camps, a 20 metre portion of the trek route was blocked.

“We have sent a team of PWD workers to the spot and the route will be restored in a week before the trekkers camping at Milam begin returning,” said AK Shukla, SDM, Munsiyari.

 262 awarded medical degrees
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
As many as 262 students were awarded medical degrees at the 3rd convocation of Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) University organised on the university’s campus here yesterday.

Of the total students who were awarded degrees, 85 were from the MBBS stream, 94 from MD and 83 from the MS stream. Shweta Yadav, an MBBS student, was adjudged the student of the year and was given an award.

Prof Yogesh Chawla, Director of PGIMR, Chandigarh, was the chief guest at the function. He congratulated the students on their achievements and wished them good luck for future.

English centre opened

The Wisdom Grove, an educational centre aimed at imparting quality English education, was inaugurated on the Sewak Ashram Road here yesterday. It is an initiative by Kartikeya Sharma, an alumnus of St Joseph’s Academy.

The Wisdom Grove shall start its classes with focus on basic English foundation courses. It claims to be one of the finest in the city with an impressive collection of books and the latest technological teaching aids.

 Marathon on World No Tobacco Day

Dehradun, June 1
An open marathon was organised from Gandhi Road to National Institute for the visually handicapped on World No Tobacco Day here yesterday.

Over 300 people participated in the marathon with a message of ‘no to tobacco’. In the men’s category, Naveen Parihar won the marathon while Nikul Panwar and Sunil stood second and third, respectively. In the women’s category, Rinki bagged the first position and Sandhya stood second.

Volunteers from various organisation and NGOs took part in the marathon and helped in creating awareness about ill effects of tobacco. The day is organised with an aim to inform people, especially youths, about the health problems associated with the use of tobacco. — TNS

 Shantikunj volunteers to provide medical aid to yatris
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 1
Shantikunj ideologue Pranav Pandya and Shail Jiji today flagged off an 18-member group of Dev Sanskriti University students to Garhwal Himalayas to provide medical aid to Char Dham pilgrims in case of emergency.

The students have been trained by a team of the District Hospital in providing basic life support and medicines to the ailing pilgrims.

Pranav Pandya and Shail Jiji said the Shantikunj was committed to the welfare of the needy. Pandya said, if required, more volunteers would be sent to the disaster-affected areas as was done during the natural disaster in Kedarnath last year.

The students are accompanied by coordinator Chandra Prakash Tripathi and vice-coordinator Dr Ajit Tiwari.

 Thyroid cancer
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun, has done successful operation of anaplastic thyroid cancer. Surgeon Dr Nilkamal Kumar carried out the operation.

According to Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital sources, 55-year-old Gita Devi (changed name), a resident of Dehradun, was suffering from neck cancer (anaplastic thyroid cancer) for a long time. She went to several hospitals in Uttarakhand and nearby states for treatment but all in vain. She was not able to get operated as the tumour had grown big.

Gita said many doctors told her that at this stage operation was not possible. Dr Nilkamal at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital in one of the marathon operations lasting eight hours saved Gita’s life.

 Politics behind sacking from UPNL, says Badhani
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Lt Gen MC Badhani (retd), former Chairman of Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Nigam Limited (UPNL), said termination of his services was politically motivated.

He told mediapersons here yesterday that he was sacked as Chairman of the UPNL because he tried to highlight corruption in the department. He alleged that the UPNL had become a hub of corruption.

A committee headed by the Chief Secretary formed to probe the appointment scam in the UPNL had not submitted its report to the government, he said. Soldier Welfare Minister Harak Singh Rawat and Managing Director, UPNL, Brig AN Bahuguna (retd), were allowing back-door entries into the department.

Lt Gen Badhani (retd) said he had even sought an appointment with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and vice-president Rahul Gandhi to apprise them about corruption in the state.

 Proposal to raise FDI in defence flayed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
The Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) has criticised the proposal of the NDA government at the Centre to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector to 100 per cent.

In a statement issued here yesterday, Virendra Bhandari, state general secretary, CITU, said the proposal to raise the FDI in the defence sector to 100 per cent would have an adverse impact on the public sector undertakings engaged in the defence production.

He added the proposal was meant to help the countries that were arms suppliers to India. He appealed to the union workers to come together and oppose the NDA government move on the issue.

 First clean Ganga in Haridwar: Shivanand
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 1
Matra Sadan head and save Ganga activist Swami Shivanand has demanded cleaning of the Ganga first in Haridwar then at Varanasi as it flows into the plains of Uttar Pradesh and further.

Swami Shivanand stated this in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement during the campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections that 'Ganga is calling him to clean her'. Modi has vacated the Vadodara Lok Sabha seat and preferred the Varanasi seat.

He said Modi was determined to clean the Ganga in Varanasi, but before this he should make attempts to clean it in Haridwar. He added the Ganga flows from Garhwal hills and then enters the plains first in Haridwar then in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Hence, if the Ganga remains polluted in Haridwar, how it could be pure in other states.

Shivanand urged the Central government to clean the Ganga to maintain its sanctity.

He hoped that Union Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharati would play a pivotal role in cleaning the river as she had been involved with environment issues and the 'Save Ganga' campaign earlier.

Uma Bharati had been vociferous against the building of a dam on the Alaknanda, near the Mata Dhari Devi shrine, in Pauri Garhwal to generate 330 MW. She sat on an agitation at the Divya Sewa Prem Mission in Haridwar against the project.

Shivanand demanded a ban on quarrying on the Ganga riverbed in Haridwar district and said stringent action should be taken against the quarrying mafia active in Haridwar.

He also announced that from June 13 to 16 a Ganga purification drive would be launched on the occasion of the death anniversary of Swami Nigamanand, who laid down his life for the cause of the river a few years ago. 

 Homoeopathic hospital inaugurated
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 1
Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi has reiterated the commitment of the Congress-led state government to providing better health facilities in the hill state. Negi inaugurated a homoeopathic hospital and a district homoeopathic office at Roshanabad, 15 km from Haridwar city, yesterday.

Negi, who represents the Kotdwara Assembly segment, said now people of Haridwar and neighbouring districts of Pauri Garhwal and Tehri Garhwal would not have to travel long distances for homoeopathic treatment.

“Homoeopathy is an old medical therapy having a minimum reaction possibility. It is being practised all around the world and bringing it closer to the people of Uttarakhand for health purposes is the priority of Harish Rawat-led state government,” said the Health Minister.

On the paucity of doctors and paramedical staff in district hospitals, and medical dispensaries, the Health Minister said he was looking into the issue to ensure a sufficient number of doctors and proper medical facilities thoughout the year.

Haridwar BHEl-Ranipur legislator Aadesh Chauhan, former municipal council chairperson Satpal Brahamchari, Director, homoeopathic hospital, VM Kanwasi, Chief Medical Officer, Haridwar, Sushma Gupta, District Homoeopathic Health Officer Nasreen Fatmi Kazmi, homoeopathy doctors, medical staff and employees were present at the function.

 15,000 youths to take part in yoga camp
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, June 1
Yoga guru Ramdev inaugurated a seven-day youth yoga camp, ‘National Humanity Awareness’, at Patanjali Yogpeeth here today. About 15,000 youths are taking part in the camp which is being organised to transform ordinary youths into ‘spiritual-multi-talented human beings’.

Acharya Balkrishan, Vice-Chancellor, Patanjali Ayurvedic University, said this youth-orientation programme revolved around spirituality. “We want to start facilitating a spiritual environment, thoughts, personality, culture, moral values, character, right habits and a balanced diet and inculcate patriotic values in the younger generation. With a right blend of educational, social, spiritual, mental, physical and moral values, we will have an entire younger generation that will transform the country’s future,” said Balkrishan.

Youth camp in charge Dr Ramesh Mittal said more than 15,000 youths had enrolled themselves for the camp. Youths from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh are taking part.

Ramdev in the 90-minute morning session, demonstrated various yoga ‘asanas’ to the participants. He urged them to eradicate the menace of corruption by neither giving bribes nor taking any.

“You have to create a strong nation, shed all ills, take the wise path of hard work, spirituality, concentration, aim higher and channel your positivity to work for the Almighty and society,” said the yoga guru, drawing a thunderous applause from 15,000 participants at the 2 lakh sq ft auditorium at Patanjali Yogpeeth, 15 km from Haridwar city. The seven-day camp would conclude on June 7.

 Pvt colleges want representation in Higher Education Council
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
The Association of Self Financed Institutes, Uttarakhand, has demanded representation for private colleges in the State Higher Education Council.

The Higher Education Council, which is headed by the Higher Education Minister, at a meeting held recently had discussed issues related to strengthening higher education in the state.

Sunil Agarwal, president of the association, said, “The number of private colleges is much higher than government colleges in the state but still they have not been given representative in the Higher Education Council.”

He said the very purpose of the council would be defeated if no representation was given to the private colleges.

“Experts in the field of education and academicians should be given a free hand in expressing their views on higher education during the council’s meetings,” said Agarwal.

 Governor’s Cup golf tourney concludes
Tribune News Service

Nainital, June 1
The three-day annual Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament concluded at Raj Bhavan, Nainital, today. Aziz Qureshi, Governor and chairman of the Raj Bhavan Golf Club, gave away the prizes to the winners in various categories.

Sports Minister Dinesh Aggarwal was the special guest on the occasion. Nusrat Abbasi was overall winner.

More than 150 golfers from different parts of the country participated in the event. The Governor gave away prizes to 14 winning golfers.

Satjeet Mehra (women’s category), Air Marshall (retd) KK Sainger (super senior veteran category), and master Karam Srivastava (junior category) were given prizes.

Shashank Dhuliya got the title of the youngest golfer while Major Bhaskar Shah won the award for the maximum number of birdies. A. Jain was the winner for the maximum pars while Major Shah was given award for the best net. Rashmi Jaipreet Singh was the winner among the women, while Dia Chaudhary was the first runner-up.

After the prize distribution, the Governor expressed gratitude towards all sponsors, especially Uttarakhand Tourism, officers and other staff of Raj Bhavan and the media. He said in the face of the natural calamity, the tournament was organised well and hoped that it would be organised even better next year.

He said if development was planned well the state could become the best state as it had extraordinary natural splendour.

 Nehrugram, Doon Eagle Football Club win
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
Nehrugram Football Club registered a 1-0 victory over Gorkha Boys in the ongoing District Football League played at Pavilion Ground here. Raghav scored the winning goal for the Nehrugram team in the 25th minute.

Doon Eagle Football Club defeated Gurdwara FC 1-0 with Sameer scored the lone goal in the 15th minute.

 3 state players to play U-19 cricket tourney
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 1
In a good news for the cricket fans in Uttarakhand, three players from the state, all trainees at the Abhimanyu Cricket Academy (ACA), have been selected to represent their respective zones in the Under-19 Inter-Zonal Cricket Tournament to be organised by BCCI at Mysore from June 10 to 18.

While E Abhimanyu and Ritik have been selected to represent the East Zone, Priyanshu Khanduri will represent the North Zone in the tournament.