Garbage bin again disappears today
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 8
In what could be deemed as a blatant case of overruling the government officials, barely hours after placing a dustbin at Balbir Road by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation, some unknown persons removed it here today.

In an interesting turn of events, after hue and cry raised by residents of Bhagirathi Enclave Residents’ Welfare Society and Balbir Road, the dustbin was placed back at the original spot on Friday morning. The Mukhya Swasthya Adhikari Dr R.K. Singh was also present at the spot.

Barely hours after the placement of the dustbin, the same was removed without the permission from either the Mukhya Swasthya Adhikari or Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat. Instead a board was placed at the spot that a fine of Rs 500 would be charged for dumping the garbage at the spot.

When contacted, Dr R.K. Singh said that he was not aware that the dustbin was removed. “How can the dustbin be removed without my knowledge? The permission has to be taken from the MNA or MSA before moving, placing and removing of the bins. I will order an enquiry into the matter. Those found guilty would be facing action for fiddling with the government machinery,” he added.

While the authorities were caught totally clueless about the curious case of missing dustbin, local MLA Rajkumar spilled the beans admitting that he was aware of the removal of dustbin. “I am aware that the dustbin has been removed. It was removed after the people started complaining about the segregation and overflow of the garbage at the spot. We have taken a step in the interest of public. You don’t want to see an overflowing garbage bin in front of your house. The dustbin has been shifted to Laxmi Road,” he added.

On being enquired whether the official permission was taken before shifting the dustbin, the MLA refused to answer.

It may be mentioned here that the dustbin was placed at the spot almost a decade ago. While the removal led to widespread resentment among the area residents, who were finding it difficult to dispose the garbage with nearest bin being 2 km away, the allegations were levelled about a nexus between local MLA and a builder whose residential society is coming up across the road where the dustbin was placed. 

Several parts of Doon face power cuts
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 8
Several colonies of the city faced power cut today. Villagers living in sub-urban areas of the district were the main sufferers as power supply was snapped for nearly five hours.

The power generation in the state-run hydropower projects were badly affected due to silt in Himalayan rivers and its tributaries after rain lashed higher parts of the state.

Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) officials carried repairing and maintenance works at the 11 KV Dilaram and 11 KV Amethi feeders.

Several areas, including Arya Nagar, Saket Colony, Chanderlok Colony, Rajpur Road, Hathi-Bar-Kala, Survey Chowk, Karanpur, and adjoining places went without power from 10 am to 5 pm. Speaking to The Tribune, Madhusudan, an official spokesman of UPCL, said maintenance was a regular feature of the department for ensuring supply of correct voltage and disruption-free electricity to consumers. “Lightning always has adverse affect on the distribution system,” he said.

He said strict instructions had been given to technical staff to remove technical snags in order to ensure disruption-free electricity to consumers. He said the corporation was continuously procuring electricity in order to meet with demand of electricity.

The demand of electricity was 35.98 million units of electricity against 34.13 million units of electricity in the state. The latest data compiled by UPCL officials clearly highlighted that most of hydropower projects had failed to generate electricity at its optimum level.

The 198 MW Kalagarh and 90 MW Maneri Bhalli-I hydropower projects have not generated a single unit of electricity. The power generation in the 240 MW Chibbro, 120 MW Khodri, 34 MW Dhakrani, 51 MW Dhalipur, 30 MW Kulhal, 144 MW Chilla, and 20 MW Pathri hydropower projects was badly affected due to silt in Himalayan rivers and its tributaries. The electricity was generated at 304 MW Maneri Bhalli-II and 42 Khatima hydropower projects.

UPCL implemented load shedding of five hours in rural areas of Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar district in order to meet the demand of electricity in the state. 

Govt high on words, low on action

Dehradun, August 8
Soon after a good performance of the Congress in the zila panchayat elections, Chief Minister Harish Rawat spoke about a swift action against non-compliant officials and employees.

In the aftermath of the Roorkee prison shootout, the CM had again reiterated his commitment to improve the jail administration and remove the erring officials, but to no avail. In fact on the next day on August 6, Additional Secretary in charge of prisons, Vinod Sharma, was promoted to the rank of secretary and he continues to hold the charge of Department of Home and Jails. Perhaps, Uttarakhand is the only state where the administration of prisons is in the hands of IAS officers. The CM had even declared that he would go for a complete overhaul of the state jails and their management, but an action is still awaited.

Similarly while tackling the situation arising out of the four-hour boycott undertaken by the review officers, the government first ordered boycott of employees, but after protests, the government order was reversed.

No wonder, every now and then there are strikes and agitations by employees asking for the moon and the government just does not know how to respond to such high-handedness. It has undermined the work culture in the state that is already short of staff. — TNS

Protest by Secretariat junior staff
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 8
The agitating Secretariat junior employees owing allegiance to Uttarakhand Secretariat Review Officers Association were back today, holding protest at the ATM chowk in the Secretariat.

Yesterday, the government had withdrawn orders asking them to hold protests at the main gate of the Secretariat.

As for the six-point charter of demands, the deadlock on the issue of creating more departments for lessening the burden of review officers could not be broken.

Secretary Secretariat Administration PS Jangpangi today said during the talks with the office-bearers of the association, the government had adopted a positive approach and a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.

“A cabinet sub-committee meeting would be held on August 11 for discussing the demand relating to creation of 16 additional departments. While the government is keen to solve the problem of the agitating employees through dialogue, it would be in the state’s interest if the employees call off their agitation and return to work,” said Jangpangi.

Meanwhile, computer operators and assistant review officers today held a four-hour boycott of work and have decided to wait for the decision of the sub-committee that would meet on August 11. “We will wait for the government’s decision as creation of 16 departments is our main demand. In case it is not fulfilled, we will go on an indefinite boycott from August 11,” said Deepak Joshi, general secretary of the association.

Ministerial employees continue strike
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 8
In the wake of the non-fulfilment of their demands the ministerial employees continued with their protest demonstration here today. The agitating employees submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

Addressing the protesters, gathered under the banner of the Uttarakhand Federation of Ministerial Services Association, general secretary Rajender Kumar said that until the staffing pattern implemented by the District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav was not rolled back, they would continue with their strike.

“Apart from the removal of staffing pattern the dual attendance system in the district administration office should also be discontinued. In case the demands are not met we would intensify the stir,” he added.

Those who were part of the demonstration included Devendra Sundriyal, Rajendra Singh Rawat, Ajay Goyal, Ashish Verma, Ajay Singh, Rishipal Singh, Sushil Badooni, Balak Ram, Sadhna Saxena Bala Pundi and Ragini. 

Water level continues to rise in rivers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 8
Rains continue to lash Uttarakhand hills even as water levels in Ganga river in Haridwar came close to the danger mark today. In another rain related mishap, four animals were killed.

Due to constant rains in higher hills, water level in Ganga river in Haridwar touched 293.40 metres, which was just 60 metres below danger mark. Other rivers like Saryu in Bageshwar district too touched 866.50 metre mark, 4.2 metres below danger mark for this river. Sharda river in Champawat also reached 220 metre mark, which was 1.70 metres below danger mark for this river. Similarly, Bhagirthi river in Uttarkashi touched 1120.80 metre mark whereas danger mark for this river is at 1123 metres.

In a rain related mishap in Dehradun, two bulls and two goats were killed when a cowshed came crumbling down in Lalao village in tehsil Kalsi.

On the other hand, major roads of the state were also blocked due to landslides triggered by rainfall. Rishikesh-Badrinath highway was blocked at Kund whereas Rishikesh-Gangotri road was blocked at Gangnani. Rishkesh- Yamunotri highway was also blocked at Silayee bend in Uttarkashi district.

Ganga inches towards danger level

Haridwar: The water level in the Ganga in Haridwar inched towards the danger mark today following continuous heavy rain in upper parts of Garhwal division.

The water level in the river at the measuring point at Saptsarovar passed the warning level of 292 metre and was inching towards the danger mark of 294 metre. It was expected to cross the danger mark by the evening if rain continued in both upper and lower regions of Garhwal division. An alert has been issued in plains of the Ganga in Haridwar district, especially which got flooded last month also.

The district administration is keeping a tab on the water level and the river flow is being regulated at the Ganga canal. The river water flow is being regulated from the Chaudhari Charan Singh Bhimgoda Barrage and the Mayapur dam to minimise the impact along the Ganga canal.

District Disaster Management Officer Naresh Chaudhari said the administration was in touch with the Bengal Engineers Group Sappers based at Roorkee, whose help had been taken in rescue efforts in times of flood-like situations in Haridwar earlier also.

Alert issued

The water level in the Ganga at the measuring point at Saptsarovar passed the warning level of 292 metre and was inching towards the danger mark of 294 metre. It was expected to cross the danger mark by the evening if rain continued in both upper and lower regions of Garhwal division. An alert has been issued in plains of the Ganga in Haridwar district, especially which got flooded last month also.

Check on mining mafia sought

Dehradun, August 8
Raghunath Singh Negi, president of the Jan Sangharsh Morcha and former vice-president of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, has alleged that large-scale allotment of mining leases has been done in areas of the state that are eco-sensitive.

Negi asserted that it was clearly spelt out in the guidelines of the Union Environment and Forest Ministry that any lease on eco-sensitive areas can be given only after proper conduct of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). “But no EIA is taking place as far as these allotments are concerned,” Negi pointed out. He said mining leases had been allotted in close proximity of protected areas like Rajaji National Park. — TNS

1000 sign online petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Dehradun, August 8
Indian Media Centre Uttarakhand chapter centre president Anoop Nautiyal today informed that over 1,000 persons have signed the online petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi started by him towards reconstruction of disaster-torn Uttarakhand.

Named ‘’Rebuild Uttarakhand,” the petition suggests out-of-the-box solutions for Uttarakhand in order to make the state come out of the rain disaster. Seeking direct intervention of the Prime Minister and involvement of the PMO in rebuilding of Uttarakhand, Nautiyal held that with PM being well versed with the use of social media, he was hopeful that the online petition will be a matter of concern for him. — TNS

Four-laning of two national highways far from complete
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 8
The much-awaited four-laning of the Muzaffarnagar-Haridwar national highway (NH-58) and the Haridwar-Dehradun national highway (NH-72) is much behind the stipulated time.

The mega project was to be completed by October, 2013, but only half of the work has been completed till date. This itself points to the slow and lackadaisical working of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

As per the information sought, the work on the Muzzafarnagar –Haridwar stretch project was proposed to get over within 30 months of its commencement which began on September 3, 2010. The work on the highways was to be completed within 24 months, but the NHAI has extended the deadline by June, 2015.

Considering the slow pace of work at the sites, the deadline is expected to move further. The project is being carried out on public-private partnership with Haridwar Dehradun Highways Private Limited being given the contract for the design, construction, finance, operation and maintenance work.

Narendra Kumar, director, Project Implementation Unit-Dehradun, said the lane expansion work had a budget of Rs 754 crore while the budget for the four-laning of the highways was to the tune of Rs 478 crore.

Citing various impediments like land acquisition, deforestation, shortage of construction material and delay by contractor, the twin project is way behind its proposed schedule. When this aspect was brought into the knowledge of Haridwar District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan, he gave strict directives to the nodal agency to complete the twin project by October 2015.

“We will impose penalty on the nodal agency if these projects are further delayed. They asked for quarrying permission, but still if the NHAI gives excuse of unavailability of raw material then it is a lame excuse. Considering the huge traffic jams the city witnesses during mega fairs such as Mahakumbh, Ardh Kumbh, Kanwar fair and annual religious festivities, expansion of the national highway is vital. The Ardh Kumbh fair is slated for 2016 and by that time, the mela administration needs four-laning of the highway to complete,” said Pendiyan.

As per the Divisional Uttaranchal Forest Development Corporation office, Haridwar, more than 20,000 trees were logged to pave the way for the four-lane expansion work on these twin projects. Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti president Sanjay Chopra, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal central secretary Uday Ram Semwal have also urged the district administration to levy penalty on the nodal agency.

Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Sadanand Date also feels the four-lane work needed to be completed by the next Kanwar fair in August.

“It was a herculean task to make the traffic normal on the present single-lane highway. About 2.65 crore Kanwariyas came to Haridwar via these twin national highways. It is high time that the work gets completed by June 2015 as after two months the next annual Kanwar pilgrimage would commence and more than 3 crore Lord Shiva devotees are expected to come to Haridwar via these highways,” said the SSP.

Delhi-Yamunotri route remains blocked for 12 hours in Jaunpur
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 8
The Delhi-Yamunotri national highway today remained blocked for around 12 hours near the Yamuna Bridge in the Jaunpur development region of Tehri district due to a landslide triggered by overnight rain, causing inconvenience to commuters.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on being informed by local residents deployed JCB machines to clear the debris accumulated on the road. According to local residents, the road near the Yamuna Brdige was blocked due to a landslide triggered by overnight rain. The locals themselves cleared the road late last night but it again got blocked due to the debris that spilled over from a nearby spring around 11 am today.

Vehicles laden with vegetables heading towards Nainbagh, Barakot and Purola remained stranded for several hours. Senior NHAI officials said several JCB machines had been deployed to clear debris that blocks the road considering incessant rains.

Rain triggers landslides, several areas cut off

Pithoragarh: Several roads, including the Tanakpur-Pithoragarh highway, remained closed for over 8 to 12 hours and some are closed for weeks due to heavy rain in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts, while the main highway that links both the district to the mainstream plains at Tanakpur was blocked due to fresh landslides at sensitive places in the past month.

“Transportation on the highway was disturbed as debris has started falling at several places on the highway including Dhaun. Amori, Swala, Chalthi and Sinyari points of the highway are being cleared,” said BRO officials at Swala camp of the BRO.

According to sources in the District Disaster Management office, Chal village in Darma valley has remained cut off as the bridge and the trolley en route for the village was wiped out. The Kailash Mansarovar route is still blocked for the 22nd consective day.

“Pilgrim batches for the ongoing Kailash Mansarovar yatra are being sent via an alternative route,” said the District Disaster Management office source.

In Champawat district, over 12 villages have remained cut off from the mainstream since the Baku Sulla motor road linking them to Lohaghat town of the district has remained closed since July 18.

Villagers are travelling on foot an extra several kilometres every day to reach the main market to purchase essentials as the ration quota has not reached the village for the last one month.

Gadkari told about pathetic roads in hills
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 8
Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd), former Uttarakhand Chief Minister-cum- Pauri MP, met Union Road, Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi yesterday. He apprised him about the poor condition of roads in the higher areas of Uttarakhand.

Maj Gen Khanduri said that the condition of roads, especially along Char Dham Yatra route, is the worst.

He urged Union Minister Gadkari to sanction more funds to Border Roads Organisation in order to reconstruct damaged roads in the higher parts of the state. Maj Gen Khanduri demanded that the Union Government should draft a special plan for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, especially along the Char Dham Yatra route.

‘Coop societies playing vital role’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 8
Dr Chandrapal Singh Yadav, former MP and chairman of National Cooperative Union of India, said that cooperative societies have been playing a pivotal role for economic development. He expressed concern that cooperative societies incurred loss of Rs 60 crore as the government is yet to implement recommendations of Vaidyanathan Committee.

After inaugurating a conference hall at Institute of Corporate Management (ICM) today, Dr Chandrapal Singh Yadav assured students of BBA and MBA of ICM to give preferences to them in jobs in cooperative societies. Dr Yadav told that a placement cell for students would be opened in New Delhi in order to give best placements in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, chairman of ICM, Pramod Kumar Singh, said that various development activities were carried out in institute campus. He said that effective steps would be taken to maintain international standards in institute.

Addressing the gathering, Shishpal Singh, Director, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), said that cooperative societies are playing a pivotal role in dairy and sugar industries of the country.

Bhanwar Singh, Rajendra Singh Negi, Subhash Behad, Manvendra Singh, Arjun Singh Bisht, Ranveer Singh Rawat and others were present. 

Four killed in Kumaon 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 8
Four persons, including a woman, were killed and 14 others were injured in different incidents in the Kumaon region in the last 24 hours.

According to information received from different districts, two deaths each occurred in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts while one person died in Almora.

“Chandan Singh Bora, 33, resident of Chandikhet village, fell into the speedily flowing Ramganga river near Chukhutia in Almora district this morning. The youth had gone towards the river early in the morning when he was swept away as the flow of the river increased suddenly. His body is yet to be recovered,” said Dan Singh, village pradhan of Chandikhet.

In two other incidents in Champawat district, a Patwari (revenue sub-inspector) died after falling into a deep gorge near Naulapani village of Sukhidhank locality.

In yet another incident, a driver of Max vehicle died on way to Haldwani hospital and 14 others were injured, some of them seriously, when the vehicle they were travelling in turned upside down on the road near Ringal band on Haldwani-Lohaghat road.

“While the body was sent for a postmortem, the injured are being treated in Haldwani hospital,” said Dr Deepti Joshi, medical officer at Champawat District Hospital.

According to information received from Pithoragarh district, a woman died when she fell into a deep gorge near Nachni village in Munsiyari sub-division last evening. A labourer sitting on the roof of a truck that was returning after delivering LPG cylinders at Tawaghat town of Dharchula sub-division, died on the spot when a big boulder fell on him near Chaitalkot.

“Kishen Bahdur Gurung, 52, was victim of a landslide. Such landslides are occurring regularly between Tawaghat and Dharchula these days,” said Rohtash Sagar, a police officer deputed at Dharchula.

According to information received from Nachni village, the woman, Shanti Devi, who died after falling from a peak where she was collecting fodder for her cattle, belongs to a poor family and her husband is differently abled,” said Kamal Upadhya, a revenue officer in the village.

Dream of Doon vocalist fulfilled
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 8
It was a momentous occasion for Doonite and visually challenged Suchit Narang, one of the brightest classical vocalists in Uttarakhand, when his long-time idol and Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar presented him with an autographed CD of her rare songs.

Receiving Suchit at her residence Prabhu-Kunj in Mumbai, Lata lauded his work on developing a new notation system for Hindustani music in the Braille form. Suchit has been involved in this development at the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH) in Dehradun for the past several years.

In fact, he was in Mumbai, besides Ahmedabad and Bangalore, as part of an extensive lecture tour on this joint NIVH and Braille Council of India project. In their meeting which lasted over an hour, Lata was appreciative and visibly touched while listening to some of the recordings from Suchit’s forthcoming album of raga-based devotional songs.

A disciple of the eminent classical singer, the late Madhavi Mudgal, and recipient of several national and state awards, Suchit lives in Dehradun as an accomplished singer and music researcher and teacher. For the last many years, his bhajan recitals have remained the major attraction at the annual Arya Samaj gatherings. As a promoter of Gandhian values, and together with the Sarvodaya Mandal, Dehradun, Suchit is seeking to develop a choir of socially marginalised individuals. 

British Council organises career counselling
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 8
Unison World School today hosted a Career Counselling and Guidance programme, organised by the British Council.

The event included a visit by seven international officers of UK institutions to inform and interact with students about undergraduate courses in the UK.

The delegates were from University of Lincoln, University of Birmingham, Plymouth University, Cardiff University, Bath Spa University, University of South Wales and University of Bradford.

They interacted with the faculty as well as students and enabled discussions about application processes, choice of institutions and finalising a suitable course. The event lasted for 1 hour 30 minutes. 

MDDA targeting ordinary residents: Samiti 
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 8
Local residents under the banner of the Yuva Vichar Manch Evam Sangharsh Samiti today staged a protest outside the office of the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) demanding change in laws relating to the construction of residential houses and stopping of the sealing drive being carried out in Mussoorie.

Megh Singh Kandari, president of the samiti, led the protesters who alleged that the MDDA had turned a blind eye to large-scale unlawful constructions being done by rich and powerful people while at the same time it was sealing buildings of those ordinary residents who could not get plans cleared from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Kandari said the Ministry of Environment and Forests had only sanctioned the construction plans of people serving on good positions in the Central and state governments and rejected plans of ordinary residents who wanted to construct one or two rooms.

He demanded amendments to the archaic laws, which restricted residents of the town from constructing houses, and removal of the freeze zone clause that was causing a lot confusion among them and giving rise to corruption.

Kandari also demanded that the old guidelines continuing from the time when Uttarakhand was not a separate state should be amended and the demarcation of the notified forestland and non-forestland be done without delay.

The protesters raised slogans against the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee and demanded that it should be scrapped as it had failed to deliver. “Why the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee is not acting against the rich and powerful and is only troubling ordinary residents who want to build a shelter for themselves in Mussoorie?” questioned Kandari.

They presented a memorandum of demands, addressed to the President, the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister and the Uttarakhand Urban Development Minister, to Atul Gupta, MDDA assistant engineer, and the Naib Thesildar. They threatened to intensify their agitation if the sealing exercise was not stopped and their demands were not met.

Atul Gupta said they were acting according to the guidelines and treating everyone equally. Municipal Council members Anuj Gupta, Jaipal Rana, Wasim Khan and others were present on the occasion.

  Academic festival begins

Dehradun, August 8
The annual creative and academic festival MindSpree 2014 began with inter-school senior extempore debate. The Principal, Carman School, Dalanwala, was the chief guest for the occasion. The topic “The house believes that it is the best time to be young” was the topic for the debate.

St. Jude’s School was awarded winner’s trophy and runners-up trophy was won by WynBerg Allen School, Mussoorie. Rahul Singh of St. Jude’s School was judged as the best speaker. RV Gardner, MLA-cum-Principal, St Thomas College, VR Gardner, Principal, St Jude’s School, W Gardner (Retd Principal of St. George Home,) and Michelle Gardner, Vice-Principal, St. Jude’s School, were present on the occasion.

The participants were from Summer Valley School, Indian Public School, St Joseph’s Academy, Carman School, St. Thomas College, Doon Cambridge School, Wynberg Allen, Hilton’s School, Raja Rammohan Roy Academy and St. Jude’s School.— TNS

Lalita, Heena crowned Teej Queens 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 8
Festivals foster community bonding and social participation, bringing people closer.

Newly crowned Teej Queen Lalita Mishra said this at the concluding function of the week-long Teej Festival here today.

Chief Medical Officer, Haridwar, Dr Sushma Gupta, who was the chief guest of the function, shed light on the importance of good health for women as she has to take care of the whole family.

Gupta said women often tend to ignore their health and they need to go for regular medical checkups.

Social activist Anita Sharma cited various government schemes being run for girls and urged participating women to disseminate information about these.

At another Teej festival programme organised by the district BJP women’s cell, Heena Dua was adjudged Teej Queen of the city. In her address, Hina said, besides doing daily household works, she emphasised on a healthy life style, nutritious diet, yoga, jogging and meditation.

District BJP women wing president Sanjana Sharma along with secretary Reena Tomar, and members Richa, Neeta, Sonia, Suniti, Preeti, and Sarita felicitated Hina on being crowned Miss Teej City. 

Rakhi Milan function organised in Mussoorie
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 8
MLA Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi inaugurated the “Rakhi Milan” function by lighting the ceremonial lamp at Shagun Wedding on the eve of Raksha Bandhan in Mussoorie today.

State Women Commission former president Sushila Baloni was the chief guest on the occasion.

She tied a rakhi on the wrist of Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi to mark the occasion. Baloni commended the works done by the MLA in the Mussoorie Assembly segment.

She said on one hand, the country was witnessing rise in crime against women and on the other, Ganesh Joshi was setting an example by honouring women through such functions.

She lambasted the state government for not appointing a president for the State Women Commission till date.

MLA Joshi thanked members of the BJP Mahila Morcha for organising the function. BJP president Roop Singh Kathait coordinated the function while other leaders were present.

Gayatri Vidyapeeth girls’ team to take part in international football tournament
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, August 8
For the first time a girls’ school team from the hill state of Uttarakhand will be playing in the prestigious Subroto Mukherjee International Football Tournament.

The junior girls’ football team of Haridwar-based Gayatri Vidyapeeth, educational wing of Shantikunj Global Family, has qualified for this tournament.

Subroto Mukhejree Tournament is the highest ranked football event at school level, which enters its 55th edition this year. First tournament was played way back in 1960, with it being held in two categories: Sub junior(u-14) and junior U-17.

This tournament will be held at New Delhi from September 25 to October 10, with teams from all states of the country to participate.

Talking to TNS Gayatri Vidyapeeth football coach Duleep Das said that the girls’ team made it to the prestigious tournament after qualifying in the School Games Federation of India trial tournament.

A total of 16 girls are undergoing rigorous practice at Dev Sanskriti University football ground.

Class 10 student Jaya Shree Kandpal has been named captain of this team with class 7 Akansha Sahu being the youngest player of the team.

These budding football players are also being given yoga training to make them mentally and physically stronger.

“We are confident of making into the knockout phase and bringing back a medal.High hopes rest on these girls as they are the first team to make it to Subroto Cup from Uttarakhand. Practice, watching football clips,drawing strategies ,tips from football coaches and stress on nutritious healthy diet is being given to these players,said coach Das.

Gayatri Vidyapeeth principal Professor SN Mishra today called on the team players and wished them.

Spiritual ideologue of Shantikunj Shail Bala Jiji has also conveyed her blessings to the team members, urging them to play in the sporting spirit and bring not only championship trophy but also the best fair play team award.