All set for I-Day fete
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
All arrangements have been made for the Independence Day celebrations in the state capital tomorrow. Strict security arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incident.

The district administration has also made all necessary arrangements for the day. Chief Minister Harish Rawat would be the chief guest at the state-level function. Distinguished guests, freedom fighters, schoolchildren etc are likely to witness the parade. A full-dress rehearsal parade was held by different contingents of forces today.

The Chief Minister will unfurl the Tricolor during the celebrations. He will also address a gathering after the parade. The CM will give medals and awards during the function. He will also meet statehood activists at the end of the function.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Rautela said security measures had been stepped up ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. He said vehicles would be diverted near Parade Ground in order to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Rautela said additional police force had been deployed near the Independence Day celebration venue to avoid any untoward incident.

He said stern instructions were given to police personnel to deal strictly with those, who tried to violate traffic rules or create panic.

No person would be allowed to enter the venue without proper invitation card. Visitors would also have to undergo checking due to security reasons, added the SSP.

 Governor greets people
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
Governor Aziz Qureshi has greeted the people of the state on the eve of Independence Day.

“On the 67th anniversary of Independence Day, I extend my heartiest greetings to all residents of Virbhumi and Devbhumi Uttarakhand,” the Governor said adding that the day was an occasion to express regards and gratitude to all the known and unknown people who sacrificed their lives while fighting against the British rule for the sake of country’s Independence.

He also offered his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation and the leader of the freedom struggle, and all those who contributed to ensure the country’s Independence.

Stressing on the importance of Indian democracy, the Governor said it was only after independence that the nation had acquired the distinction of becoming the largest democracy of the world. The Governor said Uttarakhand today faced enormous challenges in taking the state forward after last year’s natural disaster. 

 Nine state cops to be honoured by President
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
Nine police personnel from Uttarakhand will be honoured with gallantry and meritorious service medals by President Pranab Mukherjee on Independence Day tommorow.

DIG Pushkar Singh Salal will be honoured with President’s Police Medal whereas constable Sunit Negi would be posthumously honoured with President’s Medal for Gallantry. Constable Vivek Kumar would be conferred President’s Medal for Gallantry.

The Police Medal for Meritorious Service would be given to SC Joshi, Umeed Singh Bisht and Jagdish Chandra Yadav, inspectors Urmilla Qazi and Kulwant Singh Rawat and constable Rajendra Prasad.

 Documentaries bring alive freedom movement
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
On the eve of Independence Day, a team from the Institute of Technology and Management presented three documentaries titled ‘Sarfaroshi Ki Tammana’, ‘Ghera’ and ‘Girgit’, here today.

ITM Chairman Nishant Thapliyal said the film was shot in the same jail where Jawahar Lal Nehru was kept during the struggle for independence. “The film also shows the tree that was planted by Mahatma Gandhi in the jail complex. Details of the freedom fighters, hailing from the state, have also been covered in the documentary,” he said.

“The other two documentaries, Ghera and Girgit, are related to the ill-treatment being meted out to females by society and for changing ideologies of the people,” said the chairman.

Those present during the function included, Meenu, Anushka Shine, Ekta, Shubham, Saurabh, Arjun, Nitin, Justin, Sandeep and Kamal along with several others.

Meanwhile, the former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Pauri MP Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd) on Thursday extended his greetings to the state’s residents to mark the 68th Independence Day today.

He said everybody should contribute to the state’s development. Maj Gen Khanduri said veterans have played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle.

  Remove pay anomalies, say anganwadi workers

Dehradun, August 14
Anganwadi health workers held a protest today in support of their year-long pending demands. They threatened to intensify the agitation if the state government failed to take steps to address their grievances.

The agitated workers, under the banner of Anganwadi Health Workers Union, gathered at Raipur bus stand today and took out a rally.

They are demanding removal of pay anomalies, better perks, construction of anganwadi centres, sanctioning of gratuity etc. They have threatened to intensify their agitation if the state government did not take effective steps to address their grievances. — TNS

 Kedarnath rehabilitation work
CM announces commendation medals for 3 cops
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
The state government has announced Chief Minister’s commendation medals for three police officers for their contribution to rehabilitation work in Kedarnath following the natural disaster last year. According to a statement released by the police headquarters, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ganesh Singh Martolia, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rudraprayag Barjinder Singh and Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Haridwar, Parmendra Dobhal would be given the medal on Independence Day at Parade Ground.

GS Martolia headed the task force, which was stationed for months at Kedarnath valley after the deluge and cremated the bodies after finding them from far-flung areas. Superintendent of Police (SP) Barjinder Singh was the SP Rudraprayag during the disaster and played an important role in coordinating the efforts of various agencies working for rehabilitation. and worked round-the-clock for providing respite to the victims and their families after the disaster.

ASP Parmender Dobhal was also deputed at Kedar valley after the disaster. He played a major role in carving out a temporary route after clearing 6-7 feet of ice en route to Kedarnath shrine. Besides three officers, one inspector, one sub-inspector, three head constables and 25 constables who were part of the task force, would be awarded with the medal of appreciation during the Independence Day celebrations.

 Doon to have centre of excellence in exploration
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited’s Chairman-cum-Managing Director DK Sarraf today said they have decided to set up a centre for excellence in exploration studies in Dehradun to augment its manpower.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, ONGC CMD DK Sarraf said the centre of excellence for exploration studies will be set up at Geopic building in Dehradun and will train manpower in exploration studies. He said apart from a full-fledged exploration centre, a laboratory for the purpose will come up at Keshav Dev Malviya Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.

Referring to the achievements of ONGC Ltd, Sarraf said ONGC today stood at 21st position in Forbes’ ranking of global players in the oil and gas operation industry. This, he said, was two places above the position last year when ONGC was placed 23rd.

He said similarly, ONGC Videsh has achieved the coveted distinction of being declared the most internationalised Indian firm in a survey conducted by the Indian School of Business.

Sarraf said ONGC Videsh Limited had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Turkish Petroleum Corporation on the sidelines of the World Petroleum Congress 2014 in Moscow. “The MoU paves the way for joint cooperation between two national oil companies in the hydrocarbon sector. The MoU envisages two companies working together for exploration activities in Turkey and pursuit in hydrocarbons related research and development activities,” he pointed out.

He said the ONGC had also signed production-sharing contracts for two on-land exploration blocks in Myanmar. He said it was a matter of honour for ONGC that its director exploration Narendra K Verma had been elected as vice-chairman of the international expert group for resource classification.

 Power cuts hit several areas of Dehradun
Tribune reporters

Dehradun, August 14
Several areas of Dehradun faced long power cuts after rains lashed Dehradun today. Power department officials claimed that technical snags were immediately rectified but a few colonies went without power due to inclement weather.

The power supply was disrupted for three-four hours due to maintenance works lined up by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) today.

Among the worst affected areas were Suddhowala, Selaqui, Prem Nagar, Smithnagar, Garhi Cantt, EC road, Defence Colony, Rajpur Road, Patel Nagar, Dakra, Purkul, GMS Road, Dharampur, Kargi, Nehru Colony, Rispana Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Sapera Basti and Chander Nagar.

Technical staff of the corporation worked to ensure disruption-free electricity to consumers, but several areas continued to face power cut till late evening today.

The demand of electricity was 35.44 million units against availability of 35.05 million units in the state. The state-run hydropower projects are generating 17.50 million units per day.

The UPCL imposed two-hour power cut for non-continuous industries in Haridwar, whereas four hours of rostering cut was done in non-continuous industries of Kumaon division of the state.

Speaking to The Tribune, Madhusudan, an official spokesman of the UPCL, said the department had been continuously procuring electricity to bridge the gap between demand and supply of electricity in the state.

He said instructions were given to staff to work round-the-clock to ensure disruption-free electricity to consumers.

He said the corporation would procure 2.5 million units of power to fill the gap in the state on Friday.

The hydro-power projects being run by Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) have been badly affected due to silt in Himalayan rivers and its tributaries. The power generation in 198 megawatt Kalagarh and 90 Megawatt Maneri Bhalli-I hydro power projects was nil.

Silt reduces production at Chilla power house

Pauri: Incessant rains in both the upper and lower reaches of Garhwal have affected production at 144 MW Chilla power house at Yamkeshwar, Pauri Garhwal. Electricity generation plummeted sharply in the past few days as water level in Chilla Shakti Ganga canal reduced due to silt accumulation. Chilla power house is generating only half of its total capacity, which is 70 Megawatt.

Silt accumulation has increased manifold due to rain water. It has led to swamp-like conditions in canal, severely affecting water discharge in the reservoir.

Two of the four operating machines of the power house are not working, as they are undergoing maintenance for the past two days. Indu Mohan Karasi, assistant engineer, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, Yamkeshwar, said heavy rains in the state had flooded the barrage water reservoir with large amount of silt, trees, twigs, branches and mud.

“We are cleaning the barrage and doing maintenance of machines on a regular basis. This has affected the hydro production of the 144 MW Chilla power house.

The Meteorological Department has predicted clear weather in the coming days during which the power house will be able to generate near its full capacity,” said Indu Mohan.

The water reservoir is cleaned once a year prior to the monsoon season. Full-scale repair of the canal was carried out in 2009 when the Chilla Shakti Ganga canal was closed.

An official, on condition of anonymity, said, “It’s important to clean the canal and barrage every quarter of a month as full repair work needs at least a month's time.”

“But neither the state government nor the department is willing to close the canal on a regular basis as it will directly affect the earnings of the department, which come through electricity generation,” said the official.

Chila power station, which came into existence in 1980, has four units of 36 MW each, with four Kaplan Vertical Shaft Turbines in operation.

 Govts blamed for poor education policy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
The Students Federation of India (SFI) blamed the successive state governments in Uttarakhand for deterioration in the higher education and claimed that state governments have failed to draft a visionary education policy for the development of education in the state.

Addressing a press conference, Abhishek Bhandari, state secretary of the SFI, said, “ The present as well as the earlier governments failed to build an infrastructure needed for higher education in the state, which has deprived lakhs of young people in the state from pursuing higher education.”

The state government is spending mere 3.37 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product for the promotion of education in the state, which is much lesser than universally accepted norm of 6 per cent, recommended by the Kothari Commission, said Bhandari.

Members of the SFI also claimed that the ongoing controversy between students and college managements, aftermath the High Court decision, over merit-based admissions was a result of the government failure to provide quality education for youth in the state.

 Justice PC Pant is SC judge
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 14
His associates fondly recall his affection and easy-going nature. Praful Chandra Pant, who hails from Kumaon, has been appointed as a Supreme Court judge. He has become the first person from the state to be appointed as a judge of the highest court of the country.

Born in the village of Panthuri, a backward village on the Indo-Nepal border in this backward district on August 30, 1952, as the fourth sibling among 7 children of a intermediate college teacher, Pant did his intermediate from Government Intermediate College Pithoragarh and secured his LLB degree from Lucknow University. He joined the state judicial service of UP, starting off as Munsif Magistrate in Ranikhet judiciary.

“He was a simple village boy who was deep into religion. Such a temper was apparently passed on to him by his parents Iswari Datt Pant and Pratima Devi,” said Padma Datt Pant, one of his close relatives residing in the village. A wave of joy was apparent in the Pithoragarh Bar association today in the wake of Pant’s appointment. “We have passed a resolution congratulating Pant on the appointment today,” said MC Bhatt, president of Pithoragarh Bar association.

 Sanskrit week concludes in CST Mussoorie
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 14
Sanskrit Week was celebrated with fervour at Central School for Tibetans in Happy Valley, Mussoorie, yesterday. A shloka recitation in Sanskrit was organised wherein Chetan Suyal was adjudged first while Riya and Ramesh stood second and third, respectively.

Pandit Ved Prakash Pandey, an expert in Sanskrit language from Varanasi, distributed the citation and awards to the winners.

Pandit Ved Prakash Pandey, addressing the students, said Sanskrit was a complete language in itself and the students, by gaining knowledge of the pristine language, would gain in their future life immensely. The students resolved to learn Sanskrit with enthusiasm and vigour.

The students gave a discourse on the life of Gandhiji in Sanskrit language. They also recited poems and narrated short stories in Sanskrit. They participated in various debate and declamation contests held as part of the Sanskrit Week here.

Short films in Sanskrit language were shown to students and special prayers in Sanskrit were recited.

CST Principal Anita Narula, addressing the gathering of students and staff on the concluding day, said the objective of the programme was to promote Sanskrit among the students. She said students of classes VI to VIII were being taught Sanskrit as a subject in the school.

Programme coordinator AS Kanderi, highlighting the importance of Sanskrit, said the knowledge of the language would be beneficial for students in future.

The programme is said to have been organised in keeping with the Central Board of Secondary Education’’s directives.

 500 saplings planted in memory of Gaura Devi
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 14
At least 500 saplings were planted by members of the Niti-Mana Ghati Vikas Kalyan Samiti in association with students of Kendriya Vidyalaya near Happy Valley in memory of Gaura Devi, the forgotten hero of Chipko movement in Mussoorie yesterday.

The saplings planted by the students and the members of the samiti ranged from oak, rhododendrons etc.

Subsequently, a talk show was also held in the Kendriya Vidyalaya premises where eminent environmentalist Bali Devi, addressing the students, said that on March 26, 1974, Gaura Devi with just 27 women started Chipko movement by gripping the trees marked for felling by forest mafia in Garhwal. Later, the brave act of Gaura Devi catapulted into a mass scale movement to save the environment in Garhwal, added Bali Devi.

“Gaura Devi was of the view that forests were the source of livelihood for many villagers and if destroyed mountains will come tumbling down onto villages, which holds true to this day and the incidents of 17th of June 2013 are prime example of it,” said Bala Devi.

She further said that the need to plant more trees in order to save the environment has increased in comparison to 1970s and students can play an important role in this movement of saving environment.

The chief guest on the occasion, former principal chief conservator of forest RBS Rawat, speaking on the occasion said that the destruction of forests was the main reason for increase in landslide activities in hills and the students and villagers can play an important role in preserving the environment by planting more trees and caring for them. The members for the samiti also presented various cultural items, including the songs sung during Chipko movement by the women.

 Janmashtami
ISKCON to hold celebrations

Haridwar, August 14
The International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is organising the Janmashtami celebrations in the city from August 16. A royal palanquin procession will be carried out the same day, which will start at 4.30 pm.

The procession will cover suburban Jwalapur, Sarafa bazaar, Kathaira bazaar, Sharda Nagar and Arya Nagar before culminating at the Shubharambh wedding point. Foreigners and people from other states will also participate in the procession.

On August 17, a kirtan procession will be carried out from Guru Mandal Ashram, Devpura square. — TNS

  ABVP members protest admission on merit

Dehradun, August 14
Activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) burnt an effigy of the state government in front of DAV PG College gate here today. They protested against the degree college, affiliated to HNB Garhwal University, decision to take only merit based admissions and not taking admissions more than their permitted intake for the 2014-15 academic session.

They raised slogans against the state government and the CM for allegedly not intervening and stopping the college for taking anti-students decision. Protesters also sought immediate revision of sanctioned seats in the colleges, which, according to them, are low as they were fixed before the state of Uttarakhand came into existence.

“Our demand is that government should take decision in the interest of students otherwise lakhs of students will get deprived of pursuing their higher education if colleges go ahead with their decision of taking admissions only on merit basis,” Siddharth Rana, president of DAV PG College student union, said.

Meanwhile, the admission process in all degree colleges in Dehradun has been put on hold amid student protest against the decision. However, the colleges are claiming that they are just following the High Court order, which directed them to not admit students beyond the approved sanctioned seats.

On the other hand, the High Court refused to entertain the review petition of the students, filed on Wednesday, against merit based entry into colleges. — TNS

 DIG reviews preparations for yatra
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Garhwal range, Amit Sinha, convened a meeting of inter-departmental officials at Gauchar to take stock of the last minute preparations of the Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra, scheduled to start from August 18.

The deployment of force to maintain law and order situation during the yatra was discussed during the meeting. The DIG directed the officials concerned to make sure that the registration of all porters was done well in advance. He also ordered the Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) officials to carry out a recce of the route till Chadaniyaghat and make sure all the necessary arrangements were made and no gap was left. 

  Unnati scheme for classes IX, X

Dehradun, August 14
The Department of School Education will soon launch Unnati programme in government schools for classes IX and X under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RSMA).

A total of 750 government secondary schools will be selected for 2014-2015 for which the Centre has sanctioned a sum of Rs 4 crore.

RSMA project director Radhika Jha said the project would enhance competency of students in English. “Children face disadvantage vis-a-vis their counterparts who take up English language at an early age. In the age of internet, a greater proficiency in English language is required to access information on the internet and break the language barrier while participating in competitions,” she said. — TNS

 Freedom fighter status sought for Kalu Mahra
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, August 14
Followers of Kalu Mahra of Kali Kumaon, now in Champawat district, considered one of the first freedom fighters of the state, have announced to make a documentary film on his life and contributions. He led a revolt against the British during the 1857 revolt.

“We have also demanded from the government to declare Kalu Mahra as the first freedom fighter of the state,” said Devendra Oli, organiser of the tribute programme scheduled to be held at the freedom fighter’s birth place on August 15.

Oli, a researcher on the life and contributions of Mahra in the first freedom movement, has found documentary evidence in the National Archives of India, Delhi and some books on the rebellion, which erupted in Kali Kumaon region. The rebellion was led by Kalu Singh Mahra of Thua Mahra village of Lohaghat subdivision of the district.

Oli says, “The book titled ‘Freedom struggle in UP,’ compiled by the UP Information Department, has quoted the version of the then Kumaon Commissioner Henry Ramsay, which says that he had ordered his deputy captain Collvin to crush the rebellion in Kali Kumaon region.”

Oli, who researched on modern history under Dr Shekhar Pathak in Kumaon University, Nainital, said he had found a letter written by Ramsay to the then UP Governor on the subject at the National Archives, New Delhi.

“The document names Kalu Singh Mahra along with two others of Kali Kumaon region as leaders of the rebellion that was run under the patronage of nawabs of Lucknow and Rampur, who were against the British at that time,” said Oli. A statue of Kalu Mahra was installed in Lohaghat town, which is also the native place of the freedom fighters.

“We started remembering the first freedom fighters of the state from 1997, when in the presence of some journalists from adjoining districts, we organised a tribute programme at the old house of the freedom fighter, which was ruined by the British after the rebellion failed. Kali Mahra along with his followers was arrested,” says Oli.

 Health Dept transfers 82 medical officers
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
The Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare transferred 82 allopathic medical officers up to the rank of grade II in the late evening today.

Meanwhile, the Department of Ayush has released the list of transfers of eight district homeopathy officers (DHO) / deputy directors. Dr Rajinder Singh has been transferred from Dehradun to Rudraprayag, Dr Nasrin Fatima from Haridwar to Pauri, Dr Anand S Uniyal to Dehradun to the post of Deputy Director (homeopathy), Dr JP Nautiyal from Nainital to Dehradun, Dr KD Mishra from Khatima to Nainital, Dr Des Raj from Chamoli to Dehradun as deputy director (homoeopathy), Dr Akshay Kumar from Kashipur to Chamoli and Dr Manju from Pauri to Haridwar.

The department has also transferred 10 district homoeopathy officers from their present place of posting to the new places on the basis of requests and public interest.

Around 17 new homeopathy officers have been appointed on probation in the pay band of Rs 15,600-Rs 39,100.

These doctors will be deployed across various homoeopathy dispensaries in the state. 

 Lyons wins dance contest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 14
Lyons House was declared the winner while Howard House won the second position during an inter-house dance competition organised on the eve of Independence Day at Jonty Auditorium of St Jude’s School today.

The programme began with a middle school dance competition in which each house had to present a Western abstract dance form.

The participants from all four houses, Gardner House, Khanna House, Lyons House and Howard House, enthralled the audience with their elegant and graceful movements.

Khanna House presented a freestyle hip-hop performance on a medley of songs. Lyons House presented a hip-hop contemporary dance style.

In the senior school dance competition, each house had to present an Indian classical dance form. The programme started with a performance by Gardner House, which brought Indian traditional culture alive by presenting a classical dance with a touch of Bharatnatyam on a medley of songs.

Howard House presented different facets of Lord Ganesha. Khanna House presented a fusion of Kathak and Bharatnatyam.

 Manorite’s lift soccer title
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 14
Manorite’s, a team of former students of St George’s College, won the 43rd Jackie Memorial Invitational Football Tournament today. The team defeated Bhatta Sports Club to lift the title.

The match started on an energetic note with midfielders from both sides putting pressure on their equivalent players. Leo Club was adjudged the best disciplined team while Aditya from Manorite’s was declared the player of the tournament.

Bro Tommy Varghese, Principal, St George’s, congratulated the winning team and lauded the efforts of the staff involved in organising the tournament successfully.

Aryan School win

Dehradun, August 14
The Aryan School won the inaugural match in the 2nd Summer Valley seven-a–side invitation football cup that kicked off at Summer Valley Football Ground here today.

Aryan School defeated The Doon School 3-2, with Rohan scoring two goals in the 41st and 59th minutes of the match for Aryan School.

Himanshu scored a goal in the 4th minute of the match. Azad scored two goals in the 9th and 35th minutes for The Doon School.

In the second match of the day, St Thomas College defeated the host Summer Valley School 2-1, with Deepansh and Manu scoring in the 8th and 28th minutes for St Thomas College. Pratyush scored the lone goal for Summer Valley in the 18th minute.

In another match, Indian Public School defeated Cambrian Hall 1-0, with Rohsan scoring the lone winning goal for Indian Public School in the 35th minute of the match. — TNS

 Navraj Shahi wins cross-country race
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 14
Navraj Shahi from Ghananand Inter College was declared winner of the senior division cross-country race held at Garhwal Terrace on the eve of Independence Day under the aegis of Mussoorie Sports Association here today. Kamal from St Lawrence School was declared second.

In girls’ section, Radha from St Lawrence stood first while Bharti Raunchela from Sanatan Dharm Inter College stood second and Diksha from St Lawrence stood third.

In sub-junior boys’ category, Vishal from St Lawerence stood frist, Anurag Bisht from St Claire’s stood second and Vikas Rawat from St Lawrence stood third. In girls’ category, Nishita and Srishti from St Lawrence stood first and second respectively while Srishti from Hampton Court stood third. In open category, Praveen from St Lawrence stood first, Kamal from Ghanand Inter College stood second

and Amit from MPG College stood third.

Chief guest, president of the Municipal Council, Mammohan Singh Mall, distributed citation and awards among the winners. President of the Mussoorie Sports Association BS Negi, Surat Rawat and others were also present on the occasion.