Disbursement of ex gratia
Cong accused of partisan approach
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Accusing the Congress government of adopting a partisan approach in disbursement of ex gratia to victims of the 2013 floods, in the face of an alleged suicide by a Guptkashi businessman, the Uttarakhand BJP today urged the Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi to recommend a CBI inquiry.

The general secretary of the state BJP Prakash Pant demanded that the suicide note left by the businessman be considered a dying declaration and a CBI inquiry be initiated. “In the suicide note, the businessman Om Prakash Uniyal has pointed at the partisan approach adopted by the government in disbursing ex gratia. Based on self-assessment, several influential businessmen managed to get ex gratia ranging between Rs 75 lakh and Rs 80 lakh, while he was handed over a sum of Rs 2.45 lakh, whereas his losses were huge. It has also been indicated that Kedarnath Congress MLA Shaila Rani Rawat failed to return Rs 42 lakh which she had borrowed from him for buying land,” said Pant, talking to mediapersons.

He said when the matter was brought up before the local administration, they failed to take action as no FIR was registered. “There may be hundreds of people like Uniyal, who were forced to commit suicide due to the government’s apathy. Today, the wife of the deceased has lodged an FIR at Guptkashi. But we have no faith in the government and have submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Uttarakhand to take action and recommend a CBI inquiry,” said Pant.

The BJP general secretary disbursed cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of ITBP jawans hailing from Uttarakhand, who lost their lives in the helicopter crash that was engaged in relief and rescue mission last year after the floods.

During his visit last year, the then BJP president and now Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had promised Rs 5 lakh assistance for families of the deceased from the party fund. But it soon emerged that even after more than a year, the cheques could not be disbursed as these got lost or bounced.

Today, the BJP disbursed ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased jawans Ajay Pal, Nand Ram and Jainaider Prasad Bhatt.

Complete Kedarnath construction works before yatra next year, says CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Chief Minister Harish Rawat today said the glory of revered Kedarnath temple must be maintained at all costs while undertaking reconstruction and rehabilitation works.

Presiding over a meeting of the Kedarnath temple here today, the Chief Minister directed that all works should be completed before the yatra next year. He also asserted that the work of the reconstruction must be done in a scientific manner.

Harish Rawat said the faith of crores of devotees were attached to the temple and thus any plan should be designed keeping in mind the traditions and faith. He also directed to carry out the reconstruction works with foresight and objective, a resettlement commission headed by a retired judge must be constituted. The CM further directed to take advice from ‘Teerth Purohits’ for their rehabilitation. He added that the Kedarnath temple should be developed in such a manner that devotees and pilgrims face no problems.

A drainage system must be developed between the Mandakani and the Saraswati rivers with complete planning. The temple must be protected by a three-level wall. With the help of Geological Survey of India (GSI), the services of an international level consultancy are required for the completion of the works.

He said the project plan must be designed in a manner that the temple can be seen even from a distance. He added that for the safety of the pilgrims there should be no obstruction on the passage between the entrance bridge and the temple. No construction work should be carried out at the rear of the temple.

A river training project of a permanent nature be started to tackle the flash flood problems which had hit the temple last year. He asked the Irrigation Department to start development of the ‘ghats’.

The CM instructed to develop the area from “Chhota Laincholi” to ‘Bada Laincholi’ as an alternate route for Raambadha. He stated that if any land owner on the Kedarnath route wanted to start a restaurant, dhaba, hotel or any other business, he must be benefitted by the government policies and encouraged. The route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath must be widened for the convenience of the pilgrims. Arrangements for solid waste management be done at the village-level to save the rivers from pollution. To avoid obstruction of the routes due to heavy snowfall, snow blowers must be purchased.

 ‘Do business in sync with pilgrim city’s image’

Haridwar, September 23
A meeting of the newly formed Kumbh Nagri Trader Division was held here yesterday at Ram Leela Bhavan near Shri Juna Akhada square. Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad national spokesperson Baba Hatyogi was the special invitee, who blessed and guided the members of the Kumbh Nagri Trader Division (KNTD).

Baba Hatyogi urged traders to do business but also behave in such a manner which is in sync with the world famous image of the pilgrim city of Haridwar.

The saint said that it was a blessing to have the opportunity to trade in the pilgrim city of holy Ganga, where people from across the world come and seek more contribution from the fraternity related with social causes.

City trader unit president Tej Prakash Sahu said that already two trader unions exists in the city, but none caters to the real aspirations and issues of the trader community, particularly small-scale traders.

Tej Prakash said medium and small scale traders were neglected by the other trader unions but this will not happen in the Kumbh Nagri Trader Division as it has incorporated all segments of the trader community in its working executive body. KNTD founder-member Sanjeev Chaudhari said that new traders are joining in from Haridwar, Kankhal, Chandracharya Chowk-Ranipur, Shivalik Nagar and Subash Nagar. — TNS

 HC paves way for recruitment of 1,880 primary teachers
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 23
Paving the way for recruitment of 1,880 primary teachers in schools, in accordance with the state government’s order issued on February 24 this year, the Nainital High Court today rejected a decision of the single Bench which stopped the recruitment on the ground that the notification was against the Teachers Service Regulation 2012-13.

Delivering on special appeal filed by the state government and B Ed qualified unemployed teachers’ organisation against the decision of the single Bench, the double Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice KM Josef and Justice BK Bisht said as the advertisement was a special drive to recruit B Ed and TET qualified candidates, it does not violate service regulations for teachers recruitments made earlier.

“Even the petitioner has not challenged the government order in this connection and has himself applied for the recruitment, but challenged the order after two months of beginning of the process,” said the double Bench decision.

 Army recruitment rally in Oct
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Jharna Kamthan, Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Administration, has instructed officials to complete all pending works for the Army recruitment rally to be held in Dehradun from October 11 to 17. She instructed them to address the grievances of the Army.

Jharna chaired a meeting of officials of various government departments here today and instructed them to ensure deployment of extra police force during the rally.

The Medical, Health, and Family Welfare Department would deploy two medical officers, and an ambulance at the rally ground while the Public Works Department would erect barricades. A fire engine would also be deployed, and the Jal Sansthan would ensure the supply of potable water.

Col BMS Talwar said the recruitment rally would be held at the Birpur ground in Dehradun from October 11 to 17.

 Gairsain Assembly building to open in November
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 23
The newly constructed Assembly building of Uttarakhand Assembly in Bhararisain locality of Gairsain area will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister on November 8 in presence of the party’s Central leaders.

President of the state unit of Congress, Kishore Upadhyay, stated this at Bageshwar today.

Talking to mediapersons during his visit to the district, he said despite Uttarakhand being a source of water and fresh air to millions of countrymen, the Centre has not given the state a single rupee for saving its degrading ecology and forests.

“The Centre has withdrawn from the state's people basic facilities like LPG subsidy and railway lines as it has not made any provision for these in its recent decisions,” said the Congress president.

  Patrolling units make riders follow rules

Haridwar, September 23
With City Patrol Unit (CPU) launched earlier this month, the impact of this traffic police force is visible as 90 per cent of two-wheeler riders are now seen wearing helmets.

But still some section of the society, particularly traders and BJP activists, are not happy with working of the CPU, and they met Circle Officer (CO) Chandra Mohan Negi at his office in Mayapur yesterday.

But CO Chandra Mohan made it clear that the CPU was an elite and separate wing, specially formed to control the traffic.

When protesting traders began sloganeering against the police, CO Negi warned that action would be taken against them.

Gauging mood of the CO, protesters sought apology and submitted a memorandum to him. — TNS

 ADB to finance projects; Haridwar set for facelift
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 23
Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be funding various development projects in Haridwar. If the budget is well spent, aided by the proposed Rs 1,000 crore Ardh Kumbh fair budget from the Central government, the city is in for a major facelift.

Asian Development Bank has given its consent to fund varied projects aimed at improving the infrastructure and beauty of the city.

Talking to The Tribune, Additional Secretary, Uttarakhand Tourism, Shailesh Bhagoli, said the ADB had assured us of funding projects like building of parks, foot overbridges, renovation of the Kanwar yatra stretch, broadening of the city’s inner roads, streetlights and other development projects, for which it has sought a detailed report from the state government.

A proposal relating to these projects sent to the ADB earlier has now been approved. He added a detailed project report would be submitted by the Uttarakhand government to the bank by the end of this year.

The renovation of the Kanwar yatra stretch, through which Lord Shiva devotees Kanwariyas move from Haridwar up to Roorkee, is a major project. From the sanctum sanctorum of Har-ki-Pauri till Bahadrabad, a stretch of about 7 km will be done up through Asian Development Bank funding.

“Several community and entertainment parks are also in the offing besides construction of foot overbridges to ensure smooth commuting in the city, particularly during mega fairs such as Maha Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh, Kanwar and annual festive baths,” said Bagoli.

A committee comprising Additional District Magistrate Jeevan Singh Nangiyal, Superintendent of City Police Dr Surjeet Singh Pawar and executive engineers of National Highway and Irrigation Department is scheduled to survey the Kanwar stretch project.

Bagoli said the focus is on projects which stand to change the city’s image and add to its beauty.

To ensure maintenance of these projects, which is a major condition put forth by the ADB, the Uttarakhand government has decided to hand over the maintenance work to a service provider agency. The government has sought a detailed project report and suggestions have been invited from public representatives.

Development boost

n Asian Development Bank has given its consent to fund various projects aimed at improving the infrastructure and beauty of Haridwar city

n It has assured the state of funding projects like building parks, foot overbridges, renovation of the Kanwar yatra stretch, broadening of inner roads in Haridwar city, streetlights and other development projects

n A 7-km stretch from Har-ki-Pauri till Bahadarbad will be done up with ADB funds

n A committee comprising Additional District Magistrate Jeevan Singh Nangiyal, SP, City, Dr Surjeet Singh Pawar and executive engineers of the National Highway and Irrigation Department is scheduled to conduct a survey of the Kanwar stretch project

Ramlila drawing good crowd
Tribune News Service

The Sita swayamvar episode being enacted at Ramlila at Ram Nagar, Jwalapur, in Haridwar on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Haridwar, September 23
Ramlila being staged at various places in the city is drawing a large number of people due to captivating portrayal of characters from Ramayana, aided by sound, light and visual effects.

People are watching Ramlila till late night whether the main Ramlila being organised at the Shri Juna Akhada square or the one at the suburban Jwalapur Ramnagar Colony. At Ram Nagar colony, the killing of demon Tarka by Lord Rama and Laxman was staged yesterday.

The portrayal of characters of child Lord Rama (Tanu Sharma), grown up Lord Rama (Bharat Sharma), Goddess Sita (Udit Chaudhari), Laxman (Mani Sharma), Parshuram (Sanjay Bali) Guru Vashisth (Pandit Rishi Lal), King Dashrath (Inder Narang), demon Tarka’s various characters by Suraj Chaudhari, Sunny Sharma, Rajan Upadhyaya and Saurav Jat, demon Subahu (Mahesh Sharma) and Ravan (Pandit Devendra Braham Shastri) were appreciated.

The marriage of Lord Rama with deity Sita was also organised and audience appreciated the Rawana-Vanasur, and Parshuram-Laxman dialogues. The roles of deity Sita (Udit Chaudhari), Parshuram (Sanjay Bali) and Ravan (Pt Devendra Braham Shastri) were also praised.

Jim Corbett Park guide gets wildlife award
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Jim Corbett Park guide Ramesh Suyal has won the Billy Arjan Singh Memorial Award for wildlife guide for year 2014 as part of the Sanctuary Travel Operators For Tigers Wildlife Tourism Awards. The award was presented to Suyal at a ceremony held on the British High Commissioner’s residential lawns in New Delhi recently.

A local guide at Jim Corbett Park, Suyal was given the award for his outstanding performance as a wildlife guide. Suyal donates a proportion of his earnings for projects like those meant for improving local schools and educating children about the value of wildlife.

Besides Suyal, the Corbett Foundation from the state also won an award in the category of wildlilfe tourism related community initiative for 2014. The Corbett Foundation has engaged more than 350 villages in initiatives, generating new eco-tourism related businesses and employment opportunities, celebrating local culture, giving support to local communities and raising awareness about various issues from wildlife conservation and renewable energy to cattle vaccination and health and hygiene.

Chief Conservator of Forests, eco tourism, Rajiv Bhartari has expressed happiness over the state bagging two of the coveted awards. He has said it is a matter of honour for Uttarakhand that it has won the two prestigious awards. 

MLA objects to civilians, Army tussle
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 23
MLA Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi met Uttarakhand sub-area headquarters GOC Maj Gen KD Singh and objected to a tussle between Army officers and civilians in the Cantonment areas around his Assembly segment over various issues for the past few days.

He objected to the Army officers’ action of not allowing construction of a bridge over the Nuun river in Gadi Cantonment area. He said the Army was also not allowing laying of power cables through the Cantonment into civilian areas. He said after an immense effort, the Cantt areas were linked to Bindal and Anarwala power houses, but Army officers got the work stopped midway. GOC KD Singh is said to have assured the MLA that no-objection certificates would be provided for such works without delay.

Uttar Pradesh girls, boys clinch badminton titles
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 23
Uttar Pradesh girls and boys stamped their authority in the East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship, clinching the titles in both the categories.

Sports Minister Dinesh Aggarwal felicitates players at the prize distribution ceremony of the East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship at the ctiy sports complex in Haridwar on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

As many as six states’ teams participated in this national-level tournament. At the prize distribution ceremony, Sports Minister Dinesh Aggarwal said the Uttarakhand Government was keen on boosting sporting culture in the hill state.

He cited construction of two international-level stadiums at Dehradun and Haldwani, worth Rs 100 crore as well as multiple mini stadiums and sports complexes in all 13 districts of the state.

Lauding the efforts and skills of the participating teams, Aggarwal said that via sports, one can attain great heights. He referred to achievements of various sporting personalities, including those taking part in the ongoing Incheon Asiad.

Social activist Tej Prakash Sahu urged youth to give up smoking, consumption of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and instead opt for sports.

Welham Girls trounce Unison World
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Continuing its dominant run in the tournament, host Welham Girls School thrashed Unison World School 47-0 in the ongoing DDSCA junior girls under-15 basketball tournament played at Welham Girls School here today. Urvi scored 16 points for her team.

Players vie to take control of the ball in a match in the DDSCA Junior Girls U-15 Basketball Tourament at Welham Girls School in Dehradun on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

St Thomas College beat Carmen School Dalanwala 31-4. Divya of St Thomas College scored 14 points in the match. Ayushi from Carmen School scored 2 points for her team. Hilton School won its match against The Heritage School 12-9. Yeshi scored 6 points for Hilton School.

In the last match of the day, Shigally Hills International Academy defeated Summer Valley School 40-9. Shruti was the highest scorer in the match, netting 16 points for the winning team.

Agnes Club, DAV PG College victorious

In the boys’ category, Agnes Club defeated Nasiba Hill Academy 22-14, while DAV Public School registered an emphatic win over Stadium Trainees ‘B’ 35-26 in the Under-15 boys’ and girls’ open category in the ongoing basketball championship at the Multipurpose Sports Complex in Parade Ground here on Tuesday. DAV Public School ‘A’ defeated Police Lines Club 16-15 in a close encounter.

In the girls’ open category, DBS PG College defeated Kendriya Vidhyalaya Birpur 20-14 while DAV PG College beat DAV Public School 22-17.

Two-player basketball shooting championship

Welham Girls’ School will organise the 16th two-player basketball shooting championship for girls on September 24. The championship is being organised under the aegis of the District Basketball Association, Dehradun.

Notably, 20 teams from different schools have confirmed their participation in the championship. According to the organisers, the rules of the championship are that each team will consist of two players and they must attempt shots from 7 spots marked on the floor. The points scored are added to decide the score of a team. Each team gets 60 seconds to shoot.

Open route from Kanchoti bridge, demand villagers
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, September 23
People of Darma valley have urged the district administration to open the route from the Kanchoti bridge to 11 villages of the valley as they have started preparing for their winter migration from the first week of October.

“Darma villagers have faced tough time in reaching to their respective villages from their winter residents this year as the route has been closed for the last 90 days. They will have to face difficulty in reaching their winter residences in the coming days if the route does not get cleared before the first week of October,” said Manoj Nagnyal, a zila panchayat member from the Darma valley.

The route from Tawaghat to Kanchoti was highly affected in the 2013 disaster. Due to the flash floods in the Dhauli river, the Kanchoti bridge was washed away and several parts of the route were broken. “Due to that damage, the route to the Kailas Mansarowar yatra was to be diverted from there after three batches of pilgrims passed from the route,” Nagnyal said.

He said the PWD had opened route from Kanchoti to Narayan Ashram last week, but it was of no use until the route from Tawaghat to Kanchoti was opened as locals from the Narayan Ashram side would not be able to reach Tawaghat.

“Until the way to Sobla from Kanchoti will not be opened, Darma residents will not be able to begin their annual migration to their winter residents in lower valleys,” said the zila panchayat member from the area.

Cleanliness drive at Mansa Devi shrine
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 23
A cleanliness drive has been initiated by Usha Breko Limited, which operates the ropeway service to world famous Mata Mansa Devi shrine here.

The company started the cleaning of the route from Har-ki-Pauri and Brahampuri towards the Mata Mansa Devi shrine today.

The drive was flagged off by Environment Minister Dinesh Aggarwal near hill bypass road, Hanuman Mandir. Appreciating the initiative, the minister said that such drives need to carry out on regular basis to ensure cleanliness and minimum disturbance to the local ecology.

Manoj Dobhal, manager of the Usha Ropeway Limited, said as the company operates the ropeway service to the twin shrines situated in hilly terrains, Mata Mansa Devi and Mata Chandi Devi for several decades.

Rs 10,000 more for toilet construction
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
In a bid to provide complete toilet coverage in the state under the Nirmal Bharat programme, now beneficiaries will receive an additional financial assistance under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) taking the total assistance to Rs 10,000 (per household) for the construction of toilets in both the hilly and plain areas of the state.

Earlier financial assistance for construction of toilets was being provided under the Swajal project. In the hill areas the beneficiaries were receiving Rs 5,100 in the hill areas and Rs 4,600 in the plain areas for the construction of toilets. “Now with dovetailing with MNREGS, in addition to the assistance provided under the Swajal project, the beneficiaries will receive an additional amount of Rs 5,400 for constructing toilets in the hills and an additional amount of Rs 5,400 in the plain areas for construction of toilets, taking the total amount to Rs 10,000 for both categories,” said Soujanya, Director of Swajal Project Management Unit (PMU).

Uttarakhand has to complete the task of providing toilets to around to 5.98 lakh households that are without toilets by 2019. It has a total coverage of 67.14 per cent. Each year, around one lakh households would be covered.

The financial incentive for construction of toilets is being extended to BPL families, APL families from SC/ST communities, APL women members, marginal and small farmers and landless labourers.

Soujanya said in Uttarakhand long distances and non-availability of water were some of the hurdles that made construction of toilets a difficult proposition. 

MDDA holds compounding camp in Mussoorie
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 23
A compounding camp organised by the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) on the Kacheri premises here today turned into a mere formality and invited resentment from various quarters.

Municipal Council (MC) president Manmohan Singh Mall while opposing the venue said the idea behind the camp was to provide relief to the common man and address grievances, but the MDDA authority organised the camp at a place where the common man would not be able to put up their cases in front of the officials effectively.

He said that the camp should have been organised on the Municipal Council premises which was the right forum for such camps.

He said no efforts were made by the authorities concerned on advertisement of such camps, following which many people could not avail the benefit of the camp.

MLA Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi reached the camp site and expressed his resentment on the occasion.

MDDA secretary Banshidhar Tiwari refuted the charges and said as the Kacheri premises was centrally located, it was decided to organise the compounding camp here.

He said the documents of around 100 cases were taken up during the camp. He said another camp would be organised at Landour Bazaar for the benefit of people.

Probe sought into death of caged leopard
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 23
Wildlife activists have written a letter to chief wildlife warden of the state to probe into the death of a leopard, who died at a rescue centre in Almora on Sunday.

According to activists, the caged leopard died due to negligent attitude of Pithoragarh forest officials and workers at the rescue centre who failed to provide timely medicines and food to the injured leopard.

The 5-year-old leopard had entered a cowshed near a village in Pithoragarh on September 17 to prey on domestic animals in an injured condition before it was caged by forest officials.

“The injury seemed to have incurred due to fight with another animal,”  said a spokesperson of the Forest Department, Pithoragarh.

The leopard, which had entered a cowshed of Budalgaon village of the Pithoragarh subdivision, was caged by the Pithoragarh forest division team and then handed over to the rescue centre after forest officials spotted injury marks on the animal’s body and its refusal to eat food due to some ailment.

“Had the forest officials served appropriate medicines to the animal in time, it would have survived,” said Chandra Shekhar Dwivedi of People’s Rights Society, which also works towards protection of forest animals from poachers’ activities.

According to Dwivedi, the animal was not given food for five days. The rescue centre spokesperson, after conducting postmortem of the body, has confirmed that the leopard was empty stomach, he said.

The NGO, People’s Right Society, has demanded that the persons responsible for the death of the leopard should be punished as the leopard has died due to untimely treatment, non-availability of food after it was caged and late decision to hand it over to the rescue center at Almora. “The activities at the rescue centre should come under scanner as several leopards in the past decade have died. The rescue centre has no modern facilities to treat the admitted animals, especially carnivores,” said Dwivedi.

ITBP jawans take part in rock climbing event
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 23
The fourth Inter-frontier Rock Climbing Competition began at the ITBP Rock climbing wing area in Mussoorie today. As many as 108 participants of five frontiers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and one from training zone are taking part in the competition.

Chief Guest Harbhajan Singh, IG/ Director, ITBP Academy, inaugurated the event by declaring the games open. The ITBP Jawans, popularly known as “Himveers” from five frontiers- North West, North East, North, East, Training Zone and L&C Zone headquarters, will be showcasing their talent in the event.

The event began with a flag march by each participating team. This was followed by balance climbing on natural rock followed by jumar climbing, knot climbing, seat rappelling, piton climbing and cat crawl.

Other events scheduled for the competition are stomach rappelling, crevasse rescue left and right method (bilgri), piggyback etc.

The chief guest while addressing participants on the occasion said: “The ITBP has carved out a name for itself by excelling in the field of mountaineering, both at national and international levels. The sport has revealed hidden strengths of the soldiers.” He said the event was being organised to impart rock climbing training and instilling quantum of confidence among the jawans. The participants excelling in the event here will be given an opportunity to represent the central team in the future.

DIG Davinder Singh Commandant administration Anil Kumar, Commandant training Senthil Kumar and others were present on the occasion.

Ministerial staff strike enters 13th day

Dehradun, September 23
The ongoing agitation by ministerial workers entered 13th day today. The protesters have threatened to intensify the agitation if the state government did not take effective steps to address their pending demands. 

The ministerial workers under the banner of the Uttarakhand Ministerial Collectorate Employees Association gathered on court premises and raised anti-government slogans. — TNS

Uttarkashi students visit state Assembly
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Students belonging to Bal Shiksha Sadan, Badkot, in Uttarkashi district met state legislative Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal at his office in the Assembly complex here yesterday.

As many as 46 students also visited the main Assembly hall where the sessions are held. The students were curious to know about the functioning of the Assembly sessions on which the Speaker answered their queries with patience and explained them the intricacies of the Assembly functioning.

He told young students that there was no substitute of hard work in life and everything was achievable with hard work and dedication.

After finishing their Assembly tour, the students expressed gratitude towards the Assembly speaker for sparing out time to explain valuable information about the functioning of the Legislative Assembly to them. Bal Siksha Sadan Director Usha Thapliyal, Principal Manveer Singh Rawat and other officials were accompanying the students.

Children’s literature festival begins today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Australian author Christopher Cheng, Amar Chitra Katha writer Nimmy Chacko and Odisha’s children writer Manas Ranjan Mahapatra are among few children authors who will take part in the Travelling Children’s Literature Festival, “Ghummakad Narain”, beginning in Dehradun tomorrow.

Christopher Cheng has to his credit books, including “Australia’s Greatest Inventions and Innovations”, “Python”, “Sounds Spooky”, “60 Classical Australian Poems”, “30 Amazing Australian Animals”, “The Melting Pot” and “New Gold Mountain”.

Cheng is also the co-chairman of international advisory board, the society of children book writers and illustrators and member Children’s Book Council, Australian Society of Authors. He will interact with children, besides sharing his works with fellow participants of the festival.

Famous Children writer Nimmy Chacko, w ho started her career as writer for Amar Chitra Katha will also be participating at the festival. Now working with Puffin, the children’s imprint of Penguin India, as an editor, Chacko will be holding creative sessions with the children.

Manas Ranjan Mahapatra is an educational activist, editor, poet and writer for both children and adults. He has a number of books to his credit. Mimi Basu and Prem Pal Sharma will be other writers participating at the two-day festival. Screening of “A little Poland in India”, a children film, will also be done on the occasion.

The Travelling Children’s Literature Festival is an initiative of NIVESH and the Himalayan Hub for Art, Culture and Heritage (HHACH) and organised under the aegis of United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

  Students urged to conserve forests

Dehradun, September 23
The Devbhoomi Manav Sansthan Vikas Trust organised a plantation drive at angla Devi Inter-College here today. Students and staff participated in the plantation drive.

  Wellness retreat unveiled

Dehradun, September 23
The Max health care group today came up with a wellness retreat called Vana.

Veer Singh, the face behind the concept, said Vana was in tune with his philosophy of creating a balance between physical, mental and spiritual needs. He said, “We are building Vana as a specialist centre. Our Ayurvedic and Tibetan treatments have been learnt straight from Ayurveda experts and Tibetan Gurus residing in Dharamsala.” — TNS

5 killed in road accident
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
Five persons died on the spot when a Bolero jeep fell into a khud on the Bironkhal-Baijaro motor road in Bironkhal Development block in Pauri Garhwal on Monday. The local police and villagers rescued the survivors, who have been admitted in hospital. The driver and owner of the vehicle also lost his life in the accident.

Three persons who were injured have been sent to Primary Health Centre at Rikhnikhal for medical care.

According to police station in charge of Dhumakot NK Bachkheti, a Mahendra Bolero jeep (UK-TB/1040) was coming from Kanad village in Bironkhal Development block in Pauri Gathwal and was headed for Dhumakot. On Monday evening, near Simari village, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which plunged into a 400-metre-deep khud. Residents from adjoining villages started a rescue operation and informed the police at Rikhanikhaal and Dhumakot about the accident.

Police rushed to the spot with a 108 ambulance. Accompanied by locals, they rescued three injured who were trapped inside the vehicle. Those injured were sent to a Primary Health Centre at Rikhanikhaal on the 108 ambulance. The driver and owner of the jeep, Mohan Singh (52) of Kanada village, lost his life in the accident.

Soldier dies in mishap
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
A soldier (22) was killed when the bullet he shot rebounded at him during a training session at the Maldevta firing range here today. The soldier has been identified as Rajat Kumar from Himachal Pradesh and was posted in the 10 Garhwal Rifles.

Reportedly, 16 soldiers along with Army officers belonging to the 10 Garhwal Rifles reached the Maldevta firing range for practice. The bullet fired by Rajat hit the stone and rebounded at him, piercing his upper thigh.

Rajat was immediately rushed to the Raipur Primary Health Centre (PHC) from where he was referred to Doon Hospital where he was declared dead.

Excessive blood loss remained the cause of Rajat’s death. However, the body was taken to the Military Hospital where the postmortem would be conducted.

Body found hanging
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 23
A 26-year-old person, Kishan Kumar, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree at his house at Laxmipur in the Vasant Vihar police station area on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.

His relatives found the body hanging from the tree this morning.

According to the Vasant Vihar police, Kishan Kumar was last seen around 8 pm yesterday. His family members searched for him everywhere through the night but could not find him. Today, they were shocked to see his body hanging from the tree at their house.

“Kishan’s family members have told the police that he had earlier tried to take his life by cutting his wrist veins but was saved. He was allegedly a drug addict,” said Pradeep Chauhan, sub inspector, Vasant Vihar police station.