Let us not ignore Sanskrit: CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
Chief Minister Harish Rawat today made a fervent appeal for shunning of conservatism and opening of hearts and minds to new learning and thinking.

“It is only through exchange of new ideas and thoughts that can we progress. We should not create unnecessary barriers and should willingly learn whatever comes our way. Due to our inability to learn, several languages are dying. Sanskrit may meet the same fate if we continue to ignore it,” said Harish Rawat, in his address at the inaugural session of a three-day international seminar on Sanskrit.

On the occasion, he asked the minister concerned to ensure that digitisation of old Sanskrit manuscripts is undertaken. In his presidential address, Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi said enough was not being done for propagating the language. He urged the government to ensure that the Uttarakhand Sanskrit University was not deprived of funds. “It should be our endeavour to make the Sanskrit University at Haridwar achieve international fame. It was in Haridwar that Dara Shikoh translated several Sanskrit texts into Persian,” he said.

Imam Omar Mohammed Ilyasi said language had no religion and no boundaries. He said his daughter had an abiding interest in the language. “When I was told by her teachers that she had all this while been learning the language on the sly owing to the fear that she may be reprimanded, I was prompted to address the misgiving, for in my view, language knows no boundaries,” he said.

A souvenir was released on the occasion.

‘Indian philosophy incomplete without knowledge of Sanskrit’
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jaya Devi from Belgium

Dr Kato Takahiro from Japan

Vera Meyer from Germany

Linda Rouse from America

Dehradun, September 26
If Buddhism ignited a desire in Japanese national Dr Kato Takahiro to learn the Indian philosophy and Sanskrit, it was yoga and meditation that opened the doors for American and German nationals Linda and Vera, respectively, to get acquainted with Sanskrit. But awe inspiring was the Belgian national Gerda’s quest for learning Vedic studies.

The spread and reach of the ancient language was visible at the first international seminar on Sanskrit held at Raj Bhavan today.

“The study of the Indian philosophy and the Buddhist studies would have remained incomplete without the study of Sanskrit as several manuscripts were written in Sanskrit and in original texts there is a profuse use of the language,” said Dr Takahiro, associate professor, Deptarment of Indian Philosophy and Buddhist Studies, University of Tokyo. Dr Kato studied Sanskrit at the Centre for Advance Studies in Sanskrit, University of Pune, in Pune and followed it with a doctorate.

Sonam Tobgay from Bhutan

Kashinath Neopaney from Nepal

He wrote his thesis on the study of ancient Sanskrit manuscripts. He maintains that among European nations, Germany is among the few nations where the culture of learning Sanskrit is well established. “During my stay in Germany for six years, I realised the tradition of the Indian philosophy and languages established by Indologist Grassman and others continues till this day,” he added.

On the other hand, the interest of Vera Meyer, a civil engineer from Berlin in Germany, in the Indian philosophy began 40 years ago and she started learning meditation. “One thing led to another. Soon I was neck deep into the Indian philosophy and started scouring libraries for the translation of Sanskrit texts,” she added.

Gerda said in chaste Hindi that Jaya Devi’s had done intensive research on the status of women in the Vedic period. “My abiding love for the Indian philosophy began when I was in my early twenties and now I stay in Vrindavan. I believe the ancient Indian women were quite liberated as they were sure of themselves and were equal to their male peers,” she said.

Linda Rouse, a resident of the USA and a believer in universal brotherhood, says in her country yoga and meditation aroused an abiding interest in the Indian way of life and the essence of the Indian philosophy would be incomplete without the knowledge of Sanskrit.

Classes on ancient scriptures begin in Sanskrit varsity
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 26
While in public schools apart from regular class curriculum, additional classes of music, computer, environment would sound a bit different if extra classes are of ‘epic Geeta’ and ‘Durga Sapti’ scriptures.

These twin additional classes have been started by Dev Sanskriti University in Haridwar to inculcate interest among younger generation about these ancient scriptures and manuscripts.

With the pious festival of Navratra going on, Dev Sanskriti University has started these classes, which are not compulsory but students’ interest towards them can be gauged by the fact that these classes are jampacked in attendance.

Dev Sanskriti University Chancellor Pranav Pandya said that many students are observing festive fast and performing rituals.

He thought it better to introduce short courses on Bhagvad Geeta epic and Durga Sapti as the Navratra festive is observed for nine days, paying obeisance to nine forms of deity Durga.

“Knowledge about each deity will be given for the whole festive Navratra season, like yesterday it was about Shail Putri, first form of deity Durga, and today about the Brahamcharini deity. Sermons of Lord Krishna are also being explained to students so that they imbibe the traits and philosophy told by Lord Krishna to his pupil Pandava Arjuna,”said Dr Pandya.

“At Dev Sanskriti University we are having professional,technical courses but also making sure moral-spiritual values are imbibed by students.Classes related with Geeta and deity Durga Sapti will only enhance knowledge of students. Google may be the global source of information but our ancient scriptures,epics and vedas and upanishads are the real source of knowledge,”added Dr Pandya.

Disaster-hit Parodi village reels under water shortage
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 26
It seems that there is no end to the woes of disaster-struck residents of Parodi village in district Tehri which is now facing acute water shortage due to the apathy of the department concerned.

According to the residents of Parodi village, they are facing acute water shortage in the village from the past 15 days which has forced the residents to tread around more than 2 km to fetch water to meet their daily requirements.

Subash Lekhwar, another resident of the village, said that due to absence of adequate supply of drinking water in the villages, they are forced to spend their valuable time only in fetching water from nearby a source that is around 2 km from the village on foot, resulting in loss of education for children and of work of the elders.

The farmers are unable to attend to their fields due to the acute water shortage in the village, he added.

The residents demanded immediate restoration of water supply to the village and if not restored they would take to streets as a mark of protest.

When contacted Executive Engineer, Jal Sansthan, TS Panwar, said that the pipeline repair work was being carried on at several places on the route. Hence, the problem. He further said that the officials have been directed to restore supply of drinking water to the affected villages in the region.

The Parodi village was devastated during the natural disaster that struck in mid-June of 2013 and has not come to terms with the loss of property and livestock as yet.

disbursement of ex gratia
BJP to intensify campaign against govt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
Uttarakhand BJP chief Teerath Singh Rawat today said the BJP would not shirk from organising complete shutdown in the state on the issue of corruption in disbursement of ex gratia and deteriorating law and order situation.

“All along we have been demanding white paper from the government on the disaster relief disbursement and now in the light of the suicide of Guptkashi business man’s suicide, the demand has gained urgency. In case the government fails to abide by our demand, we will not shirk from announcing a complete shutdown in the near future,” he said, while speaking to mediapersons today.

He said the law and order situation in the state had gone from bad to worse, the state agencies had not been able to solve a single murder and robbery case. “The people in the state are living in constant fear, there seems to be no accountability. We will raise this issue too in the coming days,” he added.

Meanwhile, the visit of several Central ministers to the state and their willingness to lend financial and other support to the Congress government has left the party uneasy. Afraid that the benefits of this largesse may not accrue to the BJP, the party state leadership has decided to meet the ministers separately in New Delhi. “On October 10 and 11, BJP MPs and senior leaders will meet with Union ministers to discuss the issue,” said Rawat.

Further, the party will also launch a “safai abhiyan” on October 2 in tandem with the national programme.

Kunjwal for smaller administrative units
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, September 26
The Congress government is feeling the need of small administrative units in the state to accelerate the pace of development projects. The government wants to create new administrative units in the state in the coming years so that the villagers can benefit from this micro government machinery.

Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal stated this at Jailti in Almora district today. Kunjwal was speaking at the inauguration of the semi sub-divisional office building for Lamgara area.

Emphasising the need to develop the state’s rural areas, the Speaker of the state Assembly said collective efforts from governments as well as from other stakeholders including villagers themselves are required. “The realisation of a separate state of Uttarakhand will be complete when the rural population feels so,” said the Speaker.

Almora MLA Manoj Tiwari said the semi-tehsil status for Lamgara will be converted into that of a sub-division this year as the Chief Minister has given the nod for it. “We have already given sanction to buildings of ITI, degree college and sub-divisional office, whose construction will begin as soon as land is available,” said Tiwari.

Almora District Magistrate Vinod Kumar Suman announced on the occasion that the sitting of the SDM court will be held once a month as the semi sub-division has been inaugurated. “We have decided to give facilities to locals by having sitting of the SDM court for local matters once a month. The villagers will thus not have to visit Almora for the purpose,” said the District Magistrate.

Almora Zila Panchayat president Parvati Mahara thanked the state government for giving sanction of Rs 35 crore for the Kapileswar-Banari Devi drinking water scheme. The scheme is expected to provide drinking water not only for Jageswar residents but also for residents of Almora area after it is complete.

CPM protests ‘poor’ law & order
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) activists expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order condition in the state. The activists demanded to take effective steps to maintain law and order in the state.

They gathered at the office of Senior Superintendent of Police (Dehradun) today and expressed concern over the increasing cases of loot, dacoity, chain snatching, burglary, murder etc. in different corners of the Dehradun.

The agitators have threatened to intensify their agitation if the state government does not take effective steps to maintain law and order in the state.

After submitting memorandum to SSP Ajay Rautela, party leader, Surendra Singh Sajjwan said the city police should increase night patrolling to keep a check on criminal activities at night. He said the police should take concrete measures to deal strictly with notorious criminals.

The agitators said the Uttarakhand had become hometown for criminals. They said that crime graph had been increasing month after month in the different cities of the state.

Govt teachers call off strike

Dehradun, September 26
The striking government school teachers called off their stir today after government agreed to meet most of their demands.

The issue was sorted out at a meeting chaired Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh.

The decision was taken to give selection grade to contractual teachers of Kumaon who have been working for the past ten years. It was also agreed to cancel transfers affected of Madhyamik teachers while the demand to give benefits of old pension scheme to teachers in view of the recent court judgment was referred to the Department of Finance.

However, understanding was not reached on the demand raised by teachers to implement the Assured Career Progression (ACP) as being given to other state employees. An approval was given for sanctioning Rs 1 crore for the construction of Shikshsak Bhawan at Mianwala. The demand for filling up of 700 posts of principal was also viewed positively by the government. — TNS

Waste Warriors to support Swachh Bharat campaign
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
Activists of the NGO Waste Warriors have decided to support the Swachh Bharat Mission, which is slated for launch across India on October 2. The activists have urged individuals, schools and other communities to contribute to the cause.

The Waste Warriors activists will hold clean-up drives at Behl Chowk and Gandhi Park here. They will provide equipment required such as bags and gloves.

They will dispose of all waste collected as per the Municipal Solid Waste Rules 2000.

They will create awareness among residents on how long different items of waste take to decompose and what is and is not recyclable.

Woman blames neighbours for husband’s death
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
A woman has alleged role of her neighbours behind the murder of her husband. The complainant met Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Rautela today and sought to take swift action to solve the murder mystery.

According to the information, the body of Mahendra, a resident of Kudkawala, Doiwala, was found under mysterious circumstances, a few days back. The investigating team found nothing suspicious during the investigation.

Mahendra’s wife Sonia has lodged a complaint and asked to open the case again. According to the complainant, her neighbours Kalyan Singh, Padam Singh, Deepa and Deepak had threatened him to face dire consequences. She alleged her neighbours had killed her husband.

DM for easy transfer of forestland

Dehradun, September 26
Chandresh Yadav, District Magistrate, has instructed representatives of nodal agencies to submit a joint inspection report on effective steps needed for easy transfer of forestland.

Yadav chaired a meeting of different departments on the issue and instructed officials to submit certificates on forestland transfer by village committees soon.

The District Magistrate directed the officials that the land transfer proposals made after August 15 should be submitted online. He said the forestland transfer application and the procedure to be followed could be downloaded from the website of the state Forest Department.

Yadav said nodal agencies could contact Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) in case of any doubt or difficulty while uploading filled forms. He instructed the officials to take effective steps to keep a check on illegal mining in different areas of the district. — TNS

Villagers seek protection from leopards
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 26
Residents of over 118 villages of Ramganga valley near Thal town in Didiihat subdivision of the district, demonstrated in the town today against inadequate arrangements by the Forest Department to protect the villagers from leopards in the area. A fresh leopard attack occurred in the area last evening.

The villagers have threatened that they would block Thal to Munsiyari road in the coming days if the department fails to take appropriate action. “Last evening, in Kamad village of upper Ramganga valley, a leopard entered the house of Kewalanand. He fought with the leopard, leaving it injured,” said Bahadur Singh Karki, who was leading the demonstrators.

According to the Forest Department, it has installed four cages at various places in the valley. “Besides, we have started patrolling in the area by Forest Department guards,” said IP Singh, DFO.

Non-gazetted staff of LBSNAA hold candle march
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 26
The non-gazetted employees from Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) lit candles and marched till the SDM’s office in memory of their colleague Rajeev Sharma, who was trampled to death by a speeding car belonging to the same institute while he was walking with his son around the LBSNAA campus on September 20.

The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration non-gazettted employees first lit candles at the site of incident where the car struck Rajeev Sharma and then marched till SDM’s office with candles lit in their hands late evening today.

The employees led by union president Nanak Chand alleged that the police were not handling the case adequately and presented a memorandum to the SDM, Mussoorie, demanding a thorough investigation into the case and registering a strong case against the perpetrator of the crime that led to the death of an employee.

It is worth mentioning that a car driven rashly by the LBSNAA employee was responsible for killing another employee Rajiv Sharma while he was on an evening walk along with his son on 20th September. The police had registered a case against the driver, but the employees were not happy with the sections under which he was booked.

Panel sought to set up Sainik School
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
Uttarakhand Poorva Sainik Evam Ardh Sainik Sangathan has sought setting up of a committee to find an appropriate place for establishing proposed Sainik School in Rudraprayag district.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Uttarakhand Poorva Sainik Evam Ardh Sainik Sanghatan president Lt Col Ganga Singh Rawat (retd) said the Jakholi block of Rudraprayag district, where Sainik School was proposed, had been badly affected by the natural catastrophe last year.

He said it was important that a committee was set up which decides on a new site for the school. He hoped that the committee would give a free and fair decision.

He demanded setting up of a training centre in Dehradun where dependents of ex-servicemen get adequate training regarding recruitment process in the Army and Police Departments. He said at present, there was only one such centre in Pithoragarh district.

He asserted that retired Army officers must be allowed a maximum of six-year reemployment service as it deprives other Army personnel of job opportunities.

24 elderly on visit to Badrinath
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 26
The “Mere buzurg, mere teerth” scheme of the Uttarakhand Government to take elderly for a free visit to revered Char Dham shrines is being appreciated by senior citizens.

The first batch of pilgrims, comprising 24 elderly from Haridwar district, will visit Shri Badrinath shrine in Garhwal Himalayas.

District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan along with Additional Magistrate JS Nangyal flagged off the batch from Rahi Motel here yesterday.

Pendiyan said as the publicity about this free pilgrimage spreads, more number of pilgrims will avail benefit of this scheme.

He said transportation, accommodation and food would be provided free of cost to the senior citizens under the scheme.

Senior citizens are enquiring about the scheme from the tourism office as well as from officials of the district administration.

Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti social outfit founder Sanjay Chopra welcomed the step of the government which entails free of cost pilgrimage to senior citizens.

Former Women Commission state chairperson Dr Santosh Chauhan said this was a pro-senior citizen initiative by the state government, especially for those who cannot afford the Char Dham pilgrimage for one reason or the other.

This step is being linked with restoring and reviving faith of people, who post the flashfloods in 2013 feel that the Char Dham pilgrimage along with Hemkund Sahib is not safe.

Sandhu, Manisha for Central deputation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
The Government of India has approved deputation of Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr SS Sandhu and Principal Secretary IT and Higher Education Manisha Panwar at the Centre.

According to officials in the Department of Personnel, Dr Sandhu will join the Department of Education as Joint Secretary and Manisha Panwar will be Joint Secretary Woman and Child Development (ICDS).

Both the senior officials are expected to be relieved by the state government shortly.

Northern Frontiers win rock-climbing contest
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 26
Northern Frontiers were declared overall champions in the fourth Inter-Frontier Rock-Climbing Competition held at Combat wing of the ITBP on Cart Mackenzie Road here today.

North-West Frontiers were declared second while the Training Frontiers stood third. Padma Thondup from Northern Frontiers was declared the best rock climber of the competition. More than 90 participants from around five frontiers of the ITBP contested in the competition.

Participants contested in several events, including balance climbing on natural rock, followed by jumar climbing, knot climbing, seat rappelling, piton climbing, cat crawl, stomach rappelling, crevasse rescue left and right method (Bilgri), piggyback etc. They also displayed their talent by climbing the artificial wall with ease.

The participants said the rock climbing training imparted here would go a long way in assisting them in difficult terrains in border areas. The chief guest on the occasion, Harbhajan Singh, IG, ITBP, congratulated the winners and gave away the awards to them on the occasion. He said such training was an integral part of the ITBP Academy as the force was assigned the task of guarding the most difficult terrain in the country where such skills were required to survive.

He said the ITBP since its inception had scaled more than 180 mountains. He added a letter had been written to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering to find the authentic record in this regard so that the name of the ITBP can be registered in the Guinness book of World Record.

Ministry for Himalayan states sought
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
Suresh Bhai, a renowned environmentalist, said the Centre should constitute a separate ministry for Himalayan states in order to conserve its ecology.

He said creating awareness on Himalayan ecology among villagers was the only solution to prevent its flora and fauna.

After releasing a book titled “Aur Coca Cola Har Gaya” at a function today, Suresh Bhai stressed on the need of collective efforts for environment conservation.

He expressed concern over deforestation and urged students to plant more saplings in every corner of the state.

Expressing his views, Praveen Kumar Bhatt, author of book, said he tried to express the struggle of villagers against the government proposal to establish the Coca Cola bottling plant at Chharba village in Dehradun.

He said villagers protested the proposal of establishing the Coca Cola plant on the 60-acre of land in the village as it had adverse effect on water table and ecology of Chharba and its adjoining villages.

Bhatt said the state government had quashed a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Private Limited after infuriated residents filed public interest litigation in high court on March 1, 2014.

Prof Varinder Painuly, Geeta Gairola, Kamla Pant, Atul Sharma, Rogi Ram Jaiswal, Inder Singh Negi, and others were present.

Wildlife week from Oct 1
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
The Uttarakhand Forest Department plans to observe the Wildlife Week (October 1 to October 7) in a big way this year.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, Uttarakhand Forest Minister Dinesh Agarwal said Chief Minister Harish Rawat will kickstart the week-long programmes by attending the inaugural function at the auditorium of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education on October 1.

Agarwal said this year’s Wildlife Week programme also holds significance for them as one of the national parks of the state, the Gangotri National Park, is completing 25 years of its existence. He said the Chief Minister will be releasing the logo of Gangotri National Park. He said the postal department will also be issuing postal first day cover on the park to mark the occasion.

Agarwal said a number of awareness programmes will be organised during the week to make the masses aware of the significance of wildlife. He said both Malsi Deer Park and Nainital Zoo will allow entry of children free of charge during the wildlife week. He said Forest Department officials will organise quiz and other competitions for children at these parks. Children will be shown films on wildlife. He said October 4 will be observed as Elephant Day. The day will see a number of programmes focusing on elephant. The minister held that the Forest Department will be distributing posters and stickers on wildlife to children.

He said two new motor boats will be handed over to the Corbett Tiger Reserve authorities on October 5 to be used for security of wildlife. He said the Wildlife Week closing programme will be organised at Raj Bhawan where Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi will honour forest officials who have done commendable work in protecting the state’s wildlife. The Governor will honour children who will excel at various quiz and competition programmes held during the week.

149 units of blood collected
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 26
Around 149 persons were given certificates as an acknowledgment of their contribution to the society by donating blood at a camp held in Mussoorie today.

The camp was organised in the memory of late Kuldeepraj Sahni by Rotary Club of Mussoorie. Certificates and blood unit card were distributed by Davinder Singh, DIG, ITBP Academy, who was special guest on the occasion.

The DIG lauded the efforts of Rotary Club for organising such camps and appreciated the contribution of citizens in making such camps a success. The Blood Bank, Dehradun, also distributed blood donation cards during the camp. A cheque was distributed to a woman as medical assistance by Rotary Club.

Club secretary Firoze Ali, Dr Sunil Upreti and Mohit Chawla from Blood Bank, Dehradun, ITBP Commandant (administration) Anil Kumar, Rajat Kapoor and others were present.

Man commits suicide

Dehradun, September 26
A man committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan in his bedroom here today. The police have sent the body for autopsy.

According to information available, Jayendra Singh Chauhan of Jyoti Vihar, committed suicide after having a heated argument here today.

The man hanged himself from the ceiling fan while his wife was busy with daily chores and his child was in school. — TNS

sports
St Lawrence School overall champion
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 26
St Lawrence School emerged the overall champion in both boys and girls categories in the 14th Regional Athletics Championship held at the Survey grounds in Mussoorie today. St Lawrence began by winning the sub-junior division boys and girls championships early this morning.

St Lawrence School won the Divya Pundir Memorial Trophy in the junior division while Mussoorie Girls Inter College won the sub-junior girls trophy. St. Lawrence School also won the junior boys and girls division trophies.

Ghananand Inter college won the senior boys division trophy while Mussoorie Girls Inter College won the trophy in the senior division girls category. Mussoorie Girls Inter College was declared overall champion while St. Lawrence was winners in the boys category.

Welham Girls’ School cagers win trophy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 26
Welham Girls’ School has won the DDSCA, Junior Girls (U-15), basketball tournament played at Dehradun.

In the final match, Welham Girls’ School beat Shigally Hills International Academy 42-05 in a one sided match. The highest scorer from Welham Girls’ School was Shraddha Rai, who scored 16 points.

Shraddha Rai from Welham Girls’ School was awarded by the most valuable player of the tournament and Shruti from Shigally Hills International Academy was awarded the most promising player of the tournament. Param Kalra, chairman, DDCSA, Dehradun, and Principal of Guru Nanak Academy, gave away awards.