Maintenance work spells power cut
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
Around a dozen colonies faced the brunt of power cut for three to four hours due to maintenance work carried out by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) here today. UPCL officials said loose connections were tightened and technical errors were rectified in order to ensure disruption-free electricity to consumers.

The maintenance work was carried out at 33/11 KV Bindal, and 11 KV Haridwar feeder. Power supply was disrupted at Indira Colony, Tilak Road, Khurbura, Devki Complex, Chakrata Road, Vijay Colony, Pathariaya Peer, New Cantt Road, Haridwar Road, Chander Nagar, etc. Several colonies went without power today as testing of lines was done by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited.

The latest data compiled by UPCL has clearly highlighted that demand of electricity is 34.11 million units against availability of 33.23 million units of electricity in the state, while state-run hydro-power projects have generated 15.15 million units of electricity. The electricity generation in 198 Megawatt Kalagarh, and 42 Megawatt Khatima hydro-power projects is zero.

The electricity generation has been adversely affected in other hydro-power projects — Chibbro, Maneri Bhalli-II, Khulhal and Dakrani, due to less flow of water in Himalayan rivers and their tributaries in the state.

Talking about the power scenario in the state, an official spokesman of UPCL, Madhusudan, said the corporation will get 1.5 million units of electricity on Tuesday to meet the power demand in the state.

He said the gap between demand and availability of electricity had increased due to lower electricity generation in the state-run hydro-power projects.

Unable to cope up with the electricity demand in the state, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited enforced four hours of power cut in rural areas of Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts, while small towns Roorkee, Kashipur, Rudrapur and Haldwani went without power for nearly two to three hours towards meeting the electricity demand in the state.

CM for preserving Himalayan flora and fauna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
Chief Minister Harish Rawat said it was the duty of every resident to contribute for preserving Himalayan culture and its tradition.

The Chief Minister released the book “Rawai-Jaunpur and Jaunsar-Bavar, Kal Aaj Aur Kal” at a function here today.

He stressed on the need of cluster farming and horticulture in Jaunsar and its adjoining areas and preserving Himalayan flora and fauna.

Rawat said collective efforts were needed for the development of entire region. The CM has instructed officials concerned to draft a plan for Tilwari Mahotsav.

Speaking on the occasion, author of book, Vijendra Rawat, said the book contains struggle and life culture of those residents, who are living in the Yamuna valley. He said the book throws light on the struggle of residents of Jaunsar region.

Cabinet ministers Preetam Singh and Preetam Singh Panwar, former cabinet ministers Amrita Rawat and Khajjan Das and others were present on the occasion.

Garbage heaps pile up, cause health scare 
Residents protest lax attitude of Municipal Corporation
Tribune News Service

Heaps of garbage lying undisposed near a dumping yard at Raj Ghat in Haridwar on Monday. Tribune photo

Haridwar, Sep.tember 29
Residents of the pilgrim city fear an outbreak of diseases, if corrective measures are not taken.

Heaps of garbage, plastic material and filth can be seen on almost all major roads, colonies and intersections of the Haridwar city.

Though the Municipal Corporation made tall claims of keeping the city clean, the situation here is totally different.

Recently, the Haridwar civic body got elevated from Municipal Committee to Municipal Corporation.

Open drains and choked sewer lines seem to be inviting diseases, but no action has been taken so far.

Perturbed by the lax attitude of municipality and the administration, residents of various colonies, including Sapt Sarovar, Bhoopatwala, Kankhal, Jwalapur, Khanna Nagar, Vivek Vihar, Aawas Vikas staged protests.

There is fear of an outbreak of diseases in the areas of sub-urban Jwalapur, particularly Mohalla Ghosian, Paodhoi and Dheerawali, where garbage is not being dumped on a regular basis.

Hundreds of dengue and malaria cases were reported here last year, but the authorities concerned have not taken any concrete step so far.

After knocking doors of political leaders of the colony as well as authorities concerned, affected Jwalapur residents have joined the protest against the civic body.

Colony committee members raised slogans against the Municipal Committee for not paying attention to their problems. They said the authorities were risking lives of people as dengue and malaria cases were reportedly increasing every day.

“Heaps of garbage and waste material lead to diseases and the foul smell makes it difficult to use inner roads of the colonies. The authorities must look into the issue because unhygienic conditions pose a threat to health,” said Tanveer Ali, a resident of Jwalapur.

Residents are planning to meet District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan in this regard.

Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi said she has directed the sanitation employees to ensure regular disposal, cleaning and dumping of garbage.

Vipra said in view of the festival season, additional contractual sanitation workers have been pitched in and she would herself monitor the progress. Sanitation Inspector Bal Ram said the civic body dumper trucks regularly visit the colonies, but people themselves throw the garbage outside the bins.

Weather turns pleasant after rain lashes Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
The weather turned pleasant after rain lashed different areas of Dehradun today evening.

Long bumper-to-bumper traffic jams were witnessed at major inter-crossings of Dehradun while commuters were returning home after office hours in the evening after the rain had stopped.

Dehradun Meteorological Centre has forecast partly cloudy sky in Dehradun and formation of clouds could take place on Tuesday evening.

The higher reaches of Uttarakhand which are Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib, Kedarnath, Chamoli, Gopeshwar, etc. could receive light to moderate rainfall.

The latest data compiled by State Emergency Operations Centre of Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre (DMMC), clearly highlighted that Gangolihat, Didihat, Jakholi, and Uttarkashi received 53 mm, 17 mm, 15 mm and 13 mm rainfall, respectively.

The vehicular flow along Char Dham Yatra route was normal except in a few stretches where rain triggered landslides in the higher parts of the state.

The district administration officials told that Public Works Department officials were strictly instructed to clear debris and reopen blocked roads in order to ensure disruption-free movement of vehicles in the higher areas of the state. 

MLA inaugurates consumer awareness camp 

Dehradun, September 29
Raj Kumar, MLA, Rajpur Road, has said that it is the duty of every consumer to know his rights. He said awareness was the only tool that helped in fair trade.

After inaugurating an awareness camp on consumer rights organised by the Sanjhi Chat Vikas Samiti here today, the MLA said consumers should knock at the door of consumer court in case of deficiency in service or quality of goods.

Speaking on the occasion, Harjeet Singh, president of the Sanjhi Chat Vikas Samiti, said the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had been enacted to preserve the rights of consumers. “Consumer protection is a group of laws and organisations designed to ensure the rights of consumers as well as fair trade, competition and accurate information in the market place,” he said.

Singh said laws were designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors. He said there was provision to impose penalty on service provider, in case of poor quality of goods, or service. Arjun Sonkar, Prakash Negi, Vinod Chandola, Sushil Virmani, Rahet Ali and others were present on the occasion. — TNS

Book on birds released
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
A book titled ‘Legendary Birds’ was released by renowned folk singer Narendra Singh Negi at a ceremony held at MKP PG College here today. The book is penned by Dr Surjeet Singh Kandari. The book is based on the inter-personal relationship between human beings and birds.

According to the writer, “He has endeavoured to cater the culture, custom and linguistic of Uttarakhand to the people worldwide by putting the stories in a proper chapter, shape and the words spoken in Garhwali.”

He said though the book was more of a children story book yet it would catch everyone’s eye. Chief guest Narendra Singh Negi stated that there were plenty of stories in Uttarakhand but they were scattered and miscued. He congratulated Dr Surjeet Singh Kandari for writing such a wonderful book, which would be appreciated by everyone.

DG of ICFRE: Hindi language binds people of various regions 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education(ICFRE) celebrated Hindi Week from September 18 to 29, 2014. The closing ceremony of the event took place today.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar, DG, ICFRE, was the chief guest on this occasion. The programme started with the lighting of the lamp by the chief guest. Dr. Ashwani Kumar, DG, ICFRE, stated that though it was the closing ceremony of Hindi Week, ‘’it is not the closing of use of Hindi in our daily official work.’’ He said that since ICFRE was a scientific organisation and most of the terminology and literature on forestry and related science was in English only, there is an immediate need of an updated Hindi glossary of technical terms covering various aspects of forestry. He informed that Hindi was the third largest spoken language in the world. He opined that Hindi was not only rajbhasha but it is also a connecting language that binds people of different regions having different dialects. He called for diligent and sincere efforts for enhanced use of rajbhasha Hindi.

Saibal Dasgupta, DDG (Extension), laid emphasis on the importance of rajbhasha Hindi and said that though organising Hindi Week is expected under the rules and orders of the rajbhasha,however, it is not a formality only. ICFRE is committed to the use of Hindi in its daily official working and for implementation of Rules, Regulations, Orders and Official Language Act, 1963, regarding rajbhasha Hindi by organising various training workshops, programmes etc. He informed that ‘’in spite of being a scientific organisation, we are striving towards attaining the goals fixed by the Rajbhasha Vibhag, New Delhi.’’

After the welcome address, the message of the Union home minister, Government of India, on the occasion of Hindi Diwas 2014 was read by R.K. Mishra, Research Officer, Media and Extension Division. Later a self written poetry recitation competition was organised on the occasion in which eight participants took part. Five competitions, essay competition, noting/ drafting competition, English to Hindi translation, Hindi typing on computer and self written poetry recitation were organised during the Hindi Week celebrations. In all a total of 44 participants took part in different events. Prizes were distributed to the winners of different competitions held during Hindi saptah by the chief guest Ashwani Kumar, DG, ICFRE.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Neena Khandekar, Additional Director General (ADG). About 100 officers, scientists and employees were present during the closing ceremony that was conducted by R.K. Mishra, Research Officer, Media and Extension Division. 

Act against child rights violations, says SCPCR order
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) has directed the Department of Labour to initiate action against a family that had engaged a girl who was less than 14 years of age, as domestic help.

The commission has urged the department to initiate necessary action so that a case could be registered under the Juvenile Justice Act.

“We were surprised to find that the Department of Labour had failed to detect this case, though under the Juvenile Justice Act, task forces have been set up at the district level to detect such cases,” said Ajay Setia, chairman of the commission.

When the case was first brought to the commission’s notice, it directed the Department of Labour to verify the facts which were submitted in the report testifying the deployment of the girl as domestic help for the last six years.

In another case, that pertaining to 50 students from Uttar Pradesh studying in a government school wherein they were denied food, the ADM has been asked to conduct an inquiry and present a report.

SSP Dehradun has been asked to explain why the Patel Nagar Chowki authorities did not hand over a child brought by the Child Line helpline upon a specific complaint of ill-treatment by her step mother.

“They did not follow the procedure. The child should have been handed over to the child welfare committee. Instead, the child was kept in the chowki for seven hours,” said Ajay Setia.

Medical certification scheme to be extended to all institutions
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
To improve the reliability of medical certification of cause of death under the scheme (MCDD) among all age groups, the state government has been asked by the office of Registrar General India to extend the coverage of the scheme to all private and government medical institutions in the country.

As the scheme was restricted to major hospitals and hospitals attached to medical colleges in urban areas, it was increasingly difficult to get uniform and reliable data on cause of specific mortality generated under the scheme of medical certification of cause of death (MCDD). The data so sourced also suffered from reliability, representativeness and comparability over the period of time.

“The inclusion of private and non-profit making medical bodies would go a long way in bridging the data gap on cause specific mortality profile in the country, which is of immense importance to public health planners,” said Dr GS Joshi, DG, Medical Health and Family Welfare.

In Uttarakhand the scheme is restricted mostly to major hospitals in the urban areas. The new directives will help in providing cause-specific mortality profile across different groups in the state.

The state health authorities will now have to undertake periodic inspections to monitor the quality of the MCDD data, ask the new institutions to fill form 4 (Hospital deaths) and also present action taken report (ATR) to the office.

As of now in the country, the present coverage of medically certified deaths to the total registered deaths is 20.2 per cent and only 14.3 per cent against the total estimated deaths.

NGO Waste Warriors conducts teachers’ induction workshop
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
Waste Warriors, an NGO involved in cleanliness of the city, conducted the 3rd teachers’ induction workshop of its educational programme titled ‘Create to Inspire’ at Seven Oaks School on Sunday. The programme was funded by private players and aimed at providing guidance to teachers for including environmental education as part of the school curriculum.

Notably, the programme was designed to help teachers conduct exercises and activities in the environmental sciences and is geared to engage and inspire students from classes 5 to 12.

For CBSE schools, Microsoft has created synergies of the exercises being provided for teachers with continuous evaluation as per the (CCE) framework.

During the four-hour interactive workshop held at the school, teachers were introduced to the 14 toolkits that have been designed and developed by Microsoft as part of this programme. Each of the toolkits is based on a different environmental topic with a variety of exercises for involving the students. Almost 16 teachers from 9 schools across Dehradun participated in the programme.

Moreover, the participating schools will get opportunity to showcase their events in a programme to be held in the month of November and January, 2015, where teachers and the students will present some of the creative activities they have completed. The programme will conclude in February next year where successful schools will be presented with certificates by Microsoft at a felicitation event.

Jodie Underhill, CEO of Waste Warriors, which is the implementation partner for the programme in Dehradun, said: “This is one of a kind programme by Microsoft that will change the way environmental science is taught in schools. Education of this kind is the key to ensuring that the youth of India grow up into environmentally aware and responsible citizens.”

During the workshop, Olympus High School, Grace Academy, Welham Girls School, CNI Girls Inter College, The Asian School, Times World School, The Montessori School, Gautam International School and Indian Cambridge School participated. 

Cleanliness drive at Anandmayee Memorial School
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
The students of Maa Anandmayee Memorial School, Raiwala, organised an extensive cleanliness drive today in the Raiwala vicinity after being inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with students on Teacher’s Day.

This drive was aimed at making people conscious and aware of the positives associated with living in a cleaner environment.

Students not only collected a large mass of garbage across Prateet Nagar and Raiwala but also chanted slogans and addressed the audience quite patiently. The students were accompanied by their senior teachers who were proactively involved in directing their students all through the rally.

The school principal Veena Sahani and Director Arpit Panjwani congratulated the students for their efforts and promised to continue organising such campaigns against other such evils that exist in society. 

Anomalies in appointment of teachers: ABVP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
Activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) today protested on the district headquarters campus against anomalies in appointment of teachers in evening classes in degree colleges.

They have threatened to intensify the agitation if the district administration does not accede to their pending demand.

The activists gathered on district headquarters campus and raised slogans against the district administration. The agitators lamented that retired teachers should not be called for interview and selected to teach in evening classes in degree colleges of Dehradun.

They demanded to appoint young and unemployed qualified, and trained teachers to teach in evening classes in the degree colleges.

Paras Goyal, Rakesh Negi, Sapna, Anjali, Vikram Pharswan, Suraj Rawat, Abhishek, Sanjay Tomar, Narendra Sharma, Ankit Sundriyal and others were present.

10 lakh Shantikunj volunteers to take part
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 29
About 10 lakh volunteers associated with Shantikunj Gayatri Global Family will be contributing to the clean-Ganga drive in the coming days. Each volunteer will be giving at least three months time for this ambitious drive named ‘Nirmal Ganga Jan Abhiyan,’ initiated by Shantikunj in three phases from advent of holy Ganga at Gaumukh Gangotri till Ganga Sagar.For the past year first and second phases were covering Uttarakhand only but the third phase has been launched in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Today, Shantikunj ideologue Dr Pranav Pandya urged people to be voluntary part of this drive’s thrid phase, as sacred Ganga is regarded as mother and “it was the responsibility of all of us as children to rid her of pollution and garbage.”

Dr Pandya said that two phases of this drive have been completed with the third phase of this drive commencing from Gangotri earlier this month. ‘’To ensure Ganga cleanliness, Shantikunj volunteers numbering 10 lakh have confirmed their participation and contribution.’’

“The time has come to replicate a bit of the Herculean efforts of Bhagirath,who was instrumental in bringing mokshdayini Ganga to earth.In all five states of the country through which the holy Ganga passes Shantikunj volunteers will carry out cleanliness drive on the banks of Ganga for three months. Local public support is also sought to ensure no more garbage or plastic material is poured into the holy Ganga,” said Dr Pandya, while addressing hundreds of volunteers at Shantikunj auditorium.

Notably, Dr Pranav Pandya had recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi where he was assured of government support regarding clean Ganga drive being spearheaded by Shantikunj.

For this a pragya mandal is being formed in Uttarakhand,Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal for cleaning Ganga river as well as generating awareness among the local people residing along the banks to not to pollute the holy river in any way.

Govt identifies 132 locations to stop sewage spill into Ganga 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subash Kumar said as many as 132 locations had been identified across the state for stopping sewage flow into the Ganga river, during the State Executive Committee meeting of the State Ganga River Conservation Authority, which he chaired here today at the Secretariat.

He also said locations along the main stem of the Ganga and along the tributaries had been identified where pollution abatement works were required to clean up the river. Apart from pledging to speed up the work for cleanup and conservation of the Ganga, the Chief Secretary added, provision of 730 community toilets had been proposed to cater the need for floating population and tourists, which would prevent the river from getting polluted.

Almost 159 locations have also been proposed for construction of proper electric or improved wood-based crematorium on the banks of the Ganga and its tributaries, he further added. Besides,1223 bio-digester toilets, 5,09,830 household toilets, 10 locations for conservation of aquatic life, 46 locations for disposal of flowers and other pooja materials, 38 locations for traditional livelihood projects, capacity building of local bodies, river front development activities had been identified, said Subash Kumar.

During the meeting, it was also informed that Rs 64.54 crore had been earmarked for 2014-15, for the purpose of municipal wastewater (sewerage and sewage treatment) treatment, industrial pollution, river front development and solid waste management.

Notably, the municipal waste water treatment would be done at Muni-ki-Reti, Dhalwala (Rishikesh), Haridwar, Rishikesh, Gopeshwar, Joshimath, Uttarkashi and Srinagar, while river front development will be done at Tapovan, Muni-ki-Reti, Swargashram and Rishikesh. However, solid waste management work will be done at Muni-ki-Reti, Dhalwala and Tapovan.

Additional Secretaries Rakesh Sharma and S Raju, Secretary Power UK Panwar, Additional Secretaries Arvind Singh Hyanki, Saujanya and may other officials were present on the occasion. 

On cards

* Almost 159 locations have also been proposed for construction of proper electric or improved wood-based crematorium at the banks of Ganga river and its tributaries

* Besides,1223 bio-digester toilets, 5,09,830 household toilets, 10 locations for conservation of aquatic life, 46 locations for disposal of flowers and other pooja materials, 38 locations for traditional livelihood projects, capacity building of local bodies, river front development activities had been identified

Entrepreneurs trained in waste management
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
Dolphin PG Institute of Biomedical & Natural Sciences, in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology Uttarakhand, organised a six-day workshop on “Entrepreneurship Development Programme on Biotechnology-based Industries”, that concluded here today.

The workshop had as many as 40 participants from different parts of the state. Specialists from the field of solid waste management and related industries trained the participants. They visited various several solid waste management plants in Haridwar and Dehradun.

Dr S Sengupta Pandey, Additional Commissioner, Food & Civil Services, Government of Uttarakhand, was the chief guest at the valedictory ceremony held today. During the six-day programme, Vijay Thapliyal, Secretary, Mandi Parishad, Dr Asha Maswahan, Dr CS Pansey, Dr Sanjay Agarwal and Rajeev Verma trained the participants.

Dr Ajay Thakur, a senior scientist with FRI, said biofilters, anaerobic treatment and biotrickling filters are some of the ways by which waste water can be treated. Environmental issues can be tackled by bioremediation. These days, due to advancement in technology, solid waste is being treated scientifically, he said.

Programme coordinator Dr Sanjay Agarwal said that the proceedings of the workshop would be published soon.

Arvind Gupta, chairman, Dr Shailja Pant, principal, Dr Arun Kumar, director, Dr Sanjay Agarwal, Prof Sas Biswas, Dr C Pandey, Vipul Garg, SK Sheel, Prerna Bahuguna, Dr Mandeep Bahuguna, Dr DK Bhardwaj, Dr AK Pundir and TK Sujeeth were present on the occasion.

Mohan Kumar from FRI said this workshop would bring about a change in his life and appreciated the lectures given by Anand Mohan and Dr S Biswas. He said the resources available should not be misutilised and an aspiring entrepreneur needs to be disciplined and sensitive towards nature and resources available.

“An entrepreneur should have a scientific bent of mind. Entrepreneurs have to ensure that natural resources are not exploited in the name of development,” he added.

379 days on, MP Ed students plea still unheard

Dehradun, September 29
Members of the MP Ed and BP Ed Trained Association continued their protest at Parade Ground here today in support of their one-point demand of appointment as physical trainer (PT) teachers at the government schools.

The protesters claimed they had been on agitation since past 379 days, but the government was not paying heed to our demand.

A protester said, “We have carried a number of protest marches and even met CM Harish Rawat and senior officials on numerous occasions, but the government has been giving false promises to us.” — TNS

Ramlila shows a big draw 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 29
Suburban Jwalapur Ramlila at Ram Nagar is drawing crowds till late night due to its beautiful and decorative sets in sync with the mythological theme, traditional attire-costumes by actors and aided with superior acting skills.

Though Jwalapur is a Muslim-dominated area, the mutual harmony that exists between the different sects here is visible in the management of Ramlila.

Minority representatives, too, lend their support to Hindu organisers in successful hosting of the Ramlila.

On the 10th day of the enactment of the Ramayana epic, Lord Shri Ram-Hanuman-king Sugreev friendship and king Bali’s demolition of were portrayed by the actors effectively.

Lord Rama was portrayed by Bharat Sharma,Sugreev by Sagar Arora,Bali by Tarun Sharma and Shabri by Pundit Rishi Lal.

Elsewhere, at Upper Road Shri Ramlila Committee, Haridwar, Mayapur Ramlila and Kankhal Ramlila are also drawing huge crowds during these days. Ramlila shows will conclude on Vijayadashmi, Dasehra, on October 3.

44th Raising Day of PAC celebrated

Pithoragarh, September 29
On the occasion of 44th Raising Day of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), a four-day charity mela was inaugurated by Kumaon DIG Anant Ram Chauhan at Rudrapur. The mela, which has several handicraft items displayed for sale, will fund a welfare programme for PAC widows and former jawans.

Speaking on the occasion, the DIG said with challenges before the security forces in maintaining peace and order besides goodwill in the society increasing, the role of the force is becoming more challenging day by day.

“We need to make the force more technically-savvy to face these challenges,” said the DIG.

According to PAC Commandant Sweeti Aggarwal, the festival was marked by melodious music of PAC orchestra and memorials and citations being given away to the guests. — OC

Financial assistance sought for family of deceased councillor
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 29
Councillors today raised their demand for financial assistance to the family of Ramesh Bharti, MC member from Barlowganj who died recently, during the council meeting held in Mussoorie today.

The MC member from Jharipani ward, Anuj Gupta, raising the matter at the meeting, said Ramesh Bharti was a committed and honest social worker who was a councillor from Barlowganj, but his family members had been living like paupers after his demise. Gupta said the Municipal Council should provide some financial relief to the family of the deceased councillor. He said he would be taking care of school education of one of Bharti’s children.

Councillor Beena Panwar raised the issue of sewer in Butcher Khana area open for the past several years; the Jal Sansthan has initiated no action yet. She said the open sewer line is posing a health hazard for the area residents. Responding to the demand, Jal Sansthan officials came up with the assurance that the repair work would begin soon.

Councillor Vinod Semwal also raised the issue of mismanagement during the World Tourism Day celebrations on September 27 and lambasted the tourism officials for lacklustre arrangements.

Earlier, Manmohan Singh Mall aired resentment at the attitude of various departments that failed to attend the MC meeting despite being sent the information.

Mall said the officials were not interested in solving the problems of the town. He said officials from various government departments should attend the next meeting on priority and no excuses would be entertained if they failed in their duty.

Revenue staff strike enters 60th day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
The agitation by revenue ameen staff entered 60th day today in support of their year-long pending demands.

The protesters have threatened to intensify the agitation if the state government does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

The agitators under the banner of the Uttarakhand Revenue Sangrah Ameen Association gathered at Parade Ground and raised anti-department slogans in support of their demands.

Hansagiri Goswami and Deewanpuri Goswami from Bageshwar protested at Raipur bus stand.

Speaking on the occasion, Udayveer Singh Rawat, state president of the Uttarakhand Revenue Sangrah Ameen Association said pay anomaly, timely promotion, reservation, are a few year-long pending demands of the association.

Sabbal Singh Rawat, Nagendra Pokhriyal, Rakesh Negi, Vinod Rawat, Kamleshwar Bhatt, Dev Singh Rawat, Surat Singh, Ranveer Singh and others were present.

‘Make recruitment on BTC posts’ 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
The Students Federation of India (SFI) has demanded the inclusion of 1,800 Basic Teachers Certificate (BTC) posts in the ongoing recruitment of Special BTC in the state. The student outfit has also demanded that there should not be any delay in the release of the name of the BTC list.

According to Students Federation of India leaders, they will be forced to join the agitation of BEd TET if government does not meet the demands.

Bike theft mastermind in police custody
Tribune News Service

Dehradun/Haridwar, Sept 29
A Rampur police team nabbed the mastermind of a gang of bike-lifters during a vehicle-checking drive at Ram Dham Colony today.

Sonu, resident of Vilaspur village, Gangoh, Saharanpur district, was passing by Gangotri guest house, Ram Dham Colony, when he was stopped by a police team for routine checks.

As he was stopped, Sonu tried to retract, but he lost control of the two-wheeler. Sub-Inspector Abhinav Sharma, along with constable Ramesh and Karan Kumar, chased and arrested him as he tried to flee.

Upon initial interrogation, Sonu failed to produce the proper documents of the bike. He later accepted that he had stolen the bike from Gandhi Nagar Colony, New Delhi. Sonu had planted a duplicate number DL-HR 07 U 9920 on the original number plate of the bike that bore the number DL-13 SF 7561.

Further interrogation revealed that Sonu had a hand in a dozen-odd motorcycle thefts along with two accomplices. Tipped off, police then managed to recover three motorcycles stolen from Delhi, Karnal, Panipat and Saharanpur in recent months.

The bikes recovered had fake number plates, all prepared by Sonu. A police team’s search was on for recovery of three other motorcycles stolen by Sonu and his gang’s members at the time this report was filed.

SP Surjeet Singh Pawar, while lauding the police team’s efforts, said intense checking by city police at major points of the city had brought results. He added that the police would soon be able to arrest Sonu’s accomplices.

Inter-state gang of thieves nabbed in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
A day after cracking the sensational Nakronda robbery case, the Dehradun police today claimed to have solved two major theft cases by busting a gang of inter-state thieves and arrested four burglars here today.

While addressing the mediapersons, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Rautela, said, “the Patel Nagar police have arrested four thieves who hail from Uttar Pradesh and were arrested for committing two thefts in Dehradun ten days back. They were arrested from Chandrabani chowk in the Patel Nagar police station area”.

According to the SSP, the thieves have been identified as Mobin, Mohammad Azad, Zulfikar Saifi and Mohammad Sohaib, who committed thefts at Sunny Electronics at Shimla bypass road on September 21 and also at a house in Prakash Lok Colony in the Patel Nagar police station area on September 20.

The SSP said, “They are active in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana, and generally rents vehicles and changes their registration number plates before committing the thefts.”

The police have recovered stolen goods worth Rs 3 lakh from the arrested thieves, which includes, two LED TV’s, two laptops, two music systems, two tablets, 19 mobile phones, a gold chain, pair of earrings, gold pendant, gold ring and silver ornaments.

Singer from Uttarakhand makes it to tinsel town
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, September 29
Jubin Nautiyal, a singer born and brought up in the valley of Dehradun, has finally got a break as lead singer in a Bollywood film titled “Sonali Cable” to be released shortly on the silver screen.

Jubin Nautiyal has lent his voice to the song titled “Ek Mulakat Zaroori” from the film which has already reached the top of the charts in the country and is receiving positive reviews, said Jubin Nautiyal, who was in Mussoorie for a brief visit today.

Jubin, speaking to media persons, said that he had sung around 50 songs for various films so far which will figure in the forthcoming films in the near future. He also informed the media that one romantic song sung by him will also figure in Akshay Kumar starrer film scheduled to be released in the month of November. He also said that his voice would also figure in songs of Salman Khan and Sunny Leone starrer films.

Jubin Nautiyal said that he sings most of the numbers in films produced by Rocky Khanna scheduled to be released in the near future. Nautiyal also said that he was contemplaitng on coming out with his own album and was also interested in singing in regional dialects, Garhwali and Jaunsari.

Jubin showed interest in music at a very early age of 8. An alumini of Welham Boys School, Dehradun, he studied music as a subject all through his schooling years and continued to do so during graduation.

He has learned different forms of music like Hindustani classical, Sufi and Western and has been always eager to explore new areas.

Prior to Bollywood he has performed at various college festivals, charity shows and cultural events giving him the reputation of a versatile singer. Apart from singing, Jubin also writes lyrics and composes his own music. He also has a very good command over instruments like guitar and piano.

Training for trekking guides completed
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 29
A 37-member group of local youths, meant to be trained as high altitude trekking guides for increasing trekking tourism of the district in Johar and Drama valleys of the district, returned after taking 17 days training at Panchu glacier area of Johar valley in Munsiyari areas of the Himalayas of this district.

“The team was taken there to train the participating youths in high altitude region in order to prepare them as high altitude guides for future,” said Balwant Kapkoti, leader of the team.

According to the team leader, before beginning its trek to high altitude regions of Johar valley, the team was trained in rock climbing at Birthi area situated in the lower valleys of Johar region, as training in rock climbing is the basic need for high altitude guides. “After taking rock climbing training at Birthi, our team of youths proceeded towards Munsiyari, Lilam, Bogdiyar, Rilkot and Ganghar camps in Johar valley by trekkinh and reached at Panchu glacier, where we spent some tine to acclimatise with the atmosphere there,” said the team leader.

According to district adventure tourist officer of Pithoragarh, the same training will be started for Champawat district in the coming days as the district also has the potential for high altitude trekking tourism.

River rafting begins in Ganga today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
White water rafting has restarted again after a gap of nearly three months for winter season in the state. The tourists can enjoy rafting in the river Ganga from Tuesday onwards in Rishikesh and adjoining tourist destinations.

Tourists can enjoy simple hike or rapids during season. The pleasant weather increases the fun of rafting. It is worth mentioning that tourists and adventure freak people enjoy rafting themselves during summer and winter seasons.

The upper valley tributaries of the Ganga, the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi, are reasonable expedition level rivers. They meet at Devprayag to form the Ganga, which for the next 35 km to Kaudiyala is another day trip in itself. The tourists can enjoy various levels of rapids during rafting.

The tourists enjoy rafting on the 35-km stretch of the river from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh during season.

District administration officials claimed that necessary arrangements had been made for white water rafting, kayaking and other adventure activities and sports. Stern instructions were given to tour operators to ensure safety of tourists during adventure activities.

District administration officials claimed that strict departmental action would be taken against those who failed to meet minimum standards for adventure activities during season.

Ishita, Vanshika, Tanisha clinch table tennis trophy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 29
The final matches were played in different age categories in the All-India IPSC (Indian Public Schools’ Conference) girls Under-14, 17 and 19 Table Tennis Tournament here today. In the under-14 girls’ single final match, Ishita Gupta of DPS Mathura Road defeated Amiesh Dhall of the same school 4-2. While in the under-17 category final, Vanshika Sachar of DPS Mathura Road defeated Anshika Khurana of same school 4-0. Tanisha Dhaliwal of Mayo College Girls’ School won the under-19 girls’ final after registering a 4-2 win over Anushka Gugalia of Welhams Girls’ School.

Ashok Vasu, secretery general, Uttarakhand Table Tennis Association, was the chief guest and gave away the trophies, prizes to the winners and runners-up in different categories.

Victory for Vanshika, Kamil in TT

The finals of Under-16 Boys/Girls District Level Table Tennis Championship were held at multi-purpose sports facility in Parade Ground here today. In the girls’ single category, Vanshika of Summer Valley School defeated Teena from the same school 4-1 score in the final match. In the girls doubles category, the duo of Teena and Vanshika of Summer Valley won the finals against Nehi and Saumya from Unison World School in straight sets 3-0.

In the boys single final match, Kamil of Guru Nanak Inter-College defeated Pratyaksh of KV, ONGC, 3-0 score. On the other hand, in the boys doubles finals, the team of Kamil and Saroj of Guru Nanak College defeated Habibul and Abhinav from Scholars Home School 3-1.