Fervour, gaiety mark Dasehra celebrations 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
Dasehra, the festival symbolising victory of good over evil, was celebrated amid huge gathering of devotees and distinguished guests here today. The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghnath were set on fire at different places in the vicinities in Dehradun. However, main centre of attraction were the celebrations at Parade Ground.

The huge effigies were set afire amidst bursting of crackers at a function held at Parade ground. The Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghnath effigies were 60 feet, 55 feet and 50 feet high, respectively. A large number of devotees from different parts of the city gathered to witness the grand event. In fact, they had started gathering much before the programme started.

The event began with the bursting of crackers, which thrilled the crowd, especially children. Artistes performed major characters of the Ramayana, including the Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Ravana and others.

Earlier, a religious procession was taken out by Bannu Biradari Dasehra Committee members. The religious procession had tableaus of mythical characters. It commenced at Kalika Mata Mandir and passed through Paltan Bazar, Clock Tower, Ashley Hall before culminating at Parade Ground.

“Lanka Dahan” started at 5 pm followed by setting on fire the effigy of Ravana at 6 pm.

The chief guest of the function was Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. The chief minister set ablaze the effigies through remote control.

He greeted the residents on the occasion. He said that everybody should celebrate triumph of truth and righteousness over evil.

Rawat said that the Ravana symbolising ignorance and other evils must be defeated by the forces of unity, righteousness and knowledge represented by the Lord Rama. He stressed that collective efforts were needed to eradicate social evils from the society.

The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghnath were also put on fire at Ram Leela Ground, Patel Nagar, Clement Town, Jhanda Bazar, Indira Nagar, Prem Nagar and Hindu National College.

The city police had made elaborate arrangements for the event. Security arrangements were stepped up by the city police in order to avoid any untoward incident during the function.

The traffic was diverted to alternate routes to avoid jams near the Parade Ground. A large number of police personnel were deployed while fire brigade was also kept ready.

Tehri MP Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah, Sports Minister Dinesh Agarwal, MLAs Harbans Kapoor, Ganesh Joshi and Rajkumar, Municipal Corporation Mayor Vinod Chamoli, Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Ajay Bhatt and many other prominent personalities were present.

Unison World students celebrate Dasehra

The children and staff of Unison World School celebrated Dasehra here Friday. Chief guest Bhawna Agarwal, member, Unison Foundation, urged students to work for the removal social evils from the society.

She said that students should always work hard to achieve their goals.

The students enacted role of the Lord Rama, Ravana, Kumbhkaran, etc. and spread the message of doing good deeds. Among those present were Sakshi, Pranjal, Sanya and others.

Khanduri expresses concern over poor condition of roads
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Pauri MP Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd) expressed concern over poor condition of roads in Pauri parliamentary constituency. He sought immediate repair of damaged roads along the Char Dham Yatra route.

At a meeting with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Khanduri lamented poor condition of roads en route Badrinath and Kedarnath. He expressed concern that the nodal agency was yet to take effective steps for reconstructing the damaged roads along the Char Dham Yatra route.

Khanduri said the Congress-led state government should strictly implement a transfer policy in order to fill vacant posts in tough hilly terrains of the state.

Khanduri urged Rawat to instruct officials to expedite in development activities, especially in the higher areas of the state. 

UKD (Airy) members continue hunger strike
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
Seeking permanent capital status for Gairsain, members of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Airy) continued their two-day hunger strike at the statue of UKD founder and state agitator Inder Mani Badoni at Clock Tower today.

UKD (Airy)’s patron BD Ratudi pledged that the UKD would continue to agitate till the main demand of permanent capital status for Gairsain is fulfilled by the state government. He said a majority of people in the state support this demand. “If Gairsain cannot become the permanent capital of the state, it means the very concept of having a separate state was wrong,” Ratudi pointed out.

Echoing similar sentiments, UKD (airy) vice-president Shivanand Chamoli said the dreams of state agitators could only be realised if Gairsain gets a permanent capital status. He said technically, Gairsain was perfectly suitable as the permanent capital as it was centrally located between Garhwal and Kumaon hills.

UKD (Airy)’s president Harish Chandra Pathak, Kisan Singh Mehta, DK Pal and Virendra Bisht participated in the hunger strike.

Kedarnath portals to close from Oct 25
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
The sacred portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath will be closed from October 25 and November 27, respectively. The dates were finalised by official priests here today. The portals of Kedarnath shrine would be closed at 3:35pm amid gathering of devotees. The portals of Tungnath and Kedar Madheshwar are slated to close on October 30 and November 21, respectively.

Anil Sharma, office-bearer of the mandir samiti, said necessary arrangements would be made for the closing ceremony. The sacred portals would be closed for nearly six months during winters.

Sharma said special prayers and rituals would be followed and portals would be declared closed amid gathering of devotees during the closing ceremony.

Multipurpose camp at Champawat

Pithoragarh, October 3
The Champawat district administration today organised a multipurpose camp at Tamli, most backward region of the district. The camp was jointly inaugurated by Congress MLA from Champawat Hemesh Kharkwal, zila panchayat chairperson, Khushal Singh Adhiikari and District Magistrate Dipendra Kumar Chaudhari at Tamli, situated at Indo- Nepal border.

According to a press release, 215 patients were examined at the camp while 36 animals were given medicines after diagnosing their ailments by stockmen attending the camp from DLO stall. Besides, 21 permanent residents certificates, 11 income certificates, 26 BPL and 23 old-age pension certificates were issued.

According to district information officer, over 100 farmers from local villages purchased advanced variety seeds from the stall of agricultural department. — OC

Myriad hues of celebration mark Dasehra
Tribune Reporters

Devotees celebrate Durga Puja in Dehradun on Friday. Tribune photos: Abhyudaya Kotnala

Haridwar, October 3
The religious festival of Dasehra was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm here today. The epic ‘Ramayana’ based Ramleela enactments also concluded which drew heavy response from the enthusiasts.

In the evening, the ‘Lord Rama’ and ‘Laxman’ set on fire the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhakarana, marking the victory of the truth over evil.

Ramlila enacted at Haridwar Ramleela maidan and also at Kankhal, Ramnagar, Mayapur, Jwalapur,and BHEL witnessed huge crowds last night and today evening.

Elaborate traffic and police arrangements were made on the occasion by the district administration.

At Dev Sanskriti University, effigy of Ravana was set on fire in the presence of hundreds of students and others.

Haridwar parliamentarian and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Haridwar city legislator Madan Kaushik, Ranipur-BHEL legislator Aadesh Chauhan, Jwalapur legislator Chandrasekhar Bhattewala, Haridwar Rural legislator Swami Yatishwaranand, Mayor Manoj Garg, District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan and SSP Sweety Aggarwal wished the people on the occasion.

The ‘Durga Puja’ festivities also concluded here today with immersion of idols of deity Durga and deity Saraswati.Durga. Pandals across the city witnessed huge rush of devotees, particularly those hailing from Bengal.

Unique tradition at Almora

Pithoragarh: Dasehra was celebrated with fervour, zest and happiness here today. Effigies of demon king Ravana and two other demons were set aflame amidst the bursting of crackers at Almora and other areas in Kumaon region.

Many small effigies of the demons were set on fire at several places across the Almora town.

“Almora has a unique tradition as effigies of all members of the Ravana family are set aflame on Dasehra,” said Navin Bisht, a resident of Almora. Besides, the occasion also marked the immersion of goddess Durga at Dobha Naula in Almora.

According to the traditions, the burning of effigies of the Ravan family began in 1976 when all Mohallas decided to contribute to the Dasehra festivity by contributing one effigy from each mohalla. “The traditions of Ramlila in Almora started in 1860 while burning of effigies of the Ravan family started in 1976,” said Bisht.

Besides, effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran were burnt at Pithoragarh. “Local fairs were organised in Kali Kumaon region of Champawat district as the region inherits Dhasai, (Dashmi) tradition from Nepal,” said VR Kharkwal, a local resident.

No festivities due to lack of coordination

Mussoorie: The annual exercise of burning the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran were not conducted today due lack of coordination among organisers.

However, traders from Library Bazaar refuted the claims of lack of coordination among them and said the effigy burning programme was cancelled due to unprecedented rush of tourist as it would have created chaotic scenes here.

Municipal Council president Manmohan Singh Mall was not aware of any such move and said if it was true, then it was unfortunate for the town.

A tourist from Delhi said, “Going to Ramlila ground in Delhi is an arduous task so we decided to come to Mussoorie and witness Ravan Dahan, but we were shocked to learn that the effigy of Ravana would not be burnt this year.”

An elderly from the town said the incident was really shocking. He demanded that the local administration or the Municipal Council should take over the charge for the celebrations of Dasehra festivities from next year.

Earlier, dressed in colourful attire, thousands of devotees visited temples, including Santoora Temple near Kempty Fall, Surkhanda temple at Dhanaulti, temples at Library, Landour and near Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk in Kulri Bazaar, and offered prayers on the occasion.

A procession depicting tableaus depicting the life of Lord Rama and scenes from epic Mahabharat was also taken out from Sanatan Dharam Temple at landour Bazaar to Lakshmi Narayan Temple at Library Bazaar.

The highlight of the procession was the 72-year-old Chandarbhan, who without any let-off in monkey-like mischief and donning the attire of Hanuman, regaled the children accompanying him all the way to Library Bazaar.

Chandarbhan has been performing the role of Hanuman since 1970 and that too without any break.

Chandarbhan said he would continue to play the role of Hanuman until his last breath as it gave him immense satisfaction.

The Lions mela, an annual affair, could not be organised due to absence of any suitable place. Appu Ghar, where it was organised previously, is under construction and would make way for a private parking soon.

However, senior officials of the district afministration were not available 
for comment.

Workshop on land consolidation at Pauri Garhwal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
A workshop on the implementation of land consolidation in Garhwal hills will take place in Pauri Garhwal district on October 7 and 8. Kapil Dobhal, convener of the workshop, said lack of land consolidation in hills was adversely affecting the agriculture produce in the hills, forcing people to take to alternative sources of employment in other parts of the country.

Explaining land consolidation, Dobhal said most of the landholdings in Garhwal and Kumaon hills were scattered, making it not viable for agriculture. “Consolidating this scattered land was the urgently need to serve farmers,” he said.

He said the process involved providing alternate land to the owner in lieu of its scattered land so that he could get a single piece of land in a stretch,” he said.

Dobhal said this was also leading to rampant migration from hills. He said Gareeb Kranthi, a social organisation, will organise this workshop and Cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat will be the main speaker.

He said there had been repeated demands by people for land consolidation in hills. “Even earlier governments in the state had come up with separate directorate, but the implementation of land consolidation is still very slow,” he observed.

Unemployed teachers threaten to intensify stir
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
The agitated BP Ed and MP Ed unemployed youths have threatened to intensify their agitation if the Congress-led state government does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

The agitators lamented that memorandum highlighting their demands was submitted many times to Chief Minister Harish Rawat, but steps were still awaited to fulfil their year-long pending demands.

The agitators under the banner of the BP Ed and MP Ed Unemployed Association gathered at Raipur bus stand and raised anti-government slogans.

Addressing gathering, Sunder Singh, state president of the BP Ed and MP Ed Unemployed Association has said that the state government is yet to fulfil their-year long pending demands.

He said the agitators were demanding employment in the government sector but state government was not issuing notification against the vacant posts, despite the fact that agitators were qualified and trained instructors.

Among others, Devendra Koranga, Rakesh Singh, Rajeev Singh, Mukesh Singh and Surendra Kumar were present on the occasion. 

Closure of canal leaves Ganga ghats dry
Water supply in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh to be affected
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 3
The annual maintenance of the Ganga canal has left the sanctum sanctorum of Braham Kund, Har-ki-Pauri and other Ganga ghats dry. The water supply will remain suspended till October 24. During this period, the canal and ghats will be repaired and cleaned up. The supply of potable water will be affected in Delhi, NCR and Uttar Pradesh and hit the agriculture sector.

The Irrigation Department cleans the Ganga canal, which starts from Haridwar till Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

The full capacity of the canal is 10,500 cusecs, which is being increased to 13,500 cusecs by broadening the canal from Mayapur barrage till Pull Jatwada. The water flow in the canal is controlled from Bhagirathi point, prior to Har-ki-Pauri, and Chaudhari Charan Singh Bhimgoda barrage supply channel.

Due to dispute over property transfer, the canal in Uttarakhand is still controlled by the Uttar Pradesh government, of which it was a part till 2000.

Talking to TNS, Ganga Canal Head Works Uttar Pradesh SDO MK Singh said from midnight onwards 95per cent of the canal closure would be done, though a minimum flow for Braham Kund, Har-ki-Pauri had been allowed to perform religious rituals at the sanctum sanctorum.

Emphasising the need of full Ganga canal closure annually, officers of head works UP Irrigation Department said the closure was necessary for maintenance of this 160 year- old canal.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party government has given nod for the canal closure in festive time, which may witness opposition and protest by local people, the Ganga Sabha, saint community, traders and teerth purohits-pundits.

Uttarakhand Congress launches official blog
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
The Uttarakhand Congress today launched its blog “Uttarakhand Congress Samwad” here today. State Congress president Kishore Updhayaya, who launched the blog, said social media had immense relevance in creating a public opinion. He said the blog would help greatly in bringing the party policies and programmes to the general public.

Congress state media cell coordinator Surendra Singh Arya said social media would play a crucial role in Uttarakand in the days to come. He also gave details of various sections in the blog.

Congress Dehradun leaders Lalchand Sharma, Rajendra Shah and Bachan Pokhriyal were the prominent leaders present on the occasion.

Teachers seek implementation of UGC guidelines

Dehradun, October 3
The Federation of Uttaranchal University College Teachers Association (FRUCTA) has demanded prompt implementation of UGC guidelines for government-aided degree colleges.

Members of the federation alleged that the UGC had favoured career advancement scheme for college teachers. They said the state government was least interested in implementation of the scheme, thus depriving them of much-needed promotions.

They said college teachers were deprived of availing their UGC sanctioned leaves. They have also sought revocation of the rule of annual confidential report.

The federation has sent a memorandum to the Principal Secretary, Higher Education, seeking his intervention.

President Dr Sudhir Gairola, general secretary Dr VC Pandey, Dr Devna Sharma, Dr SP Singh and Dr Geeta Kohlia were prominent signatories to the memorandum. — TNS

Cong MLA ends dharna as all demands met
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 3
Congress MLA Mayukh Mahar, who began his dharna yesterday against the government over non-compliance of development works in his constituency, ended it today. Three Harish Rawat emissaries — Almora MLA Manoj Tiwari, Champawat MLA Hitesh Kharkwal and Chief Minister’s OSD Chandan Ghughtiyal met the protesting MLA and apprised him of the decisions taken by the state government on his demands.

“The Chief Minister’s emissaries gave me all documents concerning financial grant for the development schemes which have been given an administrative sanction earlier,” said Mahar.

According to Mahar, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has sanctioned all schemes for the development of the district and his Assembly area.

Earlier, addressing a gathering, Mahar said his experience with former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna was better than the present Chief Minister. “I am forced to sit on dharna as the working style of Harish Rawat needs a change,” said Mahar.

Earlier, RK Sudhanshu, secretary, Medical Education, met the MLA along with medical education director Rajendra Bhatt and informed him of the decision taken by the government concerning the release of funds for the construction of a base hospital at the district headquarters.

“We have come up with a proposal of making a medical college in the district in the coming years for which we have selected the land according to the MCI parameters,” said Sudhanshu.

Sources from Mahar camp said the MLA has got sanctioned teaching staff for rural area schools, two artificial lakes at Rai and Tharkot localities at the district headquarters, besides the base hospital and long-awaited drinking water scheme from Aanwala ghat for the district headquarters. 

Sweety takes over as Haridwar SSP
Tribune News Service

Haridwar October 3
Sweety Aggarwal, first woman Senior Superintendent of Police, Haridwar, took charge at Roshanabad-based SSP office today. A 2006 IPS batch officer, Sweety has done engineering from coveted Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. She has served as Superintendent of Special Task Force, Uttarakhand.

At a media briefing at CCR tower, she assured the people that crime in the district would be controlled with the effective support of all. The new district police chief cited crime against women, managing traffic, crackdown on criminals, illegal quarrying and bringing drastic change in behavior of police personnel towards common people were as priorities.

Sweety, who had earlier served in the capacity of Assistant Superintendent of Police in Haridwar, said she was confident of reining in the crime graph in the district owing to her previous experience and able support from her subordinates.

SP City Dr Surjeet Singh Pawar, SP Rural Parmendra Dobhal,CO Roorkee Prahlad Narayan Meena,CO Sadar Rajesh Bhatt,CO Lakshar Lokjeet Singh,CFO Madhu Sudan Sharma, CO City Chandra Mohan Singh and Station House Officers’ were present on the occasion.

Free medical camp for handicapped at Parmarth

Haridwar, October 3
A seven-day free health camp is being organised at Parmarth Niketan, Swarg Ashram, for handicapped persons. Apart from routine health check-up, artificial hands and legs will be transplanted to about 200 handicapped persons hailing from Pauri Garhwal,Tehri Garhwal, Haridwar and Dehradun districts.

Inaugurating the camp here today at Swami Sukhdevanand Charity Hospital Parmarth Niketan,Swami Chidanand Muni Maharaj said working for poor and needy was a noble cause.

The seer cited various social works being carried out by Parmarth Niketan Ashram across the country.

The transplantation camp was inaugurated in presence of saints and others during Ganga Aarti, Bengal-based Mahavir Sewa Sadan is providing financial support to this camp,while medical services is being provided by doctors and medical team of Swami Sukhdevanand Charity Hospital. — TNS

Samiti complains to HDA about poor civic amenities
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 3
A delegation of Indira Lok Awasiya Kalyan Samiti on Wednesday met Haridwar-Roorkee Development Authority vice chairperson related with civic woes in the colony. Delegation members submitted a memorandum to the HDA vice chairperson Harbans Singh Chugh, in which they pointed out poor condition of roads, lack of sewerage lines, erratic power and water supply in the colony.

President of Indira Lok Awasiya Kalyan Samiti Devpal Singh Rathi said that despite being an approved colony by Haridwar Development Authority, lack of civic facilities put questions on the working of the authority.

Rathi pointed that all the plots of the Indra Lok Awasiya Colony were cut by HDA and dozens of people applied for these as HDA tag was behind it.

“But still after two years of the coming up of the colony, be it laying of carpeted road, sewer lines, installing streetlights and developing colony parks, lackadaisical attitude of HDA and concerned government departments had aggravated our woes,”
said Rathi.

General secretary Yogesh Kumar Bansal said that in the wake of lack of streetlights, incidents of theft, eve teasing and chain snatching were occurring, which had put fear among the women residents of the colony.

Waterlogging, non-disposal of garbage and non-pruning of trees had made the colony a slum colony, despite high rates fetched by HDA, remarked Prem Chand Saini, a resident.

On this, Harbans Singh Chugh assured colony residents of prompt action and providing basic facilities in the colony.

Harbans added that soon he will call a meeting of the concerned department officials so that power, sewer, waterlogging and other problems are dealt with.

BJP divisional president Vikas Tiwari also accompanied the Indra Vikas Colony residents and warned that if in the coming weeks the meeting between VC, HDA, and related government departments is not held, then BJP activists will take to agitation route.

Cleanliness campaign at THDC India
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
The THDC India Limited, Koteshwar, launched “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” at its project site Koteshwar. SR Mishra, General Manager, (Project), inaugurated the programme and employees Overwhelem participated in the cleanliness drive.

Addressing gathering, Mishra urged the employees to contribute towards the drive. He fixed two hours in a week for the purpose. He has also formed a committee for the purpose by appointing nodal officers.

He stressed on inculcating habit of cleanliness among youngsters.

Mishra urged youngsters to create awareness among masses about the importance of cleanliness. He said that collective efforts are needed for making city and neat clean. 

School organises fancy dress competition
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
Siddharth Public School organised a fancy dress competition as part of Dasehra celebrations here. An effigy of Ravan was set afire on the school premises.

The theme of the fancy dress competition dealt with religious characters. Students were dressed as Rama, Ravan, Krishna, Sudama, Sabri, Narad and other religious characters. Students from all four houses, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Krishna and Sabarmati, participated in the competition.

Ganga house won the fancy dress competition. Brahmaputra House secured the second position in the competition while Krishna house stood third.

Disabled stage dharna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
Under the banner of Nanda Devi Nirdhan Viklang Kalyan Sanstha, disabled staged a dharna today outside Gandhi Park, seeking fulfillment of their long-standing concerns.

Led by Basant Kumar Thapliyal, president, the protesters sought implementation of the quota for disabled in state government jobs. The protesters also announced that a protest would be staged outside Chief Minister’s residence in support of their demands tomorrow.

Seven Oaks win cricket tourney
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 3
In the ongoing 7th Rohitash Singh Memorial Inter-School Boys’ Superb 8s Cricket Tournament, the first match was played between Seven Oaks School and St Thomas College. Seven Oaks School won by five runs.

The second match was played between Indian Cambridge School and The Heritage School. The Heritage School won by seven wickets.

The third match was played between Col Brown School and Hilton School and the latter emerge victorious by 2 runs, while in the fourth match, Asian School defeated Lovedale Academy.

The fifth match was played between DPS and North Point School,and DPS emerge victorious.