man-animal conflict
WLT funds to help secure Chilkiya-Kota Corridor
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
In the backdrop of increasing incidents of man-animal conflict in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, International NGO, World Land Trust (WLT) will be utilising its “Big Cat Big Match” money, a special fund-raising campaign to help protect the key Chilkiya-Kota Corridor in the Terai region in the Kumaon foothills.

There has been an increase in the human population living in and around the 3.75-km-wide Chilkiya-Kota Corridor, which is an area marked by movement of big cats.

This has resulted in clashes between the species, as tigers prey on cattle in villages on the edge of the corridor. In January 2011, a tiger that had been declared a man-eater was shot dead in the corridor by officials from the Uttarakhand Forest Department.

WLT and its Indian partner Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) are now working with the Uttarakhand Forest Department for benefit of both tigers and humans in Terai. The organisations are collaborating in order to relocate the human settlement in Chilkiya-Kota Corridor to a safer location. The villagers have agreed to the relocation, and in the new settlements, they will have their own houses and land ownership.

“To conserve wildlife, especially elephants and tigers, as well as to ameliorate the suffering of people due to conflict with wildlife, rehabilitating the villagers to a safer place is the only option,” explains Dr Sandeep Tiwari, WTI’s Deputy Director and Regional Head, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. “This will be a win-win situation for residents of both villages,” he said.

International NGO WLT’s Big Cat Big Match is presently underway and will conclude on October 15.

Funds that will be raised during the special fund-raising campaign will be used to enable WLT’s worldwide partners to extend existing reserves and create important new wildlife corridors to connect fragmented protected areas that include the Chilkiya-Kota Corridor. The funds will support WLT’s Keepers of the Wild Programme, which supports employment of wildlife rangers in the reserves. WLT’s conservation model is based on purchase and protection of areas of threatened habitat in partnership with project partners in order to conserve biodiversity and endangered species.

“After 25 years of conservation success in countries as diverse as Paraguay and India, we know that WLT’s model of land purchase and protection is making it possible for big cats to survive in the wild in Latin America and Asia,” WLT Chief Executive John Burton observed.

• There has been an increase in the human population living in and around the 3.75-km-wide Chilkiya-Kota Corridor, which is an area marked by movement of big cats. This has resulted in clashes between the species
• World Land Trust and its Indian partner Wildlife Trust of India are collaborating to relocate the human settlement in Chilkiya-Kota Corridor.

CM promises to address grievances of displaced Tehri villagers 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has announced to rename Tehri reservoir as Sridev Suman Sagar. He said the names of tourism-related projects would be after the names of adjoining villages that were plunged into the Tehri reservoir.

Rawat assured the gathering that every possible step would be taken to address grievances of displaced villagers. He said Tehri Sagar must be developed as a tourist destination of international standard.

Rawat said the Congress-led state government was committed to improving tourism sector in the state. He said a couple of plans were in the pipeline for improving infrastructure at tourist destinations of the state.

On the concluding day of the two-day adventure festival organised by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board at Tehri Lake, Koti Colony, the Chief Minister said special package would be made exclusively for touring Himalayan tourist spots.

He said special efforts would be made by the state government to develop “Khait” mountain as a minor mountaineering site. “The ongoing work of building Dobrachanti bridge is expected to be completed soon. The state government would lay emphasis on developing civil tourism,” said Rawat.

He said effective measures were already taken by the state government for rehabilitating those villagers who were displaced during the construction of Tehri reservoir. He said officials were instructed to expedite development-related activities.

State Tourism Minister Dinesh Dhanai said adventure sports would be organised at Tehri Lake in order to attract more number of tourists in the state.

Auto emission regulations discussed
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
Indian Institute of Petroleum’s Automotive Fuel and Lubricant Application Division today organised a one-day seminar entitled “Trends in Emission Regulations”. Inaugurating the seminar, the IIP Director Dr MO Garg said the world today was headed for a big challenge towards meeting the fuel quality of Euro V standards.

He pointed out that the emission from the exhaust of a vehicle depends on four major factors, namely fuel quality, engine compatibility, road and traffic condition. “In India, the first two factors, fuel quality and engine quality, are world class, but two other factors, road and traffic condition, are of major concern,” said Dr Garg.

The key speaker, an expert in engine studies, Ajay Gogia, said the automobile industry is set to develop and design engines that comply with Euro V norms. He said the Indian automotive industry is also gearing up to meet VI emissions norms in the near future. There were several presentations focused on emissions.

IIP’s Automotive Fuel and Lubricant Application Division (AFLAD) is a specialised division stated to be having proven competence in engine exhaust emissions. It is said to be equipped with state-of-the-art testing facilities to conduct basic and applied research in application of various fuels and lubricants. It plays a vital role in formulation of policies related to the automotive industry at the national level by providing technical support to the Union Petroleum Ministry. 

‘Himalayan states facing wrath of climate change’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
Social activists, environmentalists and other volunteers will kickstart Rashtriya Himalaya Niti Abhiyan from Gangotri in Uttarakhand tomorrow. The campaign will culminate at Ganga Sagar in West Bengal. According to Suresh Bhai, a crusader for environment conservation in Garhwal hills, the campaign is being started on October 11 as the day coincides with late socialist leader Jai Prakash Narayan’s birth anniversary. He said the campaign that includes padyatra aims to save the Ganga from pollution and seeks a separate policy for Himalayan states.

It will begin from the very origin of Ganga in Gangotri and will culminate at Ganga Sagar, the place where the river merges with the Bay of Bengal.

Suresh Bhai said the padyatra will reach Haridwar on October 30 after covering Srinagar, Deoprayag and Rishikesh towns. He said several interactive programmes involving the locals will be organised. He said the second leg will be from Haridwar to Benaras while the third and final leg will be from Benaras to Ganga Sagar. He said the dates for the second and third legs will be announced shortly.

Suresh Bhai said the Himalayan region was facing one catastrophe after another. He further stated that the Kedarnath tragedy followed by the Kashmir deluge showed that the Himalayan states were facing the wrath of climate change. He said it was important that there was a separate policy for Himalayan states.

MP Ed students yet to hear from govt

Dehradun, October 10
Agitating BP Ed and MP Ed unemployed students protested to register their antipathy against the Congress-led state government here today. The agitators threatened to intensify agitation if the state government did not accede to their demands.

The agitators gathered at Raipur bus stand and raised anti-government slogans.

The agitators said the memorandum highlighting their demands had been submitted to government officials several times The agitators demanded government jobs. — TNS

Hemkund Sahib portals close for winters
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
The portals of Sikh shrine Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara have been closed for nearly six months after holding of a special prayer at the gurdwara today. A large number of devotees from different corners of the state and the country congregated to witness the closing ceremony.

The gurdwara was closed due to onset of the winter season as the entire region would be snowbound.

Special prayers were held to mark the closing ceremony. The chief priest, Jassa Singh, recited Sukhmani Sahib during the function, which was followed by bhajans and kirtans.

After offering of the final prayers for the season, the doors of the shrine situated at 16,000 feet above sea level have been closed for nearly six months.

The devotees retreated to Govind Dham after culmination of the closing ceremony. The entire region received light snowfall for the past few days but pilgrims, irrespective of adverse weather conditions, thronged to witness the closing ceremony.

Sources said around 1.7 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine during the season. A distance of 22 km is covered from Govind ghat to reach Hemkund Sahib.

Statehood agitators seek martyr’s status for DSP
Umakant Tripathi died in police firing
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, October 10
Uttarakhand statehood agitators, under the banner of Uttarakhand Andolankari Manch Mussoorie, met Dhirendar Pratap, president of Uttarakhand Andolankari Samman Parishad, during his brief visit to Mussoorie today. They demanded martyr status for DSP Umakant Tripathi, who died in police firing in Mussoorie in 1994.

DSP Umakant Tripathi was assigned the task of controlling the mob at Jhoola Ghar when he received injuries as a result of bullets being allegedly fired by police jawans, which resulted in his death.

Members of the Uttarakhand Andolankari Manch also demanded that all those who figured in the FIR lodged in the police station during the 1994 agitation should be identified as statehood agitators in Mussoorie.

They demanded pension for those agitators who spent time in Bareilly jail during the movement for a separate state.

Dhirendar Pratap said the government was planning to change the identification date for the statehood agitators and was also contemplating introduction of several schemes for benefit of statehood agitators on the 15th anniversary of the state’s formation.

Jaiprakash Uttarakhandi, Devi Prasad Godiyal, Nagendar Dimri, Irshad Ahmed, Indradev Nautiyal, Suraj Bhardwaj, Puran Juyal, Surendar Dangwal, Mohan Lal and others were present on the occasion.

Jal Sansthan, Jal Nigam staff protest

Dehradun, October 10
Seeking an end to outsourcing of works and demanding better pay and perks, employees of Jal Nigam and Jal Sansthan today staged a protest rally in Dehradun in support of their long-standing demands.

Under the aegis of Jal Nigam Jal Sansthan Mazdoor Union, the employees gathered at Survey Chowk, from where they proceeded to the Secretariat. A strong vigilant police stopped the rally some metres ahead of the main gate of the Secretariat.

Kushalnand Uniyal, president of Jal Nigam Jal Sansthan Mazdoor Union, said works in both Jal Sansthan and Jal Nigam were being continuously outsourced, which was not good either for the departments or for the workforce being hired by agencies doing the outsourced work. — TNS 

Sanjay narang’s murder
Police announce cash reward

Dehradun, October 10
Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Rautela today announced a reward of Rs 2,500 on absconding notorious criminals allegedly involved in the killing of Sanjay Narang. The criminals are Ashok of Hapur, and Narendra of Bagpat, who are reportedly absconding after murdering Sanjay Nagar in Dehradun.

Sanjay Nagar, a property dealer, was brutally murdered by the duo at Raipur, Dehradun in January this year. The police revealed that Sanjay himself was a notorious criminal of Uttar Pradesh and was on parole. — TNS

Child labour: Dept takes refuge in denial
Says state free of the menace; no survey confirms this
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
While the efforts of an Indian to end child labour in the country have earned him a Nobel Peace Prize, it has been an uphill task convincing the state Labour Department that has shut its eyes to the existence of the problem of child labour in the state.

Since the creation of the state, the Department of Labour has never undertaken a survey on the number of children under the age of 14 years engaged in child labour in the state. NGOs working in the state and the State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) have repeatedly been urging the department to undertake a statewide survey.

According to the Department of Labour, between 2001 and 2013, as many as 4,367 children were identified by government and non-government organisations working in hazardous and non-hazardous units as child labourers.

Out of the total of 4,367 children, the government was able to rehabilitate around 87 children. Now, there is no child labour in the state, says the department. “According to the Department of Labour, the problem does not exist in the state, while its position is an eyewash. Since the commission came into existence, we have freed several children and had compelled the government in 2012 to set up a task force to be headed by district magistrates to identify children working as labourers in fields, mining areas, brick kilns or those begging or picking rags in the streets and help them join the mainstream by arranging education for them, but nothing has come about,” said Ajay Setia, chairman of SCPCR.

Kailash Satyarthi, child rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, while on a visit to Dehradun, had submitted a report to the government last year seeking action against child labour in Uttarakhand. “All of us working in the field of child rights are happy with the recognition that Kailash has received, but we are unhappy with the way things are moving in Uttarakhand,” said Setia.

Echoing the sentiment, Aditi Kaur of Mountain Children Foundation said children under the age of 14 years could be found working as domestic help in several houses that are educationally and financially well-heeled. “But the Department of Labour has failed to take any action to end the pernicious practice,” said Kaur.

CELEBRATING kARWA cHAUTH
Rajasthani henna designs in demand 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 10
Fasting on ‘Karwa chauth’ is done in the eighth lunar month of Hindu calendar (Chaturthi of Kartik). It holds a deep religious, mythological and martial significance for Indian women. Karwachauth fast symbolises lifelong bond of married women, who pray for the longevity of their husbands.

In Vedic scriptures references of Sita, Draupadi and Rukmani observing Karwachauth fast have been given. Thus, it can be assumed that Karwa Chauth fast is being observed from centuries. It holds great importance for married couples.

Karwachauth will be observed tomorrow. Women are thronging markets in the city. With henna (mehndi) holding a religious significance during Karwa Chauth, design artists are the most sought after by married women. Owing to media coverage and Indian films-serials showcasing Karwa Chauth as a pious occasion for married women, the fasting is done even in the remote areas where earlier it held little significance for women.

Earlier, women used to stick to fasting and seeing one’s husband in moon light. Now more and more women apply mehndi on hands and legs. The practice is much more prevalent among newly weds, which has increased the demand for mehndi designs. A round of city’s busiest markets, which include Jwalpaur, Kathaira Bazaar, Ranipur shows that demand for applying mehndi in Rajasthani or Arabic patterns is more among newly married couples.

Artists hailing from Rajasthan are more sought after, which can be gauged by the fact that at least four to five hours prior booking is required for applying henna. Their charges too are exorbitant.

A Vivek Vihar resident, Shikha Rawat, is excited about the Karwa Chauth festival. “Rajasthani designs are best one for newly weds. Karwa Chauth is considered quite auspicious in Rajasthan. Fasting is also good for health. Colour, thin lining design, distinct look are some of the traits of Rajasthani style,” said Shikha. She has applied henna herself on one hand and took professional help for the other.

Arabic henna designs are also in demand as they are usually large and 
easily visible. They are particularly preferred by elderly women.

Pankaj Kumar, an Arabic pattern henna expert, said his style of applying mehndi was quite diverse as it had floral designs, which left some open space as it did not have motifs such as peacocks or faces etc, demanded by women. Observed during the Hindu calendar month of Kartik on Krishna Paksh, the fourth day-Karwa Chauth fast is observed by wives, who abstain food and water (Nirjala vrat) throughout the day.

This fast continues till the time moon is spotted in the sky. After seeing the moon through a veil, women see face of their husbands. Then they drink water from their husband’s hand and break their day-long fast.

Indian Prachi Society based noted astrologer, Dr Pratik Mishrapuri says deity Sita, Draupadi and Rukhmani also observed Karwa Chauth fast, which lends credibility and importance to this ritual.

Sita observed fast for Lord Rama’s victory, Rukhmani took to fasting for Lord Krishna and for Pandava’s the ritual of fasting was performed by Draupadi.

Another astrologer, Atrey Shastri, says, “This time the puja muhurat spans between 17:52 to 19:07 hrs on October 11. Moon can probably be sighted at 20:19 hrs. So, women devotees should break their fast after seeing the moon and after this time period only.”

Shastri said, “Karwa Chauth holds deep significance for married couples as by taking to ritual fasting the life term and health of their husbands increases.

PWD contractors threaten to launch agitation
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
The Contractors’ Association of Public Works Department (PWD) has threatened to start an agitation if the department does not take effective steps to address grievances. The association members expressed resentment over pending bills which were yet to be cleared by the department.

While chairing a meeting of the association held here today, Govind Singh Pundir, president of the association, lamented that a memorandum highlighting their demand, including release of amount against pending bills, was submitted to officials concerned several times, but the department was yet to take effective steps in this regard.

He said the department should take effective steps to release the amount after the completion of development works.

Pundir said association members would hold a protest if the department did not take steps to clear pending bills soon.

Rajendra Singh, Rudresh Sharma, Anurag Gupta, Ranveer Singh Pundir, Gaurav, Nagendra Panwar and others were present on the occasion. 

Police urged to control pollution

Dehradun, October 10
Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) today submitted a memorandum to Superintendent of Police (SP) Pradeep Rai. The activists have asked the city police to control pollution.

The activists led by General Mahadev Singh Mandal president Rajesh Rawat said city buses, tractor-trolleys and three-wheelers were polluting the environment.

The activists said the city police should an awareness drive to check pollution in the city. — TNS

‘Yoga helps to attain better state of mind’ 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 10
Mental health being is as vital as the physical wellbeing. This was stated by Shyam Lata Juyal, Head of Psychology Department, Kanya Gurukul College, at a seminar on Mental Health Awareness Day, here today.

Prof Shyam Lata emphasised on the need of awareness regarding mental health as many people are getting afflicted with mental ailments, particularly due to stress, hectic and irregular modern lifestyle.

Students of the Psychology Department generated awareness via research papers, studies on mental health. Girl students demonstrated the need of being positive, calm and stress free via posters, placards and charts.

Gurukul Kangri University Registrar Prof VK Sharma said adhering to yoga art, indulging in physical activities, mental activities such as puzzles, crosswords, reading and pranayam, one can attain a better state of mind.

Coordinator of Kanya Gurukul campus Prof Sangeeta Vidhyalankar said women should be aware of mental wellbeing as it has come into light that they are also quite prone to mental ailments.

Gurukul Kangri University Psychology head Professor CP Khokhar, Dr Sunita Rani, students Nidhi Sharma, Rashi Bhatnagar, Surendra Dhalwal, Anita Thapliyal and others were present.

Will be tough on ‘love jehad’: Bajrang Dal
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 10
Bajrang Dal, which is observing its 30th foundation year, has taken a 
strong stance against cow slaughter, ‘love jehad’, religious conversion and infiltration from Bangladesh into India.

A statement was issued in this regard at the inaugural session of the three-day Bajrang Dal national seminar at Prem Nagar ashram today.

National coordinator Rajesh Pandey said in his address that duping of Hindu girls by assuming of fake Hindu identities by people from other communities will not be tolerated further by Bajrang Dal. An awareness campaign will be initiated via media, social media and seminars by Bajrang Dal activists, he said.

Pandey warned those who indulge in cow slaughter, saying in Hindu religion, the cow is regarded as a deity.

Convention coordinator Randeep Singh Pokhriya said more than 2,000 Bajrang Dal activists will take part in this three-day convention.

Yog Guru Ramdev, Patanjali Yogpeeth Acharya Bala Krishan, Vishwa Hindu Parishad convenor Ashok Singhal, working president of VHP Praveen Togadia, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh ideologue Suresh Saini, Bharat Mata Mandir founder Swami Satyamitranand, veteran BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, Jai Bhan Singh Pawaiya, Dr Surendra Jain, Prakash Sharma and Subash Chauhan are among others scheduled to take part in the convention.

Kanshi Ram remembered 
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 10
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Kanshi Ram was remembered in Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts on the occasion of his eighth death anniversary today. The speakers said on the occasion that Kanshi Ram had worked to raise self-respect in the Dalit community of the country through his astute sacrifice and struggle against the oppressive nature inherent in traditions of the Indian society.

In Bageshwar, BSP leaders met at Prashant Hall of the town and highlighted Kanshi Ram’s contribution in uplifting Dalit self-respect and struggle against the oppression. “We have pledged that his mission will be fulfilled on the day Mayawati becomes the country’s Prime Minister,” said Sundar Kumar Syunewal, district president of BSP in Bageshwar.

In Pithoragarh district, BSP leaders and other members of the Dalit community met at Ambedkar Park to remember the Dalit leader. They said Kanshi Ram not only filled the void of Dalit leadership but also started the work of creating Dalit history, glossary of Dalit leadership and even Dalit literature and Dalit industry as also Dalit media.

“The leader had started organising the Dalit masses beginning with government employees from the community. BSP turned a big political force,” said Sudarshan Prasad Tamta, a Dalit leader in Pithoragarh district.

In Champawat district, BSP leaders remembered Kanshi Ram in a meeting at the residence of BSP district chief Raju Sharma and said Kanshi Ram was a real follower of Dr Ambedkar as he had started proceeding towards the goal of Dr Ambedkar to capture political power in the country for Dalit community for it to have dignity in society.

“Kanshi Ram started the struggle that Mayawati furthered and Dr Ambedkar had imagined,” said Raju Sharma, BSP leader in Champawat.

Students’ role in afforestation emphasised
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
SP Singh, chairman of Sardar Bhagwan Singh (Post Graduate) Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research, Balawala Institute, has requested students to start an awareness drive to conserve forests. He said students can play a pivotal role in afforestation efforts.

Singh encouraged students and staff of Government Intermediate College, Badowala towards plantation. He donated 350 saplings of Gulmohar to pay tribute to his father Late Sardar Gurcharan Singh, who is founder of the institute, in a plantation drive held here today.

Singh handed over a cheque of Rs 1,100 each to two meritorious students.

He called for keeping the environment clean and maintaining hygiene to become healthy.

Subhash Chandra Dhyani, Mohan Singh Bisht, Anil Shrivastava, Sohan Singh Negi, Kushalanand Bhatt, Dobhal Singh Bhandari, Manoj Nautiyal, Anil Chaudhary, Sanjay Chauhan and Umesh Sharma were 
present.

Raise awareness to check female foeticide: Daundiyal

Dehradun, October 10
A member of the Uttarakhand Human Rights 
Commission, Hemlata Daundiyal, stressed on the need of creating awareness among the people to control female foeticide in the state. She said strict action should be taken against those who were involved in female foeticide.

Addressing a seminar on the occasion of International Day of Girl Child, organised by Uttarakhand Mahilla Association (UMA) here today, Daundiyal said, “A girl deserves equal rights to education, medical and health facilities like a male child gets in the family.” She said awareness was the tool for improving gender ratio in the state.

Director of Sanskrit Directorate, Beena Bhatt, UMA president Sadhna Sharma, Archana Sharma, Meenu and Dr Anu Dhir werepresent on the occasion. — TNS

St Judes win Super 8 cricket tournament
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
St Judes have won the 7th Rohitash Singh Memorial Inter-School Boys Super 8 Cricket Tournament. St Jude’s beat The Heritage School in the final played here today. In the first innings, St Judes scored 30 runs. In reply, The Heritage School could score 18 runs. Already ahead with a lead of 12 runs, St Judes, in the second innings, scored 43 runs while in response, The Heritage School could score just 28 runs. 

Thus, St Jude’s registered a 27-run victory and bagged the Rohitash Trophy.

Chief guest Brig Charanjeet Singh handed over the award to both the winners and runners-up. Vidit Bhatt of Hilton School won the best bowler award. Rahul Kumar of Bala Hissar won the most promising batsman award. Ayush Rawat from Doon Blossom School won the best captain award and the best sportsman spirit award went to Akshat of Asian School.

Angling competition from Oct 18
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 10
The eighth international angling competition at the confluence of Kali and Saryu rivers in Pancheswar, Champawat district, will be held from October 18. Both Indian and foreign anglers will be participating in the competition. SK Das, chairperson of Drishtikon, an NGO, which has been organising the event from the last seven years, gave information about the event to mediapersons at Champawat today.

The competition involves catching a golden Mahashir fish in the cold waters of Kali and Saryu rivers.

Players compete in ongoing police badminton tourney
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 10
Several matches were played under different categories in the ongoing Seventh All India Police Badminton Championship here today. In the open doubles category, Janmanjay and Seju Kunala (Uttarakhand) beat Jagmaohan and Barondra (IB) 31-21, while C Lal Thanmawai and Lal Ruaia (Mizoram) subdued Navneet Singh and Amit Sinha (Uttarakhand) 21-13. Ashish Kumar and Mukesh (CRPF) beat Sunil Soni and Rajesh Shivrain (SSB) 31-11.

In mixed doubles category, Gwitte and N Nobin (Manipur) beat Vineet Dev and Gurjat Singh (Punjab) as the later walked over. Renuka Mishra (SSB) and Sunil Soni (SSB) beat Balbir Singh and Vijay Singh (Himachal Pradesh) 31-22; Rajkumar and Reshma Singh (UP) beat P Renuka and Jagmohan (IB) 31-16.

In the 45 plus (doubles category), PC Lal Chhuanawma and Lal Muaipuia beat Jagunaid and Jai Praksash (Telagana) 31-13; K Jayantha Singh and A Basant Sharma (Manipur) beat VB Bhaskar and Nagan Gowda (Karnataka) 31-21 while Nishith Chandra and Anuj Kumar Singh (ITBP) beat Khaute LM and N Nobin Singh (Manipur) 31-15; C Lalruaia and C Lalthanmauria (Mizoram) beat M Ravi and Sunil Bhulari (Tamil Nadu) 31-21.

In the 40 plus (doubles category), Aswani Singh and Bhubhu Malik (BSF) beat Balbir Singh and Pramod Shukla (Himachal Pradesh) 31-8; Aswani Singh and Bhubhu Malik (BSF) beat Rajesh Mohram Yashvir Singh (IB) 31-6; C Lal Ruatsanga Ralte and C Lalruia (Mizoram) beat DS Negi and Rajendra Singh (ITBP) 31-21; Ashish Raut and Mukesh(CRPF) beat Jagga Naidu and Jai Prakash Narayana (Telagana) 31-13.

In the 40 plus (singles category) Ruatsanga Ralte (Mizoram) beat VV Satheesan (RPF) 21-16 and 21-18; Manmohan (Punjab) beat Ashish Raut (CRPF) 31-16.

In the women single’s semi-final match Bala Devi (Andhra Pradesh) beat Renuka Mishra (SSB) 21-12, 21-10 while Kamlesh Upadhyay (Uttarakhand) beat Bhanupreeta (RPF) 21-13, 21-14. Under 55 plus category (singles quarter final), CH Bimol Singh (Manipur) beat PL Lallawamsanga (Mizoram) 21-13, 21-10 while Lal Manpuia (Mizoram) beat MN Joshi (RPF) 21-14, 21-19. Sanjeeva Rao (Telangana) beat Rakesh Rai (UP) 21-12, 21-17.

Northern Frontier clinch karate trophy
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, October 10
Northern Frontier was declared winners of the fourth Inter-Frontier Karate Championship held at ITBP grounds in Mussoorie today. North-Eastern Frontier and North-West frontier were declared second and third, respectively.

Around 144 participants from six frontiers of the ITBP participated in the competition. Damodar, a jawan from North-Eastern Frontier, was adjudged best karate champion and presented with the black belt 2014 on the occasion.

IG ITBP, North Frontier, Inder Singh Negi, said karate was the best form of self-defence and the training should be imparted to civilians around the academy for safety and security of the people. ITBP Academy director Harbhajan Singh distributed citations and awards on the occasion. Addressing the jawans, he said the ITBP had garnered a number of medals in the national and international events in the past and will continue the good work in the future as well.

ITBP DIG Devendar Singh, ITBP Commandant Anil Kumar, Shailendar Kumar commandant (training) and others were present.