Police nab 4 notorious criminals
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 11
The Haridwar police today arrested four hardcore criminals while they were trying to carry out a heist at Green Park Colony, Roorkee here today. From the arrestees Gulbahar, Jabhar, resident of Nai Mandi, Muzaffarnagar and Chand Mohammed Raza, both hailing from Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, police seized two countrymade pistols and sharp knives.

The four used to operate as a gang and used to carry out loot at residential colonies and also lift vehicles.

As per Gang Nahar police station in charge Darban Singh Pawar, on a tip-off, police received information that four suspects were on their way near Green Park Colony to carry out a heist.

SHO Pawar, along with Gang Nahar police, laid a trap and cordoned off the entire area near Doon School.

Four persons tried to run away as soon as they were approached by the police team, and were nabbed.

Talking to TNS, newly appointed SSP Sweety Aggarwal said the arrestees had confessed having carried out a heist at the house of Jamshed at Green Park Colony and also having been involved in lifting of tractors, trolleys and motorcycles in the recent past.

“Arrestees’ criminal history as available revealed that they are hardcore criminals with many cases lodged in several police stations of Uttar Pradesh. We are in touch with UP police to know fully the criminal past and antecedents of the arrestees,” said the SSP.

Cases under Section 102 of CrPC, Section 411 of IPC and Arms Act Section 25/4 have been lodged against the arrestees at Gang Nahar police station.

Besides SHO Darban Singh Pawar, the police team comprised of Harpal Singh, Ranveer Singh, Dharmendra Rathi, Sandeep, Mukesh, Dinesh Chauhan, Arjun, Hukum Singh, Vijay Pal and Hitesh Rana, who were lauded by the SSP for busting this interstate gang.

BJP leader seeks ban on mining
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 11
The BJP MLA from Didiihat, Bishhan Singh Chufal, has demanded immediate stopping of illegal mining in Kali river, near Jhoolaghat town, on the Indo-Nepal border. Mining is being done on no man’s land on the Indian side, forcing the river to gradually change its course, which could prove disastrous for Jhoolaghat town and adjoining villages in the near future.

“The river has already damaged over 30 houses in last year’s disaster,” said Chufal in the meeting with the district magistrate yesterday.

According to the MLA, miners and mafia involved in mining are extracting minerals from no mans area on the pretext of having lease rights, which they have actually obtained for the adjoining region. “Mafia is mining in no man’s land at night to protect their leased area, but this activity is causing the nation dearer as the river has started changing course towards the Indian territory leaving more space for Nepal and endangering the town of Jhoolaghat,” said the BJP leader.

Pithoragarh district magistrate SC Semwal has said he had instructed the Jhoolaghat police to keep a vigil on mining in the river and inform the district administration if any lease owner or sand mafia indulges in unlawful activities. “We have decided to identify the riverbed leased out for mining and stop any such activity immediately after the sand deposits finish at the site leased out legally,” said the District Magistrate.

BJP flays Cong govt on Tehri lake
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
The Uttarakhand BJP has criticised the Harish Rawat government for failing to make the Tehri Lake Development Corporation functional even after three years of it’s notification.

The spokesperson of the Uttarakhand BJP Prakash Suman Dhyani said the Congress government should have started the work of preparing a master plan for developing infrastructure around Tehri lake but the government is busy wasting money on organising events. “The government should have left the hosting of adventure sports events to the private players and instead engaged itself in developing infrastructure around the Tehri lake. The Tehri Lake Development Corporation was notified three years ago but till date it has failed to come up with a master plan,” said Dhyani.

He termed the Tehri adventure event organised by Department of Tourism in Tehri as unproductive when the same money could have been utilised for developing infrastructure.

“The people of Pratap Nagar are facing a great deal of hardships as the Dobra Chatti bridge remains incomplete, though around Rs 150 crore have been spent,” he said. Dhyani asked the government to come clean on companies hired for setting up tent age facility and hot air balloon for the ongoing event.

Centre effected change in rice procurement policy: CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
Chief Minister Harish Rawat met Union Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Ram Vilas Paswan and put forward concerns of the state before him. The Chief Minister drew his attention to the new rice procurement policy and said the Central Government had brought change in the policy.

He said the Centre had got down procurement of rice mill owners from 75 per cent to 25 per cent. Rawat said this was adversely affecting both mill owners and farmers. The CM requested Paswan for a change in the policy.

He requested the Union Government to grant a soft loan to the sugar mill owners, who are still to make payment to the farmers.

Ram Vilas Paswan assured positive result in this regard. The CM informed him that the state’s Food Department was working on computerisation of Food and Civil and Supplies Department and the work was scheduled to be completed by December.

Students given tips to enhance memory
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
The conference of the 5th UP-UK Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists Conference of India (APPICON) 2014 organised by the Physiology Department of the Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences concluded today.

Associate Prof Dr Neeru Garg along with Dr Satendri, assistant professor and Dr Priyanka Gupta, a student, presented a session on “Lab chart and lab hardware”.

Students can carry out various vital physiological tests like pulse, blood pressure and heart beat. Dr Neeru said there was a correlation between abnormality in vital functions of the human body like pulse, blood pressure and heart beat and memory.

Doctors and medical students availed the unique opportunity to learn significant facts and tips to enhance, strengthen and use memory.

Another attraction of the conference was the presentation of Kamlesh Chandra from Bikaner, Rajasthan, who is famous as the ‘memory master’. He said Swami Vivekananda was his ideal who was the super specialist of ‘memory’, its preserving and application.

Kamlesh Chandra also gave numerous practical tips for increasing, strengthening and applying memory.

During a session by Dr Sunita Mittal, HOD, Dept of Physiology, Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences and Memory master Kamlesh Chandra.

They emphasised that we should use the right hemisphere of our memory instead of left hemisphere. Right hemisphere means remembering old incidents or places by means of pictures and then will be easily able to memorise all other aspects related to it.

The left hemisphere is the logical-based memory which is not so helpful, but generally we do the mistake of using it more than the right hemisphere.

A name to reckon with in the world of magic
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 11
Anchal Kumawat began performing magic shows at the tender age of 5. She has to her credit 8,500 stage shows across the length and breadth of the country and was accorded National Child Award by Government of India.

Anchal Kumawat, 22, has made a name for herself in the magic world with her innovative mind-blowing magic works and for her inimitable presentation skills.

In Haridwar currently, where Anchal’s magic shows are running houseful, it seems young Anchal, popularly known as the magic girl, has once again brought people closer to age-old magic tricks.

Talking to Tribune News Service, Anchal says that conjuring magic is a special skill based on a variety of aspects, which are honed over a long term of time.

Born in Bajor, Sikar, Rajasthan, Anchal’s father Girdhari Kumawat was an engineer by profession before he switched off to magic art. He played a vital role in training his daughter in the magic art.

Anchal’s aim is to popularise magic among younger generation as she laments that technological tools like television,computer games, smartphones are occupying major time of children.

“Be it sports,physical activities ,cultural engagements or circus-magic, today’s youth is less interested in these activities and is just confined to TV, internet and gaming.I want to bring back the waning glory of magic to the younger generation. Innovation,easy interaction and looking into their psychology I compile my magic tricks,”voiced Anchal,who is pursuing postgraduation in psychology subject.

Anchal attributes her success to unwavering faith in God, upbringing of her parents, impact of good reading habits, meditation , innovation in magic tricks and cooperation of her team.

Meeting her idol in magic field, one of the world’s greatest magicians Franz Harary in Mumbai in 2010 was one of the cherished moments for Anchal.

Interaction with yoga guru Swami Ramdev, former Vice President of India Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, business tycoon Anil Ambani, cine stars Hema Malini,Jackie Shroff,Sonali Bendre,Kiron Kher,ex-Union Minister Arjun Singh,Sunil Dutt,Jainist monks Roop Muniji, Acharya Maha Pragyaji and filmmaker Subash Ghai are other cherished moments for the young magician.

The young magician suggests having a magician academy in India, as there is no such institution where people can learn or where magicians can hone their magic skills.

Anchal also laments that due recognition to other magicians is also not being given, barring PC Sarkar, who was accorded Padmashree by the Government of India.

Minister’s assurance to diploma engineers of Peyjal Nigam
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
Forest Minister Dinesh Agarwal yesterday said every possible step would be taken by the state government to address grievances of employees of Peyjal Nigam. He said the year-long pending demands, including hike in grade pay and decentralisation, would be met soon.

Addressing a gathering at the 7th annual conclave of the Uttarakhand Diploma Engineers Association held here, Agarwal told the engineers to work hard to complete all pending development-related projects in the given time frame.

He said various plans were in the pipeline for supplying drinking water to villages situated in the tough hilly terrains of the state.

He urged the gathering to come forward for planting saplings. He said it was the duty of everyone to contribute towards environment conservation. Agarwal released a souvenir during the function.

State Drinking Water Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani said every section of society should contribute for water conservation. He said creating awareness among villages was among important tools for curbing shortage of drinking water in the higher areas of the state.

Differently abled seek govt jobs
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
Seeking special recruitment drive in government posts, differently abled persons under the aegis of the Nanda Devi Nirdhan Viklang Kalyan Association staged a protest march here yesterday.

The agitators gathered at Parade Ground and marched towards Secretariat. They sought a special recruitment drive for filling up vacant government posts meant to be filled with disabled.

They alleged that three per cent quota in government jobs for the disabled was not being implemented in the government departments.

The protesters sought increase in monthly pension for the disabled.

Basant Kumar Thapliyal, president of the Nanda Devi Nirdhan Viklang Kalyan Association, said the monthly pension for disabled must be increased from existing Rs 800 to Rs 3,000.

Sanjeev Kumar, Subodh Kumar, Shafiqur Rehman and Vinod Singh were prominent among the protesters.

Gorkha sammelan today
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
Sameer Pradhan, chairman of Gorkha Foundation Trust, yesterday said a Gorkhali Milan programme would be organised at Shaheed Durga Mall Park, Garhi Cantt on October 12.

He said scholars and folk artistes from Nepal and different parts of the state were slated to participate in the programme.

Pradhan said the programme would prove beneficial to improve Indo-Nepal relations. He said Chief Minister Harish Rawat would be the chief guest on the occasion.

He said officiating Nepalese ambassador Krishan Prasad Dhakal, Nepalese MP Dilman Gurung and Tehri MP Mala Rajya Lakshi Shah would be present at the programme.

Ameens’ dharna enters 72nd day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
The strike by Uttarakhand Revenue Department’s employees entered 72nd day here today. The agitating revenue employees asserted that there were little promotional opportunities for them in the department and sought restricting of their services.

Udayveer Singh, Subhash Pandey, Girja Shankar, Pawan Kumar and Rudra Pratap Bahuguna were present on the occasion.

Upadhyay rules out Cabinet reshuffle

Pithoragarh, October 11
No Cabinet reshuffle is likely in near future as Congress and state government are giving priority to strengthening the party base, Uttarakhand Congress president Kishore Upadhyay said here today .

Chain snatching incidents on the rise
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
In yet another chain snatching incident in the city, persons riding a motorcycle snatched a gold chain worn around the neck of a woman at Inder Road here today. The woman was on her way back to her house on her Scooty after shopping.

Yasodha Chauhan, resident of Pritam Road, was returning to her house after shopping for Karwa Chauth when two persons riding a motorcycle chased her and snatched the gold chain worn around her neck before fleeing.

An eyewitness informed the Dalanwala police station about the incident. The in charge of Dalanwala police station Anil Joshi reached the spot. Yasodha told police officers that the snatchers were on a black bike. Police had gathered the CCTV footage of the chain snatchers and launched a search for them, it was stated.

On Friday, chain snatchers attempted to snatch a gold chain from around the neck of a woman in Patel Nagar.

Efforts needed to check TB, says Qureshi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi has called for concerted efforts to enhance awareness regarding TB. He said the government and NGOs needed to work together to control TB.

The governor opened the 65th TB seal at Raj Bhavan today under the TB awareness programme. He said that the TB seal should be used in the form of a mission to check TB in society and increase awareness regarding it. He said the income from the seal should be used for the treatment of TB patients. To encourage the mission, the governor bought a TB seal for Rs.3000. He said awareness about TB should be increased in the remote hill areas of the state.

Poonam Kimothi, general secretary of the TB Association of Uttarakhand, said that from time to time, public awareness multi purpose health camps were organised in the state’s remote areas. She said rallies, programmes and publicity campaigns were held for the benefit of TB patients in the state.

CRPF win police badminton championship
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 11
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has won the championship trophy after registering victory in the open single and open double event in the 7th All India Police Badminton Championship which concluded at the Dehradun police lines here today.

Manipur bagged the second position in the overall team championship. Shuttlers from the CRPF maintained their dominance in the finals as well with Dr Benjamin of the Central paramilitary organisation winning the final match against Sunil Kumar of the CRPF.

In the open doubles’ category, the duo of Mukesh Kumar and Ashish of the CRPF defeated Dr Benjamin and Sunil Kumar from the CRPF in the final match.

However, the mixed doubles event proved to be the lone saving grace for Uttarakhand with DIG Garhwal Sanjay Gunjyal and his partner Mandira Gunjyal winning the final match after defeating RK Bumla and Kamlesh Upadhayay of Uttarakhand.

In the woman single open event, Uttarakhand’s Kamlesh Upadhayay suffered defeat in the final match at the hands of Bala Devi of Andhra Pradesh.

In the veteran single 45 plus category, Manmohan Sharma of the Punjab Police defeated Lal Thanmaviya of the Mizoram Police in the final match, while in the doubles category, Nitish Chandra and Anuj Kumar of the ITBP registered win against C Lal Ruyia and C Lal Thanmaviya of Mizoram.

T H Radhe Shayam of Mizoram won the veteran singles 50 Plus category event after defeating R Shrivinas of Andhra Pradesh police. The duo of Bimol Singh and Radhe Shyam from Mizoram police also won the veteran doubles 50 plus category after trouncing Lal Vansanga and Lal Manpuyiya of their state only.