Sale of firecrackers at designated places in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
Chandresh Yadav, Dehradun District Magistrate, today announced that licensed holders would be allowed to sell firecrackers at designated places in Dehradun. He said a total of nine places were identified by the district administration for selling firecrackers.

Yadav said a strict action would be taken against unauthorised shopkeepers who are found guilty of selling firecrackers.

Addressing media persons here, Yadav said only those shopkeepers, who are having a valid licence could sell fire crackers at Parade Ground, Ramleela Ground, Dasehra Ground, ITI ground, Bannu School Ground, Dasehra Ground Clement Town, Block Ground Tapovan, in front of Sai Wedding Point and Ramleela Ground, Doiwala.

He said selling of fire crackers were strictly banned between Paltan Bazaar Kotwali, Clock Tower and Dhamawala Bazaar, and Babuganj.

The state of fire crackers are also banned at Moti Bazaar, Paltan Bazaar, Purani Subzi Mandi, Hanuman Mandir, Jhanda Mohalla, Ramleela Bazaar, Band Bazaar, Anand Chowk, Laxman Chowk, Dispensary Road, Chakrata Road, Survey Chowk, DAV College and other narrow lanes of Dehradun.

Yadav said a strict departmental action would be taken against those shopkeepers, who were found guilty of violating norms. He said shopkeepers would be allowed to sell firecrackers for a span of five days i.e. between October 19 and 23.

Yadav said the last date for applying firecracker licence is October 16. He said the hospital administration, fire brigade, and the city police were told to gear up ahead of Diwali in order to carry rescue works in case some untoward incident take place in the near future.

Yadav said surprise checks would be done in the different vicinities of Dehradun to check illegal selling of firecrackers during Diwali.

He gave stern instructions to officials concerned to make alternate arrangements for completing pending works which were badly hampered due to the ongoing agitation by ministerial workers in the state.

Yadav said residents could directly contact officials concerned at Tehsil in a move to address their grievances. The District Magistrate said the courts proceedings would begin at courts of the district magistrate, additional district magistrate, sub-divisional magistrate, tehsildar magistrates in order to complete pending cases.

He said strict instructions were given to officials concerned to take effective steps to reduce pendency. Yadav said every possible step would be taken by the district administration to address grievances of residents.

FRI holds taining on forest fire mitigation and management
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
The National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi, and the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, organised training programme for Forest Department officers on “Forest fire mitigation and management” at the FRI today.

The expansion of urban population near forest areas can cause forest fires which can damage lives and properties during fire season. The basic purpose of the training is to sensitise officials of forest departments to the damage caused by fire in the forest areas.

The reasons for occurrence of forest fire, the steps that can be taken to prevent or minimise the losses due to fire by the use of various remote sensing and geographic information system tools and by developing a strong network between other departments of the government and Joint Forest Management Communities (JFMCs) so that massive forest fire disasters can be controlled as it already happened in Australia and the USA in the past few years.

To enlighten participants on the issue, lectures of faculties from institutes like the Uttarakhand Forest Department, the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, the Forest Survey of India, the National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi, the Doon University and the FRI are organized. The training is attended by participants from different states throughout India.

The training was inaugurated by Dr RK Aima, officiating director, FRI. He advised participants to learn new methods and technologies developed by various institutions for prevention and control of forest fires from the training programme.

The course director of the training Kunal Satyarthi, who is the Head of the Silviculture Division, emphasised on advance preparation for mitigation of forest fires, especially in the Himalayan regions.

RK Acharya and VK Dhawan, research officer, FRI, have organised training programme. Dr AD Kaushik, a senior faculty from the National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi, is coordinating the training course.

CM lauds contribution of Tehri's people in national development
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
“Pratap Nagar and Tehri have played a vital role in the country's development. The sacrifice made by the people of this region can never be forgotten. No compensation can make up for the loss of staying away from one's roots,” said Chief Minister Harish Rawat at the first convention of Baandh Prabhavit Seva Samiti held here today.

He said the Tehri District Magistrate will again be given directions to hold a meeting for rehabilitation and ensure that no important issues are left unaddressed. All points of discussion raised during this meeting will be presented to the Indian government.

The CM said their government feels the displaced must get a right to land. Officials have been given directions to ensure that water is not accumulated and basic facilities are provided to the displaced. Work has already begun in this direction. The new areas will be identified after consultation with experts. Tehri Dam will be renamed as Sridev Suman Sagar. A project report has been prepared to plan its development. Local participation will be ensured. The CM has asked the locals to prepare committees for eco-tourism and community tourism and present proposals. He said training provision is being ensured for youth if they wish to get involved in adventure sports tourism.

Present among others at the meeting were state Congress president Kishore Upadhyay, MLA Pratap Nagar Vikram Singh Negi, Shoorveer Singh Sajwan and Mahaveer Singh Rawat.

Health of fasting MP Ed youths worsens
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
The condition of agitating BP Ed and MP Ed unemployed youths, who were on an indefinite fast for the past seven days in support of their demands, has deteriorated.

The condition of Girish Chand, Sanjay Singh, Vijendra Singh, Suresh Kumar and Mannu Singh has become worst.

Addressing a gathering at Raipur Bus Stand here today, Sunder Singh, state president of the BP Ed and MP Ed Unemployed Association, said a memorandum highlighting their demands was submitted many a time to CM Harish Rawat and other public representatives, but the state government was yet to take effective steps to address their grievances.

He said association members were demanding a government job, but state government was not issuing any notification against vacant posts, despite agitators being qualified and trained instructors.

Yoga diploma holders seek jobs in govt schools
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 12
Yoga diploma holders today held a protest march at the Secretariat here in support of their demand of initiating the recruitment process of yoga teachers in state government schools.

The protesters gathered at Parade Ground and then marched towards the Secretariat and raised anti-government slogans.

However, the police stopped the protesters a few metres away from the main gate of the Secretariat after which heated arguments were exchanged between police officials and protesters. After being stopped by the police, the yoga diploma holders sat on dharna on the main road and raised slogans in support of their demands.

The demands include initiating the recruitment process of yoga teachers in state government schools and making yoga syllabus mandatory at the primary level in the state government schools.

Admn urged to prevent crops from wild animals
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
Farmers protested on the collectorate campus here today. The agitators asked the district administration to make elaborate arrangements to prevent crops from wild animals.

The agitators have threatened to intensify the agitation if the district administration did not accede to their demands.

The agitators raised slogans against the district administration. Speaking on the occasion, Kamruddin, president, Zila Kisan Sabha said the situation was worst in the remote areas of the district.

He said monkeys, wild board, wild elephants were creating menace in the remote areas of the district.

A memorandum was submitted to District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav addressing Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

Surendra Sajjwan, Shiv Prasad, Mala Gurung, Sudha Devli, Sunder Thapa, Trilok Singh and others were present.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Nathu La route offers more safety to pilgrims
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
The proposed move to facilitate the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Nathu La in Sikkim has aroused negative reaction in Uttarakhand for the fear of losing out on local incomes.

But there is a belief that the state should not shy away from keeping options open for alternative routes in the interest of the safety of pilgrims after all it has begun to revive alternate trekking routes for the Kedarnath leg of pilgrimage after the traditional route was lost in 2013 floods.

More than 200 pilgrims were buried under a landslide in 1998 at Malpa near Lipulekh pass while undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

“The route from Sikkim will be the safest and easiest from safety point of view of pilgrims. It is the Ministry of External Affairs that has to take the final call, but it is always better to have hosts of options open. Uttarakhand has already started reviving the lost trekking routes that could act as alternative routes for the Kedarnath pilgrimage,” said Manoj Chandaran, Additional Secretary, who undertook the trek in July as part of the Kailash Scared Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCD), a trans boundary collaborative programme between China, India and Nepal.

The 644-km-long traditional Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage includes a 574-km motor journey from New Delhi to the Dharchula base camp, passing through five camps comprising Sirkha, Gala, Bundi, Gunji and Nabhidhang before crossing the Lipulekh Pass to reach Tibet.

“There is no respite from the unpredictable weather and to top it the perilous route can pay a spoilsport with many a pilgrim’s perfect plan. Beside, even if anyhow the roads are made on the Indian side, the stretch from Navidhang to Lipulekh is made of hard rocks and cannot be breached easily. The machines cannot be taken at such height where only one person can walk at a time,” said Chandran.

Meanwhile as far back as 2000, the Sikkim government had set up a Nathu La Trade Study group in 2004 under academician Dr Mahendra P Lama for opening up the route. This route has remained closed since 1962 following the India-China war. The new route will make the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra accessible by a motorable road which would be beneficial for pilgrims of all age groups.

Govt to give jobs to sportspersons

Dehradun, October 13
The state government has taken an unprecedented decision to offer a job to Vandana Katariya, a state hockey player, for winning the bronze medal in the recently held Asian Games.

She is offered a job as sports officer in the Sports Department along with a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh.

The decision was taken during a review meeting of the Sports Department chaired by Chief Minister Harish Rawat here today. It was also decided to give a cash reward to Uttarakhand players who take part in any international sports event. As a pilot project, an inter-college sports completion will be organised in Dehradun district.

From now on, the Sports Department will prepare a yearly calendar of all sports competitions, which will be held across the state. To find sports talent from the state, the department will start a selection drive in all districts and the talented children will be admitted to the state-funded sports hostels.

The director, Sports Department, secretary, Sports Department, Joint Secretary, Sports Department, and other officials were present on the occasion. — TNS

A positive outcome

• The decision was taken during a review meeting of the Sports Department chaired by Chief Minister Harish Rawat
• It was decided to give a cash reward to Uttarakhand players who take part in any international sports event
• From now on, the Sports Department will prepare a yearly calendar of all sports competitions, which will be held across the state
• To find sports talent from the state, the department will start a selection drive in all districts and the talented children will be admitted to the state-funded sports hostels.

Lokshakti Express coach derails
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 13
Passengers’ lives were in danger as due to emergency chain pulling, buffer and cufflink joint of one of the bogies broke, leaving the train in two parts. Due to slow speed, a major accident was averted. The impact of the buffer delinking was such that washroom portion of the bogie also fell on the track.

The incident occurred at Jwalapur railway station, 4 km from the main Haridwar railway station, when the Ahmedabad-Haridwar bound train was passing through Jwalapur station at 12.30 pm.

A chain was pulled by a passenger as Ahmedabad-Haridwar Lok Shakti Express doesn’t have a stoppage at this small station.

Due to the impact of chain pulling, the buffer joint of bogey 13-2304 Western Railway bogie broke, falling on the railway track. This left the train in two parts, with three bogies getting separated from the train.

There was reportedly no casualty when the mishap occurred, with the washroom sink falling on the track.

There was fear among the passengers as well as the people waiting to board the next train.

Jwalapur railway station master Naveen Kumar told TNS that Lok Shakti Express was coming from Ahmedabad and while it was just 3.81 km away from its final destination at Haridwar railway station, the incident occurred a few meters after passing the Jwalapur railway station.

“No one got injured; an investigation has been initiated. Only after findings of the investigation can the railways arrive at the cause. Dozens of railway technicians, labourers and officials worked on a war footing to clean the huge iron buffers and other material that broke off from the bogey. After two hours, the railway track was cleared and Jwalapur-Haridwar track was opened for regular operation of railways,” said Kumar.

Passengers largely from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh had to board autos-tempos to reach Haridwar railway station, who charged exorbitantly from these passengers.

P Advani, from Gujarat said that passengers thanked the Almighty as a major accident got averted. Public announcement was made by the station master, informing them about the technical snag and how to reach Haridwar via taxis, autos, vikrams and by e-rickshaws.

RITES to prepare report on Pantnagar airport expansion
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 13
Rail India Technical and Engineering Service (RITES), a government-owned construction company, has been asked to prepare detailed projects for expansion of Pantnagar airport which is going to be made eligible to land 100-seater planes in future, Assistant General Manager of Airport Authority of India, Rajiv Kulshresth, said at Pantnagar today.

According to the AAI officer, the expansion is being planned to facilitate landing of airbus and Boeing-like aircraft as well as commercial planes at the airport. “The estimated budget has initially been pegged at Rs 50 crore, which will be spent to extend the length of the airport from 1,372 metres to 2,050 metres and width of the airport from 30.5 metres to 45 metres after expansion,” said the AAI officer.

According to the officer, the expansion is also being given the nod by the state government as it wants to reduce air traffic at Jolly grant airport at Dehradun by facilitating landing of medium aircraft at Pantnagar airport. “The airport could also be used to land aircraft by security forces at the time of emergency as well as by the state government at the time of natural disasters,” said the AAI officer.

Generate more revenue to meet expenses: Minister
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
Uttarakhand Urban Development Minister Preetam Singh Panwar has said that financial constraints would not become a barrier for carrying on development activities in the state. He said local bodies should effectively work to generate more revenue in order to meet the expenditure.

Addressing a gathering at the zonal workshop of civic bodies’ chiefs of the state held here today, state Urban Development Minister Preetam Singh Panwar stressed that the state government was committed to giving more financial and administrative powers to local bodies.

He said necessary exercise by the state government was already on to sanction staff structure of urban development directorate. Panwar expressed concern over temporary and permanent encroachments on local bodies’ land. He instructed officials to take swift action to curb such cases.

Panwar instructed officials to expedite development works in the state. He sanctioned 1,600 different posts under Swachchha Bharat Swachchha Uttarakhand programme. He assured that every possible step would be taken by the state government for carrying on development activities even in remote areas of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Radhika Jha, Additional Secretary, Urban Development Department, said that elaborate arrangements had been made for collection of garbage.

She said that trenching ground was sanctioned by the department for disposing of garbage. Jha urged all to pull up their socks to complete the smart city and heritage city project soon.

Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli, DS Gabral, BB Banerjee, Navneet Pandey and others were present.

Kumaon varsity VC gets additional charge

Dehradun, October 13
Amidst report of irregularities in various appointments by the officiating Vice-Chancellor of Pantnagar University, the Uttarakhand Governor and chancellor of GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, has directed Prof HS Dhami, VC of Kumaon university, to take up additional charge as VC of GB Pant university.

Prof Dhami will take charge with immediate effect for six months or till the appointment of a regular VC. For three days in a week, he will stay in GB Pant University, the order said. — TNS

Bad roads cost farmers dear
BJP leader alleges rajmah, potatoes on verge of decaying
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 13
Rajmah worth over Rs 15 lakh and potatoes worth Rs 36 lakh are on the verge of decaying as roads leading to the Madkot market have not been repaired after the natural catastrophe that hit the state last year.

Rudra Singh Panda, BJP leader and convener of the Lok Adhikar Manch in Munsiyari, stated this here yesterday.

Panda said farmers sell their produce from five villages of the Madkot area every year, but the roads were in a bad shape and farmers were not in a position to reach the markets.

“The farmers of Bona, Tomik, Golfa, Dheelam and Kultham villages are in no position to pay Rs 100 per quintal to labourers as wages to carry potatoes and Rajmah for 15 km as it will be very expensive from the production point of view,” said Panda.

The BJP leader has demanded an immediate repairing of roads and track routes so that farmers could get their produces to the market soon. “The families of farmers will have to face economic difficulties if their produces will not be sold as potato farming and Rajmah production is the only means of livelihood for them,” he said.

Pithoragarh District Magistrate HC Semwal said the matter was not drawn in his notice during the multi-purpose camp held a day before at Madkot which was indicative that the allegation was incorrect.

“We have not received any such complaints, but we are looking into the matter and have ordered the agencies concerned to make roads smooth for farmers so that they could get their produce to the market,” said the District Magistrate.

Differently abled take part in clean Ganga drive
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 13
As many as 100 differently abled persons participated in the clean Ganga drive here today. Members of the Uttarakhand Deaf Union cleaned garbage at the Prem Nagar Ashram Ghat near the Chandra Charya chowk and the National Highway-58 stretch.

Members from Dehradun, Saharanpur and Dhampur area also took part in the cleaning drive.

Sandeep Arora, state president, said as the Ganga canal was currently closed till Divali, so they decided to take part in the ongoing mass Ganga cleaning effort.

Shivani Pundir from Dehradun, Sachin Saini from Roorkee, Nishant Kushwaha from Dhampur also took part in the drive.

“We are putting garbage, filth and other toxic materials in the holy Ganga. So, it’s our responsibility to keep it clean,” said Geeta Juyal, a resident of Dehradun.

Residents and other social-political organisations also took part in the cleanliness drive.

Anti-pollution campaign

Dehradun, October 13
Members of the youth wing of U-Turn Foundation organised an awareness drive for a pollution-free and litter-free Green Diwali at Gandhi Park here today. The drive will continue till October 24 as part of the Green Diwali movement.

The volunteers approached passers-by and members of the public present on Rajpur Road with an aim to sensitise them to the toxic consequences of use of fire crackers. They distributed marigold saplings to symbolise the connection of mother earth with the festival. They talked about the need for a U-Turn in the way we celebrate Deepawali. — TNS

Khadi fair inaugurated in Chamoli
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
Chief Minister Harish Rawat inaugurated the Khadi Tourism Industrial Development Fair at Pokri in Chamoli district today. He said women were the backbone of hills and they played an important role in the development of the hilly areas.

He announced to start the Public Works Department (PWD) division at Pokhri, opening of Rajeev Gandhi Abhinav Residential School, mixing of three roads in Pokhri, development of Kartik Swami Temple and financial aid for the development of nagar panchayat, Pokhri.

He said mono-cropping should be encouraged. He emphasised on the importance of increasing the produce of mandua (ragi or finger millets).

“In order to empower Mahila Mangal Dal, a provision is being made to provide them with Rs 2 to Rs 3 lakh from the MLA fund. The government is also taking a decision to release Rs 75,000 for each Mahila Mangal Dal registered in the disaster affected areas,” he added.

The Chief Minister gave an assurance to generate 500 more posts for teachers in the five disaster affected districts.

He said in order to strengthen the education system from primary to inter-level, appointments of more teachers would be ensured.

He also spoke on the importance of water conservation. He said the state government had introduced pension for farmers and also stressed on plating more trees.

Cabinet Minister Harish Chandra Durga Pal said women would have to come ahead for the development of the hills. He said the dairy industry and small scale industries should be promoted in the rural areas.

Shailrani Rawat, MLA, Kedarnath, Rajendra Singh Bhandari, MLA, Badrinath, Prithvi Paar Singh Chauhan, Munni Shah, Lakhpat Singh Butola, Rajni Bhandari, SA Murugeshan, DM, Chamoli, Sunil Kumar Meena and other officials from the department were also present on the occasion.

UPNL staff protest enters 49th day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
The agitation of Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Nigam Limited (UPNL) employees entered its 49th day here today. The agitators shouted anti-management slogans in support of their year-long pending demands.

They expressed concern that memorandum highlighting their demands was submitted many times to officials, but the state government was yet to take steps to address their grievances.

SS Negi, patron, Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Nigam Limited Employees Association said their demands include extension for employees working under the Panchyati Raj through Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Nigam Limited, revision of pay scales, better perks etc.

Deepak Kaithat, Bhawesh Jagudi, Akbar Rana, Kushalpal Singh, Mahesh Bhatt, Ashudeep Sajjwan, and many more were present during the agitation.

Welham girls beat The Heritage School
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
Exciting matches were played in the Inter-Council School Junior and Senior Girls Table Tennis tournament at The Heritage School here today. In the first match of the day, Welham Girls School defeated St Judes School 3-0 while the host school, The Heritage School, won its match against Raja Ram Mohan Roy Academy 3-0.

Unison World School registered an impressive win over Doon Blossom School 3-0. In its second match of the day, The Heritage School defeated St Judes School 3-0. In another match, Welham Girls School trounced Raja Ram Mohan Roy Academy 3-0.

In the senior team event category, Unison World School defeated Shiwalik International School 3-0 in the semifinal. In the second semifinal in the same category, Welham Girls School defeated The Heritage School 3-0 and entered the finals.

In the junior category team event, Welham Girls School and Unison World School entered the finals after winning their semifinal matches. In the first semifinal match, Welham Girls School defeated The Heritage School while in the second semifinal, Unison World School defeated Doon Blossom School 3-0.

Garhwal Heroes prevail over DFA Dehradun
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
Two nail-biting matches were played in the 3rd Narendra Singh Kharola Memorial All India Football Tournament played at the Pavilion Ground here today. Both the matches went into the tie-breaker.

In the first match of the day, Garhwal Heroes defeated the DFA Dehradun football team in a tie-breaker 6-5. Both teams could not score a single goal during the normal duration despite numerous strikes by both teams into each other’s goalposts.

The second match of the day was won by Delhi United against the DLW Varanasi football team 3-1 in a tiebreaker. Earlier, both teams scored one goal each in 90 minutes of play. Manoj of DLW Varanasi gave lead to his team after striking a goal in the 57th minute of the match. Within a few minutes of the strike, Iker of Delhi United scored the equaliser in the 60th minute.

On Tuesday, two matches would be played in the tournament. The first match would be played between the Northern Railway football team and KSEB Kerala, while the second match will be played between FCI Delhi and BEG Roorkee.

Athletic meet of Asian School begins
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
The 15th Inter Athletic Meet of The Asian School kicked off at the school playground here today. The meet was declared open by Principal AK Das amidst much fervour and passion among the school students.

The programme started with an impressive march past led by sports captain and head boy of the school. The oath was taken by all the participants in the glory of sport, abiding by the rules in the true spirit of sportsmanship. Contingents of different houses were led by head boy Abhijit Chug and head girl Sunia Samshi.

In the finals of 800-metre race (Under-14), Arjun House bagged the first, second and third position. While in the 800-metre race (Above-14 category), Shivaji House bagged the first position and Ashoka House won the second and third position.

In the finals of 4x100 (Under-12 boys), first position was bagged by Arjun House while the Shivaji House and Ranjeet House got second and third spots respectively.

Heritage, Hilton schools in basketball finals
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
The Heritage School and Hilton School stormed into the finals of the ongoing Inter-Council School Junior Boys Basketball Tournament after winning the semifinal matches played at The Heritage School here today.

The Heritage School defeated Shiwalik International School and won the match by 42-26 points.

In the second semifinal match of the day, Hilton School did not find much difficulty in defeating Raja Ram Mohan Roy Academy by 34-8 points. Notably, the final match will be played on Tuesday at The Heritage School.

Waste Warriors conduct education programme for children
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
Waste Warriors, a local NGO, organised an education programme for children at the Gandhi park yesterday. The event was part of the Gandhi Park Project, which was funded by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

The children from Pestalozzi Children’s Village and Purkal Youth Development Society (PYDS) School were invited to participate in the event. The session started with an interactive session on waste management and recycling by Waste Warriors staff and student leaders from PYDS School.

Moreover, the children made posters with environmental themes, flowers from egg cartons, a collage from waste materials and painted a banner “Keep the City Clean”. They also played a memory game called “How long does waste take to decompose”.

They took three dustbins around the park, one for recyclable waste, one for non recyclable and one for food waste. They encouraged the passersby to put the garbage into the correct dustbin instead of leaving it on the ground where they were sitting in the park.

Later, children enjoyed taking part in a recycling relay race. Boxes of crayons were distributed to the children at the end of the three-hour session.

Jodie Underhill, CEO of Waste Warriors said: “As always the children had a fabulous time and learnt a lot in the process. Events like these not only benefit the children but also the park goers. These children will certainly grow up into responsible citizens that understand the importance of cleanliness, waste management and recycling”.

Territorial Army celebrates Raising Day
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 13
The 130th Eco Task Force Battalion of the Territorial Army organised several programmes on the occasion of the 66th Raising Day of the Army to inspire people and schoolchildren to save the degrading environmental condition of Himalayan region.

The programmes were organised at the headquarters of the battalion near the Pithoragarh cantonment area. Several unit members and their families, besides guests took part in the programmes.

The Territorial Army was established by the first Governor General of the country, C Rajagopalachari, on October 9, 1949.

Speaking on the occasion, Col Nandu Kumar, Commanding Officer, said the eco task force, which was raised by former Chief of the Army, Gen BC Joshi, on April 1, 1994, has so far planted over 154 lakh saplings in 13,500 hectares of land in Almora and Pithoragarh districts.

The Commanding Officer said the battalion plants over 9 lakh saplings every year in 100 acres of barren land in these districts with an aim to stop land erosion, conservation of ground water level and enhancements of general environmental.

“We also maintain maximum survival rate for these planted saplings,” said Col Kumar.

127 Eco Task Force

Mussoorie: The 127 Eco Task Force celebrated 65th Raising Day of Territorial Army at Battalion headquarter in Gadi Cant under Mussoorie Assembly segment yesterday.

All the serving and retired officers, JCO’s, other ranks of Garhwal Rifles and Territorial Army attended the event.

A cultural programme was organised to mark the occasion that was followed by a ‘Barakhana’.

Pritam Singh, Minister for Urban Development, graced the occasion.

Col KS Jaggi highlighted the achievements of the Eco Task Force and its role in preserving environment.

Pritam commended the unit for its efforts in saving Mussoorie from vegetative degradation and restoring the ecological balance.

He complemented the soldiers for their selfless service, dedication and distinguished contribution in greening the Garhwal Himalayas since 1982. — TNS

Demand for hill allowance unjustified: CM

Dehradun, October 13
Teachers are the backbone of the education system and Uttarakhand has talented teachers who can impart quality education to the children of the hill state, said Chief Minister Harish Rawat while addressing the regional convention of the High School Teachers’ Association at Inter-College, Mehuwala.

He said the government was serious about issues raised by the teachers with regard to the problems and rightful decision would be taken to solve their issues very soon. While asking the teachers to keep serving society by imparting education to the children, he said that education at primary level decided the future of children.

However, he said the teachers’ demand for additional hill allowance was inappropriate, as the main basis for the formation of the Uttarakhand state was the separate hill demography. He also urged the teachers to become result oriented.

The Chief Minister asked the teachers to introspect and find ways to improve the education in the state that can help the students studying in government schools. During the programme, Sports Minister Dinesh Aggarwal, Parliamentary Secretary Manoj Tiwari, MLA Hira Singh Bisht, Junior High School Teachers Association President Subash Singh and many others were present. — TNS

Martyr’s sister gets job
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
Pinky Rana, sister of Manoj Rana, a martyr, was today appointed as a junior clerk in the regional employment office in the presence of Suryakant Dhasmana, vice-president, Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee.

Dhasmana expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Harish Rawat and District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav for taking swift action to address her grievances.

Pinky Rana was running from pillar to post to get a job in the government department since 2013. The then Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had announced to give her job as Pinky’s brother Manoj Rana was killin Jammu, and Kashmir.

Pinky was denied a government job as she was unable to produce caste certificate to the department. After the intervention of Chief Minister Harish Rawat, she was finally appointed as a junior clerk at the employment office in Dehradun.

Carnatic vocalist to perform in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 13
Sumitra Vasudev, a well known classical Carnatic vocalist, will perform in a programme at Moravian Institute and Kendriya Vidyalaya on Tuesday. The programme has been organised by SpicMacay, Dehradun.

Sumitra is a disciple of renowned musician R Vedavali. She performs regularly in India and abroad. She is also a recipient of the title “Yuva Kala Bharti” and the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar National Award from the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Niraval, Vrttam singing and Ragam Thanam Pallavi rendition are special areas which portray her style as well as her great lineage.

She has presented exclusive Divya Prabandha concerts and has also learnt the art of Harikath. She will be accompanied by Sri Sridhar on violin and Sri Kallidaikurichi Sivakumar on mridangam.

RSS chief to attend seminar

Dehradun, October 13
Activists of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) will hold a seminar to inculcate patriotism among students in Haridwar. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is likely to be present at the seminar, that is scheduled for November.

Mahendra, office-bearer of RSS, has said Yoga would form part of the seminar. He said special focus would be laid by instructors on inculcating patriotism among students. He said the Dehradun team of RSS had been instructed to raise awareness among students to join the seminar. He said senior office-bearers of RSS were expected to attend the seminar. — TNS