Ramdev for cleaning Haridwar, Rishikesh
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 16
Yoga guru Ramdev envisions to make twin pilgrim cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh clean.

Ramdev has expressed desire to adopt the two pilgrim cities if the government allows for cleanliness and sanitation purpose. Perturbed by the filth, garbage, plastic material and litter spread all over from Muni-ki-Reti and Laxman Jhula till Brahma Kund, Har-ki-Pauri and Kankhal, the yog guru wants to address the cleanliness aspect in these cities.

He has a road map for restoring the past glory of these pilgrim cities as clean and green cities. Ramdev told The Tribune on the conclusion of the fortnight-long cleanliness drive that though Haridwar and Rishikesh being known world over for their spiritual and religious value, they lag behind in terms of cleanliness.

“It’s a matter of shame for us, as pilgrims from outside and foreign tourists refer to pollution in the Ganga, and garbage, filth and plastic material littered here and there. Unless we make these cities clean, we can’t have a global identity for these barring their religious and spiritual aspects,” said Ramdev.

He said lakhs of people associated with the Patanjali Yogpeeth and activists of the Bharat Swabhiman Trust will be putting in at least 2 hours every day under the National Cleanliness Drive, ensuring that they make their respective cities, towns and districts cleaner and greener.

While Balkrishan, who cleaned garbage at Divya Yog Mandir, Kankhal, said annually, several crores of rupees allocated for cleanliness in Haridwar city and for the Ganga seems insignificant.

“The problem is not with money or funding. It lies in its utilisation and spending. Everywhere, there is filth, waste and garbage spread on Ganga ghats and in city’s colonies. Heaps of garbage can be seen round the clock in Haridwar. Where is the system?” remarked Balkrishan.

He said if the government or the civic body did not act or envisaged a master plan, the Patanjali Yogpeeth would begin a cleanliness drive in the cites on a large scale.

Patanjali Yogpeeth and Bharat Swabhiman Trust activists are scheduled to take active part in the drive. Today, 20 tractor trolleys and JCB machines were pressed into service by the Patanjali Yogpeeth near Divya Yog Mandir at Kankhal and at Ganga Ghats of Har-ki-Pauri. Several tonnes of garbage was ferried to the dumping ground by Patanjali activists. 

seminar on advances in biotechnology
Concern over decline in water table
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
A two-day seminar on ‘Advances in Biotechnology and its Applications in Conservation Biology’ commenced at ONGC’s AMN Ghosh Auditorium here today. The seminar is being jointly organised by Dolphin PG Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Wildlife Institute of India and Zoological Survey of India.

Approximately 500 research scholars, teachers and students from 18 states of India are participating in this seminar. Noted biotechnologists from different institutes of the country such as National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resource, Delhi University, NDRI Karnal, National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University Udaipur, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pant Nagar, CSIR Nagpur, Wildlife Institute of India, IIT Roorkee and Zoological Survey of India are participating in the seminar.

The seminar was inaugurated by the Forest and Environment, Biodiversity, Law and Justice and Sports Minister of Uttarakhand Dinesh Aggarwal, who lighted the lamp. Speaking on the occasion, he pointed out that Uttarakhand is rich in forest resource, biodiversity and wildlife resource. He highlighted the declining water table at most places in Uttarakhand due to absence of trees with broad leaves.

He pointed out that the remedy lies in science and such seminars and workshops will go a long way towards finding remedies. He said Uttarakhand is doing a commendable job in tourism, eco-tourism, hydro-power and education.

On the inaugural day of the workshop, Prof KC Bansal expressed his views on experiment aspects of GM crops and agro-diversity. He emphasised the use of genetics resources in enhancing production of crops and the need to increase gene banks to conserve and develop biodiversity. Prof HS Chawla of GB Pant University shared his views on this subject, intellectual right and also its patent, its kinds and various procedures to be adopted for patent exclusive right.

Nodal officer to oversee guest doctor scheme
To be chosen by Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
A nodal officer will be nominated to coordinate the visits of specialist guest doctors keen on visiting Uttarakhand for a minimum period of two weeks and render services for four days, the expenses of which would be borne by the Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare.

The department has notified the terms and conditions under which specialist guest doctors will be given various facilities. During their two-week stay, the doctors will have to serve in government hospitals falling under the area they are touring for at least four days and render eight hours of service every day.

According to the rules and regulations, to oversee the entire arrangement, a nodal officer will be nominated and advertisements be inserted for inviting biodata of doctors interested to serve as guest doctors.

The itinerary of the doctors will also be sent to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the hospital with which these doctors will be attached. The doctors will be temporarily registered in Uttarakhand.

During the course of their stay, the specialist guest doctors will be provided food, travelling allowance and housed in state guest houses or hotels, the expenses of which would be borne by the department.

The expenditure limit on food and lodging has been fixed at Rs 3,000 per day and the entire payment for guest doctors will be made before the tour comes to an end by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). The initiative has been planned to tide over acute manpower crunch.

Doon faces long power cuts due to maintenance works
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
Several areas of Dehradun faced prolonged power cuts due to looping work and chopping of trees by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) here today. UPCL officials said maintenance work was done regularly to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, and proper voltage.

The maintenance work was carried out at the 11 KV Clock Tower feeder while power cuts were imposed in Paltan Bazaar, Chakrata Road, Neshvilla Road, Onkar Road, Rajeev Gandhi multi-purpose complex, Dangwal Marg, EC Road, and Rajpur Road for about four hours.

The maintenance work commenced at 7 am and continued till 12 noon. The supply of electricity was resumed to most of the areas except those colonies where testing of lines continued till late in the evening.

Unexpected power cuts were also imposed in Dharampur, Mata Mandir Marg, Defence Colony, Ajabpur, and Deep Nagar. About six-hour power cut would be imposed in Kashipur, Jaspur, Bajpur, and Ramnagar due to planned maintenance works on the Kashipur-Moradabad 400 KV transmission line by Uttar Pradesh tomorrow.

Madhusudan, official spokesman for the UPCL, told The Tribune that repair of transmission lines and looping were done regularly by the department for ensuring uninterrupted power supply to consumers.

He said the UPCL was continuously procuring electricity from neighbouring states to meet the demand.

The electricity generation in the state-run hydropower projects is 10.56 million units per day. The demand of electricity is 31.89 million units against availability of 28.87 million units in the state. 

Northern International Trade Fair 2014
Fairs provide platform to artists: CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
Chief Minister Harish Rawat laid the importance of fairs for promoting local arts and crafts.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Northern International Trade Fair 2014 at Parade Ground here yesterday, the Chief Minister said fairs provide an appropriate platform to artistes and petty shopkeepers to showcase their products, which otherwise do not get adequate exposure.

Besides, people get an opportunity to look at products being manufactured in other parts of the country, he added.

Rawat also praised organisers of the Northern International Trade Fair 2014 for providing free-of-cost stalls to traders from the disaster-hit Kashmir valley.

The Chief Minister directed the District Sports Department to give concession on venue charges to Northern International Trade Fair 2014 organisers as the fair aimed at benefiting small time shopkeepers.

Jabbulal, an artist, presented a Ganesha idol to the Chief Minister.

MLAs Hira Singh Bisht and Raj Kumar, former MLA Joth Singh Gunsola and fair coordinator BS Negi were present on the occasion.

Vacancies in Schools
Border area residents threaten stir
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, October 16
Residents of Tamli area at the Indo-Nepal border in Champawat district have threatened that if vacant posts of teachers in newly upgraded high schools in the region are not filled in a month’s time, they would launch an agitation at the Champawat district headquarters.

“The government upgraded junior high schools of Need, Ryansi Bmangaon and Salla some six months ago, but did not send any teachers there. This has resulted in lack of teaching in these upgraded high schools,” said Basant Punetha, Zila Panchayat Champawat member from Bhandarabora area of Tamli valley.

The villagers, who have met the district authorities in this connection several times, have said that besides these upgraded schools that lack teachers, other existing primary schools in the area are bereft of teachers for the last several years.

“The junior high schools of Aamni, Ramaila, and Mosta Bakora, situated on the border adjoining Nepal have no teacher according to needs of the school,” said Punetha.

The parents alleged that not only are teachers in shortage in this area which is over 75 km from Champawat district headquarters, but also other facilities like school building and drinking water connections in schools are non-existent. Some schools are running five classes in two rooms while others have to function under leaking roofs.

“The children studying in primary schools of Polap and Boyal have to carry water with them from their homes to prepare mid-day meal as these schools have no water availability to prepare mid-day meals in school,” said the delegation members who met the district authorities in this connection today.

Cabinet meeting in Kedarnath on Oct 21
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
The proposed meeting of the state cabinet in Kedarnath has been scheduled for October 21 in which reconstruction and resettlement plan would be unveiled.

Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar said the meeting would take place in the morning and the officers would leave for Kedarnath by helicopter on the same day.

Earlier, due to inclement weather and the preoccupation of the Chief Minister, the meeting had to be postponed.

In order to bring people closer to the government, Chief Minister Harish Rawat had declared that Cabinet meetings would be held in every district.

The last Cabinet meeting was held in Almora. However, the forthcoming Cabinet meeting slated to be held in Kedarnath gains significance as the government is planning to give approval for the reconstruction plan for Kedarnath.

Students protest at CMO office
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
Students from DAV(PG) College protested here today at Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) office to register their protest over death of four new born babies, few days back.

The agitators said the medical, health, and family welfare department should take strict action against those medical officers, who were found guilty of lethargic approach while providing medical care to new born babies in government hospitals.

The agitators were led by Paras Goyal, state president of DAV (PG) College Union. He said new born babies were provided best medicare facilities in the absence of paediatrician.

He demanded from the state government steps to fill vacant posts of medical officers in government hospitals.

Father, son among three killed in mishap
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, October 16
Three persons, including a man and his son, were killed, and two were injured when their car rolled into a 300-metre deep gorge at Batagad here today.

The injured were rushed to the Community Hospital where the condition of one of them is reported to be critical. The vehicle went off the road while negotiating a sharp curve and rolled down, said the police.

The occupants of the car were on their way from Mussoorie to Dhanaulti when the incident took place. ITBP jawans, the police and firemen ventured into the gorge and recovered the bodies. The deceased were identified as Rinku Malik (32), a resident of Delhi, and his five-month-old son Arjun.

Jagbir Singh, who was seriously injured in the accident, was reported brought dead at the community hospital. Among the injured were Sonika (28) and Neelam (28). Both are undergoing treatment and the condition of one of them remains critical, said the police.

Pithoragarh residents wait for CM to fulfil promises
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, October 16
Fulfilment of several announcements made by the Chief Minister during his election campaign from the Dharchula Assembly constituency in July this year in Dharchula and Munsiyari area is being eagerly awaited as Chief Minister Harish Rawat visits his Assembly constituency for two days, the first time after becoming a member of the state Assembly.

The Chief Minister announced several benefits for the Assembly area during his election campaign, including Pt Nain Singh Mountaineering Institute at Munsiyari, Bangapani sub-division at Madkot, Nagar Panchayat status to Munsiyari town and funds for construction of protection walls in disaster-affected areas. “We have decided to lock the offices of Irrigation Department offices as our payments for construction of protection walls have not been released for the last six months,” said Tara Chand, president of Contractors Association in Pithoragarh district.

Besides residents of Dharchula and Munsiyari subdivisions, several organisations have planned to present their demands before the Chief Minister. ASHA workers association from Pithoragarh and Champawat is demanding that they be given minimum pay scale besides appointment of one facilitator for 10 ASHA health workers at every community health sub-centre, while BP Ed and MP Ed trained unemployed have decided to gherao the Chief Minister at Dharchula, pressing their demands for appointment in government schools.

“We want our appointment against 5,000 posts formerly announced by the Chief Minister,” said Namrata Bohra, vice-president of the association. Bohra had earlier announced return of the Tilu Rautely award given to her by the state government, protesting failure of the government to give appointments to the BP Ed trained unemployed in the state.

Shiv Dale School students to shun firecrackers
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 16
Students of Shiv Dale Public School, Jagjeetpur, are creating awareness of ill-effects of firecrackers on environment and health. They depicted their thoughts through colours by painting a theme-based rangoli on the school premises. They gave the message of celebrating an environment-friendly Divali.

Shiv Dale School founder Swami Sharad Puri Maharaj lauded efforts of students saying firecrackers create environment and noise pollution and result in fire incidents.

“These children understand the ill-effects of firecrackers and instead, are resorting to eco-friendly methods of celebration like lighting earthen diyas, candles, decoration, beautiful-illuminated lighting of houses and sweets,” he said.

School principal Kiran Sharma said all participating houses Raman, Bose, Bhabha and Sara Bhai were announced winners as they conveyed a social message.

Mansi, a class X student, said its better to resort to rangoli, lighting bulbs, earthen diyas, candles and decorating the house instead of burning firecrackers. Other students Shristhi, Ishita and Vidya urged all schoolchildren to say ‘no to crackers’ and yes to eco friendly modes.

DM advocates book fairs at block level 
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 16
Haridwar District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan has advocated organising book fairs for schoolchildren at block level too. Currently book fairs for government-run and aided schools is held at district level only.

The District Magistrate stated this while inaugurating district level third book fair at Panna Lal Bhalla Intermediate College today in Haridwar.

Advocating a block level fair, Pendiyan pointed that this will benefit several studentsm who normally don’t have access to quality and variety of books.

“Books are an integral part of our lives,more so for students. At an early age if they get access to good books and inculcate reading habit, it eventually broadens their outlook as well as knowledge.Children’s interest grows towards books with such fairs and they get a variety of books under one roof,” said DM Pendiyan.

This book fair is being organised under the district project scheme under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan. Free books were also distributed by the district magistrate at the fair. He directed all schools to form a committee of students which will recommend the desired books to the principal , which will be procured under the district project scheme.

Finance for these books will be provided by Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RAMSA) ,for which every school will be provided Rs 10,000.

Felicitation of meritorious students will also be done by the village head, so as to raise the morale of these students.

The Distict Magistrate also stated that under National Child Health Project, from 0 to18 year age bracket, children will be provided free health checkup, which is a new child welfare oriented scheme.

If any child is found malnourished then the respective school management will inform the education officials concerned, who will arrange for nutritious food and also ensure health checkup of that child.

Chief development officer Ranjana, chief education officer Mukul Sati, District Education officer Jagmohan Soni, district education officer, primary, Vidya Shankar Chaturvedi, principals of several schools and teachers were present on the occasion.

Japanese delegation visits FRI
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
A delegation of officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from Japan visited the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, today to discuss issues of cooperation and exchange on forestry administration, training and technical collaboration under the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The delegation visited timber museum, national type culture collection, common facility centre, FRI Deemed University, biotechnology laboratory, molecular pathology laboratory and botanical garden. The delegation was apprised of the research, education and extension activities of the FRI.

The delegation met Dr Ashwani Kumar, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and expressed their satisfaction about the activities they witnessed at the FRI.

During his interaction with the delegation, Dr Ashwani Kumar emphasised that the ICFRE and the JICA could have a long-term association and cooperation on the issues of forestry research, education and extension. 

Disabled seek job quota
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
Disabled persons took out a protest rally here today in support of their year-long pending demands. The agitators have threatened to intensify agitation if the state government does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

The agitators under the banner of Nanda Devi Nirdhan Viklang Kalyan Association gathered at Raipur bus stand and protested at the secretariat.

The agitators said the memorandum was submitted many times to government officials but steps were yet to be taken by the state government to address their grievances.

They demanded reservation in government jobs, plot for construction of the association’s office, sanctioning political post to one disabled person, online disabled pension, disability identity cards etc. were the few pending demands of the association.

Basant Kumar Thapliyal, Sanjeev Kumar, Subodh Chander Gaur, Ranbeer Singh, Prem Kumar, and many more were present on the occasion. 

Villagers killed four leopards in six years
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
People in Uttarakhand have killed four leopards in the past six years indicating rising cases of conflict between man and leopard in Uttarakhand.

The incident of beating a leopard to death in the Chorgalia area of Nainital district falling in Terai forest division is not the isolated incident. Three more such incidents have taken place in the past in Uttarakhand hills.

In March 2011, residents of Dhandhar village in Pauri district burnt a leopard alive after it was caught.

The leopard was involved in attacking three persons, which had angered the villagers.

Similarly in July 2009, villagers killed a leopard with sharp edged weapons in Kumrada village of Uttarkashi. Further in the month of June in the very same year, a leopard was killed with sticks and stones in Srinagar block of Pauri district.

Hunter Lakhpat Rawat, who has been instrumental in shooting down number of man eaters in Uttarakhand attributed the rising number of leopards in the state a reason behind growing incidents of man leopard conflicts in the state. 

Resignation of 5 BJP MPs sought
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
Rajya Andolankari Samman Parishad’s chairman Dhirendra Pratap demanded resignation from the five BJP MPs for failing in convincing the Centre to disburse funds for the state that is trying to come to terms with last year’s natural disaster.

In a statement today, Dhirendra Pratap lambasted the elected five BJP MPs elected had failed to convince Narendra Modi in providing Rs 4000 crore for development as demanded by CM Harish Rawat for the restoration work post-mid June disaster in 2013 in the state.

Dhirenda Pratap said that all five BJP MPs should tender their resignations as they have failed to address the problems being faced by the state and keep them in front of the Central Government in a convincing manner.

He said the chief minister’s demand for Rs 4000 crore for the development works in disaster-affected state was justified but the MPs from BJP were not showing any interest and the prime minister of India Narendar Modi was mum on the issue, which is really unfortunate.

He said the Centre had cut financial aid for the state considerably and was acting in a partisan manner against the Congress government, while the five BJP MPs had turned a blind eye to the matter. 

Policy meet on mini hydel projects
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
The new policy on mini and micro hydropower projects being prepared by the state government aims to give a major share in power production to gram panchayats and local entrepreneurs, CM Harish Rawat has said.

Talking to mediapersons after a meeting with stakeholders to chalk out a policy, Rawat said the policy would help resolve the impasse on hydro power projects and help the state strengthen its position in the power sector.

“We will involve gram panchayats and local industrialists by giving them preference in the power projects. The situation will augur well for the financial heath of the panchayats, that would be in a position to be financially more able and strong,” said Rawat.

He said micro hydel projects with capacity of up to 2 MW will be reserved for gram panchayats and preference will be given to those gram panchayats where the project is proposed. The Centre will provide an assistance of Rs 1.25 lakh per KV for setting up projects up to capacity of 100 KV and Rs 0.75 lakh per KV for projects with a capacity of 100 KV. The state government will also give assistance for projects between 100 KV and 2 MW capacity. No water user charges would be levied on projects with up to 2 MW capacity. In the second stage, projects with between 2 MW and 5 MW capacity will be included while the third stage projects would be those with capacity between 5 MW and 25 MW.

He said that so far, seeking clearances for power projects has been chaotic. More often than not, persons in race for projects are seen doing rounds of the Secretariat. 

350 units of blood donated
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 16
Three hundred and fifty units of blood were collected today at the voluntary blood donation camp organised at College of Engineering (COER) here today. Students, teachers, non- teaching staff of the college participated in the camp.

Lauding the role of voluntary blood donation by college students and faculty, director of college MK Mittal said blood donation was a noble cause that provided a second life to the needy. Mittal said college founder JC Jain had been the source of inspiration for carrying out such camps.

“Blood has no alternative and we all should motivate each other to donate blood at regular intervals. There is misconception in the society about donating blood, which also needs to be removed. The blood donor gets recovered within 24 hrs, it purifies blood system of donor and makes him healthy,” said Mittal.

Three doctors and 16 volunteers from the Jolly Grant Hospital, Rishikesh, conducted the camp.

Director students welfare council VK Jain said the number of social activities being carried by College of Engineering in the district, which ranges from blood donation, cleanliness drive, free health services for poor and age old and generating awareness about social malpractices among others.

Registrar Rajesh Kumar, coordinator Taresh, convener VK Singh, PRO Jolly Grant Hospital Gaurav Singh Rawat, Neeraj Pandey, Pusphraj Chauhan, Avikal Rai, Shweta, Jagdeesh among others were present at the occasion.

Blood donation camp at Guru Ram Rai Hospital

DEHRADUN: The Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Technology and Science (SGRRITS) in coordination with Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Red Ribbon Club and the AIDS Control Society organised a voluntary blood donation camp here yesterday. Students donated blood voluntarily with enthusiasm and a total of 75 units were collected.

Director, SGRRITS, Dr Preeti Kothiyal, inaugurated the camp and said the students must ensure their participation in noble and humanitarian causes that lead to nation building. “This is also vital for their personality development,” he added.

Dr Yogesh Bahuguna, coordinator of Red Ribbon Club, said they were organising awareness programmes from time to time.

Revenue ameens not to celebrate Divali
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
Revenue ameen workers have decided not to celebrate Diwali in order to register resentment against the state government.

The agitators expressed resentment against the state government’s allegedly apathetic attitude when it comes to addressing their grievances. They said that the memorandum highlighting their demands had been submitted to government officials several times.

The agitators, under the banner of Uttarakhand Revenue Sangrah Ameen Association, gathered at the Raipur bus stand here today. They shouted anti-department slogans in support of their demands.

The agitators said that pay anomaly, timely promotion and reservation were a few pending demands of the association.

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

They lamented that officials had given them false assurances that the state government would fulfil their demands.

JP Bahuguna, Rajendra Nakoti, Udayveer Singh Rawat, Subhash Pandey and NS Negi were among those present.

Exhibition on robotics and art
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
Raja Rammohan Roy Academy’s organised annual exhibition on robotics and art on its premises today.

Chief guest Prof PM Pathak from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Roorkee, appreciated the students for their works of creativity. He also delivered a lecture on robotics.

Students displayed their creativity and imagination through landscapes, portraits, still life compositions and nature study. The creativity shown by the tiny tots was greatly appreciated by everyone. A glimpse of world history of the past 5,000 years was displayed through colourful series of timelines.

Besides Raja Rammohan Roy, students from Touch Wood, Himalayan Public School and Lovedale Academy were also present. 

Kerala art form enthrals schoolchildren
Tribune News Service

Mohan Krishna performs Ottan Thullal at Doon International School in Dehradun on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, October 16
Artiste Mohan Krishna along with his accompanists performed Ottan Thullal, a Kerala art form, on the premises of Doon International School today. The event was organised by SPIC MACAY.

Mohan Krishna, who has been staging Thullal performances since 1989, has pursued Thullal’s educational degree from Kerela Kalamandalam.

He has conducted lecture demonstrations and Thullal at various venues in India and abroad. His performances in London, Scotland, Ireland, Muscat, Kuwait and Hong Kong were much appreciated.

Mohan Krishna is a gold medalist from Muscat for his outstanding Thullal performance. He has also been awarded with Evoor Damodaran Nair Award and Kalasagar Award for his contribution to Thullal. NSS Kuwait presented him with the Thullal Shree award for the same.

According to Mohan Krishna, Ottan Thullal is the art form evolved in Kerala under the guidance of Nambiar, a poet.

The dance form has its roots in NatyaShastra of the 2nd century BC. While the theme is taken from mythology, the poet liberally added humour and parody on the prevailing sociology political situation and relational prejudices.

Mohan Krishna disclosed that the art form has costume similar to Kathakali. The performer involves the audience by gestures, mudras, facial expressions and emotions . “Although the lyrics are a mix of Malayalam and Sanskrit which the vocalist sings and the main dancer repeats while performing, there is so much of profound transgression of language barrier in the act and hence, everyone will be to laugh at the humour, sarcasm, wit and bonhomie visually portrayed by the dancer,” observed Mohan Krishna.

Flautist regales audience
Tribune News Service

in full flow: Flautist Shashank Subramanyam performs at Unison World School in Dehradun on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, October 16
Unison World School today organised a flute recital by the Grammy-nominated renowned exponent Shashank Subramanyam under the aegis of SpicMacay today.

Shashank specialises in Indian classical music. He is a recipient of the National Integration Award, Rotary award of excellence and has been awarded the title of Kalaimamani by the Tami Nadu government.

Shashank Subramanyam was trained by by vocalists RK Srikantan and Pandit Jasraj. Shashank began performing at the top circuit in 1990 with performances in Adelaide, Australia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore.

Shashank has been a senior flautist in the field of Carnatic music and has collaborated with a host of musicians from India and around the world including John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia, The New Jungle Orchestra, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Sultan Khan, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ronu Mazumda and Ustad Shujaat Khan.

A large number of students turned up to hear his recital at the Unison World School. He will perform in KV ITBP and Col Brown School tomorrow.

Bollywood movie shoot from Nov 29
Tribune News Service

Officials of Lord Buddha Films Megha Patel and Satish Reddy address mediapersons in Dehradun on Thursday. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

Dehradun, October 16
The shooting of proposed Bollywood movie “We are controversial” is slated begin from November 29.

Bollywood actor Mallika Sherawat is expected to attend the opening ceremony of the movie. Addressing mediapersons here today, Megha Patel, writer-cum-producer of the movie, said many renowned Hollywood and Bollywood actors would act in the movie.

She said the shooting would be done at various important locations, including the Forest Research Institute, Sahashtardhara, Mussoorie, Haridwar, Rishikesh.

Theft at ex-bank employee’s house

Dehradun, October 16
Thieves struck at the house of a retired bank employee on Park Road in the Kotwali police station area on Wednesday afternoon and decamped with cash and jewellery worth several lakhs of rupees.

The thieves broke into the house of Mohan Lal Gupta when he along with his family members had gone out for some work. Gupta said they left the house at 11 am but when they returned around 2 pm they found the locks of the house broken.

Gupta informed the Kotwali police about the incident. He told the police that thieves decamped with Rs 75,000 and jewellery worth several lakhs of rupees. The police have started investigation in the case. — TNS

FCI headquarters in final
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 16
FCI Headquarters Delhi stormed into the finals of the ongoing 3rd Narendra Singh Kharola Memorial All India Football Tournament, winning the semifinal against Northern Railway football team at the Pavilion Ground here today. FCI Delhi won the match 4-0.

Deepak scored the first goal in the 4th minute of the match while Narendra doubled FCI’s lead as he found the net in the 26th minute. Deepak scored his second goal of the match in the 27th minute and Jigmey netted a goal for FCI in the 81st minute of the match.

The second semifinal would be played between Garhwal Heroes Delhi and Union Bank Mumbai at the Pavilion Ground on Friday.

School basketball league from tomorrow

The Indian School Basketball League ‘Challenger Cup’ would be organised at Doon International School on October 18 and 19. The championship is being organised in association with the Basketball Federation of India and the Uttarakhand Basketball Association.

The league will be conducted every Saturday and Sunday for nine days. As many as 22 school teams in both boys and girls sections are participating in the event. The inaugural match would be played in the boys section between The Asian School and DAV Public School on Saturday. The second match of the day will be played between Jaswant Modern School and St Thomas College.