Gurpurab celebrated with fervour in Doon
Tribune News Service

Chief Minister Harish Rawat offers prayers at the Race Course gurdwara; and (right) Sikh community members present a memento to Rawat in Dehradun on Thursday. Tribune photos: Abhyudaya Kotnala

Dehradun, November 6
Devotees celebrated Gurpurab, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, with much fanfare and fervour in Dehradun today.

Celebrations were held at the Race Course gurdwara where a large number of devotees started visiting since morning. Shabads, including “Mitti dhund jag chanan hoyaa”, were sung by the devotees. Students from various schools, including Guru Nanak Academy, Doon Valley School, Doon International School and Shivalik International School, performed kirtan.

Extending greetings to the public on the occasion, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said a Punjabi Academy would soon be constituted in the state. Addressing the community members while paying obeisance at the Race Course gurdwara, Rawat said plans were being made to constitute the Punjabi Academy. “At present, discussions are being held with senior and distinguished members of the Punjabi community,” he added.

Speaking about the need to maintain communal harmony, the Chief Minister said Guru Nanak had travelled across the world to spread the message of love and camaraderie. “In order to save humanity, it is important to carry forward this tradition. Problems arise in case of a communication gap. We must ensure we tread the path showed to us by Guru Nanak Dev. It is a matter of pride that Guru Nanak Dev had visited Uttarakhand,” he added.

Rawat instructed the Haridwar District Magistrate to provide land for gurdwaras where it was required. He said this should be done after consultation with the community members. “In the past few years, the services and conditions have improved at Hemkunt Sahib and along the yatra route,” he added.

Later, a langar was organised for the devotees. Sewa Singh Matharu, Gurbaksh Singh, Charanjit Singh, Gurcharan Singh, and Harbhajan Singh took part in the celebrations.

 Huge rush of devotees lead to traffic snarls on Haridwar highways
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 6
More than 24.3 lakh devotees arrived in Haridwar city on the occasion of Kartik Poornima and Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary today. Due to a huge inflow of tourists, massive traffic jams were witnessed on the National Highways 58 and 72, which pass through Haridwar city, till evening.

A passenger tries to enter a train through a window due to a heavy rush of pilgrims at the railway station in Haridwar on Thursday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

More coaches were added to trains running on the Delhi route by the Moradabad Railway Division, under which the Haridwar railway station falls.

Similarly, extra buses were plied on the Haridwar-Delhi, Haridwar-Dehradun, Haridwar-western Uttar Pradesh routes to ensure that the maximum number of tourists could reach their destinations on time.

The rush of vehicles was so huge that SSP Sweety Aggarwal, SP Surjeet Singh Pawar and Traffic Inspector Devendra Dabriyal had to manage traffic on major intersections of the national highways.

From early morning, devotees were seen thronging Ganga ghats. By 9 am, the traffic on the Delhi-Dehradun National Highway was moving at a snail’s pace. Traffic snarls were also witnessed on the Narsain-Roorkee and the Haridwar, Nepali Farm, and Bhaniawala stretches. The entry of heavy and commercial vehicles was prohibited from 4 am till late night.

At Motichur, which lies on the border of Hariwar and Dehradun districts, traffic jams inconvenienced both commuters and police personnel. The parking lots at Pant Deep and Rodi Belwala were also used for parking private buses, taxis and tractor-trolleys.

SP Surjeet Singh Pawar said police personnel coordinated with the traffic police to manage the rush of vehicles.

He added that a separate traffic plan was followed as the rush of vehicles increased on the national highway and the vehicles were diverted to alternative routes like the Chilla bypass and Lakshar.

 State MPs hopeful of berth in Nov 9 Cabinet expansion 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi planning a Cabinet expansion on November 9, state BJP leaders are hopeful that one or more MPs from the state may be inducted.

Despite winning five Lok Sabha seats in the parliamentary elections, no MP from Uttarakhand found representation in the Modi government. “Though the Uttarakhand BJP had delivered 100 per cent results in the General Elections, none of our MPs managed to find a place in the Central government. Leaders of other states such as Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh too are in the race for Cabinet berths. We are hopeful that our MPs will be considered,” said Teerath Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand BJP chief.

The leaders who could be inducted into the Cabinet are former Union Surface Transport Minister BC Khanduri and former state Chief Ministers BS Koshiyari and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

When Modi first constituted his Cabinet, it is believed that both Khanduri and Koshiyari were ignored due to the age factor. However, even relatively younger Nishank did not find a place in the Cabinet.

BJP insiders say the chances of MPs Raj Laxmi Shah and Pradeep Tamta were slim. “Though Khanduri may be old, he has experience and a good track record to back his case. A lot will depend on the prerogative of the Prime Minister. His compulsions and balancing act may once again force him to ignore the claims of the Uttarakhand leaders,” said a senior BJP leader.

In the UPA government, Harish Rawat was the only representation from Uttarakhand. The state Congress has been criticising the BJP for failing to protect the interests of the state after no MP from Uttarakhand found place in the Central government.

 BJYM protests state govt decision on class IV posts
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists today protested against the state government’s decision to cancel Class-IV notified posts in the state. The activists have decided to continue with their protest till the state government quashes the decision.

The activists led by Mahanagar president Vipin Rana gathered at the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya park here today. The agitators lamented that the state government had recently cancelled notified Class-IV vacancies in the state.

Rana said cancellation of the notified posts would have an adverse affect on unemployed youth.

The activists have decided to initiate a statewide agitation if the state government does not roll back the cancellation of Class-IV notified posts.

Deep Gupta, Vishal Gupta, Deepak Kumar, Rahul Rawat, Sanjeev Singhal, Ankush Agarwal, Mandeep Chowdhury, Rajeev Godiyal, MS Negi and others were present.

  State Congress unit celebrates Gurpurab

Dehradun, November 6
The state Congress organised special prayers on Gurpurab at the Rajiv Bhawan here today. Chief Minister Harish Rawat and state Congress president Kishore Upadhyay, along with other party leaders, were present on the occasion. Hundreds of Sikh devotees attended the function wherein prayers were offered. 

The function was hosted by vice-president of the party’s state minority cell, Harpal Singh Sethi. He read out the demands of the Sikh community, including the second language status for Punjabi and setting up of two universities in the state after Guru Nanak Dev. The Chief Minister assured the community that its demands would be looked into. Former MLA Jot Singh Bisht, Rajendra Shah, Amarjeet Singh, Bijendra Pal Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Guljaar Singh, Kartar Singh, Gurdeep Kaur, Gurnam Singh, Gyan Singh, and Surendra Singh were present. — TNS

 Much-awaited road to be built in Champawat: MLA
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, November 6
The hope for the construction of 35-km Sukhidhank to Kaikanai road in the remote region of Champawat district, which is awaited for past many decades, seems to be turning into a reality. Champawat MLA Hemesh Kharkwal, a parliamentary secretary in the state government, has announced that the construction of the roads will begin from January next year.

“The Forest Department has been given Rs 3 crore as the net present value cost for the forest area for the construction of the road,” said the MLA.

He said, “The opening of an intermediate college at Danda village would improve the literacy rate in the region. Village children at present have to travel 33 km to Shyamala Tal to get education up to the intermediate level.”

The villagers requested the MLA and other district-level officers with him for the early construction of the road, proper electricity supply, facilities like health care, irrigation, old-age pension and other development schemes in the region, which is one of the most remote regions of Champawat district.

“The state government has sanctioned Rs 70 lakh from the border region development scheme for the installation of electricity lines in the area,” said Kharkwal.

 Bird census in Mussoorie sanctuary soon
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 6
The Forest Department has finally decided to conduct a bird census for the first time in the Mussoorie wildlife sanctuary, also known as Mountain Quail sanctuary, Benog Hill.

According to Dheeraj Pandey, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Mussoorie, the bird census would be conducted soon.

Pandey said the bird census is important to determine the reliable estimate or index of the population size of a particular species in a given area. Once the bird census is conducted, it would give a fair idea as to how many individuals of a particular species of bird are present here. Through a bird census, one could get to know about the need for baseline information for an area or a species, that is poorly known.

If repeated at regular intervals, the counts allow tracking of changes in bird populations. The Mussoorie Divisional Forest Officer said the bird census would be conducted using various methods including the point contact method, monitoring and sampling strategy in the wildlife sanctuary.

Bird lovers around Mussoorie have welcomed the move and said once the bird census is completed, it would enable studies based on authentic data.

 UKD (P) rules out factions’ merger
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar) has ruled out any possibility of unification with various factions of the party. Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, UKD (Panwar) president Trivendra Singh Panwar said there was no move to unite different factions of the UKD.

“Those who have been expelled from the UKD (Panwar) are now talking of unity,” Panwar said.

He said the expelled people were working at the behest of Congress and BJP. Panwar criticised both the BJP and the Congress of failing to fulfil the aspirations of the people. UKD state spokesman Manmohan Lakhera was also present on the occasion.

  Ex-servicemen urge govt staff to call off strikes

Dehradun, November 6
Capt Balbir Singh Rawat (retd), vice president, State Sainik Kalyan Parishad, has urged protesting staff of various government departments to call off their strikes in the interest of the state, which is facing challenges.

In a press note, Rawat said a scenario of unrest was prevailing in the state due to ongoing strikes. “Uttarakhand is facing tough times in the aftermath of the natural disaster last year and strikes are only worsening the situation. Welfare of employees is top priority for state government,” he added. — TNS

 Jobless yoga teachers burn govt’s effigy in protest 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
The agitated yoga trainers burnt an effigy of the state government and district administration here today in support of their pending demand. The agitators have decided to intensify agitation if the state government does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

They gathered at Raipur bus stand and shouted anti-government slogans. The agitators burnt an effigy of the state government and district administration in support of their demands.

Expressing his views, Vijaypal Singh, president, the Unemployed Yoga Trainers Association, lamented that police personnel had used force while they were protesting in front of the secretariat on November 4.

He said appointment was the only year-long pending demand of the association.

Among others, Sushil Belwal, Anju Mann, Kavita Tiwari, Shweta Joshi, Deep Bhatt, Meera and Tanuja were present.

Resent police force

The protesters gathered at Raipur bus stand and raised anti-government slogans. Vijaypal Singh, president, Unemployed Yoga Trainers Association, lamented that police personnel had used force while they were protesting in front of the secretariat on November 4 

 Two sustain injuries in road accident
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Two persons sustained serious injuries after a speeding sports utility vehicle (SUV) hit them on Nemi Road in the Dalanwala police station area in Dehradun this afternoon. The Dalanwala police said the SUV is owned by a Delhi-based private company and only the driver was inside it when the accident took place.

After hitting the persons, the vehicle rammed into a house wall. The driver fled the spot.

“The injured persons (a street hawker and a girl) were rushed to the CMI Hospital, where they are still being treated,” said, Anil Joshi, in charge, Dalanwala police station. He said, “The vehicle has been impounded. We have not launched any manhunt to nab the driver as no complaint has been registered in the case.” 

 Unemployed pharmacists hold clean-up drive in Clock Tower area
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Members of the Unemployed Diploma Pharmacists Allopathic Association conducted a cleanliness drive at Clock Tower in Dehradun today. They gathered at Parade Ground and from there marched towards Clock Tower to clean the area.

Association president Manoj Tripathi said unemployed diploma pharmacists were contributing to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He added they would hold a rally from Parade Ground to the martyrs’ memorial on the court’s premises tomorrow.

The pharmacists said their agitation would continue till the state government meets their demand for jobs in health sub-centres. They demanded that the government order in this regard should be issued at the earliest.

  Asian School students perform shabad

Dehradun, November 6
To mark the 546th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, students of The Asian School presented a shabad ‘So Satguru Piyara’ at the Race Course gurudwara here today. 

Arushi Malik (harmonium), Amrita Kaur, Ineet Walia, Dikha Dhiman Urvi Chawla, Pariniti Arora, Neha Ahmad, Aanchal Singh, Neelanksha Johar, Kritika Gujral, Aadhya Wadhwa, Devanshi Sarraf, Keshav Mishra, Suryansh Nigam, Simranpreet Kaur (harmonium), Bawa Jasraj Singh (tabla), Manandeep Kaur, Gursheen Kaur and Anshika Mamgain were the students who performed at the gurdwara. — TNS

 Gangster held for robbery in Telangana
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
The Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) arrested a member of the notorious Angrez Singh gang from the Kiccha police station area in Udham Singh Nagar district yesterday. The arrested gang member, Jaswinder, alias Jassa, was arrested from his native place, and the money he got as his share of the booty was seized from his possession.

According to the STF, Jaswinder has confessed to committing a robbery at the Vishwakarma Jewellery shop in Adilabad district of Telangana along with other gang members in September this year. He told the STF that his other accomplices were Jagtar Singh, Balbir, Bittu, Satnam, Mangat and Nikku. He disclosed the robbery plan to the STF and told it how they reached Adilabad and broke into the jewellery showroom.

Notably, Jaswinder was arrested after the SSP, STF, got information that one of the members of the Angrez Singh gang, Mukhtiyar Singh, who was lodged in the Roorkee prison and released sometime ago, was trying to form an inter-state gang. A team under STF inspector Yogesh Kumar was formed to keep a watch on Mukhtiyar’s activities. Meanwhile, the STF team got information that the Angrez Singh gang had committed a robbery in a jewellery showroom in Telangana and one of the accused was coming to Udham Singh Nagar with his share of booty.

The STF also claimed that Jaswinder was also involved in the robbery committed at the jewellery showroom at Jahhabalal in Dehradun in 2004. Meanwhile, the STF has informed the Adilabad police about Jaswinder’s arrest and the latter was in the process of taking him on transit remand to Telangana.

Had struck at jewellery shop with accomplices

Jaswinder, the arrested member of the notorious Angrez Singh gang, has confessed to committing a robbery at the Vishwakarma Jewellery shop in Telangana in September 

 Yoga teachers for change in education policy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Angry unemployed yoga teachers have threatened to hold a protest outside Chief Minister Harish Rawat’s residence in case their demands are not met.

They demanded an immediate change in the education policy. The protesters said the government had given nod to the appointment of 10,000 teachers, including B Ed, TET and yoga.

“However, nothing has been done so far causing widespread resentment,” they said.

  Makvana felicitated

Dehradun, November 6

 UKD (Airy) activists hold protest against Pancheswar dam project 
They allege the project will benefit only other states 
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh November 6
UKD (Airy ) activists staged a dharna at Gandhi Chowk here today against the construction of the Pancheswar dam and alleged anti-hill region policies of successive state governments. “We are organising dharnas at various district headquarters in the state and these will continue till November 9, the day Uttarakhand came into existence,” said Kashi Singh Airy, president of the party.

The dharna follows intense campaigning by the party in villages which are likely to be affected by the construction of the Pancheswar dam along the Nepal border in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts.

Airy said the mainstream parties in the state had looted the public exchequer in the last 14 years. “While troubles of the people have increased manifold, politicians of the mainstream parties have grown wealthier,” he added.

He said though Uttarakhand had been declared a power surplus state, the local people were facing the worst electricity crisis ever. The power crisis in the state today was worse than when it was part of Uttar Pradesh. “Though the development of basic facilities in the border and remote areas is of utmost importance, successive state governments have been neglecting this region along the Nepal border. The commissioning of the Pancheswar project will benefit only other states,” he said.

Airy added the UKD would continue its struggle for transparency in the identification of statehood activists and making Gairsain the permanent capital of the state.

 Make Tripathi panel report public: Cong
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Uttarakhand Congress leader Dhirendra Pratap has asked Chief Minister Harish Rawat to make public the report of the Tripathi Commission, which looked into the irregularities committed during the previous BJP government in the state.

Dhirendra Pratap said the commission, set up to probe scams allegedly committed during the BJP rule in the state, had submitted its report to the state government. “The Chief Minister should immediately call a meeting of the Cabinet and take a decision to make it public,” he said.

He added statements by state BJP leaders after the commission submitted its report to the government had raised suspicion. The Congress leader said the government should take a decision on the report at the earliest. However, he said nothing should be done by way of political vendetta but those who had committed irregularities should not be spared.

 Protesters stopped at entry to Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 6
The Uttarakhand police stopped members of the All India Sikh Conference from entering Haridwar and moving towards the Bharat Scouts and Guides office here today.

The All India Sikh Conference volunteers from Punjab were stopped at the entry point and rounded up but released later. They had threatened to forcefully occupy the Bharat and Scouts and Guides office, which they claimed was the place where the erstwhile Guru Gyan Godri gurdwara existed and Guru Nanak Dev had meditated in 1504.

Meanwhile, a professor from Chandigarh managed to enter Har-ki-Pauri and recited Japji Sahib in Kannada. Panditrao Dharennavar, who has translated Sri Japji Saheb into Kannada, decided to recite Japji Sahib on the occasion. He also distributed copies of Japji Sahib to hundreds of shopkeepers in the area. 

 Abhimanyu Academy win by 2 wickets
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Abhimanyu Cricket Academy (ACA) defeated The Asian School by 2 wickets in the ongoing Nazar Khan Memorial 3rd Youth Cup Cricket Tournament match played at Abhimanyu Cricket Ground here today.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, The Asian School made 161 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Prince scored the highest 57 runs while Sagar and Vaibhav scored 27 and 26 runs respectively. For ACA, Sayam took 4 wickets in the innings. In reply, the ACA chased the target at the loss of 8 wickets in which Ashirwad made unbeaten 82 runs.

In the second match, Rao Cricket Academy (RCA) defeated Tanush Cricket Academy (TCA) by 15 runs. Batting first, the RCA made 184 runs with Kiran scoring 22 runs and Pradeep making 20 runs. In reply, the TCA team was bowled out for 169 runs with Pawan and Tilak anchoring the innings with scoring 28 runs each.

In the last match of the day, Himalayan Cricket Academy (HCA) secured a berth in the semifinals defeating Doon Tiger by 15 runs. Batting first, the HCA performed brilliantly and scored 296 runs. Abhishek Rai scored a brilliant 109 runs while Vijay Singh made 58 runs for the HCA. In reply, Doon Tiger also displayed brilliant batting display but the team fell 15 runs short of the target and was bowled out for 281 runs. Amar Karnwal scored 51 runs for Doon Tiger while Maggie played a blistering innings of 81 runs. For the HCA, Varun took 4 wickets.

 Kotdwar College beat Birla Campus 2-0
Tribune News Service

Players of Kotdwar Degree College (blue) and Birla Campus Srinagar (white) try to take control of the ball during a match in the HNB Garhwal University Inter-College Hockey Tournament at Welham Girls’ School in Dehradun on Thursday. Tribune photo: Abhyudaya Kotnala

Dehradun, November 6
The HNB Garhwal University Inter-College Hockey Tournament kicked off at Welham Girls’ School here today.

In the first match, Kotdwar Degree College defeated Birla Campus Srinagar 2-0 while in the second match of the day, Tehri Degree College defeated Uttarkashi College 1-0. In the last match of the day, Rishikesh defeated SRTC Tehri 2-0.

The tournament is being organised by the Institute of Technology Management.

 CM, panchayat members meet Sonia Gandhi in Delhi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
A delegation of panchayat representatives from Uttarakhand led by Chief Minister Harish Rawat met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi yesterday.

Sonia Gandhi congratulated the panchayat representatives for their resounding success in the panchayat elections held in the state recently. She said late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had a vision of strengthening panchayats, which the Uttarakhand government had fulfilled.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Uttarakhand Congress president Kishore Upadhyaya were present at the meeting.

 ITDA officer gets warning in workplace harassment case 
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
The state-level committee on redressal of complaints against sexual harassment at workplace while deciding a five-year-old pending sexual harassment case has issued a stern warning to the Finance Controller, Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA), BP Tiwari.

The committee headed by Radha Raturi, Principal Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, said the behaviour of the Finance Controller was inappropriate and held him responsible for failure to abide by the rules and regulations of year 2002.

The case, which was initially heard at the department level, gained pace after the committee was set up last year to check harassment at workplace. It held several sittings and finally gave the decision on November 1 this year.

It was in 2008 that Kajal Anthwal, a contractual employee working with the ITDA, had lodged a complaint of sexual harassment with a department senior. The case remained undecided as the officer against whom the charge was levelled remained defiant. However, with the formation of the committee last year the case gathered pace.

Kajal was working at the ITDA and had complained against BP Tiwari. “A warning has been issued to the officer for indulging in inappropriate behaviour. He has been asked to mend his ways, or else, mention of this incident will be made in his annual confidential report. As the woman was his junior colleague, the responsibility rested on him to show exemplary conduct. The service rules and regulations of 2002 emphasise on exemplary conduct by the senior. In this case, as the issue involved a junior woman colleague, the responsibility of appropriate behaviour was more of the officer,” said Raturi.

In another case of alleged harassment of a woman doctor by her medical colleagues, the committee, during the hearing and cross-examination, could not substantiate the charges.

Dr Suchi, who was posted as medical officer at the Naugaon Community Health Centre, had filed a complaint of harassment against medical superintendent Dr Anup Kumar Dimri and assistant medical officer Dr Praveen. The complaint was brought before the committee this year.

 UKD (Airy) members protest
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
Continuing with their hunger strike, members of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Airy) demanded fulfilment of their pending demands at the Shaheed Sthal at the district courts here today.

Addressing the protesters, Virender Singh Bisht, the district president, said on the occasion of the State Foundation Day, the state government should announce Gairsain as the state’s permanent capital. “The people living in the hilly areas of the state also wish to see Gairsain become the permanent capital as it would pave way for development of those areas. In case the state government fails to make the announcement, we would organise a massive protest rally and gherao the CM’s residence on November 21,” he said.

Those who were part of the demonstration included BD Khanduri, Harish Pathak, Sevanand Chamoli, Shashidhar Belwal, Kendrapal, Uttam Singh Rawat, Sameer, Kailash Joshi, Bahadur Singh Rawat, Pankaj Vyas and others.

 7,000 Gujarati couples vow to fight female foeticide
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 6
The week-long Swami Narayan Mahotsava at the Kumbh Mela ground at Pant Deep in Haridwar is drawing a huge crowd. Thousands of devotees took a dip in the Ganga on Kartik Poornima here today, besides performing various rituals at the mahotsava, which saw a huge participation by people from Gujarat.

About 7,000 Gujarati couples, motivated by religious leaders, took a pledge to protect rights of girl child and sensitise people against female foeticide.

Swami Rishiswaranand Maharaj termed female foeticide as a blot on society and urged people to work towards removing the evil.

Swami Nitya Swarup Das Maharaj said Shri Swami Narayan had envisioned alcohol-free Gujarat 150 years ago and his good wishes inspired Mahatma Gandhi to advocate it.

The Gujarat Government later made it a reality and prohibited the production, sale and consumption of alcohol.

The saint urged youths to shun alcohol and drugs, which demolished both character and physical well-being.

As part of a religious ritual yesterday the Shri Swami Narayan idol was offered 56 dishes, besides a mega aarti.

 Address problems arising due to flyover construction: CPM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 6
The local unit of the CPM has expressed concern over problems arising due to the construction of a flyover at Balliwala Chowk in Dehradun. It has demanded that the Congress-led state government should take effective steps to address grievances of shopkeepers and residents.

In a letter to Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Cabinet minister Dinesh Agarwal, Dehradun District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav and other officials, CPM office–bearers expressed concern over the callous attitude of the nodal agency while constructing the flyover at Balliwala Chowk.

They said the nodal agency had not initiated any talk with the affected shopkeepers and residents before starting the construction work on the flyover at Balliwala Chowk.

The activists said the district administration should hold a meeting of the affected residents with the nodal agency in order to give them appropriate monetary compensation.

 Shaheed Sthal construction
CBI probe sought into ‘irregularities’ 
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 6
Uttarakhand statehood agitators have expressed resentment over the alleged irregularities that have surfaced in the construction of the Shaheed Sthal in Mussoorie.

Statehood agitators sit on a day-long dharna in Mussoorie on Thursday. a tribune photograph

Members of the Uttarakhand Rajya Andolankari Manch, led by Jaiprakash Uttarakhandi, today staged a dharna and raised slogans against the state government at Shaheed Sthal.

The Shaheed Sthal, a memorial to martyrs who laid down their lives during the movement for a separate state of Uttarakhand on September 2, 1994, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Harish Rawat in Mussoorie on September 2 this year.

While speaking to mediapersons, Jaiprakash said his organisation had held a protest against the alleged irregularities in the construction of the Shaheed Sthal on September 2 but no action had been taken so far.

He added the martyrs’ statues installed at the Shaheed Sthal did not resemble their pictures and had led to anger among their families.

He alleged embezzlement of funds in the construction of the Shaheed Sthal and demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

Jaiprakash said if a CBI probe was not ordered till November 9, the statehood agitators would boycott the Winterline Carnival to be organised by the district administration.

He demanded that the statues be replaced with the ones that resemble the pictures of the martyrs.

Alleged funds embezzlement

n Members of the Uttarakhand Rajya Andolankari Manch staged a dharna on Thursday alleging embezzlement of funds in the construction of Shaheed Sthal in Mussoorie

n They said the martyrs’ statues installed at Shaheed Sthal did not resemble their pictures

 ‘Have positive thoughts for healthy life’
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 6
A healthy lifestyle can be achieved by having positive thoughts, vegetarian food and a brisk walk, exercise and yoga in fresh morning air.

Maha Mandaleshwar SwamI Hari Chetnanand Maharaj along with SP, City, KL Shah lights a traditional lamp at Shyampur in Haridwar on Thursday. Tribune photo: RAMESHWAR GAUR

This was stated by spiritual guru Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Hari Chetnanand Maharaj at a function in Brij Bhogh, Shyampur, on the Rishikesh-Haridwar bypass here today.

The Mahamandaleshwar cautioned people against adopting an unhealthy lifestyle which is the root cause of most of the diseases.

He urged people to have good positive thoughts, eat pure vegetarian leafy-fruit and take to meditation, yoga, brisk walking in the fresh morning air. He said besides mobile phones one also needed to have fruits, otherwise, our immunity would get weaken.

Former SP, City, Kiran Lal Shah said it was necessary to do physical work, exercise and adhere to age-old adage of ‘early to bed, early to rise’. Today the youth was adopting an unhealthy lifestyle owing to excessive use of television, mobile phone and computers.

Heart specialist Sanjay Shah said stress, intake of higher salt, cholesterol, fatty and spices ingredients, particularly fast food, had increased the number of hypertension, heart and obesity patients in recent years.

Tehri Garhwal-based trader Uday Ram Semwal said spurious and adulterated food, outlets selling pizzas, burgers, and Chinese food were leading the younger generation towards obesity.

Trivendra Singh Panwar, DP Vyas, Lalit Mamgain, Anil Pokhriyal, Rameshwar, Arun Ohri, Alok Sharma, Rahul Baisla, Sewak Ram, Gopal, Archana Ohri, Shikha Rawat, Shamsher Bahadur, Rao Riyasat and Ambrish Kumar were present on the occasion.