14th state foundation day
Colonies of statehood activists to be developed, says CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Chief Minister Harish Rawat today announced that villages and colonies of statehood activists would be developed as “model” village of the state. Addressing a gathering at a function held to commemorate the 14th state foundation day here, he assured that every possible step would be taken by the Congress-led state government to fulfil dreams of statehood activists.

The Chief Minister announced to begin the mid-day meal scheme exclusively for those senior citizens, who have attained an age of 60 years and above. He said portraits of statehood activists would be hung on the walls of the Legislative Assembly building.

He announced to develop Madameshwar-Tungnath, Jageshwar and Chotta Kailash Om Parvat as important religious tourist destinations in the lines of the Char Dham Yatra.

Rawat added the state government was committed to reconstructing damaged infrastructure, especially at important tourist destinations of the state. He said the “Himalaya Darshan” project would be launched soon to revive tourism sector in the state.

He said concrete plans were already made by the state government to restrict damage in disaster-prone areas of the state.

The Chief Minister said creating awareness among residents was the key factor to save lives of villagers when disaster strikes in higher parts of the state.

Rawat said separate funds would be constituted to provide immediate medical care to cancer patients.

He said farmers who contribute towards water harvesting would be given monetary compensation under the newly announced water bonus scheme.

Rawat said the state government had drafted a plan to start a special bonus scheme for dairy farmers from 2015. A monetary benefit of Rs 2 per litre and and Rs 4 per litre would be given to dairy farmers from plains and hilly areas, respectively.

He said vocational training would be given free of cost to SC/ST and backward communities in order to improve their social and economical status.

Admitting that health and education sectors need special attraction, Rawat said plans were in the pipeline for curtailing shortage of medical officers, specialist grade medical officers and teachers in the state.

He said special new schemes would be launched to revive small and middle-scale industries. Damaged hydropower projects would be repaired on a war footing. Rawat announced to construct textile parks across the state in order to earn revenue and overcome problem of unemployment in the state.

He assured the gathering that every possible step would be taken to reconstruct damaged infrastructure like roads, damaged potable water pipelines, health centres and school buildings.

The Chief Minister said the need of the hour was to revive terrace farming, animal husbandry and horticulture department of the state.

He said no stone would be left unturned to push the state on the path of development. He asked residents to contribute to development of the state as a model Himalaya state till 2025.

Rawat said a couple of attractive schemes would be introduced in order to motive youths to exhibits their skills in sports and games. Attractive schemes and packages would be offered to industrialists to set up factories in the state. Earlier, he released a souvenir “Uttarakhand on the path of development” in the function.

The Chief Minister felicitated Radhika Basera, wife of late TS Basera, a former footballer, with a cheque of Rs 5 lakh and a shawl.

Haridutt Kapri, an Arjun awardee, was felicitated for his contribution in basketball. “Devbhoomi Dronacharya” award was conferred on ace shooter Narayan Singh Rana, father of Jaspal Rana.

Cabinet Ministers Yashpal Arya, Dinesh Dhanai, Dinesh Agarwal and Harish Chandra Durgapal, Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee chief Kishore Upadhayay, MLAs Lalit Fharswan and Hamesh Kharkwal, Rajya Andolankari Samman Parishad chariman Dheerandra Pratap, Chief Secretary N Ravishankar, state spokesman Surendra Kumar and others were present.

Tributes paid to martyrs’

Chief Minister Harish Rawat paid floral tribute to martyrs at statehood martyr’s memorial on the Collectorate campus here today. He recalled efforts and sacrifices made by statehood martyrs during the statehood agitation.

Rawat said the state government would take decision to give pension to statehood activists in the upcoming Cabinet meeting.

He said everybody should follow path of statehood activists, who made supreme sacrifice of their lives during the statehood agitation. He assured that grievances of villagers would be addressed soon by developing infrastructure in the higher areas of the state.

Schemes proposed

• Mid-day meal scheme for senior citizens
• Madameshwar-Tungnath, Jageshwar and Chotta Kailash Om Parvat to be developed as religious and tourist destinations
• Special bonus scheme for dairy farmers from 2015
• Separate funds for immediate medical care to cancer patients
• Free vocational training for SC/ST and backward communities
• Construction of textile parks across state.

Governor takes salute at Police Lines
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi took the salute at the ceremonial parade, held at the Police Lines on the occasion of the state’s 14th Foundation Day celebrations here today. He also honoured police personnel with medals for distinguished services.

He paid tributes to all activists, who made significant contribution to the Uttarakhand movement. He said all would have to work together to fulfil the dream of a progressive state. In his address, Governor said the courage shown by the defence, paramilitary forces and police jawans during natural disaster last year was appreciable.

“Women of the state have played an important role in the Uttarakhand movement. They have also spread the message of environment conservation throughout the world,” said Qureshi. While taking about the role of policemen, he said, “We must give respect and more facilities to our policemen so that they can serve our society better.”

In his address, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said, “The state has touched new heights of development during the last 14 years, but our focus should be to ensure that the last person in the line gets the fruits of development.” He said a lot remained to be done in the fields of education and social upliftment. While discussing government’s efforts to reconstruct Kedarnath shrine, Rawat said the work at Kedar Dham and other disaster affected areas had started. A large-scale infrastructural work would have to be done in these areas, he added.

“We must remember the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the creation of the state. This state is the result of their unforgettable sacrifice,” said the Chief Minister. He also paid tributes to freedom fighters and soldiers, who fought for the Independence of the country. He also paid tributes to officers and jawans, who lost their lives while rescuing people in the disaster, which struck last year.

The Chief Minister also announced Rs1,000 for each jawan of the police and paramilitary forces, who participated in the ceremonial parade and a special holiday for the police personnel in lieu of today.

Additional Director General of Police Ram Singh Meena and Inspector General of Police DJ Ghildial were honoured with President’s Police Medal by the Governor on the occasion. Deputy Inspector General of Police Amit Sinha, DIG Sanjay Gunjial, DIG RS Chauhan, retired police officers KS Hayanki and SS Chinwan received police medals for their distinguished services. From the Fire Department, Chandan Singh Jeena and Dani Ram Tamta received the President’s medal. For special investigation, Rajesh Shah and Trilok Ram Baghretha received a cash award of Rs 10,000 each.

Director General of Police BS Sidhu gave information about the activities of the Police Department. Fire-fighting team, Communication Department of the police, anti-bomb squads, SSB and ITBP presented a dare-devil show during the celebrations.

Cabinet Ministers Dinesh Aggarwal, HC Durgapal, Mayor Vinod Chamoli, MP and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, MP Rajyalakshmi Shah, MLAs Hira Singh Bisht, Hemesh Kharkwal, Lalit Farswan, Manoj Tiwari, Chief Secretary N Ravi Shanker and several officials were also present on the occasion.

DGP joins cleanliness drive in police colony

Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sidhu joined children in a cleanliness drive at Police Officers Colony in Kishanpur on the occasion of the 14th foundation day of the state here today.

The residents of the colony and children cleared garbage lying in the playground. The DGP gave away prizes and gifts to children who took part in the drive. He said the objective of the drive was to make the colony residents aware of the importance of cleanliness.

Cultural events mark celebrations in Garhwal
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 9
Cultural programmes marked the celebration of the 14th Foundation Day of Uttarakhand. The day was celebrated with fervour and gaiety across Garhwal region and Mussoorie today.

A rally from Library Chowk to Shaheed Sthal was also held. Later, cultural programmes were performed at Shaheed Sthal, where Urban Development Minister Pritam Singh Panwar garlanded the stautes of martyrs who lost their lives during the struggle for separate state movement in 1994.

The members of the Uttarakhand Andolankari Manch, Mussoorie, tried to stop the minister from entering the Shaheed Sthal, but failed in their efforts.

Devi Godiyal, president of the Rajya Andolankari Manch, said the issues raised by the agitators were still languishing at the government level.

He said the objectives for which the separate state of Uttarakhand was formed had not been fulfilled due to the apathy shown by the politicians and the bureaucrats of the state.

Manmohan Singh Mall, president of the Mussoorie Municipal Council, said the Foundation Day was not the time to raise such issues.

“We should remember the sacrifice made by the martyrs to achieve the goal of separate state and celebrate the day in unison to give a message that the people of Uttarakhand were united,” he said. He extended greetings to the people of the state on the occasion.

Pritam Singh Panwar, Urban Development Minister, said a lot had been done in the past 14 years in the state, but the major issue such as migration was yet to be addressed. The folk dance performance by the Nandlal Bharti group depicting cultures of Jaunsaar and Garhwal region mesmerised the audience.

An inter-house debate competition was also organised at Government Inter College, Ghorakhori, to mark the Foundation Day. Nehru House won the debate. A volleyball tournament was also organised on the occasion. Several programmes were held in Thatyur block of Tehri district to celebrate the day.

Dhanai praises govt in Pithoragarh
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 9
A brochure on the development of sanitary programmes was released and a cleanliness drive was launched during the fourteenth Uttarakhand foundation day celebrations in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts today.

Tourism and Youth Development Minister Dinesh Dhanai addressed a gathering in Pithoragarh district on the occasion. He gave an account of the works done by the Harish Rawat government for the development of the state.

The programme began in Pithoragarh district headquarters with the launch of the cleanliness drive in the town by the administration. Dhanai also paid tributes at the Shaheed Sthal. The minister released a brochure regarding programmes launched by the government during the last two years, at the DS Bisht ground. “The government, under Chief Minister Harish Rawat, is developing the state through its various programmes. ‘Mete Bujurge, Mere Teerth’, ‘Hamara Ped, Hamara Dhan’, ‘Pension Sabka Adhikar’ and ‘Uttarakhand Rajya Khaday Yojana’ are some of the main plans,” he said. The event was followed by a cultural programme by students of Government Girls Inter College, Pithoragarh. Congress MLAs Mayulkh Singh Mahar and Narayan Ram were also present on the occasion.

In Champawat district, District Magistrate Dipendra Chaudhari and Nagar Palika chairperson Prakash Tiwari launched a free medical camp and a cleanliness drive for the town on the occasion. They also paid tributes to statehood martyrs at the Shahid Sthal. Students also presented cultural and academic programmes.

BJP critical of state government as usual
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Teerath Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand BJP president, today said the Congress-led state government had completely failed on all fronts. He lamented that it was yet to take effective steps to address the grievances of the villagers who had borne the brunt of natural calamities over the years.

Teerath Rawat, while addressing party workers at a conclave held to mark the 14th state foundation day here today, said BJP activists played a commendable role in the statehood agitation. He recalled that former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had given his consent to carving out Uttarakhand from Uttar Pradesh. He added the state government had not taken any steps for the development of the state.

The BJP chief said the government had quashed various beneficiary projects, and schemes that the previous BJP government in the state had launched.

Ajay Bhatt, Leader of the Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, said various scams had come to light during the rule of the present Congress-led government. “Uttarakhand has become a favourite destination for the land, mining and liquor mafias,” he added.

Bhatt expressed concern at the insensitivity of the government in not addressing the grievances of the disaster-hit villagers. He said roads, potable water pipelines, health centres, and school buildings were in a poor condition. The government had failed to make use of the industrial package sanctioned by the Centre for Uttarakhand, he added.

Former Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harbans Kapoor expressed concern at the closure of nearly 300 bulb factories in the state. State BJP general secretaries Sanjay Kumar, and Naresh Bansal, besides GS Negi, VS Bisht, Ashish Gupta, and Asha Nautiyal were present at the function.

St Jude’s students give message of world peace
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Students of St Jude’s School gave the message of the importance of brotherhood, harmony and world peace at the annual sports day organised here on Saturday. The theme of the sportsday was world peace. Students and teachers decorated their house tents on the occasion. The supporting staff prepared the field and gave the final touches to tracks.

President of the St Jude’s School, RV Gardner, welcomed chief guest Amit Prasad, DIG, ITBP, Dehradun. It was followed by a march past of students of Class III to V on the tune of “Make me a channel of your peace”. Students of Class VI to XII walked in a carnival-like procession depicting various aspects of world peace like destruction banned, brotherhood, peace among nations etc.

Senior students of the school presented an impressive march past. They marched in squads of the four houses in perfect unison, making the task of judges extremely difficult. It was followed by a yoga display by students of Class IV to X. The event commemorated the completion of the 20 years of St Jude’s School.

The yoga event was followed by a PT display by Class III students in colourful outfits with tambourines in their hands. They presented different formations on the theme of “Together we can” signifying harmony and brotherhood. The event was followed by a 50-metre flat race, a caterpillar race and a 100-metre skipping race. Students of Class IV and V also presented a PT display based on the theme ‘May peace reign supreme’, which was appreciated by the chief guest and the spectators.

A Tug-of-war between Howard House and Gardner House forced everyone to stand and cheer the students. Gardner House won the event. A karate display by girl students of Class III to VIII depicted how well the school had prepared them to face the unsafe world.

The PT display based on the theme “And the world will act as one” by students of Class VI to VIII conveyed the message of universal brotherhood. Children carried flags of different countries. The display concluded with a special prayer for world peace. Students of all four houses formed pyramids, presenting a spectacular view. The student belonging to Thaddeusian House, who excelled at the inter-school, district and state levels, handed over a torch to Principal VR Gardner. The function concluded with a closely synchronised march past by Class IX to XII students.

Young dancers keep audience spellbound
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
A medley of Odissi and local folk dance by children left the audience spellbound at the annual Mudras show organised by the Omm Dance and Music Institute. The function began with the show stopper diya dance.

Students dressed in Odissi dance costumes gave a dazzling performance. The light and sound work was well appreciated by the audience. Later, students presented Saraswati Vandana, Ganesh Vandana and a Rajasthani folk dance.

Senior Congress leader Kunwar Pranav Champion, who was the chief guest, gave away awards to students. In his address, Champion emphasised on the need to participate in extra-curricular activities which aided in the all-round development of students.

Principal Silari Lenka said students were taught to value the Indian culture, besides dance and music.

Apartment building to pick up in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Apartment building is likely to gain momentum in Dehradun after the state government raised the land circle rates recently. Sanjeev Vohra from Evolve Projects Private Limited told mediapersons that places like Dehradun had been attracting non-resident Indians, who prefer the valley’s evergreen climate, peaceful atmosphere and low crime rate.

“Being close to Mussoorie, Dehradun is one of the favourite property investment destinations in comparison to even Mumbai and Kolkata,” says Vohra.

According to an Assocham press note, NRI investments in the Indian real estate are likely to rise by 35 per cent this year compared to 18 per cent last year. Vohra said the initiative of the Central government to develop Dehradun as a smart city had also boosted construction activities in the region.

He added their group had already delivered two of the prime residential projects like Doon Trafalgar and Princes Park and was now developing Doon Trafalgar Extension, another housing project.

S.African hospital keen to provide better services
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Life Healthcare, a chain of worldwide hospitals, is keen to provide better clinical services in the field of oncology and lifestyle diseases in India. It believes Indian health market has the potential similar to that in South Africa.

At Max Hospital here, a team of Life Healthcare (South Africa) officials comprising Andre Meyer, CEO, Life Healthcare (South Africa), Jonathan Lowick, strategy and development executive, Life Healthcare (South Africa), said both India and South Africa were facing similar problems. “We are facing a surge in cases pertaining to lifestyle diseases. Beside, both countries are also battling with life-threatening diseases like HIV/ AIDS and cancer. Cooperation in these fields could prove beneficial for both countries,” said Andre while speaking to The Tribune.

Incidentally, in South Africa, 80 per cent of the healthcare is in the hands of the government. “We have our National Health Assurance Policy, which takes care of health needs of our citizens. We could learn from each other’s experiences in this area,” said Jonathan.

On the issue of curbing infant mortality rate which figures in the UN development goals, Jonathan said like India, South Africa too had to achieve the target and community participation models were being worked out.

Summer Valley School win quiz
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Summer Valley School won the Col Shashi Memorial Inter-School Quiz Competition, organised as part of the Cambrian Hall School’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations here today. The Doon School bagged the second position while Scholars Home School stood third.

As many as 18 schools, including Welham Girls’ High School, Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), The Doon School, Summer Valley School, St Joseph’s Academy, St Jude’s, Hilton’s, Indian Public School, Olympus High, Doon International, participated in the quiz.

A preliminary selection round, comprising 25 questions, was held to select six teams for the main quiz. RIMC, The Doon School, Summer Valley School, Seven Oaks School, Carmen School and Scholars Home School competed for the title in the final round. Summer Valley School won the quiz. The main quiz comprised 11 rounds, covering a wide range of subjects like current affairs, science, arts, entertainment, literature, environment, sports, history, geography, numerical ability, and reasoning.

Shifting of trenching ground sought
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) activists held a protest here today in support of their demand that the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) should take effective steps to shift the trenching ground from the Shastardhara Road.

They gathered at the trenching ground and raised slogans against the municipal corporation. They lamented that the trenching ground, which is situated near residential colonies, was causing health hazardous to residents.

They said residents of Hill view Apartments, Durga Enclave, Laxmi Vihar, Ekta Vihar, Mayur Vihar, Amar Vihar, and Aman Apartments were exposed to health problems due to the callous approach of the DMC in shifting the trenching ground.

POLITICAL DIARY
Dobriyal’s RS nomination shows CM in total control
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
The nomination of Manorama Sharma Dobriyal, a former Mayor of Dehradun and staunch loyalist of Harish Rawat, for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Uttarakhand has again proved that the Chief Minister enjoys the confidence of party president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

The nomination of a lightweight supporter of Harish Rawat against former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, who lobbied and manoeuvered hard for the Rajya Sabha seat, has shown that Harish Rawat is in full control of the situation.

Vijay Bahuguna tried hard to pressure the Chief minister as well as the party high command to get the Rajya Sabha nomination for himself or his son Saket Bahuguna. However, Harish Rawat was able to convince Sonia Gandhi that Vijay Bahuguna’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha would necessitate a byelection from his Sitarganj Assembly seat and the Congress was not in a position to ensure a victory there. Already, the Congress is one short of the simple majority in the state Assembly and Bahuguna’s departure to the Rajya Sabha would endanger the stability of the state government. Moreover, Vijay Bahuguna lost the plot by opposing the seven-member Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) group. Bahuguna’s move to get PDF ministers ousted from the government further strengthened the hands of Harish Rawat, who did not oblige him. To win the sympathy of the Congress legislators, Bahuguna had demanded that the number of ministers from the PDF supporting the state government should be reduced but it did not cut much ice with the high command.

After becoming the Chief Minister on February 1 this year before the Lok Sabha elctions, Harish Rawat has given another jolt to his political detractors in the Uttarakhand Congress. Harish Rawat, who remained on the political fringe after veteran Congress leader ND Tewari became Chief Minister after the first-ever Assembly elections in Uttarakhand in 2002, has extracted revenge on his rivals in his own way. Harish Rawat was denied chief ministership after he led the party to victory in the 2002 Assembly poll as the state Congress president. The party high command made ND Tewari the Chief Minister of the newly created state. Rawat fretted and fumed and acted more as an opposition leader during Tiwari’s tenure as Chief Minister. However, to placate him he was sent to the Rajya Sabha where he remained till 2008. His political fortunes soared after he shifted to Haridwar from Almora and won the Lok Sabha elections from there in 2009. He made a union minister. After a razor-thin victory in the 2012 Assembly elections, Harish Rawat was again ignored and Vijay Bahuguna was appointed Chief minister, much to chagrin of the Rawat group. However, Vijay Bahuguna was replaced by Harish Rawat amid allegations of poor handling of the natural disaster that struck the state in June last year.

Harish Rawat’s achieved a political victory of sorts when his detractor from the Tewari camp and former Lok Sabha MP from Pauri Garhwal Satpal Maharaj left the party to join the BJP before the Lok Sabha elections. With Satpal Maharaj gone and Vijay Bahuguna marginalised, Harish rawat has been consolidating his own position in the Uttarakhand Congress with each passing day.

It is believed that in the coming days Harish Rawat’s position will further get consolidated as the erstwhile Tewari camp comprising Satpal Maharaj and Vijay Bahuguna withers. Harish Rawat has been able to win over the support of most of the legislators belonging to the Satpal Maharaj and Vijay Bahuguna camps with a few exception.

Masterstroke

Chief Minister Harish Rawat managed to convince Sonia Gandhi that Vijay Bhuguna’s leaving the Assembly on nomination to the Rajya Sabha would hurt the stability of the state government.

Successive state govts have underperformed: Hridayesh
Tribune news Service

Haridwar, November 9
Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh has admitted that successive state governments since the formation of Uttarakhand in 2000 have not lived up to the expectations of the people.

She was speaking at an exhibition organised on the occasion of the 14th foundation day celebrations of Uttarakhand at Town Hall here today. She said various exhibitions organised by government departments and NGOs showcased their plans well, but didn’t do anything on the ground level.

“In the past 14 years the state has witnessed lots of development works, but still much more needs to be done,” she added.

Hridayesh said the state government had ensured successful conduct of the Char Dham Yatra, the Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra, and the Kailash Mansarovar yatra. It had also provided pension to farmers, fulfilled demands of statehood agitators. “The rehabilitation of people post-disaster in the Kedarnath valley is the foremost priority of the state government,” she added.

District Magistrate, Haridwar, D Senthyl Pendiyan, SSP Sweety Aggarwal, ADM Jeevan Singh Nangiyal, SP (City) Surjeet Singh Pawar, Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi, chairperson of the mandi samiti, Jwalapur, Sanjay Chopra, city Congress unit president OP Chauhan, statehood agitators Trilok Chand Bhatt, JP Pandey and Meera Raturi were also present on the occasion.

Experts discuss methods to check sale of spurious medicines
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 9
Experts from medical, health, social organisations, government and NGOs discussed ways to provide safe medicines to patients at a seminar organised by The Partnership for Safe Medicines in India, a social organisation, at Radison Hotel at Roshanabad, 12 km from Haridwar city today.

They stressed on taking stringent action against those found involved in the production, marketing and selling of spurious medicines in the country.

An outlay of action plan on how to tackle the menace of substandard, spurious, wrongly labelled, falsified and counterfeit medical products found in the medical supply chain in India and globally was also considered on the occasion.

VK Subburaj, secretary, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, said there was a need to give an insurance cover for all and accessible medical facilities to the people, particularly the poor.

Keshav Desi Raju, Secretary, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Uttarakhand, focused on patient’s safety as well as a provision of affordable and good quality drugs worldwide. In the Indian context, the government was committed to providing quality medical services at affordable prices, added Raju.

He said as the population was rising sharply the health facilities need to be upgraded and spread.

Referring to states like Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, Raju said health assurance was being provided to all residents of these state, which should be implemented by other states too. The state governments should allocate a specific budget annually for health insurance, he added.

Dr Linda M Distlerath, a delegate from International Alliance Development PSM, USA, stressed on the need for a global forum and cooperation by nations to counter the spurious drug menace.

Anil Khaitan, chairman of the Indian Pharma Forum, said stringent legal penalty clauses for defaulters should be enacted. Asha Gambhir, secretary general of the All India Women Conference, stressed on the need for high standard labelling and checking facilities so that spurious medicines could be detected before supply or sale at chemist shops or medical centres.

Laxmi Kanta Chawla, former Health Minister, Punjab, advocated reining in pharmaceutical companies as well as doctors, who prescribed drugs or medicines of a specific company.

Other topics discussed at the convention, include “need for enhancing patient safety and quality medicines”, “global initiative on pharmacovigilance”, “patients–consumer right to universal access” and “coverage to quality health care”.

Bejon Kumar Mishra, founder director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines in India, said the primary objective of the conference was to initiate a discussion on the new health policy for India and the National Health Assurance Mission. The main focus was on providing universal affordable health care to all and sundry.

Badoni’s birth anniversary to be celebrated as Folk Culture Day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
The Uttarakhand Government will celebrate the birth anniversary of Indermani Badoni, a statehood agitator, as Folk Culture Day on December 24. An ITI dedicated to folk art and craft will be started at Akhori village, Badoni’s birthplace.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat said this while releasing a book on Indermani Badoni at the Bijapur guest house here yesterday. He said a committee would be constituted under the leadership of Cabinet minister Pritam Singh Panwar to select books linked to the history and culture of the state.

He termed Badoni as a hero of Uttarkhand and said simplicity in life and fighting spirit was part of his personality. He added Badoni’s thoughts were still inspiring people of the state.

The Chief Minister felicitated Ramkrishna Bhatt, writer of the book. Cabinet ministers Pritam Singh Panwar, Mantri Prasad Naithani, MLA Hamesh Kharkwal, Sundar Lal Mandarwal, Bhim Lal Arya, Uttarakhand Rajya Andolankari Samman Parishad president Dhirender Pratap were present on the occasion.

CM’s words

• A committee will be constituted under the leadership of Cabinet Minister Pritam Singh Panwar to select books linked to the history and culture of the state
• Badoni is a hero of Uttarkhand and simplicity in life and fighting spirit was part of his personality
• Badoni's thoughts are still inspiring people of the state.

UKD (P) activists call off three-day strike
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Activists of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Panwar) called off their three-day agitation after former “Dharamadhikari” of Badrinath Mandir Samiti, Jagdamba Prasad Sati, offered fruit juice to them here today.

Agitators, including Sufi Khalif Ahmed, Furkan Ahmed, Ramesh Bhandari, Ranveer Singh Kanyal and Kunwar Singh Rana, demanded to declare Garsain as the permanent capital of Uttarakhand.

The agitators demanded to issue white paper on the expenditure done for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure in the disaster-hit areas of the state, make report of Tripathi commission public, introduce effective steps to stop migration of people from higher areas of the state and sanction pension schemes to statehood activists.

Trivendra Singh Panwar, Shashibhushan Bhatt, Manmohan Lakhera, Anoop Negi, MS Rana, Surendra Patwal, VS Sajjwan, CS Negi, KS Rawat, Bimla Belwal, Geeta Bisht and others were present on the occasion.

Demands

• The agitators demanded a white paper on the expenditure done for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure in the disaster-hit areas of the state
• Make report of Tripathi commission public
• Introduce effective steps to stop migration of people from higher areas of the state and announce pension schemes for statehood activists.

Tamta adopts Supi village in Kapkot
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 9
Almora MP Ajay Tamta has adopted remote Supi village in Kapkot subdivision of Bageshwar district in his parliamentary constituency for development under the Adarsh Gram Yojna of Prime Minister Narendra Modi this year.

“The village having a population of 350 is situated 80 km from Bageshwar district headquarters. It lacks basic infrastructure and will be developed with MP LAD funds,” said Tamta at Almora today.

Besides adopting Supi village for one year, Tamta has also adopted three other villages for later years. These villages are Salli in Champawat district, Sunauli in Almora district and Jumma in Pithoragarh district. “The most backward and remote villages in my constituency, were drawn through a draw of lots and other villages appearing in the list will be developed in later years,” said Tamta.

A good start

Besides adopting Supi village for one year, Tamta has also adopted three other villages for later years. These villages are Salli in Champawat district, Sunauli in Almora district and Jumma in Pithoragarh district.

Frequent change of NHM director affects central govt schemes
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
The frequent shuffling of the National Health Mission (NHM) director has adversely impacted the implementation of programmes that are being monitored and funded by the Centre.

The near halting of the emergency ambulance services in the state a few days ago is a case in point. The non-payment of dues to suppliers providing fuel to run the 108 emergency ambulance services had paralysed services throughout the state.

However, following intervention by the top authorities, vendors were asked to provide fuel till Monday and the services were resumed. But in the hill areas, the emergency ambulance services have not been operational since November 5. The emergency services are part of the NHM.

“The government will be releasing around Rs 1.45 crore on Monday or Tuesday. This will help us to pay dues. The problem arose as we were not paid the quarterly budget, which is usually paid in September. After we took up the issue with the government, the matter was resolved for the time being and all ambulances are running,” said Manish Tinku, state head of GVK EMRI, 108 emergency ambulance services.

After the exit of Piyush Singh, former director of the NHM, in November 2013, an IAS officer, who was relieved for his parent state of Maharashtra, the department has seen four directors being transferred. “No wonder there is a crisis of sorts. The NHM requires proper understanding, especially of the emergency services which are also part of the programme. By the time the officer settles down, he is transferred,” said a senior officer.

Further, around 1,000 employees of the emergency ambulance services have also not been paid salaries for October.

Seven honoured with Nanda Devi Samman
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Governor Aziz Qureshi yesterday honoured seven persons with Nanda Devi Samman for doing appreciable work in various spheres. He said the contribution of common people should be recognised to serve the country better.

He said, “We should, in a democracy, forget our differences and maintain the relationship of humanity with everyone. For the development of the state and the country, we should rise above party politics. In the light of the sun, we should not forget those stars which showed us the way at night.”

“We must honour unknown people, who were founders of any revolution in society. We must keep alive our Ganga-Yamunotri tradition and culture,” said Qureshi.

Those honoured include Jagar singer Basanti Bisht, Vijay Jardhari (Beej Bachao Andolan), Dr Mahesh Kudiyal, Deepak Kumar Tiwari (for work in medicinal herbs), educationist Kamla Pant, Arti Balodi (for women empowerment) and Yashwant Dutta (for graphics and designing). Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay, who organised the event, said honouring people who did excellent work in their fields was like realisation of imagination. In charge of BJP affairs in Uttarakhand Shyam Jaju also spoke on the occasion.

All sections need to contribute to tackle ecological crisis
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
All sections of society need to contribute to tackle ecological crisis that has obtained a global proportion. This was the view of the experts on the second day of the International Congress on the ‘Ecological Integrity and Environmental Ethics’ that began here yesterday.

The event has been organised by the Department of Environmental Science of College Basic Sciences and Humanities (CBSH) in collaboration with the Directorate of Communication of GB Pant University.

Zlatica Plasienkova, a Professor of Philosophy from Comenius University of Slovakia, was the chief guest at the inauguration function. The session was presided over by acting Vice-Chancellor and Dean, College of Home Science, Dr Rita Singh Raghuwanshi. Col Shashikant Dalvi, an environmentalist; Dr Uma Melkania, Dean, CBSH; Prof JPN Rai, Head, Environmental Science, CBSH; Dr Vir Singh, Director, Communication, and convener of the International Congress shared the dais.

Prof Zlatica Plasienkova said ecological crisis was a global crisis to which we have two choices, either to change ourselves or not to change. She said concerted efforts were required from scientists, artistes, philosophers and others to make a sustainable environment.

Dr Rita Singh Raghuvanshi said we need to create a balance for the fast occurring ecological and environmental changes and advised the gathering to find more possible and environment-friendly ways of generating energy.

Col Shashikant Dalvi said the main reason of global warming and climate change was industrialisation and vehicular transportation. He said change was the rule of nature, but the present change was detrimental to living beings. He asked to reduce dependency over fossil fuels and advised to switchover to other environment-safe technologies to protect the environment.

As many as six books were released. About 150 participants from different countries, besides different states of India are participating in the International Congress.

‘Yoga, ayurveda vital for good health’
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 9
Yoga and ayurveda — the two ancient Indian health and medical therapies — complement each other and are vital for good health of people globally. Vice-Chancellor of Gurukul Kangri University, Dr Surendra Kumar, said this at the closing ceremony of a yoga orientation programme here today.

Twenty-seven ayurveda doctors from six states took part in the orientation programme.

Dr Surendra Kumar said the future of yoga and ayurveda was bright as people were well aware of the ill-effects of allopathic and other medicinal therapies.

Dr Ishwar Bhardwaj, Head of the Yoga Department, Gurukul Kangri University, said, “By disseminating and propogating yoga, we not only make people healthy, but also save money being spent by the people on medicines and health.”

Dr Surendra Tyagi, Dr Rakesh Giri, Dr Prabhat Sengar, Dr Gyan Prakash Shastri, Dr Uddham Singh, Dr Pradeep Kumar Joshi, Braham Pal Singh Chauhan and Satya Prasad Bhatt were present at the function.

Pledge to get Kumaoni into eighth schedule

Pithoragarh, November 9
A two-day conference on Kumaoni language concluded at Kasar Devi in Almora district today with a resolve that Kumaon writers, poets and lovers would continue their efforts to get the Kumaoni dialect into the eighth schedule of the Indian constitution.

Dr DK Pokharia, director of Mahadevi Verma Srizan Peeth at Ramgarh in Nainital district, said Kumaoni writers should make use of grammar in their writing.

The conference is organised by a Kumaoni magazine, Paharu. A Kumaoni kavi sammelan was also organised and local literati were honoured on the occasion. — OC

Yash of Bergin House wins gold medal in St Joseph’s sports meet
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
St Joseph’s Academy organised its 81st Annual Sports Meet here today. Yash Chaurasia of Bergin House clinched gold medal in the cycle race, which was the most awaited event of the day. Devang Joshi of Dooley House stood second.

Duffy House clinched first position in the march past and Bergin House remained the runner–up. The best Discipline Principal Cup was won by Donovan House and Duffy House won the much coveted Champions Trophy.

The opening ceremony commenced with the arrival of Chief Guest Lt Col Raj Sangram Singh, who was escorted by smartly attired Guard of Honour.

It was followed by a fusion dance performance, a mix of graceful Kathak with energetic Bhangra, and western dance performances by the students of classes IX and XI.

The walk past by tiny tots of classes II and III charmed one and all. Sportspersons carried out a relay of the torch and the athletes’ march past.

The Chief Guest administered the oath to the athletes and hoisted the flag and declared the meet open.

The events for the day included 80m, 100m and 200m races, 4×50m, 4×100m and invitational relays and the 3,000m cycle race.

The junior school students displayed a colorful peacock drill, mass PT exercises, aerobics and gymnastics.

“It’s good to see the alumni members involved in the welfare of the school. I appeal to the parents to let their child grow through participating in extra-curricular activities,” said the chief guest.

Rev Brother Dennis Joseph, Principal, proposed a vote of thanks and appreciated the students and teachers for their efforts in making the event a success.

Rao Academy lift Nazar Khan trophy
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Rao Cricket Academy (RCA) won the ongoing Nazar Khan Memorial 3rd Youth Cup Cricket Tournament defeating Uttarakhand Police by 2 wickets in the final match played at the Rangers College ground here today.

Uttarakhand Police won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored 149 runs with Ravi Bisht scoring the maximum 38 runs, followed by 36 runs by Harsh Negi. In reply, Rao Cricket Academy achieved the target in 34.4 overs. Ashish Pal scored the maximum 32 runs, followed by Sumit, who scored 28 runs, for Rao Cricket Academy.

DEAL Club is men volleyball champ
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
DEAL Volleyball Club and Himalayan Panchwati Sports Foundation won the District Volleyball Championship in the men and women categories, respectively, at Global Sports Academy here yesterday.

In the men’s category final match, DEAL Volleyball Club defeated Friends Club from Doiwala 25-18, 25-22. On the other hand, in the women’’s category final match, Himalayan Panchwati Sports Foundation trounced Stadium Trainees 25-22, 22-25, 17-15. Former Uttarakhand Sports Minister Narayan Singh Rana was the chief guest on the occasion and he gave away prizes to the members of the winning and runnersup teams.

Model School win cricket tourney
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 9
Model School won the first Uttarakhand State Cricket Tournament for the Blind after subduing National Federation of the Blind (NFB) by 5-wickets in the final match, which was played at The Doon School, here today.

After losing the toss and put to bat first, the NFB scored 165 runs at the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Amandeep remained highest scorer for the NFB with 39 followed by Sanjay Rawat, who made 29 runs in the match.

In reply, Model School achieved the target at the loss of five wickets with Sagar making 44 and Umar contributing 30 runs. Sagar was adjudged the man of the match. He was also chosen for the man of the series award.