Manorama elected to Rajya Sabha
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
Former Dehradun Mayor Manorama Dobriyal Sharma was declared elected unopposed from the lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Uttarakhand.

Returning officer and secretary of Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha Jagdish Chand issued the Rajya Sabha certificate of election to Sharma at the Vidhan Sabha today. Uttarakhand Congress president Kishore Upadhyay and Congress state media in charge Surendra Kumar were present on the occasion.

Sharma had filed her nomination papers on Monday. She was the lone candidate to file a nomination for the only vacant Rajya Sabha seat in the state. Her election to the Upper House became almost certain when the BJP decided not to put forth any candidate for the state’s Rajya Sabha seat. Congress, right from day one, was confident of an easy victory due to numbers in its favour. Born on September 3, 1955 in Dwarikhal block of Pauri Garhwal district, Manorama is daughter of freedom fighter and Ajad Hind Fauj member Pandit Tika Ram Dobriyal. Former Dehradun Mayor Manorama has been a state agitator.

Unopposed

• Former Dehradun Mayor Manorama Dobriyal Sharma had filed her nomination papers on Monday
• She was the lone candidate to file a nomination for the only vacant Rajya Sabha seat in the state
• Her election to the Upper House became almost certain when the BJP decided not to put forth any candidate for the state’s Rajya Sabha seat.

Mussoorie was second home to Nehru
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 13
The people of Mussoorie will fondly remember Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary as the first Prime Minister and great leader of the country who had strong affinity with Mussoorie.

For Jawaharlal Nehru, Mussoorie was the second home and important holiday destination.

For Nehru, who was also popular with the name Chacha(Uncle) Nehru due to his love and affection towards children, Mussoorie was the place where he found time to mingle with his daughter Indira Gandhi, also former prime minister of the country.

The fondness towards the Queen of Hills has trickled down to the present generation with Priyanka Gandhi from the Nehru family visiting Mussoorie frequently after her son was admitted at prestigious Doon School last year.

Nehru’s love for Mussoorie goes back to the days of British Raj, when he used to spend time along with his father Motilal Nehru, who along with wife used to visit Mussoorie and Doon valley frequently.

According to local chronicler, Gopal Bhardwaj, Jawaharlal Nehru first visited Mussoorie in 1906 to meet his father and mother Swaroop Rani, who were already vacationing here. Following that, he visited Mussoorie on several occasions.

Gopal Bhardwaj, speaking further, said that in 1920 Nehru was staying with his ailing mother and daughter Indira at Savoy Hotel. At the same time, a Russian delegation invited by the British was also staying in the same hotel for political talks. The British, fearing that Nehru might contact the Russians and thus influence the ongoing talks, asked him to sign an undertaking that he would not converse with the Russian delegation at any given point during his stay.

Nehru, who although was not interested in meeting the Russians, refused on the plea that he had every right to meet the delegation. He was ordered to leave Mussoorie by the authorities within 24 hours, added Bhardwaj. Nehru later, as prime minister, visited both Mussoorie and Dehradun on several occasions with his daughter Indira.

The child in Nehru also used to resurface in Mussoorie as he was fond of horse riding and use to trot on the horse on Mall Road with his daughter and several other leaders who accompanied him. He used to stay at Birla House and even assisted Dalai Lama and requested him to live in Birla House in 1959 during his exile from Tibet. Such was his love for the region that a day before he passed away, Nehru was in the Doon valley, said Bhardwaj.

Statewide conference of MC chiefs begins today
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 13
The demand for devolution of powers to municipal councils as envisaged by the 74th constitutional amendment, 1992, to make the urban local bodies vibrant self-governing institutions and usher in an era of urban governance will figure prominently in the statewide two-day conference of the municipal council presidents to be held in Mussoorie on November 14.

The president of the Mussoorie Municipal Council Manmohan Singh Mall said that the presidents of the various councils will deliberate on ways to strengthen the municipalities by through the implementation of 74th amendment during the two days of conference here.

He also said that recommendation and the conclusion reached here would be forwarded to the chief minister for further action. The Urban Development Minister Pritam Panwar will also grace the occasion.

Manmohan Singh Mall said lamented the fact that on one hand the government wanted the municipalities to accumulate their own resources for development but on the other was not empowering the municipalities by not implementing 74th constitutional amendment. Mall said that if the 74th constitutional amendment is implemented it would strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.

He further said that with more powers the municipalities would be able to provide safe drinking water, electricity supply and parking space for the tourists, as they were under separate departments.

Uniyal also presented proposals of several schemes and projects mooted for the betterment of the town to Kamal Nath, who assured him of cooperation in this regard.

However, on the other hand the retired government employees union branch, Mussoorie, has announced that it will oppose the convention of the statewide municipal council presidents.

The president of the union Lalit Mohan Kala said that the municipal council of Mussoorie has failed to give the pension arrears and provident fund of the retired employees of the municipal council and it was seeking more powers. He said that till the time the interests of the hapless employees are not safeguarded no such amendment should be implemented that will make the municipal council presidents more insensitive in their working.

Vegetable mela in Doon a big hit with residents
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
The one-day vegetable mela organised by the state government in association with the mandi samiti drew a heavy response from the public who flocked the Niranjanpur-based wholesale vegetable market for purchasing cheap vegetables and fruits.

Organised to counter the sky-rocketing costs of vegetables and fruits in retail markets, the mela involved the participation of local vegetable sellers and officials of the mandi samiti.

Giving the details, president of the mandi samiti, Ravinder Singh, said that a meeting with the fruit and vegetable wholesalers was held in which the rates for various commodities were fixed.

“The main aim was to provide vegetables and fruits at reasonable prices to the consumer. The retailers outside the mandi are fleecing the customers by quoting almost triple the prices,” he added.

“Apart from fixing the prices, a lot of stress was also laid on the grade and quality of the commodities. Only the best produce is being sold in the mela. To promote the polythene ban in the district, we are selling cloth bags at very cheap prices,” he added.

Expecting a huge response the samiti had made adequate arrangements for drinking water and parking. A suggestion register was also placed at the mela counter where people could write their opinions and suggestions for improvement.

BHEL upgrades thermal plant

Haridwar, November 13
Public sector major Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) after undertaking a maintenance and modernisation exercise has brought 110 MW Muzaffarpur, Bihar thermal plant in operation mode.

After modernisation, the unit will generate power for the next 15-20 years. As per BHEL, till date BHEL has modernised 17 sets of power plants of approximately 2,000 MW. — TNS

Lawyers resent hike in circle rates
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 13
For the fourth consecutive day, tehsil-based lawyers continued their boycott of work, resorting to protest and strike here in Haridwar today. They are demanding changes in the recent hike in circle rates of land effected by the government.

Due to the ongoing strike, petitioners and litigants had to face inconvenience at the tehsil office, with work taking the backseat as lawyers closed the main entrance gate itself. District president of Tehsil Lawyers Association Sandeep Dhiman said till the circle rates are changed by the state government, they will be on strike and from Monday, they will lock the registry office at the tehsil.

Lawyers met stamp commissioner assistant Ajay Singh Chauhan in this regard and apprised him of their reservations. Meanwhile, Lakshar Assembly segment legislator Sanjay Gupta has opposed the recent hike in circle rates by the state government.

The legislator, in a statement, said the hike in circle rates had led to an exorbitant increase in land rates across the state. The state government should effect a rollback of the decision, he said.

Chufal threatens dharna in Assembly for roads
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 13
Didihat MLA and former BJP president Bishan Singh Chaufal has threatened to stage a dharna at the state Assembly if forest clearances for the construction of roads in his constituency are not given at the earliest.

In a letter written to Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Chufal said though the roads were sanctioned before 2012, the present state government had failed to grant forest clearances.

“The roads that have been constructed up to 75 per cent could not be completed due to lack of forest clearances for some patches,” Chufal said. “I have no option but to sit in front of the Assembly gate on when the session begins. I have been protesting in front of the district magistrate’s office to impress upon the Chief Minister for the last two years to get the construction of these roads resumed,” he added.

Chufal said besides incomplete roads, the government had failed to post teachers in intermediate colleges and doctors in primary health centres. “I even raised the matter in the Assembly under Rule 58 bu the government remained unresponsive,” he added.

Backward classes panel asks govt to conduct study on OBC population
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
The National Commission of Backward Classes yesterday called upon the Uttarakhand Government and the State Commission for other Backward classes to conduct a comprehensive survey before making recommendation for the inclusion and exclusion of OBC communities in the Central OBC list.

Commission chairman Justice V Eashwariya said the government should undertake a census for determining the OBC population and should not recommend the inclusion and exclusion of castes without having a proper data.

“I am surprised that the state government is still referring to the census that was undertaken while Uttarakhand was part of Uttar Pradesh. This is not the procedure, the government should have conducted a census soon after the state was created,” he said.

The problem arose after the communities namely Chaneyu, Patel and Patanvar were sought to be included in the Central list, but the government had no data to back their case. A member from the public said these were already subcastes of Kurmi caste and were included in the state OBC list.

However, the panel rejected the claims and said proper investigation ought to be carried to back the cases.

A demand by members of Brahmin and Kshatriya Gorkhas to be included in the state OBC list too came up before the panel. The members surrounded the panel members and demanded that they be included in the list forcing the chairman of the State OBC Commission, Ashok Verma, to intervene.

Scientists talk about herbal medicines
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
Dr Rakesh Maurya, a scientist at the Central Drug Research Institute, delivered a lecture on “Application of natural resources and traditional knowledge in search of potential leads for development of herbal medicines for the treatment of stress, diabetes and osteoporosis” at the Sardar Bhagwan Singh Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research (SBSPGI) here yesterday.

He highlighted the role of spectroscopy, chromatography and other advanced techniques to isolate, identify and analyse herbal medicines.

Postgraduate students of chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology and pharmacy attended his lecture.

Dr Rakesh Maurya is a pioneer in the field of research on herbal medicines. He has 173 research publications of national and international repute, 51 patents to his name. He was felicitated by Prof Versha Parcha, head of the department of Applied Chemistry.

Dr Manjeet Kaur, Dr Reena Rani Singh, Dr Neetu Pandey, Dr Alok Maithani, Dr Neelam Yadav and Dr Mayadhar Joshi were present on the occasion.

Expert: Diabetes is preventable, reversible
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 13
Health experts have stated that diabetes is often caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Tomorrow is Diabetes Day.

At a media briefing here today, Dr Sanjay Shah of Rama Krishna Mission Sewashram Hospital, Kankhal, cited the latest data on diabetics in the country. He said Indians were getting affected by this disease at a rapid pace, which is a cause of concern.

Dr Sanjay Shah pointed out that a whopping 29 crore people in India are affected by diabetes, with a majority of them being oblivious of the fact that they are in the grip of diabetes.

Dr Shah said unhealthy lifestyle, particularly not resorting to exercises, yoga, meditation or brisk walk and having high intake of calories, sugar and also mental tension as prime reasons for Indians suffering from diabetes in large number.

“Glucose is available through the diet and to maintain its appropriate level, insulin made by the pancreas is absorbed by the body. When the insulin level decreases, the affected person can go in for insulin injections so that the glucose level in our blood remains normal,” he said.

Dr Shah pointed out that diabetes is preventable and reversible. It is of two kinds — In type-1 diabetes, appropriate levels of insulin are not produced within the body and thus it has to be inserted from outside via injections. In type-2 diabetes, the body cannot use the insulin it makes. In both cases, the patient’s condition is not normal.

Warning that delay in controlling diabetes may lead to cardiovascular ailments, stroke, blindness and even kidney failure, Dr Shah remarked that due to hormonal changes, both the blood vessels and veins get affected. Chairperson of Association of Physicians of India, Uttarakhand chapter, Dr JM Bhatnagar, said a healthy lifestyle is the best way to minimise the dangers of diabetes.

Dr Bhatnagar said eating healthy, nutritious food, green leafy vegetables, fruits, appropriate water intake, doing physical work, yoga, meditation, controlling weight, regular walk and stress reduction through engagement with various co-curricular activities and hobbies surely paves the way for resistance of the body towards diabetes.

Making an appeal to government and private hospital doctors, Dr Bhatnagar said they should organise camps for diabetics so that more people come to know of the negatives of diabetes and go in for a check-up.

Fateh House wins debate
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
Fateh House won the inter-house debate competition held at the Sardar Bhagwan Singh (PG) Institute of Bio-medical Sciences and Research (SBSPGI) here yesterday.

The topic of the debate was “is the education system of our country sufficient enough to make it a developed nation”.

Rahul Dubey of Fateh House bagged the first position in the competition while Rimple House of the same house bagged the second spot. Ankit Dogra of Zorawer House won the third position in the debate competition.

Moreover, the best team award was given to Rahul Dubey and Bhavesh Joshi of Fateh House. Notably, there were 16 participants from all houses in the inter-house debate competition.

3-nation Jauljibi fair begins today
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 13
All arrangements have been completed for the three-nation fair to be organised at Jauljibi border town in Dharchula subdivision of the district from November 14 to 22. The fair is being organised every year for the last 150 years.

“Chief Minister Harish Rawat will inaugurate the fair tomorrow. He will come straight from Guchar in Chamoli district to inaugurate the fair and fly back immediately,” said Pramod Kumar, SDM of Dharchula and Jauljibi mela officer.

Pramod said over 400 shops had been set up at the mela ground, which the Public Works Department had recently converted into plinth area. Besides local tribal traders, businessmen from various parts of India, Nepal and Tibet have reached Jauljibi. “Local traders, who have returned from Tibet after the conclusion of the India-Tibet border trade, have mainly occupied shops at the mela ground. They have displayed goods brought from Tibet at the shops at the fair,” said the SDM.

He added people from Nepal were expected to arrive in a big number this year as the Nepal government had erected a bridge on the Kali river for the purpose. “The wooden bridge erected on the river is temporary and has a capacity to allow only two persons at a time,” he said.

Several cultural programmes would be presented at the fair. “We have invited Kumaoni, Garhwali and Nepalese cultural teams for recreational and cultural programmes during the mela,” said the SDM.

He added sufficient security arrangements had been made. Besides tight security, water police personnel and swimmers from the Uttarakhand Police have been deputed along the river. “We have also made arrangements for training in rafting in the Kali river for local youths by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam experts,” said the SDM.

Yoga teachers to intensify stir
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
The agitating yoga trainers decided to intensify their agitation here yesterday in support of their pending demand. The agitators lamented that memorandum highlighting their demand was given many times to officials but the state government was yet to take effective steps to address their grievances.

They gathered at Raipur bus stand and shouted slogans against the government. Speaking on the occasion, Vijaypal Singh, president, the Unemployed Yoga Trainers Association said appointment in government department was the only year-long pending demand. Shweta Joshi, Anju Mann, Kavita Tiwari, Sushil Belwal, Deep Bhatt, Meera and Tanuja were present.

sports
Welham Girls’ School, Aryan School in basketball finals
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
Welham Girls’ School and The Aryan School stormed into the finals of the ongoing Dehradun Council Schools’ Association (DDCSA) Uttarakhand Senior Girls Basketball Tournament after winning their semifinal encounter played at The Aryan School here today.

In the first semifinal match, proved be an one-sided encounter. Welham Girls’ School defeated Shigally Hill International Academy by 44-7 points with Sarah scoring the maximum 14 points in the match for the winning team.

The host school, The Aryan School, also entered the finals after trouncing St. Thomas College in the second semifinal match by 56-20 points. Vanlalrinchhani from The Aryan School was the top scorer with 24 points in the match.

During the semifinal matches, Principal of the school P. Dasgupta , Mridula, Human Resource Head, Vinod Vachani, Honorary Secretary of District Basketball Association, Dehradun, and students were also present.

Former Sports Minister Rana felicitated
Tribune News service

Mussoorie, November 13
BJP workers honoured former Sports Minister Narayan Singh Rana with a shawl and a souvenir at a function held at a hotel in Mussoorie today.

They commended Rana’s efforts in promoting sports, especially shooting, among the youth by providing them adequate training to succeed in international competitions. They said the Guru Dronacharya Award conferred upon Rana by the state government proved that every political party in Uttarakhand acknowledged his contribution in sports, particularly shooting.

Rana thanked the party workers for acknowledging his efforts and said the condition of sports had not improved in the past 14 years much despite enormous sporting talent in the state. He advised sportspersons not to lose hope as “men have moved mountains with their willpower”. He cited the example of a shooter training in his academy and said, “Shooter Vishal Goyal lost his both hands in a bomb explosion but still managed to win the gold medal in the national rifle competition due to sheer grit and determination.”

Mussoorie BJP unit president Roop SIngh Kathait, former Municipal Corporation president OP Uniyal, senior party leaders Vijay Ramola, and Anil Godiyal were present at the function.

Moradabad Academy beat MRB
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 13
The 1st All India Under-14 Continental Cup 2014 kicked off at Maa Anandmayee Memorial School cricket ground here today. In the first match, Moradabad Cricket Academy won the toss against MRB and decided to bat first. They piled up a competitive 158 runs in the allotted overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Kuldeep scored 33 and Sonu scored 67 runs for Moradabad, while Anshul took 4 wickets and Aakash bagged 2 wickets for MRB. In reply, the MRB team was all out for a mere 36 runs courtesy outstanding bowling display from Moradabad bowlers Sonu, Umesh and Shambhav, who took 3 wickets each.

In the second match, Laxman Cricket Academy, New Delhi, took on Bal Bhawan Cricket Academy, New Delhi. Laxman Cricket Academy won the toss and decided to bat first and was bowled out after making 66 runs. Abhimanyu took three prized wickets for Bal Bhawan. The Bal Bhawan lads chased down the target in a mere 15 overs at the loss of 3 wickets. Dishant scored 15 while Vimanyu scored 10 for Bal Bhawan.