Marma chikitsa strengthens immune system, says expert
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 16
Marma chikitsa is based on the healing-touch ayurvedic-based science which is majorly dependent on 107 sensitive points in a human body for curing various ailments.

It was practiced by Indian sages in ancient times even before yoga and other forms of healing appeared globally.

This was stated by renowned marma chikitsa expert Dr Sunil Joshi while talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the ongoing ‘International Marma Science and Marma Therapy Training Programme’ at the Prem Nagar ashram auditorium here today.

Joshi said the marma art of treatment was based on the 107 sensitive points in our body. All these points were connected with the brain and pressed to stimulate senses. Besides curing various ailments, the therapy is effective in strengthening the immune system.

“Everything required for the treatment is inside the human body. Patients administer the touch themselves under the direction of a doctor. In some diseases, patients are given ayurvedic medicines as a supplement,” said Dr Joshi, who has written numerous books on marma science and yoga.

But, as this therapy is based on healing touches on various parts of the body, it was quite imperative that after doctor’s treatment, the follow-up should be at the same sensitive spot, otherwise chances of negative reaction may hamper the process.

Citing the examples of Lord Krishna, Jesus Christ, and Mahabharata warrior Bhisham Pitamah, Dr Joshi said Lord Krishna died due to an arrow injury on his lower foot, which is a vital marma point. Jesus Christ was killed by nailing him on a cross and all parts of his body are part of the 107 points on which the marma therapy is based. These sensitive points can result in one’s death if touched or pierced sharply.

On the bed of arrows episode in Mahabharata linked with Bhisham Pitamah, Dr Joshi said though the Mahabharata warrior was pierced with dozens of arrows by Arjuna, he did not die as Arjuna had deliberately avoided targeting his sensitive points which could have caused his instant death.”

On comparing marma chikitsa with other Asian therapies, Dr Joshi said marma chikitsa was an ancient mode of medical therapy practiced by sages for centuries.

“The marma art needs higher degree of practice, concentration, dedication and good knowledge of human body,” he remarked.

Dr Joshi said while the western world was adopting yoga and marma, we are eager to adopt costly allopathic medicines whose negative impacts are well known. A book on ancient medical therapy titled “Marma Vigyan va Chikitsa” has been authored by Dr Sunil Kumar Joshi.

Preparations for Uttarayani Mela begin
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, November 16
The preparations for Uttarayani-2015, a traditional festival, scheduled to be held at Bageshwar in January, started here today. Cultural troupes and entrepreneurs involved in making craft products will be roped in for the festival.

The preparatory committee of Bageshwar Mela-2015 met under the chairmanship of District Magistrate BS Manral here today. It was decided at the meeting to take help of the social media for the publicity of the mela, which is one of the significant political and cultural festivals of the Kumaon region. “We have decided to start preparations for the festival now. Sub committees under the chairmanship of district-level officers for mela preparations will be formed,” said the District Magistrate.

The meeting was organised on behalf of the administration. Chairperson of nagar palika parishad Geeta Rawla, local MLA Chandan Ram Das, other public representatives, administration and police officials attended the meeting. “An exhibition of various development projects undertaken by the government and other agencies will be held at the Numaiskhet ground. Cultural programmes and other activities will also be held on the occasion,” he said.

CM to honour Cong ress men, freedom fighters

Chief Minister Harish Rawat will honour freedom fighters and veteran Congressmen at Ranikhet on the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi on November 19. The Chief Minister is scheduled to visit his home town for the first time after being sworn in as the Chief Minister of the state. This was stated by Karan Mahra, organiser of the programme, here today.

He said, “Veteran Congressmen from the remote areas of the sub division have been invited for the facilitation programme to be held on birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister. The party functionaries have been given responsibilities for holding the event. We want to remember veteran Congressmen and freedom fighters for their contribution to strengthening the party in this part of the state.”

The residents of Tarikhet, Dwararaht and Chaukhutia have high expectations from the Chief Minister as the areas are deprived of roads, education, health, drinking water facilities, irrigation canals and electricity for long.MLA. 

CM assures support to civic bodies
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, November 16
Chief Minister Harish Rawat today assured complete support to presidents of municipalities and nagar panchayats.

He said they should also reciprocate by assuring it of stopping any encroachment on government land coming under their jurisdiction. He was speaking at a statewide conference of the Rajkiya Sthnaiya Nikay Sanghatan in Mussoorie.

The Chief Minister said he was ready to support the local bodies, but presidents of various municipalities and nagar panchayats should reciprocate by ensuring that there was no encroachment on government land. The government would take stern action against municipalities and nagar panchayats where encroachments continued in near future, added the Chief Minister.

He also directed heads of local bodies to ensure cleanliness of drains, which he said could be done easily.

Rawat said municipalities should also try to look into new avenues for tax collection and not leave the burden on the state government, which was already facing financial crunch.

The municipalities and nagar panchayats were growth engines in the road to development for the state, the Chief Minister said, adding that he would leave no stone unturned in strengthening the civic bodies.

He also assured members of the sangh that the state government was waiting for the Central government to form the Finance Commission. The process of constituting the state Finance Commission would be completed within one month, he added.

The Chief Minister also announced Rs 25 crore for municipalities and nagar panchayats for the next finanicial year. He said provision for the infrastructure development fund for municipalities would be made in the next budget. The government was also planning to make arrangements for funds for retired employees of municipalities, he added.

The municipalities with large areas would have to undertake construction work instead of outsourcing it to other agencies, said the Chief Minister.

Urban Development Minister Pritam Panwar, municipal committee presidents Deep Sharma, Umesh Charan Gusain, Jagat Singh Khati, Deepak Badola and others were also present on the occasion.

Political Diary
Dobriyal’s election to RS shows CM has grip over Congress
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
The election of Manorama Sharma Dobriyal, a former Mayor of Dehradun, to the Rajya Sabha indicates that Chief Minister Harish Rawat has complete sway over the party affairs as well as the state government.

Dobriyal’s nomination by the party high command shows that all other factions in the state Congress have been reduced to non-entities by Harish Rawat, who has emerged as the towering leader of the party in Uttarakhand. The decimation of the ND Tewari group over the years has benefited Harish Rawat, who had been able to win the confidence of the party high command, particularly vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

After the formation of Uttarakhand on November 9, 2000, Harish Rawat took over as the president of the Uttarakhand party unit and rebuilt it before the first ever state Assembly elections in February 2002. He also led the party from the front to victory. However, to his horror and disbelief, the party high command ignored him and instead made veteran Congress leader ND Tewari, who also hailed from Nainital district, as the first ever elected Chief Minister of the state.

A fretting and fuming Harish Rawat, who was the state Congress chief, played the role of an opposition leader while Tewari remained Chief Minister till 2007. To placate him, the party high command sent him to the Rajya Sabha in 2002. With the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Harish Rawat and his wife Renuka Rawat, between them had lost four elections. His political career was not going anywhere as his detractor in the Uuttarakhand Congress led by Tewari ruled the roost.

The reservation of his native Almora Lok Sabha seat came as a blessing in disguise for Harish Rawat and he shifted to Haridwar. In the 2009 Lok Sabha poll, Harish Rawat won the Haridwar seat for the Congress after a gap of 25 years. He was made a Union minister. But again the history repeated itself following the Assembly elections of 2012 in which the Congress had a slender victory. This time, Harish Rawat was again ignored and Vijay bahuguna was chosen to as Chief Minister. The natural disaster in June last year become the undoing of Bahuguna, who was blamed for mishandling the situation. With the Lok Sabha elecions due in May, the Congress high command made Harish Rawat Chief Minister on February, 1, 2014, in place of Vijay Bahuguna.

Harish Rawat becoming Chief Minister infuriated Satpal Maharaj, who was then the Lok Sabha MP from Pauri Garhwal. He left the Congress to join the BJP before Lok Sabha elections. His group, including his wife Amrita Rawat, a minister in the Uttarakhand ministry, was left in the lurch. Finally, she was sacked from the ministry as a minister and Maharaj group legislator sought refuge with Harish Rawat.

Vijay Bahuguna did try to assert himself and wanted to the Rajya Sabha ticket but Harish Rawat outsmarted him. The Vijay Bahuguan group is in disarray as most of the legislators owing allegiance to him are in the process of shifting loyalty, making Harish Rawat the undisputed leader of the Uttarakhand Congress.

SP works against U’khand: UKD (Airy)
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
Members of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Airy) burnt an effigy of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayum Singh Yadav here today.

The UKD (Airy) members condemned the Uttarakhand Samajwadi Party’s recent statement opposing reservation for statehood agitators.

Leading the protest, Virendra Singh Bisht, Mahanagar UKD (Airy) President, said the Samajwadi Party had always worked against Uttarakhand and opposing reservation for statehood agitators had revealed their true anti-Uttarakhand face.

“Even during the days of statehood movement, the Samajwadi party leadership of Uttar Pradesh worked against the interests of Uttarakhand region and even hurled atrocities on statehood agitators,” Virendra Bisht pointed out.

UKD (Airy) members Jay Prakash Updhayaya, Bahadur Singh Rawat, Anil Dobhal, Abhishek and Anil Mamgain were prominent among the protesters.

High Court should have been set up in Haridwar: Upadhyay
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 16
While the issue of permanent capital still lingers on in Uttarakhand, Congress state president Kishore Upadhyay has now raised a question mark over the High Court being in Nainital.

Talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of a function here, Upadhyay said it would have been more appropriate had the High Court been set up in Haridwar instead of the hill town of Nainital.

Upadhyay, a former state industrial development minister from 2002 to 2007, said he, along with some other Congress leaders, had pressed for a High Court in Haridwar during creation of a separate Uttaranchal in 2000.

“Yes, during the late 90’s, when discussion over formation of the state capital and High Court cropped up, I was of the view that Gairsain should be made the permanent capital and the High Court be in Haridwar. Gairsain was envisioned as capital of Uttarakhand since the very movement of separate statehood commenced. Due to its geographical location, connectivity to other districts of Garhwal and Kumaon division, in comparison to Nainital, Haridwar is more accessible,” he said.

“Owing to costly lodging facility in the tourist city of Nainital, poor litigants face more problems. But in Haridwar, availability of a large number of dharamshalas, ashrams and lodges at affordable rates makes Haridwar more suited for an institution like the High Court,” remarked Upadhyay.

He put the blame on the then BJP government for failing to name a permanent capital of the new state and to set up the High Court in Haridwar. Comparing the Chief Ministerial tenures of Vijay Bahuguna and incumbent CM Harish Rawat, Upadhyay lauded the rescue work undertaken during Bahuguna’s tenure.

“Flash flood in Uttarakhand last year was of high intensity. As many as 1.5 lakh stranded pilgrims, tourists and locals were rescued. Then CM Vijay Bahuguna did a good job catering to pilgrims of all states. The then Gujarat Chief Minister and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi came and took along only Gujarat-based pilgrims. CM Harish Rawat, who took over from Bahuguna, is also doing a commendable job. I will give 8 marks out of 10 on governance to both of them,” stated Upadhyay, former Tehri legislator. 

Premnagar residents made aware of child rights
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
To sensitise general public about the evils of child labour, volunteers of the NGO Society of Children Happiness organised an awareness march in Premnagar area of the city here today. The volunteers distributed pamphlets and talked to residents and shopkeepers of Premnagar about child labour and child rights. Rishab Chopra, president of the society, said the Premnagar area was selected for the awareness campaign since a large number of children work in various shops and commercial establishments here.

The volunteers pleaded with the shopkeepers and the local residents about the right of children for a better life where they could be get education and become productive citizens of the country. They said every child had a constitutional right for better education and better life. “Poverty should not be a hurdle in the lives of such underprivileged children to get purposeful education,” said Chopra.

He said they would organise such awareness campaigns in different parts of the city. These campaigns were just the first phase of their campaign against child labour and child rights. He added thousands of young children of school going age are working various commetrcia establishments in the city and around including shops, restaurants and even factories.

Chopra said after the first phase of the campaign, the Society for Child Happiness would take constitutional measures, including complaining to the authorities against employment of underage children. He added society had been getting support from a large number of well meaning citizens who were concerned at the plight of the working children. 

Govt destroying higher education: ABVP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has accused the state government of corporatising the higher education system in the state by reducing seats in government-funded colleges.

State vice-president of ABVP Ramakant Srivastav told mediapersons here today that, “The government seems to be on the path of destroying the higher education in the state by corporatising it. By reducing seats in colleges, it is actually helping corporate houses and depriving poor people of society from pursuing higher education.”

He said the government had failed to convince the Nainital High Court on the issue, leaving thousands of students in limbo. He accused the government of failing to comply with the courts directions, which, according to him, had asked it to make alternative arrangements for the left out students.

“The government has failed to do anything for the students who did not get admission in the present academic session in colleges due to the introduction of merit-based admission system. Even the start of evening classes is not enough to accommodate thousands of students,” said Srivastav.

The ABVP, he said, would intensify its agitation if the government did not take concrete steps in the interest of the students who did not get admission.

Art exhibition opened at Muse gallery
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
The 15-day 7th Annual Art Exhibition opened at Muse Art Gallery at Inderlok Hotel here today. Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) vice-chairman Meenakshi Sundaram inaugurated the exhibition, which is being organised by the Doon Art Society.

About 20 artists are exhibiting their art works, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs and digital arts at the exhibition.

According to Aloke Bhowmick, vice-president of the Doon Arts Society, the exhibition would culminate on November 30. It would give a platform to city artists to showcase their art works. It is to be noted that the paintings showcased in the exhibition have a price tag between Rs 10,000 and Rs 60,000. 

Jobless yoga teachers stopped from marching towards Sectt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
The police foiled an attempt by hundreds of members of the Yoga Trained Unemployed Union to march towards the Secretariat here today. The protesters were demanding appointment of yoga teachers in all government schools in the state.

Heated arguments were witnessed between police personnel and the protesters after the latter were stopped from going towards the Secretariat. Thereafter, the protesters numbering in hundreds sat on the road and raised slogans against the government.

Rakesh Semwal, president of the association, said, “The state government must appoint one yoga teacher in every government school and all health centres.”

He added that the Congress in its manifesto had promised during the run up to the 2012 Assembly elections that it would appoint a yoga teacher in all government schools, if voted to power. Meanwhile, the protesters threatened to intensify their stir if their demands were not met at the earliest.

Garhwali Film Mahotsav begins
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
The “Garhwali Film Mahotsav” was inaugurated by famous Garhwali poetess Vina Pani Joshi here today. The film mahotsav is being organised by the Akhil Garhwal Sabha on the occasion of famous Kauthik 2014. It was presided over by famous filmmaker and honourable secretary of the Uttarakhand Film and TV Program Producers Association, Ram Negi, at the survey auditorium.

Debu Rawat, director of the opening film “Jai Dhari Devi”, said unless the picture halls in the state were not increased, the growth of regional films was impossible.

Sabha vice-president Ramendra Kotnala gave a vote of thanks. On this first day of the film mahotsav, Ashok Chauhan and Garhwali poetess Neeta Kukreti were present. 

Narendra Negi’s audio album released
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
Renowned Uttarakhand folk singer Narendra Singh Negi’s new musical audio album ‘Nanda Dhayane Bedai’ was released here today. Mountaineer Lovraj Singh Dharamshaktu, Padam Shree awardee and the only Indian having scaled Mount Everest five times, released the musical album produced by Himalayan Films. It consists of seven songs on the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra considered Asia’s longest and toughest pilgrimage. This devotional number consists of folk songs sung by villagers for ages in the Garhwal hills.

Dharamshaktu said, “I grew up listening to the songs of Gopal Babu Goswami and Narandra Singh Negi. I am honored to launch the new number of the singer I adore the most. The Nanda Devi Raj Jaat presents a mix of religious and adventure tourism. The challenge before us is to maintain its traditional flavour and also preserve the environment.”

Garhwali singer Narendra Singh Negi recalled his experience of the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra in 2000. “I had a chance to experience the uniqueness of the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra in 2000. That year only my audio on Raj Jaat was released. Music lovers were constantly asking me to sing new songs on Raj Jaat. Few months ago, I came across the folk songs collection on Nanda Devi Raj Jaat by cultural 
artist and researcher Dr Nand Kishore Hatwal. That rich collection inspired me to take out this album,” Negi said.

The video of ‘Nanda Dhayane Bedai’ will also be ready by mid-December. Cultural artist and researcher Hatwal said the effort was to pass on the cultural heritage to the younger generation and there was need for conservation and promotion of folk songs and ballads of the Uttarakhand Himalayas. The state government should come forward to conservation this heritage.

Mohan Lakhera, Vipin Thapliyal, Govind Negi and Harish Bhatt were present at the function.

Rotary India hands over rebuilt schools to govt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
Rotary India handed over three reconstructed government schools to the state government in the Agastmuni development block in Rudrapur district on Children’s Day.

The three schools were completely destroyed during flash floods last year. Rotary India, along with Dalmiya Foundation, rebuilt the schools. Giving details, Yashpal Das, international director of Rotary Club, said the schools were part of the “rebuilding Uttarakhand” exercise undertaken by the club. “As part of the project, primary schools in Kuja, Chamoli and Baniyadi gram panchayats were chosen — those that were completely ravaged by the disaster. Work on these schools was started in February 2014,” he added.

Das said the design was prepared by the Education Department as per the requirement mentioned under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan. The school houses two classrooms along with separate bathroom for boys and girls. It also has furniture for the students and teachers.

Six killed as vehicle falls into gorge
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
At least six passengers, including two women, were killed and 10 seriously injured when a utility vehicle they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge in Kalsi tehsil of Dehradun district this morning.

Circle Officer (CO), Vikasnagar, Swapan Kishore Singh said, “The ill-fated utility vehicle carrying 16 passengers was going from Kahanaira village to Vikasnagar. The accident took place at Punnah village, about 1 km from Kahanaira village from where the vehicle had started.”

The Vikasnagar police started relief and rescue operations at the accident site and managed to pull out the injured from the wreckage of the vehicle. “Seven men, two women and a girl child were injured in the accident and all of them have been admitted to hospitals at VIkasnagar and Dehradun,” said Swapan.

He added the survivors told them that the driver was driving fast and lost control over the vehicle, leading to the fatal mishap.

Meanwhile, Governor Aziz Qureshi has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. He prayed for peace to the souls of the deceased and speedy recovery of the injured. Chief Minister Harish Rawat has also extended condolences to the families of the deceased. 

Diwakar, Mansi adjudged Mr, Ms Fresher
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 16
Diwakar Kumar was adjudged Mr Fresher while Mansi Tripathi was declared Ms Fresher at the freshers function of Haridwar Educational College (HEC) organised at Town Hall here today. Mayor Manoj Garg was the chief guest on the occasion.

The Mayor said students were the future of our country and they should adhere to discipline, moral values, sportsmanship and character.

He cited the examples of national heroes such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mother Teresa, Rabindra Nath Tagore, CV Raman, Amartya Sen, Kailash Sathyarthi, Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Swami Ramdev, Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sania Mirza, Saina Nehwal, Vishwanathan Anand, Abhinav Bandra and Sushil Kumar as ideal personalities.

He urged the students to cooperate in the Swachh Bharat campaign initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said cleanliness was one of the requisite elements of achieving success in life.

Amit Chaudhari, Director, Haridwar Educational College, said students were being imparted latest education in various professional courses. He also motivated the students to take part in extracurricular activities.

Dr Navneet Verma, Principal, gave away award to Diwakar Kumar for Mr Fresher and Mansi Tripathi for Ms Fresher-2014-15.

Ramesh Raman coordinated the event. Hema Dobhal, Deepshikha Bohra, Sikha Suri, Neetu Verma, Meenakshi Verma, Komal, Asha Sharma, Deeksha Rajput, Himani Khandelwal, Namrata Vadhwa, Hina Sachdeva, Surabhi, Pinki Aggarwal, Aarti, Bhawna, Joti, Reema, Alisha, Piyush, Dr Maushami Goyal, Ritu Modi and Umra Singh were also present.

Jawaharlal Nehru Youth Hostel organised a bicycle race as part of the four-day commemorative festival on the 125th birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India at BHEL.

City Magistrate KK Mishra flagged off the cycle race. He said Nehru had special love for children.

The bicycle race was held in three categories, senior boys and junior boys and girls. A three-day national convention on “Threats to bio-diversity, ecosystem and impact of development projects and climate change” will begin at Gurukul Kangri University from November 17.

The convention will be conducted at Vishwa Vidyalaya Bhawan from 10:30 am.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat will be the chief guest at the inaugural session of the convention, said Prof Dinesh Bhatt and Prof PC Joshi of Department of Zoology and Environment Science.

People must make charity part of life: Madan Kaushik
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 16
Haridwar city legislator Madan Kaushik inaugurated the office of Dev Vani Paropkar Mission, a social-charity organisation, at Bhoopatwala here today. He said people should make charity a part of their life.

He lauded the efforts of the mission for helping women and popularising Sanskrit language. He appreciated the involvement of youths in the mission.

Certificates and sewing material were given to women hailing from poor families. They were also provided a free sewing training by the mission. Ishwar Suyal, president of the mission, said they had been working for past three years for charitable-social causes and would expand the horizon of their activities.

Swami Lalitanand Giri said working for others was a noble cause and involvement of youths was a positive sign for society. “The mission has been doing social works, involving youths and women, who are two vital pillars of society,” said Seer Vinod Giri.

Ward Councillor Anil Mishra also extended his wishes on the occasion.

Dinesh Bhatt, Keshav, Prakash Pandey, Shiv Charan Naudiyal, Kamal Joshi, Acharya Laxmi Dutt Chilkoti, Principal of Rishi Sanskrit Maha Vidyalya Mritunjay Pandey, Anil Giril, Kamleswhari, sewing centre head Sangeeta Thakru, Shivani Kathait, Vaishali, Laxmi, Mamta, Gudiya Gupta and Soni Rawat were present on the occasion.

Cultural event enthrals audience
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
The three-day founders’ day celebrations of the Sardar Bhagwan Singh (PG) Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research (SBSPGI) began here today.

The chief guest on the occasion was Chief Minister Harish Rawat who inaugurated the event by lighting the lamp in presence of SBSPGI chairman SP Singh and managing secretary Dr GD Singh.

Institute magazine ‘Endeavour’ was released and meritorious students received gold medals for their excellent performance in academics. The certificate of excellence was awarded to senior under-officer, Bhagyashree, for her achievements in the NCC. As many as 13 students were honoured with certificates of appreciation in the field of sports, culture and academics.

The Chief Minister praised and congratulated the students for excelling in their respective fields and encouraged them to work for the uplift of society and nation on the whole.

This was followed by a lively cultural programme comprising Kumaoni, Garhwali and Nepalese dances depicting diverse traditional heritage of the Himalayan region and western dances threw light on the social evils like female foeticide and evils of tobacco use.

Need to preserve culture, says CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has stressed on safeguarding culture and need to work for its promotion.

Rawat was speaking at the Johar Mahotsava organised by the Johar Cultural and Welfare Society in Nainital today. He said it was important to safeguard the culture as it gives strength to society.

The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand’s rich biodiversity was the heritage of the country and the world. He added it was the resolve of his government to conserve this heritage even while promoting tourism in the state.

Rawat said Pithoragarh district had played an important role in ensuring successful conduct of the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra. The organisers of the festival presented a portrait of the Panchachuli peak to the Chief Minister.

Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh, Prayag Bhatt, Narayan Pal and other Congress leaders were present on the occasion.

UKD (Airy) working body meeting on Nov 23
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Airy) will hold its working committee meeting here on November 23. UKD (Airy) officiating president Harish Pathak told mediapersons in Dehradun yesterday that the party had constituted three committees to make arrangements for the meeting. He said while a committee headed by Dharmendra Singh Kathait would look after accommodation arrangements, the second headed by Devendra Kandwal would ensure food arrangements and the third committee headed by Virendra Bisht would look after publicity matters.

Pathak said the UKD (Airy) supported the six-day working for the Secretariat employees. He added that frequent strikes by state government employees was causing a lot of inconvenience to the people.

He said the UKD (Airy) was geared up to hold a protest outside the state Assembly on November 24 against the anti-people policies of the state government. The issue of the permanent capital status for Gairsain would also be highlighted. Central general secretary of the party Jay Prakash Updhayaya was also present at the conference. 

SGRR Public School celebrates 30th foundation day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
Vindhyanchal House won the overall trophy at 30th foundation day and sports day celebrations of Sri Guru Ram Rai (SGRR) Public School here yesterday. The function was graced by chief guest GS Rana, signatory authority of the SGRR Education Mission. School principal Prathiba Attri inaugurated the programme by lighting a lamp.

The programme began with Saraswati vandana, followed by programmes, including a march past. Vindhyanchal House also won the march past trophy.

The Kusum Lata Saxena Memorial Award was conferred on Yavini Rawat for academic excellence and for securing 94.6 % marks in the board exams. The best athlete award in the boys’ and girls’ category was won by Naveen Gusain and Hemanshi Rawat, respectively.

CM’s appeal to striking secretariat employees

Dehradun, November 16
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has termed the decision of the Secretariat employees to go on a strike as unfortunate. In an interaction with mediapersons on the sidelines of a programme in Dehradun, the Chief Minister said he was appealing to the Secretariat employees to honour both the court’s directive and public sentiments and immediately return back to work.

He said the government was concerned about the genuine demands of the Secretariat employees. The Nainital High Court has directed that employees must join their duties by November 24 or else the state government must take action against them.— TNS

Trade unions to protest anti-worker policies
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
Various trade unions met in Dehradun today and pledged to protest against the anti-worker policies of the Modi government on December 5 and make it a resounding success.

Members of the Centre of Indian Trade Union, All-India Trade Union, Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh and other organisations met at Agarwal Dharmshala.

They resolved to work together against anti-worker policies of the Centre.

The speakers at the meeting accused the Modi government at the Centre of helping capitalist forces in the country.

They said policy of outsourcing jobs and undertaking contractual appointments were methods to usurp the rights of workers. These policies led to to their exploitation, said the Union leaders.

The speakers also appealed workers to join hands against anti-worker policies.

Ravi Pachori, AP Amoli, Subhash Pal, RS Chauhan, Dinesh Upreti and Anand Joshi were among the prominent speakers at the meeting.

Cong, BJP divided nation on communal lines: Samajwadi Party
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
National general secretary of the Samajwadi Party (SP) Mohammed Aslam said here today both Congress and BJP had tried to create communal and caste divisions in the country.

He said both parties lacked progressive thinking and rather than resolving important issues related to the development of the country, they were engaged in mudslinging.

“Though we are in the 66th year of Independence, India is still not as developed as it should have been. Even in Uttarakhand, nothing has been done for development. While the state government spent several crores of rupees on the statehood foundation’s day celebration, nobody spoke about the large scale migration from hill areas of the state,” he said.

Later, members passed economic and political proposals for the state. Subhash Panwar, Ashish, Rajender Singh, Murari Lal Yadav, Pradeep Chowdhary, Dr Naseem, Ashish Rana, Alok Rai and Vishal Gangwar attended the meeting.

Doon International, The Doon School storm into basketball finals
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 16
In the ongoing Indian School Basketball League, semifinal matches were played in the girls and boys categories at Doon International School here today.

In the girl’s semifinal match, Doon International School stormed into the finals of the tournament after beating St Joseph Academy by 35-12. Antima scored 12 points for Doon International School, the highest in the match. In the second semifinal, Jaswant Modern School beat DAV Public School by 37-21 points. Banita scored 17 points for Jaswant Modern.

In the boy’s category, The Doon School entered into the finals after subduing Doon International School by 54-44 points. Subel from The Doon School remained the top scorer with 15 points. Hilton School also confirmed its place in the finals after trouncing The Asian School by 53-46 points in the second semifinal match in the boy’s category. Steven from Hilton School scored 22 points in the match and remained the highest scorer for his team.

The league is being organised by the Uttarakhand Basketball Association and District Basketball Association in collaboration with the Basketball Federation of India.

National volleyball tourney from Nov 18
Tribune News Service

Director, Education, CS Gwal addressing mediapersons about a national-level volleyball tournament at the Pavilion Ground in Dehradun on Sunday. Tribune photo: Abhyudaya Kotnala

Dehradun, November 16
The 60th National School Under-17 Girls and Boys Volleyball Championship will be organised in Dehradun from November 18 to 22.

Around 598 players from across the country will participate. The state Education Department is organising the championship under the aegis of the School Games Federation of India.

While addressing a press conference, CS Gwal, Director, Education Department, said the department had been given the responsibility by the School Games Federation of India to host this year’s national under-17 volleyball championship.

He said the championship would be organised at Pavilion Ground in Dehradun. Four new volleyball courts had been prepared for the matches, while two courts at Maharana Pratap Sports College had been reserved for the event.

“The initial round of matches will be played on the league basis, but the quarter-final and semi-final matches will be played on the knockout basis,” said Gwal.

He thanked ONGC, the Forest Research Institute and the Dehradun Institute of Technology (DIT) for their support in organising the tournament. Players from 23 states and other school-level organisations would participate in the championship.

The Education Department has made lodging and boarding arrangements at Rajiv Gandhi Navodhya Vidhayalya, Vidhya Bharti School, Guru Nanak School Race Course, St. Agnes, CNI Girls, MKP College, Rangers College and Gandhi Inter College.