CM for better facilities in slums, job avenues for poor
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 22
Chief Minister Harish Rawat today said the state government was working for the welfare of weaker sections of society and slums would soon be converted into “Nirmal Bastis”.

He was addressing a gathering at a function organised to mark National Integration Week here. Rawat said slums would not be removed and would be developed into ‘Nirmal Bastis’. “The state government has plans to develop river fronts and construct shops to be allotted to poor people so that they can start their businesses. However, it must be made clear that while the government would help develop slums, it will not allow mushrooming of new ones. The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority has been instructed to construct multi-storeyed houses for the low-income group,” the Chief Minister added.

He said pensions under the Social Welfare Department had been doubled from Rs 400 to Rs 800. “The minimum income limit for pension eligibility has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000. This has tripled the number of applicants for various pension schemes. Plans are under way for increasing salaries of sanitation workers,” he added.

Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth Rs 16 crore. Kishore Upadhyay, Raj Kumar, and Neenu Sehgalwere present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, at another function organised by the National Rajiv Sena, the Chief Minister said the state government would do everything to create opportunities for the poor and provide education to youth of the state. The function was organised in the memory of Indira Gandhi at Guru Nanak Hall on Subash Road here.

“Our government is dedicated to people from the poor section of society and have started a number of welfare schemes in the state for them,” he said. He announced that the government would introduce ‘Sarwbhaum Swastha Yojna’ from January 1. Under the scheme, each beneficiary will get Rs 30,000 cashless medical facility, he said.

The Chief Minster said the government would come up with a new skill training scheme, under which, youths would be given job-oriented training. The Chief Minister, along with other guests, also paid floral tributes to Indira Gandhi. 

Anti-mining squad seizes 100 vehicles
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 22
A special squad formed to check illegal quarrying in the state has impounded about 100 vehicles, including JCB machines, tractors and trucks, in Haridwar district alone.

In the Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh border area, the anti-mining force has been conducting regular raids. Eight teams assisted by three platoons of the Provincial Armed Constabulary are acting tough against the violators in Shyampur, Buggawala, Pherupur, Ebrahampur, Amanatgad, Lakshar and Bairagi camp. Sanjay Gunjiyal, Deputy Inspector of General, anti-mining squad, said they were carrying out raids across the district.

Matra Sadan Ashram founder Swami Shivanand said the police should act against the big fish. Swami Shivanand said though they had been raising the issue for long, only symbolic action had been taken by the government and the district administration.

He said they would ensure that illegal quarrying on the Ganga riverbed was stopped. Circle Officer Chandra Mohan Singh said intelligence inputs were being taken to nab the violators.

Meanwhile, the BJP, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and the CPM have welcomed the drive by the anti-mining squad.

MLA Madan Kaushik said they had been apprising the district administration of the illegal quarrying for long but it was only after Swami Shivanand sat on a dharna at Bairgagi Camp two days ago that the administration took action.

Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Progressive) secretary Uday Ram Semwal said apart from the seizure of the vehicles, stringent punishment should be given to the violators.

The drive

Eight teams of the anti-mining force assisted by three platoons of the Provincial Armed Constabulary carried out raids against violators in Shyampur, Buggawala, Pherupur, Ebrahampur, Amanatgad, Lakshar and Bairagi camp areas. 

SpicMacay a mass movement: Dr Seth
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 22
Dr Kiran Seth, founder of SpicMacay, addressed teachers and students of several schools at Welham Boys’ School here today. He said SpicMacay was not just an organisation but a mass movement.

In his welcome address, Gunmeet Bindra, principal, Welham Boys’ School, threw light on Dr Kiran Seth’s accomplishments.

The schools that participated in the talk were The Himjyoti School, The Asian School, Bala Hisar Academy, Welham Girls’ School, Carman Residential and Day School, Ecole Globale International Girls’ School, The Doon Girls’ School, The Asian School and The Little Flower School.

A movie, “SpicMacay, Discover Yourself” was screened on the occasion to motivate students and encourage them to join the cultural movement. Bhumesh Bharti presented a photo journey of all programmes organised by SpicMacay throughout the year.

Addressing students, Dr Seth said, “SpicMacay, an acronym for The Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth is not just an organisation but a mass movement. For it to succeed, we require long-distance runners. It will be successful only if people participate in large numbers.”

He talked about the importance of yoga and other means of connecting to one’s soul. He said students could choose one endeavour and practice it every day. This, he said, is a mantra for success. He emphasised on the relationship between creativity and classical art.

Dev Sanskriti varsity professor honoured for geological works
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, November 22
Dr Sushil Bhadola, Assistant Professor, Environment Science Department, Dev Sanskriti University, was awarded a gold medal by the Geological Society of India recently.

At a function organised in the state capital, the Geological Society of India awarded the gold medal to Dr Sushil Bhadola for his work in the field of geological diversity and related science.

Dr Bhadola has, to his credit, several researches, with many of these having been published in national and international publications.

He has been invited as guest professor by Lucknow University, Uttar Pradesh, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, Avadh University, Faizabad, Ruhelkhand University, Bareilly, Kashmir University, Srinagar, Vinobha Bhave University, Jharkhand and Guru Nanak College, Chennai among others.

Dr Bhadola has done extensive research on diversity of the Ganga, for which he has been bestowed with national fellowship by the Indian Academy of Environmental Sciences.

Recently, Dr Bhadola went to Poland to study the latest technologies being used to purify river water, wherein he was invited by Kazimierz Wielki University.

He has been involved with clean Ganga drive initiated by Shantikunj in India and Nepal, providing technical inputs towards cleaning the holy Ganga, Bagmati and sub-tributaries with scientific approach.

Thanking Shantikunj founder Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Acharya, Dr Pranav Pandya and Gurukul Kangri University Professor of Zoology Department BD Joshi, an elated Bhadola said cleaning of the Ganga is the need of the hour and scientific-technological inputs will make sure the desired target is achieved in less time.

Lauding the achievement and knowledge of Dr Sushil Bhadola, Shantikunj spiritual ideologue Dr Pranav Pandya said sincere efforts in ensuring cleaning of the Ganga and conservation of local ecology and environment have resulted in a number of awards for Bhadola, who has become a source of inspiration for the younger generation.

Yuva morcha demands steps to check spread of dengue
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 22
Members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) today held a demonstration in front of the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), demanding steps to check spread of dengue in the city.

The yuva morcha members presented a memorandum to the CMO at his office here today, demanding that he take steps to prevent dengue. In their memorandum, the morcha said the Health Department was not working effectively to prevent dengue.

The morcha’s city president Vipin Rana said the Health Department is not taking proper steps to control mosquitoes in the city, due to which, dengue cases are increasing every day. Vipin Rana demanded fogging and asked the authorities to conduct an awareness drive in the city. He demanded free medical facilities to people who are suffering from dengue. He said the number of dengue patients has increased rapidly and people are scared due to the Health Department’s negligence.

The morcha members demanded quick and effective steps to control dengue, threatening protest in front of the residence of the Uttrakhand Health Minister on the issue. The yuva morcha’s Sachin Gupta, Himanshu Panuli, Deep Gupta, Deepak Kumar and Jasveer Singh were present.

DGP watches film with Raphael Home children
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 22
Uttarakhand Director General of Police BS Sidhu, along with Raphael Home children, watched the movie “Chaar Sahibzaade” in a multiplex here today. He said students should work hard to achieve their goals.

The Director General of Police distributed popcorn, cold drinks, and chocolates among children. Brig Sinha, chairman of Raphael Home, applauded the efforts of the Director General of Police.

Later, Sidhu while addressing a workshop held to impart emergency medical training to police personnel said providing immediate medical care to accident victims was crucial for saving lives.

He said police personnel could play an important role as the first responder. The Director General of Police added strict instructions had been given to city patrol units (CPUs) to act swiftly in rescuing and shifting road accident victims to hospital.

He said Haldwani and Rudrapur city patrol units would be imparted emergency medical training once training of Dehradun and Haridwar city patrol units was complete.

Ruskin bonds with students
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 22
It was a literary evening for hundreds of school students who got an opportunity to meet their favourite writer and celebrated author of children’s books, Ruskin Bond, at Green Book Shop here today.

The literary legend was felicitated by HS Maan, director of Doon International School, in presence of school students, literary enthusiasts and Bond fans. Speaking about Ruskin Bond, Maan said he grew up reading his stories and now his son and daughter were avid readers of his books.

Upendra Arora, owner of the Green Book Shop, while talking about Bond’s popularity among literary enthusiasts, narrated stories about his fans and his book lovers, who regularly visit his shop. Bond released his new book “With Love from the Hills” and read out his favourite passage from the book. He answered queries of students. He signed autographs for students. 

Section 144 enforced around Vidhan Sabha
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 22
District Magistrate Chandresh Kumar has imposed Section 144 in the 500-metre radius of the Vidhan Sabha in the wake of the forthcoming Assembly session slated to begin on November 24.

A notification stated that any protest, demonstration, dharna or fast by any individual or organisation is prohibited within 500-metre radius of the Vidhan Sabha with immediate effect.

“Section 144 of CrPC prohibits any person from carrying a stick, firearms, weapons, bombs, stones, bricks or any such item that is likely to cause injury. The ban also covers use of loudspeakers, mikes, shouting anti-government and violence-enticing slogans and gathering of a large number of people,” the DM said.

Haryana girls, Delhi boys win volleyball titles
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 22
Haryana and Delhi won the under-17 National School Volleyball Tournament in the girls’ and boys’ categories at Pavilion Ground here today.

In the girls’ final, Haryana defeated Tamil Nadu 27-25, 25-23, 15-25, 25-21. Maharashtra secured the third place, getting the better of Karnataka in a five-set match, 25-23, 25-18, 18-25, 9-25, 15-13.

Delhi won the boys’ trophy, defeating Uttar Pradesh in straight sets, 25-17, 25-19, 25-20. Uttarakhand had to remain content with the third position as they defeated Kerala in straight sets, 33-31, 25-17, 25-13.

Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani gave away prizes to the members of winning and runner-up teams.

Summer Valley School wins quiz 

Dehradun, November 22
Summer Valley School won the IT Quiz competition organised by the Dehradun chapter of Computer Society of India (CSI) at Anjaneya Auditorium of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology here today. The quiz was conducted by Polash Bora from ONGC.

Sixteen reputed schools from the city and around participated in the quiz sponsored by UCOST, ONGC and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. Summer Valley School won the quiz while St Joseph’s Academy and Doon International Academy bagged the second and third positions, respectively.

The winner of the competition was awarded Rs 21,000 while the first and the second runners-up were given Rs 15,000 and Rs 9,000, respectively. Dr Rajendra Dobhal, Director General of the Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology, was the chief guest on the occasion. — TNS