Doon students excel in master mind event

The winners of the Master Mind Competition in Dehradun on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun, March 11
As many as 6,250 students from 115 schools across the city participated in the 12th Master Mind Competition held today.

It was organised by the Sajha Welfare Society. Of the 6, 250 students, 72 qualified for the final round.

Vinay Shukla, a student of Love Dale Academy, won in the the category of “Master Mind (senior) while Kinsak Negi, a student of Mount Font School, topped in the category of “Master Mind (junior).

Abhishek Tamola, a student of Glacier Academy, won the first position in the “Master Mind (sub-junior)” category, Pratik Badola of Sant Kabir Academy won in the category of “Master Mind (kids) and Shiv Malhotra of Stepping Stones School won the first position in the category of “Master Mind (Aryan)”.

The prizes were given away by Health Director, SWS, Seema Verma and Chairman Pankaj Bhardwaj.

Verma appreciated the endeavours of the organisation and said by participating in such quiz competitions, students would be prepared for other competitive exams. Senior coordinator, SWS, Puja Bhardwaj said the organisation had been working in the fields of education, health and public service for the past 12 years.

She said they would soon hold “Super Mind Competition” in which teachers of city schools would participate. Besides, the organisation would also hold health camps in schools.

Mona Negi and Shailash Chander Godiyal played the role of quiz master and Reetu Anand, Mansi Barthwal, Megh Pandey and R Dhawan were the judges.

Workshop on “Green Chemistry for Environments”

Dehradun, March 11
A three-day Indo-US workshop on “Green Chemistry for Environments and Sustainable Development” organised by the Department of Chemistry, HNB Garhwal University, started in Dehradun today.

Inaugurating the workshop, Prof Vinod Kumar Singh, Director, Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research, Bhopal, said green chemistry was a new branch of chemistry which lays emphasis on adoption of eco friendly methods to synthesise drugs and other chemicals by minimising the usage of toxic chemicals.

Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology director Rajendra Dobhal said with rising environmental concerns, green chemistry has became an important subject for the scientists and society in general. He said green chemistry was much safer chemistry nowdays taking into account various environmental concerns globally.

Earlier, coordinator of the event DS Negi said the objective of the workshop was to make people working in industries aware about minimising of waste generation by following the principles of green chemistry.

A total of 120 delegates are attending the workshop.

Tiger kills tusker in Corbett

In an unprecedented incident, a tiger killed a tusker in the Corbe tt National Park in Uttarakhand today. Corbett National Park director RK Mishra said forest guards came across a tiger eating the body of a tusker in the Dhela range of the Corbett during afternoon hours today.

He said the deceased tusker hd tusks that were around two feet in length. “In all probability, the tiger had killed the tusker as the latter had injuries both on its back and head. The injuries mark visibly revealed that the tusker was attacked by a tiger”, Mishra pointed out.

He said the tiger had also eaten parts of the body of the deceased tusker. “The hind legs of the tusker had deep wounds and the ears of the elephant had been eaten by the tiger”, Mishra said. 

Truck plunges into Ganga; driver missing

Mussoorie, March 12
A truck loaded with cement going from Rishikesh to Srinagar fell off the road and rolled 100 m down into the Ganga near Devprayag in Tehri district today.

The locals informed the Devprayag police, who rushed to the spot and began the search for the missing driver, who is feared to be swept away in the gushing current of the river. The police also recovered documents lying on the slope and informed the owner of the truck, Bhagwan Singh Negi, about the incident. The driver has been identified as Surender Singh Negi .

Students’ Union celebrations at Shri Guru Ram Rai College

Dehradun, March 13
The Students’ Union celebrations started at Shri Guru Ram Rai PG College, Derhadun, today. Kicking off the three-day long celebrations, chief guest former Speaker Harbans Kapoor said the youth were the backbone of the country. He stressed on active participation of students in the cultural activities. Kapoor greeted SGRR students of giving an excellent start to the students union celebrations.

SGRR College Principal Prof VK Borayee said due to excellent education environs, most toppers of the region preferred undertaking their college studies at SGRR College. He said apart from academics, the college also gives importance to extra-curricular activities.

SGRR Students Union president Sakendra Rawat, general secretary Rohit Negi, vice-president Puja Negi and other office-bearers were present on the occasion. The first day of the celebrations saw cultural dances. 

Chakrata Road traders lose patience, begin constructions

Dehradun, March 13
The patience of traders of Chakrata Road has ultimately run out as most of them have begun construction at a big level on the land which was left after their shops were demolished to widen the road. The officials of Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) have closed their eyes over the rampant constructions and have done nothing after completing a formality of sending a notice to the errant traders against illegal constructions more than a month ago. They also did not collect the fine as they threatened the traders with Rs 500 for each passing day until they remove the illegal constructions.

Kishore Kumar, shopkeeper, said: “The shopkeepers have been sitting idle, waiting for MDDA to take a stand on the area of the land to be left for parking space before the demolished portion for more than three months but nothing happened till date. We are under intense strain as our families are suffering with acute financial problems. We have no other solution left for us but to start the construction by leaving the two-metre space as
was demanded by the MDDA officials.”

In muted tone, he said the officials would keep mum until the new state government gave fresh directions over the issue. It seems the officials also do not want to burn their hands by taking any decision, which may provoke the shopkeepers and adverse reaction from the new state government. They appeared to have adopted wait and watch policy at the moment.

In reality, majority of the traders are also not leaving two meters space but following their own wishes by leaving two feet to three feet. Others who have little space left have built shops by leaving no space altogether and having entrance on the back side as was dictated by MDDA when this issue arose for those who had very little land left.

But even in such cases, no permission has been taken from MDDA before doing so. Vishal Gupta, a shopkeeper, said: “ The shopkeepers are feeling encouraged from their colleagues who have begun constructions. With the majority doing so, the solidarity factor has further emboldened their resolve.”

Anil Chamoli said the shopkeepers were well aware that after Congress took over the reins of the power, it would take time in either taking decisions over controversial issues such as Chakrata widening, or might issue re-allotment. In both the cases, the matter was going to stretch for many more months ahead, which would directly mean disaster for the business of traders, who were on the verge of penury for losing out on business for the last three months.

MDDA Vice-Chairman did not answer phone calls made to him to take his version on the matter.

Sea of humanity at Jhanda Mela

Dehradun, March 12
A large number of devotees gathered at Guru Ram Rai Darbar to lift the 87 ft mast bearing the flag of Guru Ram Rai on the 336th birth anniversary of the saint today, thus signalling the beginning of Jhanda Mela. He had established the seat of the Udasin sect in Dehradun.

Dr Arun Dhup, a resident of Delhi, along with members of his family, who offered Darshani cover at Guru Ram Rai Darbar in Dehradun on Monday. A Tribune photograph

The credit for transforming the simple ceremony of raising the flag into an egalitarian and community show goes to Guru Ram Rai’s wife Rani Punjab Kaur. Her liberal stance is reflected in the simple ceremony of offering covers that are wrapped around Jhanda Sahib winning over society’s narrow mindedness and parochial urges.

“It is faith that brings lakhs of pilgrims to Darbar Sahib. The syncretism practised by Guru Ram Rai and Mahants draws pilgrims from all religions,” said Devender Das, Mahant, Darbar Sahib, who presided over the ceremonies.

Since morning, a large number of men could be seen wrapping covers around the mast. The old mast that was removed lay on one side.

The dexterity of those involved in covering up the mast was there for all to witness as hundreds of hands balanced it. “A total of 20 shaneel covers, one darshani cover and 40 covers made of cotton clothe would cover up the mast. The pilgrims offer them as a gesture of thanksgiving and wish fulfilment,” said BP Saklani, in charge, Jhanda Mela.

A large number of devotees thronged Guru Ram Rai Darbar on the occasion of the hoisting of Jhanda Sahib in Dehradun on Monday.

Interestingly, the old mast is never discarded but a portion of it is used to make furniture and windows at all Guru Ram Rai schools, colleges and institutions. Event the covers from the old mast are distributed among pilgrims. These are valued as prized possessions by the pilgrims who attach great value to them.
When Darbar Sahib opened its doors, every inch of space was occupied by pilgrims, who would stay here till March 14. “A round the clock community kitchen is running. All our needs will be looked after by the benevolent saint,” said Tek Chand (65), a resident of Ambala.
The hospitality of the Darbar Sahib is legendary. Besides opening its rest rooms to the pilgrims, the schools run by the Guru Ram Rai Mission are also used for providing lodging to the pilgrims. On March 14, the sangat would be formally given a send off by Mahant Devender Das.