Dehradun News Weekly

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Tree plantation drive in Mussoorie, nearby areas

Mussoorie, July 25
Taking advantage of the monsoons, a tree plantation drive was carried out in Mussoorie and surrounding areas today.

The plantation drive began early morning when school students from Sanatan Dharam Inter-College gathered on their school premises and planted around 15 saplings of Oak and Deodaar.

In another event around 9000 saplings of trees such as Grewia Optiva (Bhimaal), Blackjack Oak, Golden Shower Tree (Amaltaash), Aegle marmelos ( Bael), Kharik and Pachnaar were planted around Kempty Falls area jointly by the 127 battalion of Eco Task Force and students of Government Inter College, Kempty.

Colonel HS Rana, Commanding Officer of the task force, led the team which planted the saplings in widelspread areas around Kempty and adjacent villages here.

According to Subedar Dilip Kumar, the Eco Task Force has set a target of planting around four lakh trees in a year and assist in greening the Aglar-Yamuna valley.

The 127 Battalion of Eco-Task Force (ETF), Dehradun, was set up on December 1, 1982, with the aim to control the process of ecological degradation of Shivalik Hills and area around Mussoorie, where continuous mining over the years had wreaked havoc on the flora and fauna.

Rama Devi Inter College students planted saplings near their school to mark the occasion of Sri Dev Suman Shaheed Diwas. They also planted around 50 saplings and contributed in greening the environment.

Eco-friendly

Students of Sanatan Dharam Inter-College planted around 15 saplings of Oak and Deodaar

Around 9000 saplings of Grewia Optiva (Bhimaal), Blackjack Oak, Golden Shower Tree (Amaltaash), Aegle marmelos ( Bael), Kharik and Pachnaar were planted around the Kempty Falls area.

Van Gujjars to get smart cards for identity in Uttarakhand, says Chief Secy

Dehradun, July 25
Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, charing a meeting at the Secretariat here today, said several initiatives would be taken to bring Van Gujjars into the mainstream of society.

The Van Gujjars of the Rajaji National Park and the Corbett National Park would be rehabilitated at other places and their smart cards would be made for identity. A proposal to include them in the Scheduled Tribe category would be forwarded and a concrete programme would be chalked out by the Social Welfare Department for their social and economical development.

Chief Secretary Jain said out of the 1,390 Gujjars from the Rajaji National Park, 1,228 had been rehabilitated in Pathri and Gainda Khatta in Haridwar. “Soon the remaining 162 will also be rehabilitated,” he said, adding that 160 acres in Haridwar had been sanctioned for 181 Gujjars of the Corbett National Park.

Jain said the rehabilitation also included the facilities of electricity, water, hospitals, schools and other basic amenities. “Besides this, one-time payment of Rs 10 lakh each will be made to 6,151 Gujjar families to bring them in the mainstream of society,” he said.

Jain directed Secretary Social, Welfare, Subardhan to take effective measures to bring in change in the lifestyle of Van Gujjars through skill development, vocational training, counselling, awareness programmes and education.

The Chief Secretary said a resolution would be passed in the state Assembly and the Centre would be urged to include Gujjars in the ST category. He directed the Forest Department to issue them smart cards to boost their confidence. These cards would consist of their fingerprints and other personal details, so that they could open bank accounts, get issued voter ID and ration cards. He directed the officials concerned to conduct fresh baseline survey.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had constituted a high-level committee chaired by the Chief Secretary to draft a policy for the rehabilitation of Van Gujjars.

Principal Chief Forest Conservator RBS Rawat, Secretary, Finance, Radha Raturi, Principal, Forest Conservator (Wildlife), SC Sharma, Additional Secretary, Forest, Sushant Patnaik and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Other proposals

To bring Van Gujjars into the mainstream of society Including them in the ST category

One-time payment of Rs 10 lakh each to 6,151 Gujjar families.

600 tourism professionals to get training in hospitality

Dehradun July 25
About 600 professionals associated with tourism from all over the state will be given training in hospitality by the staff of the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in Dehradun under a scheme funded by the Centre.

The first batch of 15 professionals from the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) is undergoing training on the IHM premises these days.

Of these, five are working at the canteen of the secretariat, five at the canteen of the Chief Minister’s office and another five at the canteen at the Chief Minister’s residence. Each workshop will run for one week.

General Manager, Tourism, GMVN, HD Pandey said the training would be provided in services such as front office and housekeeping, besides basics in etiquettes.

The trainees would also be guided about the significance of information with regard to historical, geographical or cultural perspective of the place where their hotel or restaurant or outlet was situated to satiate any query of the tourist.

Pandey said the GMVN employees posted at various tourist rest houses lacked training in hospitality and this was affecting business.

According to sources, most of the employees working at the 91 rest houses of the GMVN were those who were hired decades ago on the recommendation of the higher management of the GMVN or politicians. No one bothered to check their educational background, leave alone specialisation in the field of tourism.

This is the reason the employees in most of the rest houses are found wanting in according warm reception, keeping rooms spot clean and providing quick services to guests. They also dither on showing enthusiasm to woo customers to their outlets. The Tourism Department is hoping to remove this deficiency in a big way.

Even those dhabawalas, eating outlets, hotels and restaurants, which are associated with tourism activity directly or indirectly in the vicinity of the rest houses, will also be included in the workshop.

Only those rest houses will be selected for training which have the capacity of 20 beds or more.

This way, more than 40 rest houses, which are situated in far off places and have been declared sick, will automatically get excluded.

To make the workshop comprehensive, demonstrations will also be given. A stipend of Rs 1,200 along with a certificate will be given to the participants after holding an exam at the end of the workshop. The best performers will be duly rewarded.

Raturi new president of UKD (D)

Dehradun, July 25
BD Raturi is the new president of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (D). At a convention organised to commemorate the foundation day of the UKD (D) today, Diwakar Bhatt said he had stepped down as the president of the party to pave the way for its unification with other factions. The birth anniversary of martyr of the agitation for Uttarakhand state Sridev Suman was also observed on the occasion.

Bhatt said his detractors were not happy to see him leading the party. Twenty-three resolutions were passed in the convention. These included a pledge to make Gairsain the capital of the state, resumption of stalled hydropower projects, cheap electricity to Uttarakhand and land to displaced sections of society.

Raturi said the UKD would fight the Tehri Lok Sabha byelection with renewed vigour. He added efforts would be made to strengthen the party. Bhatt said he would also support the party. He expressed confidence in Raturi’s leadership and said the party would progress under him.

Some activists of the rival UKD (P) were present in the convention though they evaded media attention. Party spokesperson Satish Semwal said most of the party leaders as well as members of both UKD (D) and UKD (P) were keen on unification and only a handful of leaders of the UKD (P), including party president Trivender Singh Panwar, were against the merger of the two parties.

Panwar distributed sweets among UKD members and leaders to celebrate the foundation day. He said there was no possibility of joining hands with Diwakar Bhatt who they had expelled for lifetime.

He said the party base would be expanded by enrolling more members and constitution of district-level committees.

Convener of the UKD (Ekta) NK Gusain held a separate programme to mark the foundation day of the party. He too lambasted Panwar and said the way the latter served a notice on founder and patron of the party Kashi Singh Aeri for attending a protest organised by his party a few days ago was unfortunate and an undignified act.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Pranab Mukherjee elected new Indian president

NEW DELHI: Former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee was elected Indian president on Sunday after votes from national and state lawmakers were counted in the race for the mainly ceremonial post.

Some analysts believe Mukherjee, a veteran from the ruling Congress party, may take a more active approach to the job than his predecessors as India struggles with a parliamentary deadlock and slowing economic growth. Mukherjee, 76, collected 69 percent votes, easily beating his only rival P A Sangma, 64, a former lower house speaker and tribal leader from the remote northeast who was backed by the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"I would like to thank the people of this great country for conferring this distinction by electing me to this high office," Mukherjee told crowds of cheering supporters gathered outside his residence in New Delhi.

India's president, who takes up residence in a 340-room palace built in the capital for the British viceroy during colonial rule, is chosen by legislators from the two houses of parliament and state assemblies.

The next general election, due to be held in 2014, is predicted to be close, which could lead to a period of complex horse-trading between numerous national and regional parties trying to form a stable coalition government.

"It's in this turbulent scenario Mukherjee as a president will be able to steer the ship of the state. He's a troubleshooter," said Sanjay Kumar, an analyst at India's Centre for the Study of Developing Societies.

Mukherjee may also try to use the presidential position to foster a behind-the-scenes deal between warring parties who have reduced parliament to a stalemate in recent sessions. He has a reputation as a canny negotiator, and was described by leaked US embassy cables in 2009 as "the ultimate Congress Party fixer and operator" with clear ambitions at that time to become prime minister.

Mukherjee commands widespread respect across party lines, but his performance as finance minister was criticised for his failure to push through reforms to further liberalise India's economy.

His exit from the ministry raised investors' hopes that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who took over the finance portfolio, could embark on long-awaited moves. Mukherjee's success on Sunday was a welcome victory for the embattled the Congress party, which has been beset by a string of graft scandals, policy reversals and a raft of disappointing economic data.

Sangma congratulated his opponent but criticised the Congress for running an "exceptionally partisan and political" campaign for the head of state. Mukherjee will be formally sworn in on Wednesday, taking over for a five-year term from Pratibha Patil, India's first woman president.

Baba Ramdev aide Balkrishna arrested in fake passport case

Haridwar, Jul 20, 2012: CBI has arrested yoga guru Ramdev's aide Balkrishna, after a Dehra Dun court issued a non-bailable warrant against him in a case related to fake documents. The arrest comes ahead of Ramdev's August 9 agitation against corruption and black money in Delhi.

The special CBI court had asked Balkrishna to be present in court on Friday, but he failed to appear. CBI had filed a case against Balkrishna in a case relating to submission of alleged fake and forged documents to obtain an Indian passport. CBI has alleged that Balkrishna had, along with the then principal of Sanskrit Mahavidayala in Khurja in Uttar Pradesh, conspired to issue fake educational certificates which Balkrishna used to secure a passport. CBI has booked both men under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery. Additionally, Balkrishna has been charged with violation of the Passport Act.

"It was alleged in the complaint that the accused had wrongfully obtained an Indian passport. Enquiry established that the accused in connivance with some unknown persons has furnished false information and forged documents to the Passport office at Bareilly (UP) for getting an Indian passport issued," a CBI spokesperson said.

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh alleged Ramdev a fraud after his aide Balkrishna's arrest. Singh said Congress would expose Baba Ramdev's misdeeds soon and asked his party men to follow the non-violent path. "The Congress follows the path of non-violence. I do not believe that violence is ever good. I am appealing to my party workers not to start a movement, which may turn violent. We will, with dignity and non-violence, open all cases of this hypocrite baba. We will expose all his black deeds," Singh said in Bhopal.

Balkrishna's arrest an attempt to scare me: Ramdev, Sits on dharna
Dehradun: Hours after the arrest of his close aide Balkrishna, Yoga guru Ramdev on Friday alleged that the government was taking such steps to scare him and break his resolve in the fight for bringing back black money stashed abroad.

"The government is scared of the August nine agitation. That is why there was a murderous attempt on me (in Bhopal) and character assassination of Balkrishna.

"By doing so, the government thinks that it can break my resolve and scare people who are protesting. Let the government do whatever they want, I will not leave the path of truth," Ramdev said in a statement.

Balkrishna was today arrested by the CBI after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him by a special court here in an alleged fake documents case.

Ramdev also alleged that Balkrishna was being targeted because he was his close aide.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

'Achcha to hum chalte hain': Remembering Rajesh Khanna

Rajesh Khanna: Bollywood first Superstar

From the dizzying heights of fame to quiet shadows behind the arclights, Rajesh Khanna's life had a theatrical sweep, almost like one of his films. Bollywood's original superstar - simply the phenomenon to some - died in Mumbai Wednesday, leaving behind memories cast in celluloid of that famous crooked smile and head tilt. He was only 69.

In an era long before this age of instant connect of mobile phones and internet, Rajesh Khanna was the man who sparked a frenzy never seen before and never since, not even by the likes of Amitabh Bachchan.

His very name spelt magic in the 1970s. He sparked hysteria, particularly amongst his legions of women fans, who would line the road for a glimpse, chant his name, cover his car with lipstick marks and even write him letters in blood. They got married to his photograph, cut their finger, let the blood flow and applied 'sindoor'.

Truly, "O mere di ke chain"!

Kaka, as he was popularly known, was one of the highest paid actors of his time, his record of consecutive solo super hits still unbroken. Who can forget the years between 1970-1979 when he starred in mega hits like "Safar", "Kati Patang", "Sachaa Jhutha", "Aan Milo Sajna", "Anand", "Amar Prem" and "Mere Jeevan Saathi". Ever the urbane, suave romantic who wooed like few others.

Glory and fame galore came his way with the two 1969 films - "Aradhana" and "Do Raaste" - where he teamed up with two of his best co-stars, Sharmila Tagore and Mumtaz, respectively. Both the films were super hits. Hindi film's first superstar was born.

Between "Aradhana" in 1969 and "Prem Kahani" in 1975, Rajesh enjoyed god-like status.

It was all about charisma - a certain something that went beyond the art of acting. He had that unique way of delivering a dialogue, of crinkling his eyes and that interesting head tilt that were all his own - and designed to get fans swooning.

Describing the charm of Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh once said: "I got famous purely because I was working with Rajesh Khanna in 'Anand'. People asked me questions like, 'How is he to look at? What does he do?'"

The mega story had a small beginning in Amritsar. Born Jatin Arora on Dec 29, 1942, he was adopted and raised by foster parents.

He went from being Jatin to Rajesh, thanks to his uncle who changed his name, when he decided to join films.

In 1965, the journey to filmdom started after he won the All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare. He made his debut with "Aakhri Khat" in 1966.

It was a fairly easy road to superstardom after that.

He became the heartthrob of the nation, singing timeless melodies like "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani..." in "Aradhana", "Zindagi Ek Safar" in "Andaaz" or "Yeh Shaam Mastani" in "Kati Patang". Singer Kishore Kumar and composer R.D. Burman were amongst his closest friends.

In his four-decade career, he appeared in about 160 films, of which 106 had him as the solo lead hero and 22 were two hero projects.

Rajesh proved his mettle in offbeat films too. He teamed up with Hrishikesh Mukherjee for the critically acclaimed "Bawarchi" and "Namak Haram". The quintessential romantic also did the intense "Avishkar", directed by Basu Bhattacharya.

But then age caught up and the star began fading away.

He moved to television and played the main lead in two serials - "Ittefaque" and "Apne Paraye" during 2001-02 and also featured in "Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi" between 2008-09.

The decline to B-grade films was inevitable. There was also the sorry "Wafa" with Laila Khan, who was found murdered this July.

He dabbled in politics, being Congress MP from the New Delhi constituency from 1991-1996.

Like the Hollywood legends of yore, the personal life also had a larger than life dimension.

He fell in love with Dimple Kapadia, who was only 16 and whose first film "Bobby" was yet to release. She was 15 years younger to him but the pull was strong and they got married after a whwhirwind romance in 1973.

It was the stuff of tabloid headlines. They had two daughters Twinkle and Rinke. The marriage lasted only 11 years.

It was a lonely life for Rajesh after that. He disappeared from the headlines and appeared to be a shadow of his former self in his rare public appearances.

But the family came together in his last days. His estranged wife was the one who took care of him during his illness. Son-in-law Akshay Kumar was also a great comfort.

Rajesh reappeared in an ad a few months before his death, and once again became the talk of town - he was clearly unwell but the zest in his voice was intact as he intoned "Babumoshai" from his much loved film "Anand".

Like Anand from the film, the man is gone. But the memories will live on.

Rajesh Khanna Filmography

Filmography As Producer

Alag Alag (1985)