Dehradun News Weekly

Friday, February 10, 2012

Govindacharya backs Save Ganga movement

Haridwar, February 10

Veteran Rashtriya Sewak Sangh ideologue Govindacharya today extended support to the ongoing “Save Ganga” movement which is currently ongoing at Matra Sadan ashram in Haridwar.

Perturbed by numerous vain attempts initiated by the Centre and the state government on cleaning the Ganga, Govindacharya even urged people not to go on pilgrimage on the Ganga like Char Dham yatra to express resentment against pollution in the Ganga.

He said despite numerous schemes, projects and even spending crores from the World Bank on cleaning the Ganga, nothing much had been done. So now it’s the time that people should express resentment by various modes and also make sure they would not contribute in affecting the sanctity of the Ganga.

Govindacharya supported agitating saint Guru Das Aggarwal, other saints and Ganga activists terming their “tapasya” mode of agitation unique and hoped that it would surely bore results.

While meeting with Matra Sadan founder Swami Shivanand, Govindacharya also had a word on the anti-quarrying movement initiated by the Matra Sadan and dwelt on the future course of this movement. Govindacharya has been associated with cleaning of the Ganga campaigns in past and is a regular visitor to the Matra Sadan ashram.

He also had been quite active during late Swami Nigamamand’s fast unto death agitation against illegally quarrying on the Ganga riverbed in Haridwar and now supported GD Aggarwal during his famous agitation on the closing of Lohari Nagpala and Pala Maneri projects in Garhwal hills.

Meanwhile, a large number of people and social organizations are also extending their support to this movement which is speedily catching attention of the masses. As the mode of agitation is “tapasya” only with no gathering, speeches or awareness drive, people are realising the significance of this movement which is related with the holy Ganga for which billions of rupees have been spent for no result.

Tanveer Ali, a local, said the saints and Ganga activists had resorted to a silent mode of expression of anger which itself indicated the lack of seriousness on the part of the government.

Kanwariyas start coming to Haridwar

Kanwariyas from Gurgaon prepare an on-wheel kanwar in Haridwar on Friday.

Haridwar, February 10
With the completion of the Magh Poornima bath on February 7 and the festival of Mahashivratri coming on Feburary 20, kanwariyas have started coming to Haridwar for fetching holy Gangajal. Though the number is not large, still one can see saffron-clad kanwariyas with beautiful kanwars in their hands at Ganga ghats of Neel Dhara and Pant Deep.

Kanwariyas will start pouring in large number in the next few days as the Shivratri approaches near with kanwariyas from far-off places coming earlier.

One can see kanwariyas at Pant Deep, Laljiwala areas adjacent to Har-ki-Pauri, VIP ghat, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya multi-parking lot and other open spaces.

Like a group of kanwariyas from Manesar, Haryana, were seen giving final touches to their vehicle on which statue of Lord Shiva and shivlingams are placed.

Beautifully decorated, this kanwar takes almost two-day time and Rs 10,000.

Manoj Kumar, a kanwaria, said they got immense pleasure by coming to Haridwar at Har-ki-Pauri for fetching the Gangajal.

He said, “The hard work put up in decorating this kanwar bore fruit when people appreciate their kanwar,with people offering obeisance at Lord Shiva statue and chanting of ‘Bam bam Bholey’ reverberates throughout the route to Gurgaon which is almost 200 kilometeres,” said Kumar. In the coming days, the kanwar market will also be set up at Pant Deep where decorated kanwars will be available for kanwariyas whose number touch lakhs.

UPP demands withdrawal of bus fare hike

Nainital, February 10
The Uttarakhand Parivartan Party (UPP) has demanded immediate withdrawal of the increase in bus fares that came into effect from January 31, a day after the Assembly elections in the state.

The UPP held a demonstration in Almora today and termed the bus fare hike as treachery with the masses of the state. It said the fare hike, which was nearly 100 per cent in the hill areas as compared to the hike in the plains, indicated the anti-hill mindset of the state government. The UPP added that it would fight against injustice meted out to the people.

Party workers gathered at the district headquarters to hold a protest this morning. The protesters said while the bus fare hike in the plain areas was 18 paise per km, it was 34 paise per km in the hill areas.

The UPP leaders said the people travelling in the hills were compelled to pay more as they had to travel more on winding roads to cover short distances. In the process more time was also consumed.

UPP president PC Tiwari said the Congress and the BJP were systematically destroying all the possibilities of the development of the hills. He charged the two parties with working against the spirit that underlined the creation of Uttarakhand state. Tiwari also criticised the Congress and the BJP for their approach on the issue of a permanent capital for the state. He said the regressive policies of the two parties were responsible for villages witnessing a large scale migration, chronic unemployment and spiralling prices.

Tiwari claimed that the delimitation exercise had resulted in a decline in leadership in the hills. Senior party leader Govind Lal Verma said the bus fare hike was a result of the regressive mindset of the government led by Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri and the bureaucracy.

The UPP leaders later submitted a memorandum, addressed to Governor Margaret Alva, to District Magistrate DS Garbyal. Besides the withdrawal of bus fare hike, the UPP demanded an end to the contractual mode of employment, regularisation of the services of employees and an end to corruption in the state. It also sought similar bus fares for both hill and plain areas.

FAKE CURRENCY CASE

Vigil stepped up along Nepal border

Pithoragarh, February 10
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) guarding the Indo-Nepal border and the Pithoragarh police have intensified vigil along the border to check the smuggling of fake currency into India. "Personnel of our intelligence wing deputed at Jhoola Ghat and other bridges along the Indo-Nepal border have been asked to find out the sources of the smuggling of fake currency into India,” said NA Bharane, SP, Pithoragarh.

According to information, last week when a shopkeeper had gone to deposit money in a local bank at Jhoola Ghat town, two notes of 1,000 denomination and one note of 5,00 denomination were found to be fake.

According to the shopkeeper, one of the notes of 1,000 denomination was given to him by a Nepal citizen who had purchased grocery items from his shop at the Jhoola Ghat market.

In the wake of the incident, SSB officials have increased vigil near all five bridges to check the smuggling of fake currency from Nepal. “As the border of India and Nepal is open, we cannot stop Nepal citizens from shopping in Indian markets situated near the border. However, we have asked our personnel guarding all five bridges across the Kali river, which makes the border between the two countries in this part of the country, to keep vigil on the persons whose activities are found to be suspicious,” said SD Serekhane, an SSB official.

A newspaper vendor said when he went to collect newspaper bills from a client in Nepal last week the latter gave him Rs 1,000, which was later declared fake by a bank employee in Jhoola Ghat town. “This shows that fake currency is being smuggled into India as Nepal citizens are dependent on Indian markets for their daily needs and usually come here to buy things,” he said.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Indian Tourism -Dehradun

Dehradun is the well-known hill station and a capital city of the Uttarakhand State of north India. This striking capital is situated in the Garhwal region and it is just 255 km away from New Delhi. Dehradun has been selected as one of the Counter attractions of the NCR (National Capital Region). It is also the alternative centre of expansion to help the relocation/migration and populace bang in the Delhi.

This hill station is notorious for its usual resources, services such as publishing, and for its impressive learning organizations like Indian Military Academy, Forest Research Institute and boarding schools. These educational centers are highly reputed throughout the nation. Some more national foundations such as Survey of India, Indian Institute of Petroleum, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Wildlife Institute of India.

Dehradun is situated on the peak of the Himalaya Ranges. The Doon Valley is located between two mightiest rivers of India. These rivers are the Ganges which is on the east portion and Yamuna which is on the west side. The charming scenery and enjoyable weather of Dehradun is also attracting visitors. The nature beauty is like a gateway to the adjacent areas. This astonishing city is properly linked and in close to well-liked Himalayan tourist spots for example Nainital, Mussoorie and Auli. The Hindu holy cities like Rishikesh and Haridwar beside the Himalayan pilgrimage tour of Char Dham is another best and nearest places of Dehradun.

Dehradun is the headquarter and capital of Uttarakhand and it is also having nickname as Doon Valley. According to history of Dehradun sources say this place is blessed by many holly spirits such as Lord Ram and Laxman. The sources explained that Dronacharya, the legend guru of Kauravas and Pandavas was also born in this place. Proof of such period is available as the ancient temples and idols are still located in the city.

Today Dehradun is turned as most popular tourist spot and people are visiting this city throughout the world. Some of the famed holiday spots of Dehradun are Tapkeshwar temple, Kalanga monument, Malsi Deer Park, Chandrabani, Laxman Siddh, Forest Research Institute, Guchhupani, Tapovan, Wadia Institute and Santala Devi temple. The other attractions in Dehradun are nature beauty, events and sports, museums, sanctuary and educations centers. The close hills are renowned for its scenery and temples. The sanctuary for bird and animal lovers is also best place of Dehradun to visit. The sporty activities such as trekking, rafting and rock climbing is also available to tourists. Reaching Dehradun will also help the tourist to visit nearby hill stations like Dakpathar, Ssahssradhara, Mussoorie, Chakrata and Lahkhamondal. The world-known temples Tapkeshwar and Santala Devi are also easily accessible and local transport is available to reach these holy places. The amusement parks are ready for fun and food with astonishing view of deep valleys.

Dehradun is all time visiting spot, though the best period to reach this hill station is September to October and March to April.

Transportation services for reaching Dehradun:

By Air- the Dehradun Jolly Grand Airport is having continued services and flights from different pats of the country. The direct flights every week from Delhi is easy source for visitors to reach Dehradun. The airport is just 25 km away from the valley of Dehradun.

By Rail- the Dehradun railway station is well-known and best way to reach this hill station. This station is connected with many broad gage rails throughout the country and people can use the available trains to reach the spot. The major services are available from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Varanasi and Lucknow. Some of the best trains of Dehradun are Mussoorie Express, Shatabdi, Doon Express and Jan Shatabdi.

By Road- This hill station is properly connected through road with all parts of the country. Luxury and deluxe coach buses are accessible from Delhi and some more states of India. The semi-deluxe and deluxe buses are running from Shimla and Mussoorie regularly so users will get lots of sources to reach the destination in lesser time then any other hill station of India. The luxury bus services offered by UPSRTC are also good way to reach Dehradun. Those who love to go through road can hire the taxi or can move by their own vehicles. The average distance of Dehradun from Delhi is about 255 km, Risikesh about 42 km, Haridwar about 54 km, Agra about 382 km, Yamunotri about 279 km, Nainital about 297 km, Shimla about 221 km and Kedarnath about 270 km.