Pic of the Week

Work to curb effects of climate change: Prince Charles to NGOs

Prince Charles waters a sapling that he planted at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.

Dehradun: Prince Charles on Thursday advised NGOs engaged in rehabilitation efforts in Uttarakhand to work on minimising the effects of climate change and preventing a natural disaster of the scale that hit the state in June. 

The Prince of Wales, who along with his wife Camilla Parker Bowles began his nine-day India visit from Uttarakhand yesterday, gave the advice to representatives of NGOs who met him at the Indian Military Academy here on the sidelines of a function held in the royal couple's honour at the institute. 

"His highness expressed satisfaction at the contribution made by nearly 40 odd NGOs in putting life back on track in the flood-hit areas of Uttarakhand and advised us to work especially on minimising the effects of climate change for disaster mitigation and prevention of a calamity like the one which hit the hill state in mid-June," Jayant Kumar, programme head of CASA, an NGO engaged in relief operations in affected areas said. 

Earlier the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were received at the gate of the academy by its Commandant Lt Gen Manvendra Singh and his wife and ushered into the historic Chetwode Building where the Prince viewed a training exercise while the Duchess watched equestrian activities. 

The royal couple later met and interacted with IMA cadets, officers, their wives and students of the Rashtriya Indian Military College at Batra Mess on the IMA campus. 

IMA Commandant Lt Gen Manvendra Singh also presented the royal couple with a memento and described it as his proud privilege to receive them at the institute. 

He said their visit will further cement the ties between the two countries and their armies. 

The royal couple also presented a sword to the IMA Commandant as a memento. 

The Prince of Wales then visited the Forest Research Institute and toured its Timber Museum. He was conferred with an honorary degree by the institute.

Bureaucratic reshuffle in Uttarakhand

Dehradun: In a minor reshuffle, Uttarakhand government on Wednesday changed the responsibilities of several bureaucrats, including four senior officers. 
Director Information and deputy chairman of Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority R Meenakshi Sundaram has been given additional charge of Secretary, Industrial Development and Managing Director of SIDCUL, an official release here said. 

Haridwar Development Corporation Deputy Chairman Ranjit Sinha has been absolved of his responsibility as the secretary of the state Public Service Commission. Former examination controller of the Commission Surendra Narain Pandey will take over from Sinha as its Secretary. 

Banshidhar Tiwari who was earlier Secretary of Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty, Directorate of Information. 

27-year-old pregnant woman beheaded body recovered near Dehradun Raj Bhawan

Dehradun: A beheaded body of a woman was recovered from army area near Raj Bhawan in the city, police said on Thursday.

The headless body of a 27-year-old woman kept in a sack was found by rag pickers in the army area about 200 metres from Raj Bhawan on Wednesday evening, SP (city) Jagdish Chandra said.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the woman was apparently pregnant and was possibly raped before being killed, he said.

It appears that the woman's body was dumped in the area after the crime was committed somewhere else, he said.

Efforts are on to identify the woman by collecting details of people who went missing from nearby districts recently, he said, adding a post mortem is underway.

Art of Living Foundation famed Spiritual Guru Ravi Shankar to help flood-hit Uttarakhand

Haridwar, October 26

Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, globally famed for his Art of Living Foundation, and Parmarth Niketan-based Swami Chidanand Saraswati Muni have expressed their willingness to work jointly in providing rehabilitation and relief to the disaster-hit people of Uttarakhand.

Besides funding various social rehabilitation projects, they will also pitch in for alternative sources of employment generation so that tourism does not get linked with pilgrimage.

Both saints met in Rishikesh today and expressed their support to the flash flood-affected families. Both dwelled on various measures, specific areas, aspects and related issues in providing relief aid and rehabilitation im the affected districts.

Shri Ravi Shankar put forth the idea of eco tourism and green tourism in the state. He said there was a need to make local people aware about these tow aspects, which would be better alternatives for their livelihood. Swami Chidanand said there was a need to stop the talented youth from migrating to other states by providing basic and necessary employment opportunities here. In the Kedarnath valley area Swami Chidanand also wants to open a school modelled on gurukul education system so that local children could avail of education facilities there itself.

They also stressed on cleaning the Ganga, protection of cows and women empowerment. Slogan of "Himalaya bachao, beti bachao. Ganga-Gau-Gauri ki raksha karo" was also pronounced on the occasion.

Inspirational Quotes – Pictures – Motivational Thoughts

1) “Learn from the mistakes of others… you can’t live long enough to make them all yourselves!!”

2)”A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and Honest people are screwed first.”

3)”Even if a snake is not poisonous, itshould pretend to be venomous.”

4)”There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.”

5)” Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions -Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead.”

8)”Once you start a working on something, don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”

9)”The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction.”

10)”God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple.

11) “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”

12) “Never make friends with peoplewho are above or below you in status. Such”

13) “Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend.Your grown up children are your best friends.friendships will never give you any happiness.”

14) “Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend.Your grown up children are your best friends.”

15) “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth. ~ Chankya

Kedarnath shrine to close on Nov 5

Dehradun, October 23

Kedarnath Shrine in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand will be closed for winters from November 5.

A decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee held today. Utsav Doli of Shri Kedarnath will be subsequently taken to Ukhimath.

Located at a height of 3,581 metres, Kedarnath is the most important of the Dwadash Jyotirlingas. The shrine this season faced worst rain disaster at the beginning of the monsoons leading to large-scale deaths of a large number of pilgrims. Besides, scores of the pilgrims went missing. The other holy Badrinath Shrine in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand has already been closed for winters from October 18.