By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 31 July: The title of the Shakespearean romantic comedy – Much Ado About Nothing – sums up the current relationship between Rural Entrepreneurship for Art & Cultural Heritage (REACH), which annually organises a fortnight long national level cultural extravaganza under its Virasat series in October, and the state government.
The government, which had signed an MoU with REACH, twice, promising to pay a sum of Rs 35 lakhs every year to the latter, has backtracked from its promise. The government now owes Rs 70 lakhs to REACH, the organisation responsible for bringing together a number of local artistes in the state as well as from outside every year in October.
As per the initial MoU signed by the state government with REACH in 2006, the former was to be paid a sum of Rs 35 lakhs, four months in advance of the fest. “The government kept its promise in the first year,” said RK Singh, Secretary, REACH, pointing out that all artistes performing in Virasat are compensated as per their prevailing market rates.
Interestingly, after the government failed to clear REACH’s dues in 2007, again in October, 2008, a revised MoU was signed between the two. This time, the then Tourism Minister of the State Prakash Pant, promised to settle the dues on a priority basis. “As per the revised agreement, the money to be paid was to be split: 50% of the money to be paid six months in advance and the rest after the fest,” informs Singh, ruing that the second MoU had also come a cropper.
Even after the government had backtracked from its promises, Virasat went on ahead. “But for ONGC and AYUSH, Virasat could not have happened,” explains Singh, pointing out that during the 2008 fest, it even carried the logo of the government.
Ironically, despite the government’s tall claims about preservation of art and culture in the state, no budgetary provisions were made for the development of art and culture. “Virasat, presently, is the biggest festival in the state, where artistes from remote areas of the state get opportunities to display their art and craft,” said Singh, adding that more than 600 local performers participate in the Virasat festival every year.
“It’s a pan Indian event, which has even found a place under Incredible India campaign of the Union Tourism Ministry,” added Singh, while appealing to the government to extend financial support to the fest, which can be showcased even to international tourists giving a boost to the state’s tourism resources.
Meanwhile, the finance crunch at REACH is now having a spill over effect on REACH’s popular five-day theatre festival, which is scheduled to be held at the AMN Ghosh auditorium from 7 August. Last year’s fest, which was sponsored by ONGC and Graphic Era University, saw the likes of Nadeera Babber, whose play ‘Sandhya Chaya’ was hugely applauded.
“If money had not been a problem, this year for the annual REACH Theatre Fest starting 7 August, I would have preferred to invite artistes like KM Paincker, Ratan Thiyam, Nasseer-Ratna and Shabana Azmi-Farooq,” discloses Singh.
For REACH’s financial woes, a part of the blame also lies in its free-for-all-show concept. Since the beginning, REACH has not tried to sell tickets for its theatre shows. “Putting a price on the ticket is on our minds, but it is not going to happen this year,” said Singh, pointing out that the concept was well established in the West.
“I remember watching the play To Kill a Mockingbird on a $25 ticket.”However, according to Singh, they would put a donation box this time to collect funds for the promotion of art and culture at the venue of the Theatre Fest.
Criticism against REACH
Brushing aside the hue and cry in some sections about the REACH ‘policy’ of ignoring local talent over others at its annual Theatre Fest, Singh clarified, “Those who don’t read classics, can never think of Tolstoy.”
“What we at REACH have been doing at Theatre Fest is exposing people to the best in the arts. And, on this account, government should also come forward and help us financially to make this possible every time.”
Singh said that in their Virasat series, all got platforms including non-city based artistes. “For the promotion of local art, REACH has already documented some of the folk arts like Chakravhyu, Gandhari, etc., of this state.”
Unlike REACH’s Virasat series, its Theatre Fest is solely funded through private contributions, which too, according to Singh, have dried up. “We have approached 23 institutions for help, but got no response.”
Recently, REACH set up a separate entity for film lovers by the name of REACH Talkies. “Although at Virasat, we have a film section every year, we wanted to have a separate Film Club,” said Dr Achintya Pal, founder Secretary of REACH Talkies. The nascent film club would showcase award winning classics ie 52 movies (once a week) at KDMPIE Auditorium for an annual membership of Rs 500.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1679
Monday, August 31, 2009
How to crack NIFT? There’s a way
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 30 July: Alongside coaching for CAT, MAT, AIEEE, IIT-JEE, Law, PMT, Sainik schools, et al, now, a new trend has caught up with youngsters to be mentored in art to get entry into the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, National Institute of Design, Bachelor in Fine Arts (BFA), etc.
Welcome to the new breed of potential professional artists, who, in some cases are as young as eight-year-old, who come for art coaching straight after school. “I want to become a professional artist,” says Nandini Gupta, a fifth grader in Ann Mary School.
“I come only on Sundays,” says Parul Dang, an eighth-standard student of The Asian School, who aspires to join NIFT after Plus Two.
Interestingly, most of the dozen odd budding artists, who are still in schools, have parents backing them in their cherished goals. “I admitted my daughter for to learn after I spotted her talent as early as when she was a four-year-old,” points out Parag Kumar Mittal, father of eight-year-old Aditi Mittal, a III standard student of Ann Mary School, who is being groomed by renowned artist Chandra Mohan Misra.
According to Mittal, he began to take his daughter seriously when she won a drawing competition at the age of four. “It was during the launch of Wagon R at Rohan Motors, Yamuna Colony, where in the Junior Category, she was adjudged the winner.”
Misra, who is a retired ONGC scientist, has many solo art exhibitions and awards to his credit since 1962. Recently, he had organised two National Level painting workshops in Dhanaulti and at the Graphic Era University.
“Though reputed schools have art departments, the old concepts of art teaching are still followed there,” rued CM Misra, who has guided many aspiring artists into creative careers. “Asking children to colour mangos or bananas, or asking them to draw the scenic image of a mountain, the sun and a boat are passé.”
Interestingly, Misra’s first student was his eldest son –Abhinav Misra – an NIFT graduate from Mumbai, who passed out in 1997.
What the budding artists learn from Misra is attaining perfection in line drawings. “In line drawings, where children learn to generate images of figures by randomly making lines on paper, help them in synchronising their eyes and motor muscles,” discloses Misra.
One among the regulars at Misra’s Indira Nagar residence is Priyanka, a class XII student of KV ONGC, who recently won a National Level Painting Competition. “I have been coming here for the last two years,” reveals Priyanka, who aspires to get into a BFA course after Plus Two.
Apart from being a centre for grooming budding professional artists, Misra also trains those who simply choose art as their hobby. “I want to be an Army Officer,” says Ayush Barthwal, a class VII student of St Joseph’s Academy.
Significantly, elated with the results of his students, Misra is planning to mount an exhibition of their works in the city. “This would happen soon, where I would also showcase some of my own works.”
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1663
DEHRADUN, 30 July: Alongside coaching for CAT, MAT, AIEEE, IIT-JEE, Law, PMT, Sainik schools, et al, now, a new trend has caught up with youngsters to be mentored in art to get entry into the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, National Institute of Design, Bachelor in Fine Arts (BFA), etc.
Welcome to the new breed of potential professional artists, who, in some cases are as young as eight-year-old, who come for art coaching straight after school. “I want to become a professional artist,” says Nandini Gupta, a fifth grader in Ann Mary School.
“I come only on Sundays,” says Parul Dang, an eighth-standard student of The Asian School, who aspires to join NIFT after Plus Two.
Interestingly, most of the dozen odd budding artists, who are still in schools, have parents backing them in their cherished goals. “I admitted my daughter for to learn after I spotted her talent as early as when she was a four-year-old,” points out Parag Kumar Mittal, father of eight-year-old Aditi Mittal, a III standard student of Ann Mary School, who is being groomed by renowned artist Chandra Mohan Misra.
According to Mittal, he began to take his daughter seriously when she won a drawing competition at the age of four. “It was during the launch of Wagon R at Rohan Motors, Yamuna Colony, where in the Junior Category, she was adjudged the winner.”
Misra, who is a retired ONGC scientist, has many solo art exhibitions and awards to his credit since 1962. Recently, he had organised two National Level painting workshops in Dhanaulti and at the Graphic Era University.
“Though reputed schools have art departments, the old concepts of art teaching are still followed there,” rued CM Misra, who has guided many aspiring artists into creative careers. “Asking children to colour mangos or bananas, or asking them to draw the scenic image of a mountain, the sun and a boat are passé.”
Interestingly, Misra’s first student was his eldest son –Abhinav Misra – an NIFT graduate from Mumbai, who passed out in 1997.
What the budding artists learn from Misra is attaining perfection in line drawings. “In line drawings, where children learn to generate images of figures by randomly making lines on paper, help them in synchronising their eyes and motor muscles,” discloses Misra.
One among the regulars at Misra’s Indira Nagar residence is Priyanka, a class XII student of KV ONGC, who recently won a National Level Painting Competition. “I have been coming here for the last two years,” reveals Priyanka, who aspires to get into a BFA course after Plus Two.
Apart from being a centre for grooming budding professional artists, Misra also trains those who simply choose art as their hobby. “I want to be an Army Officer,” says Ayush Barthwal, a class VII student of St Joseph’s Academy.
Significantly, elated with the results of his students, Misra is planning to mount an exhibition of their works in the city. “This would happen soon, where I would also showcase some of my own works.”
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1663
Monday, July 20, 2009
Bengal’s Pal idol makers make stopover in Doon
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 11 July: West Bengal’s traditional idol makers, the Pals, have arrived with their team in Doon’s Durgabari, where they have started work on clay models of Durga. The skilled craftsmen, comprising six members, have already finished working on the clay models, two months before Dusshera.The idol makers working here all have surnames ending in Pal: Panchu Gopal Pal, Podut Kumar Pal, Prashant Pal, Mitu Pal and Anup Pal. “Traditionally, Bengal’s Pal community, whose basic tradition has been pottery (Kumhars) and clay idols,” pointed out Prashant Pal, 30, a resident of West Bengal’s Bardhaman District, who started learning the idol making craft at the age of 12 years.“We have a busy schedule. Next week, we will head to Ghaziabad, then move to Faridabad, Meerut and the final stopover is Aligarh,” said Pal. “This year is too hot,” complained Pal, who is making his 15th visit to Doon. His brother-in-law, Panchu Gopal Pal, is the chief craftsman in the team.The idol makers have got one week’s time to finish working on a dozen idols at Aragarh’s Kali Temple, Durgabari and Sahastradhara Cross Road before they move to Ghaziabad, where his brother-in-law runs the 'Sarv Sundari Murtikala Kendra' (SSMK).Among the idols, the tallest of them has a height of 8.5 feet, which would be installed at Durgabari complex on the Mall Road. “Besides Durga’s idol, we have also finished working on the other accompanying Gods and Goddesses including Ganesh, Laxmi, Kartik and Saraswati,” said Pal.Interestingly, the clay used for making these idols has been sourced by these makers from three places: Kolkata, Ghaziabad and Dehradun. “Clay from the Ganga (Kolkata) to make fingers and faces, Ghaziabad clay for polishing, while clay obtained from Doon is used as base material,” disclosed Pal, adding that they use powder based colours and mix them with tamarind glue.Over the years, these professional idol makers from West Bengal, where idol making is done on a large scale, have made their business secure by going to other states.“We will come back a week before Durga Puja to apply colours to the idols,” said Pal, disclosing that they would hop from one stopover to another, making idols in the next two months.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Feature&article=1545
‘Ukhand culture unreceptive to Gays’
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 9 July: For the time being, the Delhi High Court judgment on Section 377 IPC may have put an end to the Gay community’s hide ‘n’ seek with the police, but it has also opened a Pandora’s box in the process.
“It is because what may hold true for the gay community in Delhi, may not hold good for their counterparts in the closed society of Dev Bhoomi,” says Shanta Kothari, Project Director of Himalayan Institute for Environment, Ecology & Development (HIFEED), the only NGO in Uttarakhand that works with MSM (men who have sex with men) population.
Kothari says that a situation when gays are found acceptable in society would take more than 20 years in Doon. “It’s easy for Gay community members to find acceptability in metros, but difficult in small places where the threat of social jeers and ostracism is great.”For the record, according to Kothari, the ‘networked’ gay community is 1500 member strong in Uttarakhand. “We are already in contact with 500 members, who regularly participate in our counseling and outreach workshops,” discloses Kothari, pointing out that HIFEED’s USACS supported Target Intervention Project (TIP) for the MSM is run in Districts of Doon, Pithoragarh Haridwar, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar.
Commenting on the reasons leading to development of such practices, she mainly blames child abuse as one of the foremost reasons. “Those who were sexually exploited in their young age, gradually and unintentionally, develop MSM practices,” she explains, while also counting the role of peer pressure and hormonal factors.
The biggest disadvantage for gay couples relates to attaining parenthood, even if Section 377 is completely abrogated by Parliament. “Surrogacy is definitely a solution, but any ‘well-settled’ MSM couple would find it difficult to find a surrogate mother,” Kothari points out, maintaining that ‘MSMs are always regarded as a High Risk Behaviour Group compared to heterosexuals’.
The age group of MSM population in Doon, who are said to prefer gay hot spots like Gandhi Park in the city, is said to be between 15-50 years. “They are from all sections of society: Well-to-do, middle class and economically poor, including government employees.”According to Kothari, there have been instances where they have even come across commercial male sex workers in Doon. HIFEED, to carry out awareness among gays, has also appointed peer educators, who are retained on honorarium basis and visit gay hot spots to enlighten them about HIV/AIDS, STDs. Throwing light on the legality of the Delhi High Court judgment, Advocate Sarit Sharma said that the ‘judgment holds good for the gay population in Delhi until it is passed or rejected by Delhi government or overruled by the apex court’. Technically speaking, it means, a consenting gay couple in Delhi, if found by the police cannot be arrested till the operation of the Delhi High Court ruling, while the same in Uttarakhand, would still attract the wrath of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.(HIFEED also offers counseling for gays. It can be contacted at 0135-2666865).
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=GupShup&article=1525
DEHRADUN, 9 July: For the time being, the Delhi High Court judgment on Section 377 IPC may have put an end to the Gay community’s hide ‘n’ seek with the police, but it has also opened a Pandora’s box in the process.
“It is because what may hold true for the gay community in Delhi, may not hold good for their counterparts in the closed society of Dev Bhoomi,” says Shanta Kothari, Project Director of Himalayan Institute for Environment, Ecology & Development (HIFEED), the only NGO in Uttarakhand that works with MSM (men who have sex with men) population.
Kothari says that a situation when gays are found acceptable in society would take more than 20 years in Doon. “It’s easy for Gay community members to find acceptability in metros, but difficult in small places where the threat of social jeers and ostracism is great.”For the record, according to Kothari, the ‘networked’ gay community is 1500 member strong in Uttarakhand. “We are already in contact with 500 members, who regularly participate in our counseling and outreach workshops,” discloses Kothari, pointing out that HIFEED’s USACS supported Target Intervention Project (TIP) for the MSM is run in Districts of Doon, Pithoragarh Haridwar, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar.
Commenting on the reasons leading to development of such practices, she mainly blames child abuse as one of the foremost reasons. “Those who were sexually exploited in their young age, gradually and unintentionally, develop MSM practices,” she explains, while also counting the role of peer pressure and hormonal factors.
The biggest disadvantage for gay couples relates to attaining parenthood, even if Section 377 is completely abrogated by Parliament. “Surrogacy is definitely a solution, but any ‘well-settled’ MSM couple would find it difficult to find a surrogate mother,” Kothari points out, maintaining that ‘MSMs are always regarded as a High Risk Behaviour Group compared to heterosexuals’.
The age group of MSM population in Doon, who are said to prefer gay hot spots like Gandhi Park in the city, is said to be between 15-50 years. “They are from all sections of society: Well-to-do, middle class and economically poor, including government employees.”According to Kothari, there have been instances where they have even come across commercial male sex workers in Doon. HIFEED, to carry out awareness among gays, has also appointed peer educators, who are retained on honorarium basis and visit gay hot spots to enlighten them about HIV/AIDS, STDs. Throwing light on the legality of the Delhi High Court judgment, Advocate Sarit Sharma said that the ‘judgment holds good for the gay population in Delhi until it is passed or rejected by Delhi government or overruled by the apex court’. Technically speaking, it means, a consenting gay couple in Delhi, if found by the police cannot be arrested till the operation of the Delhi High Court ruling, while the same in Uttarakhand, would still attract the wrath of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.(HIFEED also offers counseling for gays. It can be contacted at 0135-2666865).
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=GupShup&article=1525
Dilapidated Bldgs on Chakrata Road have residents worried
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 28 June 2009: If it is nightmarish to commute on the congested Chakrata Road from the Clock Tower, life is no better for the residents of a dozen dilapidated buildings there, some on their last legs.
“Sometimes, when the vehicles move at high speed, the floor starts shaking,” said Rajesh Chauhan, who lives with his widowed mother in a large extended family of 22 persons at 28, Chakrata Road, opposite RGM Plaza.
Their ramshackle building, which appears like a heritage site from a distance, is just 150 metres away from the Clock Tower, Doon’s landmark.
Made with lime plaster, the yet standing building is a proof of the existence of God. “We are lucky that the building is still intact,” said Parmod Devi, 45, whose husband, a taxi driver, died three years ago, leaving her to feed 10 mouths.
A mother of 10 children (9 daughters and a son), Parmod Devi, despite sitting on a gold mine (at the current market rate, their two-floor building with four rooms would be worth more than Rs 1 crore) lives the life of a pauper. Thirty metres away from her home is Prabhat Theatre.
“There are three families in this building,” added Devi, disclosing that her father-in-law’s father had constructed the building. “I started living in this building since 1975, post my marriage.”
Shockingly, there are about a dozen ramshackle buildings on the Chakrata Road, which are on the verge of collapse. Their existence is directly proportional to the intensity of the monsoon. “For us, more rains means less life for our buildings,” explained Chauhan, son of Devi, who, should land be given by government, would prefer to migrate to any alternative site, along with his mother and unmarried sisters.
“Let the government give alternative sites, we would relocate, provided they pay us the market value,” said Devi, whose poverty has forced the family to live without electricity. “The electricity department disconnected our line five months ago, after we failed to pay the charges.”
Despite her acute poverty, (she makes a living by packaging bulbs) Government babus, also denied her a white ration card. Her Yellow card bearing No 276427 makes her eligible to receive 5 litres of oil and 3 kg of sugar every month.
The condition of others living in such decaying buildings is also similar. “There are many poor tenants who live in there,” said Devi, while showing another building opposite to theirs, which is also on the verge of collapse.
Doonites already knows about the plight of residents of a nearby building that is owned by the LIC and bits of which keep collapsing, particularly during the rains. Come the monsoons, the buildings on Chakrata Road are a disaster waiting to happen.
DEHRADUN, 28 June 2009: If it is nightmarish to commute on the congested Chakrata Road from the Clock Tower, life is no better for the residents of a dozen dilapidated buildings there, some on their last legs.
“Sometimes, when the vehicles move at high speed, the floor starts shaking,” said Rajesh Chauhan, who lives with his widowed mother in a large extended family of 22 persons at 28, Chakrata Road, opposite RGM Plaza.
Their ramshackle building, which appears like a heritage site from a distance, is just 150 metres away from the Clock Tower, Doon’s landmark.
Made with lime plaster, the yet standing building is a proof of the existence of God. “We are lucky that the building is still intact,” said Parmod Devi, 45, whose husband, a taxi driver, died three years ago, leaving her to feed 10 mouths.
A mother of 10 children (9 daughters and a son), Parmod Devi, despite sitting on a gold mine (at the current market rate, their two-floor building with four rooms would be worth more than Rs 1 crore) lives the life of a pauper. Thirty metres away from her home is Prabhat Theatre.
“There are three families in this building,” added Devi, disclosing that her father-in-law’s father had constructed the building. “I started living in this building since 1975, post my marriage.”
Shockingly, there are about a dozen ramshackle buildings on the Chakrata Road, which are on the verge of collapse. Their existence is directly proportional to the intensity of the monsoon. “For us, more rains means less life for our buildings,” explained Chauhan, son of Devi, who, should land be given by government, would prefer to migrate to any alternative site, along with his mother and unmarried sisters.
“Let the government give alternative sites, we would relocate, provided they pay us the market value,” said Devi, whose poverty has forced the family to live without electricity. “The electricity department disconnected our line five months ago, after we failed to pay the charges.”
Despite her acute poverty, (she makes a living by packaging bulbs) Government babus, also denied her a white ration card. Her Yellow card bearing No 276427 makes her eligible to receive 5 litres of oil and 3 kg of sugar every month.
The condition of others living in such decaying buildings is also similar. “There are many poor tenants who live in there,” said Devi, while showing another building opposite to theirs, which is also on the verge of collapse.
Doonites already knows about the plight of residents of a nearby building that is owned by the LIC and bits of which keep collapsing, particularly during the rains. Come the monsoons, the buildings on Chakrata Road are a disaster waiting to happen.
‘Nishank’ gets boisterous welcome at BJP HQ
“No division in BJP”
By Prabeer Sikdar
DEHRADUN, 25 June 2009: The entry of Uttarakhand’s new CM designate, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, at the State BJP Headquarters on Balbir Road today at around 3:00 p.m. had people falling over each other to greet him. After landing at the Sahastradhara helipad, he was straightway brought to the BJP HQs in a flower bedecked car.
Virtually cornered by supporters and electronic media crew, the BJP office bearers and policemen on duty, utterly failed in managing the crowd, some of whom were waiting at the HQ holding garlands and bouquets in their hands.Ironically, the moment ‘Nishank’ set foot in the compound, initially it was not him that the sloganeering crowd was concerned with. For a couple of minutes, the slogans of ‘Ganesh Joshi zindabad’ rent the air.
The slogan shouting crowd, after realising its mistake, then raised slogans in favour of ‘Nishank’ and also for the outgoing CM BC Khanduri.
By then, some of the excited press photographers, climbed onto the HQ building for that ‘perfect picture’ of Nishank, who was surrounded closely by his supporters near a flag pole in the premises. However, the constant pushing and shoving caught about a dozen people on the wrong foot and they fell down.
One enterprising lady, who had arrived without a garland or a bouquet for the CM designate, quickly collected a fallen garland.
“It is chaotic,” described an old man, who hails from Nishank’s constituency and had come to greet him on his big day.
Even as the electronic media crew members and BJP party workers jostled for a view of ‘Nishank’, a BJP office bearer shouted: ‘Nishank Ko Dabayoge Kya?’ At the same moment, a portly senior photographer fell over the iron chain fence of the garden.
Pushed to the side by the eager and excited crowd, a policeman came out after somebody stepped on his feet. He was seen tying his shoe laces. Three IPS officers, after escorting the CM designate inside the BJP HQ, successfully, had by then heaved a sigh of relief. Sweat had drenched their clothes from top to bottom.
In the ensuing melee during the first 25 minutes of his arrival, whatever he said got drowned in the empty slogans. For some of the electronic media crew, there was only ‘sound but no ‘byte’.
Once inside, the soft spoken ‘Nishank’ told media persons about his desire to realise Khanduri’s mission. “I want to see Uttarakhand emerge as an ideal state,” he said, claiming there ‘is no division within BJP’.
The new to be CM, then, along with other State BJP stalwarts, including Bachi Singh Rawat, BC Khanduri, Ganesh Joshi and other MLAs numbering more than a dozen, attended a closed door meeting for 1:30 hours.
Speaking to Garhwal Post JK Rawat, a retired teacher who hails from Nishank’s Thailsen Assembly constituency and had come to greet him, said that the new CM’s area still lacks proper road connectivity and drinking water.
“There is a Community Health Centre (CHC) in Thailisen block, but patients from here, still have to go to Pauri District HQ for X-rays,” he said, while hoping for good in the days ahead.
Ram Bharti, a social worker from Thailsen, said that education for girls ‘is a problem’. “For over a decade, the locals are demanding upgradation of the only Girls’ High School to Girls’ Inter College,” he disclosed, adding that with ‘Nishank’ at the helm, ‘we expect things to improve’.
Post the closed door meeting, Bachi Singh Rawat, State BJP President, said that the meeting was held in honour of ‘Nishank’.
Refusing to divulge much about the meeting, which according to unconfirmed report, was attended by only Khanduri’s camp followers, said that the state would make progress under ‘Nishank’. “There is no division in the BJP,” Rawat said, when asked to comment about the infighting in BJP.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1403
By Prabeer Sikdar
DEHRADUN, 25 June 2009: The entry of Uttarakhand’s new CM designate, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, at the State BJP Headquarters on Balbir Road today at around 3:00 p.m. had people falling over each other to greet him. After landing at the Sahastradhara helipad, he was straightway brought to the BJP HQs in a flower bedecked car.
Virtually cornered by supporters and electronic media crew, the BJP office bearers and policemen on duty, utterly failed in managing the crowd, some of whom were waiting at the HQ holding garlands and bouquets in their hands.Ironically, the moment ‘Nishank’ set foot in the compound, initially it was not him that the sloganeering crowd was concerned with. For a couple of minutes, the slogans of ‘Ganesh Joshi zindabad’ rent the air.
The slogan shouting crowd, after realising its mistake, then raised slogans in favour of ‘Nishank’ and also for the outgoing CM BC Khanduri.
By then, some of the excited press photographers, climbed onto the HQ building for that ‘perfect picture’ of Nishank, who was surrounded closely by his supporters near a flag pole in the premises. However, the constant pushing and shoving caught about a dozen people on the wrong foot and they fell down.
One enterprising lady, who had arrived without a garland or a bouquet for the CM designate, quickly collected a fallen garland.
“It is chaotic,” described an old man, who hails from Nishank’s constituency and had come to greet him on his big day.
Even as the electronic media crew members and BJP party workers jostled for a view of ‘Nishank’, a BJP office bearer shouted: ‘Nishank Ko Dabayoge Kya?’ At the same moment, a portly senior photographer fell over the iron chain fence of the garden.
Pushed to the side by the eager and excited crowd, a policeman came out after somebody stepped on his feet. He was seen tying his shoe laces. Three IPS officers, after escorting the CM designate inside the BJP HQ, successfully, had by then heaved a sigh of relief. Sweat had drenched their clothes from top to bottom.
In the ensuing melee during the first 25 minutes of his arrival, whatever he said got drowned in the empty slogans. For some of the electronic media crew, there was only ‘sound but no ‘byte’.
Once inside, the soft spoken ‘Nishank’ told media persons about his desire to realise Khanduri’s mission. “I want to see Uttarakhand emerge as an ideal state,” he said, claiming there ‘is no division within BJP’.
The new to be CM, then, along with other State BJP stalwarts, including Bachi Singh Rawat, BC Khanduri, Ganesh Joshi and other MLAs numbering more than a dozen, attended a closed door meeting for 1:30 hours.
Speaking to Garhwal Post JK Rawat, a retired teacher who hails from Nishank’s Thailsen Assembly constituency and had come to greet him, said that the new CM’s area still lacks proper road connectivity and drinking water.
“There is a Community Health Centre (CHC) in Thailisen block, but patients from here, still have to go to Pauri District HQ for X-rays,” he said, while hoping for good in the days ahead.
Ram Bharti, a social worker from Thailsen, said that education for girls ‘is a problem’. “For over a decade, the locals are demanding upgradation of the only Girls’ High School to Girls’ Inter College,” he disclosed, adding that with ‘Nishank’ at the helm, ‘we expect things to improve’.
Post the closed door meeting, Bachi Singh Rawat, State BJP President, said that the meeting was held in honour of ‘Nishank’.
Refusing to divulge much about the meeting, which according to unconfirmed report, was attended by only Khanduri’s camp followers, said that the state would make progress under ‘Nishank’. “There is no division in the BJP,” Rawat said, when asked to comment about the infighting in BJP.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1403
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Gaajna, Pratapnagar residents demand rehab package as promised by Govt
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 19 June 2009:
It is a tale of betrayal for the people of Pratapnagar (Tehri Garhwal) and Gaajna (Uttarakashi) regions. Post the Tehri dam construction, the government went on to make empty promises for the people of these 118 villages, promising better facilities.
But the ideas remained on paper.
“Kuch ni Kartu… Hamaru Nuksan Hoi Gayi (I am jobless, we have suffered losses),” said Shanti Devi, 35, a resident of Pratapnagar (Tehri Garhwal), through an interpreter. She is among the dozens from these regions, on indefinite Dharna near Assembly since 9 June demanding implementation of the economic package announced by the government.
According to government data, there are about 2500 families in Gaajna region, while the number stands at 13000 families for Pratapnagar region.
‘For us, Oorja Pradesh is a myth,” said Jabra Devi Rana, President of ‘Tehri Bandh Prabhavit Sangarsh Samiti’ and a resident of Gaajna region. “Tehri dam may be producing electricity, but 100 out of the 118 villages in these two regions, remain in darkness.”
Though not directly displaced by the Tehri dam, the villagers complain that it has added to their financial woes. “Earlier a Jeep ride (there are no government buses in these two regions) to Rishikesh (a distance of more than 150 kms) from Gaajna/ Pratapnagar would cost us Rs 80. Now, the roundabout journey costs us Rs 180 for a one way ride,” rued Jayantilal, a social worker from the region.
According to Jayantilal, plying government buses there is not feasible. “It is risky even to travel in private jeeps.”
Showing documents, Jayantilal, said that on 26 February, 2009, in a decision taken by Director, Tehri Dam (Rehabilitation) and DM Tehri, for the loss caused to the people of these regions on account of escalation of travel fare, each family was to be paid Rs 1.25 lakhs.
“An ITI centre and a 50-bed hospital were also promised to be set up in our area,” said Jayantilal. “But these promises were not kept.”
Interestingly, in May, 2006, DMs of Uttarakashi and Tehri had promised to introduce subsidise ticket fares in government owned buses. “Forget subsidy, there are no government buses in Gaajna and Pratapnagar,” explained Jayantilal, who is adamant on continuing the agitation, till the release of the package.
“We need the package, because our wheat crops were destroyed this year due to drought.”
He pointed out that the state government makes a profit from Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd, so it must pay the already announced package from it. “Annually, 12 percent (120 crores) profit from the dam goes to the government,” he claimed.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1357
Friday, June 19, 2009
205 HIV+ fresh cases detected in 5 ½ months
Government plans another ART centre in Kumaon
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 18 June 2009: In view of the hardship faced by HIV positive patients, who come to Doon Hospital’s Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre from far-off places, the Government has proposed to start another ATR Centre at Sobhan Singh Base Hospital, Haldwani.
According to sources in Uttarakhand State Aids Control Society (USACS), if everything goes as per plan, the new centre would come up in five months time.
Presently, Uttarakhand’s only ART Centre operates from Doon Hospital, where HIV + and Aids patients are given free drugs. To facilitate affordable treatment for poor patients, USACS has tied up Doon Hospital’s ART Centre with Kargi-based (3 km distance from Doon Hospital) Hope Community Care Centre, where HIV+ patients are provided free shelter, medicines and food.
Since 1 January, 2009, as many as 205 HIV+ fresh cases have been detected from all over the state. Of the case detected till this year, the maximum were from Doon Hospital ICTC (50) and Jolly Grant Hospital (24). The total number of cases since 2002 stands at 2027 HIV+ cases.
Talking to Garhwal Post, Manisha Raturi, Assistant Director, Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC), said that as of now, there were 45 ICTCs spread all over the state. The maximum numbers of ICTCs were located in Dehradun District (8) while the least number was in Bageshwar District (2).
ICTCs in Dehradun District are at CHC Sahiya, Doon Women’s Hospital, Doon Hospital, Herbertpur Christian Hospital, Jolly Grant Hospital, Himalaya Institute Hospital, Landour Community Hospital (Mussoorie) and SPS Govt Hospital (Rishikesh).
“These ICTCs are manned by a counsellor and a lab technician. Here, anyone with doubts can come and undergo free HIV tests,” said Raturi, adding that at present there were two vacancies for counsellors, ‘which would be filled soon’. Recently, at Jakholi (Rudprayag), a new ICTC has also been set up.
However, once tested positive, poor patients, who cannot afford private medical treatment, are forced to come to the ART Centre based at Doon Hospital for free medicines. “This would change once the new ART centre comes up in Kumaon Region (Haldwani),” disclosed Raturi.
According to Lawrence Singh, Project Coordinator of Hope Community Care Centre (an NGO), there ‘are six patients at our centre’. “Most of them are from Kumaon region,” he said, adding that their monthly average number of patients stands around 200 HIV + patients.
Among other facilities, the 10-beded Care Centre has an in-house full time doctor apart from three nurses, 4 outreach workers and a cook. “Everyday, we bring the patients to Doon Hospital’s ART Centre for daily check up by van,” he said, pointing out that at regular intervals, the patients are also made to undergo CD4 tests (to find out the number of white blood cells).
“Treatment at ART centre begins once CD4 counts fall below 250 (the figure for a normal person stands at 500-1000),” said Lawrence, stating that entire cost for the treatment of the patients at the Care Centre ‘is borne by USACS’.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1345
Is all well with Ukhand’s Hydro Power policy?
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 14 June 2009: With frequent power cuts due to an increasing demand-supply gap, the phrase ‘Urja Pradesh’ (Energy State) seems a misnomer for Uttarakhand.
As the power scenario goes on the way from bad to worse in the state, allegations of corruption and double-dealing with regard to handing over hydel-power generation to private players are flying thick in the Power Department.
A case of bungling that has emerged from the cupboard of the department pertains to construction of a 63MW Hydro-Power project on the Tons River in Uttarakashi. The project was officially sanctioned to Krishna Knitwear Technology Limited (KKTL), a Mumbai headquartered company, reportedly in the year 2006.
The said company specialises in manufacturing cotton yarn, polyester yarn, knitted fabrics and garments.
According to official sources, as per the new Hydro-power policy announced by the government in 2008, a company with no prior expertise in the proposed undertaking (hydro-power project in this instance), can be permitted to carry out the project.
“The foremost priority is that a company should be technologically and financially sound,” said a source on condition of anonymity.
However, the twist in the tale is that this very company, even till this month, is yet to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for its proposed Hydro-power project in Uttarakashi, to the government.
Reports now say that KKTL has transferred the project deal to a reputed CD/DVD storage device company, which mainly markets movies at affordable cost, without the knowledge of the powers that be.
Although sources in Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL) say that, as per the new Hydro-power policy, projects can be transferred from one private player to another, there is a rider. “An incomplete project can be taken over by another only after the original lessee submits a DPR, followed by governmental approval for the new company,” said a source, who did not wish to be named, explaining that a change of ownership between two private players without submitting DPR is illegal.
In this case, the DPR filing deadline for KKTL is said to be by August, 2009. It is, however, not known why there has been so much delay in filing the DPR, when hundreds of villages remain in darkness in the state.
Those in the know say that despite having a single window clearance facility, (which operates on paper) the delay is caused on account of many NoCs required from over two dozen State and Central departments.
Meanwhile, with regard to the fate of the KKTL’s Tons River project, government sources are now contemplating issuing a legal notice. ‘We cannot take any action until the deadline passes,” said a government functionary, adding that a fine of Rs 74,000 would be levied per day on the erring private company after the expiry of the deadline.
There is more to this power conundrum than meets the eye. At a time when people are facing power cuts umpteen times, the state government strangely seems to be sporting a devil-may-care attitude.
When Garhwal Post contacted Dharendra Tayal, Director KKTL, he said, “We will submit the Detailed Project Report on time (by August, 2009).”
When he was asked whether it was the first time KKTL (it formed its subsidiary called Tayal Energy Ltd) was getting into the Energy Sector, Dharendra Tayal evaded saying he was in a meeting.
Surprisingly, in an interview to a financial daily, published on 21 July, 2006, Saurabh Kumar Tayal, Chairman of KSL Realty and Infrastructure (another arm of KKTL) had promised to complete the Mori-Hanol Project in Uttarkashi by 2009!
Repeated calls to the office of Yogendra Prasad, Chairman, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam, went unanswered.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Feature&article=1317
Eco-Style
Work minus stress at UJVNL’s green campus
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 13 June 2009: Known for harnessing water to generate power, the sprawling five–acre campus of the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL) near Ballupur Chowk is a shift to its choice of traditional renewable energy sources. Since 2003, the campus’ pathways are being lit up every night by 36 solar street lamps!
This, however, is not just the only 'green' feature here. Here and there in the campus are various species of tall trees: 142 mango, 80 litchi, 63 guava, banana and Sagwan. “This year, we are planning to plant 50 Neem trees inside the campus,” said Vinay Mishra, Manager (Administration & Security), adding that plans were afoot to request some of the 250 employees working, here, to take responsibility for each sapling.
Said to be the brainchild of the founding CMD of UJVNL, the litter free and rich green cover at the campus not only provides a stress free environment for the 250 senior level employees, but is also a preferred choice for winged visitors all through the year. At many places, water bowls have been put in place to let avian members get a respite from the scorching temperature.
“Their numbers increase during winter,” added Vinay.
Situated just a stone's throw away from the chaotic traffic at Ballupur Chowk, the UJVNL Campus came into being at a place where there previously stood an orchard. “It was then known as Maharani Bagh -- a litchi and mango orchard,” said Mishra, recalling that during the construction of the building in 2003, for every tree cut, they planted four more. This rule is still followed here.
As a result, the scenic place, which is sometimes also used for official get togethers and farewell parties, has a positive impact on the work culture. “We never feel burnt out as the atmosphere always remains cool and calm,” feels BCK Mishra, Director (Operations).While there is a planned growth of trees in the front portion of the campus, there is thick growth of vegetation on the left side, where there are innumerable fruit trees and also home to many wild creatures.
Due to the abundance of fruit bearing trees, UJVNL, interestingly, also earns some money. “Every year, we invite bids for fruit plucking and maintenance of trees,” informed Vinay, pointing out that, on an average, they earn around Rs 20,000 and above, varying from season to season.
Though the shady cover is a convenient place for yoga and meditation classes, nothing of the sort has happened, as yet. Nevertheless, the green campus, which is better maintained than the State Forest Headquarters, is a welcome change for any state owned entity in the city. But, are other government owned institutions ready to replicate the UJVNL campus experiment?
Friday, June 12, 2009
Are sandalwood trees safe in Rangers’ College?
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 10 June: Rangers’ College, the city centre of FRI’s Shatabdi Van Vigyan Kendra (near Parade Ground), apart from being used as a place to provide training to farmers/ election officials, is also known for its rich and green biodiversity.
A quick stroll inside the 13-acre campus gives one a first hand glimpse of more than a hundred odd foreign species of trees from Myanmar, Africa, China, Honduras, Argentina, Brazil, etc. But the most notable among this foreign lot is Santalum album, the Indian Sandalwood tree.
Half-a-dozen sandalwood trees still stand inside the campus at various places, which have regenerated naturally through seeds from bird droppings. However, an originally planted sandalwood tree (diameter about a metre), whose age could not be known, also stands majestically at the far end of the main building. It is surrounded with iron fencing.
“We are cautious about sandalwood trees and have taken all precautions,” said JS Rana, a worker who looks after the premises. Notably, apart from two security guards, there is also additional security cover provided by two stray dogs – Lalu and Julie.
“These stray dogs have taken shelter inside the campus and always remain ready to pounce on any intruder in the night,” said another worker.
It is worth noting that the Santalum Album variety of sandalwood trees are regarded as of prime kind and is known to yield enough essential oils.
Significantly, because of its importance, anti-socials had also targeted it some years ago. “Four years ago, two sandalwood trees on the west side of the campus were felled, but they did not succeed due to timely intervention of the security guard,” said an employee.Bureaucratic complacency, however, has failed to take appropriate measures regarding a dried sandalwood tree, which has been standing for many years. “It dried up about 9-10 years ago, but as we are not authorised to cut it, it has remained like this,” said another worker at Rangers’ College.
It may be recalled that a few months ago, a watchman had to lose his life after he accosted sandalwood smugglers.
When contacted, Dr S Biswas, Head, Botany Division (FRI) acknowledged that protecting these precious trees was a difficult task. “No sandalwood tree is safe anywhere,” he told Garhwal Post.
Aesthetically, nonetheless, the most beautiful tree inside Rangers’ College is the Podocarpus Gracilior, a tree native to Uganda and Kenya. Densely covered with leaves, elongated and short shaped, the tree is a treat for the eyes from a distance. “It is more than 100 years old,” added Biswas, pointing out that all the 100 plus trees originally planted inside the campus during the 1880’s still survive.
A few trees, however, have given in to natural decay, and perished. There is also an old rubber tree, a huge branch of which had fallen due to a storm, two years ago. “This tree cannot be used for commercial purposes,” stated Biswas.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1290
Ganga is at par with National Flag: MC Mehta
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 4 June 2009: Mahesh Chander Mehta has to his credit more than 100 cases devoted to environmental protection in India. (A Google search of his name would generate 668,000 web pages!).
Beginning with his PIL (public Interest Litigation) on Taj Mahal Pollution case (1996), which resulted in the apex court banning use of coal/ coke in 200 factories surrounding the wonderful monument, he hasn’t looked back.
On World Environment Day (5th June), Mehta, winner of Ramon Magasaysay Award for public service (1997), is getting readied to launch a three-volume book (To be published by Prakriti Publications -- cost Rs 3000) detailing about his personal battles/ hardships encountered in his 30 famous cases including behind the scene stories.
During his short visit to Dehradun, he spoke to Garhwal Post and shared his concerns on environmental issues. Some excerpts.
What is special about your forthcoming book?
In my book I have recounted my personal experiences, which I faced during my court battles on environmental issues. I have tried to answer the politics/allegations/threats surrounding those cases. In all the three volumes, which mainly deal with Human Rights and Environment, I covered details about 30 cases only.
Sometime back, you went on record to say that India is not a poor country? Please elaborate
I still stand by what I had said that India is not a poor country. Provided, we Indians learn to manage our natural resources properly.
Take for instance the problem of drinking water crisis in different parts of India. Recently, from media, I came to know that some people in Bhopal were even willing to donate blood for drinking water.
What we need to do is conserve water and keep rivers clean from chemicals. Ironically, we completely neglected the upkeep of lakes, rivers and ground water resources in the country.
You are also known to be against construction of dams? How true?
This is untrue. I am not against construction of dams provided they are small and based on the Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity. But what is happening in Uttarakhand is that in the name of run-of the river damming, river water is being diverted in some projects in Uttarkashi.
What we must understand that Ganga, which has been elevated to the status of a National River, supports 450 million Indians.
A different section of environmental activists, after the stoppage of construction work on hydel power dam (Maneri Bhali) by the government have cited loss of employment/development in the state? Your reaction
Development should always be looked at from a wider perspective. Say for instance if majority gains but it also causes loss to a section of the minority in the process, the former should be given more importance.
If employment is an argument, the government can also take suitable steps by hiring unemployed youths for afforestation activities/ cultivation of fruit trees in the hills backed by a planned marketing strategy.
With regard to Uttarakhand’s power requirements, apart from Hydel power, the government could also tap solar and wind energy for meeting its energy needs. Unfortunately, instead of subsidising solar based implements like solar cooker/ solar lamps, the state government chooses to provide subsidized LPG cylinders to the poor, which is a lopsided policy.
Do you think the status of a National River would help protect Ganga?
Its status, legally, has definitely gone up after being categorised as a National River. Now, it is up to us how we treat her. Legally, Ganga’s status, now, is at par with our national flag. As we cannot disfigure the national flag, in the like manner, the same is also true of Ganga.
Unfortunately, in the name of tradition, we are also adding up pollution in the Ganga by throwing in wastes. This should be stopped.
But MC Mehta Vs Union of India (Ganga pollution case, 1987) only deals with management of industrial wastes and not wastes caused as a result of tradition followed by Hindus?Despite any apex guidelines on the latter aspect in this case, appropriate authorities viz District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate can take action under Section 133 of CrPC. But unfortunately, there is no political will.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1291
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Death of a sister…
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 27 May 2009: Surendra Nautiyal, younger brother of Anshu Nautiyal – the girl who was strangulated on Saturday morning – is at a loss for words. “She was a simple girl and had no friends at all – neither in our neighbourhood nor in her college (DAV College, where she was a student of B Com Ist year),” said Surendra, who himself is a first year student of a Polytechnic Institute at Suddhowala.
Ironically, with BCom Ist year results of Garhwal University coinciding with her tragic killing, Anshu’s family is least bothered about how she had fared in her first year exam. “She secured above 60% in her Plus Two from Nari Shilp. Plus, apart from working at the PCO (Rs 1000 per month for personal expenses), she never missed her BCom tutorials at Mitr Lok Colony,” added Surendra, pointing out that ‘by nature, my sister was an introvert.’
“I had filled the DAV admission form on her behalf and also took her to the exam centre.” Daughter of a retired Group IV employee of Survey of India, Anshu reportedly kept her mother informed before leaving for any place. “Even to visit our neighbourhood shops, she always informed our mother.”
But, then, what happened in this case? “The PCO owner, by nature, used to enquire from me, whenever she was late (the PCO at Paltan Bazar reportedly opened at 10 a.m.) or sick. But this time, he did not inform us and also kept his phone switched off,” he added, pointing out that his sister did not have a mobile phone.
Though police reports say that the killer strangulated Anshu at around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Anshu’s family feel that they could have saved her if the PCO owner had informed them when she did not reach her work place.Anshu has two other sisters including three brothers. “She was the youngest of the siblings,” informed Harish Nautiyal, elder brother of Anshu, who along with their neighbours were on a dharna at Gandhi Park this evening.“Forget about a mobile phone, she even used to walk the three kms distance on foot from Sridev Suman Nagar Colony to the Paltan Bazar PCO.”
Harish, who is a private worker, added that his sister being gullible in nature, ‘anybody could easily talk to her’.
There was a delay in filing an FIR due to confusion over territorial jurisdiction between Bindal Chowki and Khurbura Chowki in the night of Saturday, 23 May.
“As per the law laid down by the Supreme Court, police cannot refuse to register an FIR on the ground that they do not have jurisdiction. If, however, after investigation is over, if the police come to the conclusion that they have no jurisdiction, they should forward the case to the magistrate empowered to take cognisance of the offence,” said Sarit Sharma, a lawyer practicing at the Dehradun District Court.
“The Apex Court gave this ruling in the Satvinder Kaur vs State of Delhi in 1999,” he said, adding that family members in cases of inaction by the police in disappearance/ kidnap cases could also approach the HC for issuance of Mandamus/ Habeas Corpus as well as also complain to the Human Rights Commission.However, it is another matter that Uttarakhand does not have its own State Human Rights Commission.
“The poor get no justice,” said Vimal, one of Anshu’s neigbours.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Feature&article=1216
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
ICFAI University does not need AICTE approval: VC
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 26 May 2009: Professor Prabhakar Anant Kulkarni, VC of ICFAI University, Dehradun, who is in the eye of the storm following the varsity’s BTech students (848) demanding AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) recognition of their courses, is pretty much acquainted with the latter’s working.
“Previously, I worked as AICTE’s Western Region member for 10 years,” Kulkarni told Garhwal Post, while appealing to the agitating students to join classes.
Speaking exclusively to Garhwal Post, Kulkarni said that following their agitation since 27 March, the students had fallen behind their academic schedule by 4 weeks. “All semesters should have ended by 27 April,” he said, reasoning that final year BTech students (about 70 in Biotechnology, Electronics and Computer Science) had appeared for their final year exam today.
The agitation also forced the varsity to postpone its semester exams for Ist and 2nd year, which were scheduled for 13-14 May. “If normalcy returns, we are ready to reschedule our academic calendar. The management is even ready to hold extra-classes to complete the remaining syllabus in 18-20 days before holding their exam,” he added.
Interestingly, and quite inexplicably, while on the one hand, while final year BTech students took their exam today, their juniors chose to continue their agitation near the Assembly. “Some of the agitating ICFAI students have become tools in the hands of opportunists,” the VC alleged.
“If their agitation had merit, then the final year BTech students would not have appeared for their exam today.”
Affiliation issue
Answering an issue, which was raised by the agitating students (See Garhwal Post story, published yesterday), Kulkarni said that Section 8 (r) of The ICFAI University Act, 2003 had wrongly mentioned the word ‘AICTE’ after and. “The word ‘covered’ does not mean affiliation from AICTE,” he said, adding that ‘had the lawmakers intended the University seek affiliation from AICTE, they would have clearly mentioned it in the Act itself’.
“Section 8 (r) is in conformity with sec 22 of the UGC Act, which prescribes the nomenclature of the degrees that can be given by a university. But AICTE, with no such nomenclature, was wrongly inserted in the 2003 ICFAI Act.”
Admission wrangle
On the other issue of ICFAI’s plan to give admission to students from ICFAI’s other independent institutions based in Bangalore, Jaipur, Hyderabad, etc., he said the 2003 ICFAI Act permitted them to do so. “Section 8 (u) permits us to admit students from other institutions,” he said, clarifying that in 2005, following the closure of Rai University, ICFAI Academic Council had given admission to 4 of its students in Dehradun.
(However, when contacted for his opinion, Kaushelendra Singh, ICFAI Student Union leader said, “As per law, transfer of students can take place from one UGC recognized university to another UGC recognized university.” According to him, ICFAI BTech students of Doon would suffer if others are allowed in as it would affect quality of teaching…)
On the question of whose responsibility it was to see whether ICFAI University, Dehradun conformed to the AICTE norms or not, the VC stated that their Board of Governors and Board of Management included nominees of the government/UGC.
“While, in the ICFAI Board of Management, the state government can nominate one Principal Secretary/ Secretary to the state government, Higher Education, for the Board of Governors, the UGC has already nominated Prof Ashish Dutta. Similarly, the State Governor has also nominated two members –Mrs Brar (Welham Girls Principal) and Shalendu Neogi (ex-Director GAIL),” he asserted, adding that in case of any requirements they are authorised to bring it to the notice of the University.
NAAC rating
Kulkarni emphasised that in view of the importance of NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) ratings among employers, ICFAI University, Dehradun ‘is planning to apply for it’. “In 2/3 months time, we would be applying for NAAC ratings for all the courses of the varsity,” he said, adding that being an autonomous body of UGC, for NAAC ratings, a prior existence of five years for a varsity ‘is mandated’.
“Apart from this, ICFAI University, Dehradun has also been accorded provisional membership to the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). In due course, we would become a full-fledged AIU member,” he said.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1184
Son of sitting MP also among striking ICFAI students
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 25 May 2009: Harihar Mishra, a BTech III year Computer Science student of ICFAI University, Dehradun is a celebrity among his friends, who are on dharna outside the Assembly seeking AICTE approval for their BTech courses. “My father – Ram Prakash Mishra – is a Member of Parliament from UP’s Shahjahanpur,” Harihwar told Garhwal Post, adding that he has informed his father about their ongoing agitation.
Among the 300-odd ICFAI’s BTech students, who had gathered near the Assembly today, there was also Sanjay Patel, IIIrd year Computer Science student, whose father is an ex-MP from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh State. “He belongs to BSP,” said Patel, who unknown to his heavyweight politician father, is on a hunger strike since last Monday at their protest site.
“I am just living on plain water,” added red-eyed Patel, pointing out that in the last eight days, he had lost 7-8 kgs.
Since March 27 (see Garhwal Post story published yesterday), ICFAI’s BTech students are on a warpath seeking AICTE affiliation for their courses. Following the hunger strike by over a dozen students since last week, two students – Rahul and Vivek – have been hospitalised so far.
Ultra Vires
Speaking to Garhwal Post, Kaushelendra Singh, ICFAI Student Union leader, said that ICFAI University, Dehradun was planning to accommodate students from its other centres from Hyderabad, Bangalore and Jaipur to Dehradun. “This is illegal,” he said explaining that following the Apex Court guidelines given in Prof Yashpal vs Govt of Chhattisgarh (2005) had nullified Section 7 (b) of the The ICFAI University Act, 2003 enacted by the Uttarakhand Government, even with retrospective effect.
The said section reads: ICFAI University, Dehradun can establish a campus in the state, and have study centres at different places in India and other countries.
According to the protesting students, the impugned section was not amended by the state government in tune with the Apex Court guidelines. “Already, there is an infrastructure problem, then how can they accommodate an additional 3000 students at one place,” Singh asked. “By August, students from other centres would be given admission here.”
Reading from The ICFAI University Act, 2003, the students also allege that acquiring AICTE affiliation by the University was mandated under the said Act. “As per Section 8 ( r ) of the said Act, they require permission from UGC and AICTE for running degree courses,” pointed out Singh.
The said section reads: ICFAI University, Dehradun can prescribe such courses for Bachelors Degrees, PG… which would be covered by UGC and AICTE…(What though is the definition of ‘covered’ in this contest is difficult to decipher.)
University’s stand
When contacted, Prof Prabhakar Anant Kulkarni, VC of ICFAI University, Dehradun said that about 1000 plus students ‘have expressed their desire to complete their BTech course fom ICFAI, Dehradun’. “The paperwork for acquiring University status for ICFAI’s other independent institutions in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Bhuvaneshwar is underway,” he explained.
He also denied that with the arrival of more students at ICFAI University, Dehradun would affect the quality of teaching. “We have already appointed 47 faculty members from IITs and other reputed institutions for BTech programmes in Biotech, CS, Electronics and Mechanical in Jan/Feb itself.
”On the issue of AICTE approval raised by the protesting students, he said that ICFAI University, Dehradun was within the ambit of law. “As per the existing law, getting AICTE approval is not needed for a University. A regulation free administration works better,” he emphasised.
About the problems faced by some passed out students on account of alleged rejection of their job applications by some PSUs he said, “We have filed an RTI on 5 May with the HRD Ministry seeking its stand on three points: 1. Whether ICFAI University, Dehradun requires AICTE approval. If it is not, then are the students eligible to apply for government jobs…”
“We expect to get a reply soon,” he hoped, adding that with the arrival of students from ICFAI’s other institutions from other states it would ‘lead to the development of a cosmopolitan character in ICFAI. “There would also be increased competition among students, which is good.”
He, however, said that new students would be admitted from other ICFAI centres ‘based on their capability to provide them academic facilities’.
Commenting on proposed amendment of Section 7 of The ICFAI University Act, 2003 following SC verdict in Yashpal case by the Uttarakhand government, he said, “I don’t think the Yashpal case has any connection with the proposed amendment of section 7 of The ICFAI University Act, 2003.”
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Feature&article=1173
AICTE Mess: ICFAI’s BTech students have a point…
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 24 May 2009: Legal complexities, it seems, have become roadblocks to the future of 848 BTech students doing courses viz Computer Science, Electronics & Communication, BTech Biotech and BTech (Mechanical) from ICFAI University, here.
Faced with rejection of their job applications (first batch in the four above mentioned courses have passed out) from Delhi Metro, Indian Navy and Technical Branches of the Indian Army on the ground that their degrees are not recognised by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), have forced their juniors to boycott their college.
Beginning their protests from ICFAI campus, Selaqui, on 27 March, they have been staging dharnas at all the well-known protest sites outside the Secretariat and State Assembly premises.
“We have been misled by ICFAI University,” said Kaushelendra Singh, ICFAI Student Union leader and a third year student of Computer Science, who is on a hunger strike with his classmates inside a temporary tarpaulin tent near the Assembly.
AICTE fixture
The students say that although ICFAI University, Dehradun is recognised by UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956, and statutorily created by Uttarakhand Government under ICFAI University Act 2003 (Act No.16 of 2003), they still require AICTE recognition to apply for government jobs.
“There are some PSUs as well as private institutions that compulsorily look at whether a BTech institution has AICTE recognition or not. They are not ready to listen to our explanations,” added Singh, pointing out that the Apex Court guideline issued in the case of Bharathidsan University vs AICTE (in 2001) had certain loopholes.
Apex Court stand
A clear reading of the Apex Court judgment in the famous case relating to the requirement of AICTE approval for BTech courses, a copy of which is with Garhwal Post, leads to contradictory interpretations.
In that case, the Supreme Court had held: Under AICTE Act, 1987, a University is not needed to acquire prior approval of AICTE for conducting technical education courses of its choice. Ironically, the same judgment adds another clause, which reads: However, a University is obliged to conform to the standards and norms laid down by AICTE.
Now, the point is who would see whether the University (ICFAI University, Dehradun in this case) conforms to the standards and norms laid down by AICTE? According to the protesting ICFAI students, the responsibility lies with the State Government. “It is the state government (during the tenure of ND Tiwari regime) that gave legal recognition to ICFAI University, Dehradun by legislating the ICFAI University Act 2003 (Act No.16 of 2003). So, if there is any problem, it is the government's duty to rectify it,” Singh explained.
Interestingly, though ICFAI University, Dehradun did not feel the need to acquire AICTE recognition for running BTech programmes, it acquired recognition for other programmes. The website maintained by the University says that for its law programmes it has Bar Council of India recognition, while for its Bachelors' Programme in Education, it has acquired NCTE’s (National Council of Teacher Education) recognition.
Whether it was the silence of the Bharathidsan case in Law as well as BEd programmes that has led it to seek approval for these courses, is not known.
Meanwhile, the unsolved problem is forcing students to miss out their academic career since 27 March, 2009. The fallout of the impasse over the AICTE affiliation would hit mostly the non-local students, who constitute almost 90% of the BTech students’ strength. “We are mostly from Bihar/Jharkhand, UP, Delhi, West Bengal, while the rest are from Uttarakhand,” said Anuj Kumar Singh, a resident of Patna and a III rd year ECE student, adding that he took admission after reading a survey done by a prominent magazine on ICFAI.
“The survey did not mention whether it has AICTE affiliation or not. But it only ranked private universities as per which ICFAI Hyderabad was placed in good rank,” he recalled.“When we took admission, we never imagined we would run into any sort of problem in the future as it was recognised by UGC and established by a State Act. Now, what we have learnt is that AICTE recognition is of paramount importance,” said Swamy Srivastav, a resident of Faizabad and first year student pursuing Computer Science.
Swamy’s elder brother reportedly is a final year BTech student at ICFAI’s Hyderabad campus. “All BTech students of ICFAI campuses in the rest of India like Bangalore, Jaipur and Hyderabad get their degrees from ICFAI University, Dehradun,” he said, pointing out that this was against law."My brother is more confused than me, as he has successfully bagged a job with a good software company though off-campus placement. By July, he has to produce his certificates, which have to go from ICFAI University, Dehradun," he informed.
Recently, in reply to an RTI query filed by a student of ICFAI University, Dehradun on 16 April (a copy is with Garhwal Post), the UGC on the question whether constituent colleges of ICFAI University, Dehradun were approved by UGC, replied: ICFAI University, Dehradun cannot open any off campus centre beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Uttarakhand as per the decision of the Apex Court in the Prof Yashpal vs Govt of Chattisgarh case. The university also cannot grant affiliation to any college.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1158
Plus two topper from Welhams aims to be CA
By PRABEER SIKDAR
Dehradun, 21 May 2009: Unlike what is common is Bihar among academically brilliant, Pranay Todi, a Welhamite, who topped Commerce Stream in the state by securing 98.75% in ICSE, wants to be a CA. “I am not cut out for Civils,” Todi told Garhwal Post, post his victory in the percentage war, from his home at West Champaran District, Bihar.
“My interests have been more oriented towards MNCs, stock markets and not others.”
The affable guy from Bihar, who after completing his class X from Assembly of God Church School (Bihar) joined Welham Boys, set a new academic record for his school as well. But he was not entirely the bookish kind in school.
“I was the captain of our school Table Tennis team and also took active in squash, cricket, football, volleyball, writing (was editor of ‘Sankalp’ the school’s Hindi magazine), School prefect, quizzer …,” said Todi, while crediting his success to a perfect blend between academics and extra-curricular activities at school.
Success Secrets
Todi is proud of being a Welhamite. He makes a case for boarding school education when it comes to scoring marks. “Unlike Day Scholars, who most often join tutorials after school, a boarder has to participate in extra-curricular activities,” he said, reasoning that such exposure broadens mind. “I also never missed weekly movies screened by our School Film Society,” he added, while underscoring the need for entertainment.
Citing other reasons for his success, he said that group study with his friends also helped a lot. “We friends did both—study and masti – together,” he disclosed, explaining that spending quality study hours was more important than studying at a stretch.
“Though I did not attend any tutorial classes, my teachers at Welham Boys were always there to help,” he informed, adding that apart from good teachers for conceptual clarity, for better scoring, one also needs to master the art of writing answers accompanied by a lot of practice.
Son of a businessman, Todi, who is now preparing for his CA Foundation Exam (to be held in June), wants to join B Com (Honours) in Delhi University’s FRCC.
Monday, May 25, 2009
U’khand LS verdict: Implications for voters
By PRABEER SIKDAR:
DEHRADUN, 17 May 2009: With all Congress candidates bagging the LS seats in Uttarakhand, there is now an intellectual debate about what it would eventually entail for the voters, who had voted for the Congress and those who had opted for the BJP.
For instance, with the Election Commission choosing to display the final vote figure constituency wise, it is public knowledge as to how many voted for a particular party in a given constituency.
Post the verdict, it is interesting to note that sitting Congress MP Vijay Bahuguna, who successfully retained his seat from the Tehri LS constituency, had fared badly from Tehri proper, i.e., he secured 10,930 votes as compared to Rana’s 13,094 votes.
Other constituencies, where Bahuguna lost to the BJP were Purola, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Ghansali and Dhanolti. The moot point is: Whether this factor will be considered or would affect in any way Bahuguna’s (or any other Congress MP in the other four constituencies in similar cases) when it comes to spending under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MP LAD) funds.
(As per rule, each Lok Sabha MP gets a choice of suggesting to the DM developmental works to the tune of Rs 2 crores per annum in his/her constituency every year.)
“No,” says Shankar Chand Ramola, General Secretary, Uttarakhand PCC and Chief Campaign Manager of the party during the poll. “There would be no partiality. All developmental works in the constituencies would be carried out based on priorities and necessities,” he asserts, adding that due to delimitation, some of the assembly constituencies were new, so the verdict, in some areas, went against the party candidates.
“There would be no revenge factor in play,” he emphasises, pointing out that winning Congress candidates, would ‘sincerely implement Central government schemes under NREGA, Bharat Nirman, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, etc., in their respective constituencies impartially.
A similar view was also echoed by Harish Virmani, City Congress President, who was instrumental in setting up electoral committees in all the 60 wards for Congress Party candidates – Vijay Bahuguna and Harish Rawat. “Logically, in view of the next Assembly Election in the state (three years down the line), the Congress party would strive to see that there are more development works in areas where we secured less votes,” he underscores, while making a strong case against CM Khanduri, who he says should ‘step down on moral grounds’.
EC’s Motive
Though it is not clear why, despite being an LS election, the EC did not object to release of voter data constituency wise, a lower level Congress party worker confides anonymously that ‘it gives scope for partiality’. Though only time would tell on where the winning candidates choose to spend their MPLAD fund, the method itself appears questionable.
However, Ramola defends the present system saying, “This shows the way voters voted for a party. As a consequence, now, a party would put in more efforts in areas where it got less support.” “Work would be positive in negative areas,” says Jitendra Chauhan, another City Congress worker.
An inevitable corollary leading out from this predicament is: Whether the BJP state government would ‘punish’ those constituencies which did not vote for the BJP candidates or put in more effort to woo them back to the fold before the Assembly election also remains to be seen.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1040
Friday, May 22, 2009
NDA topper Dhar wants to join Naval Academy
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 20 May 2009: The 17-year-old Abindu Dhar had watched American swimmer Michael Phelps making his record haul at 2008 Beijing Olympics on television. So, it is no surprise that the final year RIMC cadet, who topped the NDA exam this year, wants to join the Naval Academy, Goa after his three year stint at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.
“I like swimming,” he told Garhwal Post.
Son of a Jammu based government officer, Dhar not only has a blazer in Academics (aggregate of all academic performances beginning from class VIII), but also actively coordinates with his fellow cadets in taking out RIMC’s Monthly Chronicle. “I am also the secretary of our College Journalism Club,” said Dhar, appearing indifferent to his success.Apart from Dhar, this year, 14 other RIMC cadets also got selected in the NDA Exam, which was taken by over three lakh students all over India. Of these, eight cadets found a place in the top 50.
Sharing his success with Garhwal Post, Dhar said that one should have a focused attitude to tackle the exam. “Unlike other competitive tests, NDA is different as one has to know a bit of everything,” he explained.
“From English to GK, biology, physics, geology, chemistry etc., everything has to be covered. The emphasis should be more on mathematics (plus one and two),” he said, while giving credit to RIMC faculty, especially SK Tyagi and Rachna Malhotra, for his success.“One also has to take extra burden to learn concepts of Biology, Physics and Chemistry again as only class 10 level questions are asked.”
Coaching
On the need for coaching to crack NDA, Dhar pointed out that one can do well even without coaching. “For psychological tests also, coaching is not required but it may be useful for performing endurance/ obstacle tests,” he said, while advising NDA aspirants to give emphasis on physical fitness. “Jogging for a while everyday also helps,” he suggested.
SSB Experience
Dhar, who was called to Bhopal for his five-day SSB test, said that he was caught on the wrong foot after the interviewer asked him to list five negative things about RIMC. “I knew the positive things but was totally clueless about anything negative about it,” he acknowledged.
“Except this question, I convincingly answered the others,” he added.
Maritime thoughts
Referring to maritime security lapses in the Mumbai episode, Dhar said, “There should be more coordination among Navy, Coast Guards and the police.”
Compared to Pakistan’s naval strength, Dhar said that India was on a better footing. “While India is able to produce indigenous aircraft carriers at the Kochi shipyard, Pakistan is not,” he said.
About the future requirements of the Indian Navy, he made a case for induction of nuclear submarines. “Unfortunately, we do not have the capability of producing indigenous nuclear subs, but some day, India will,” he asserted.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1090
DEHRADUN, 20 May 2009: The 17-year-old Abindu Dhar had watched American swimmer Michael Phelps making his record haul at 2008 Beijing Olympics on television. So, it is no surprise that the final year RIMC cadet, who topped the NDA exam this year, wants to join the Naval Academy, Goa after his three year stint at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.
“I like swimming,” he told Garhwal Post.
Son of a Jammu based government officer, Dhar not only has a blazer in Academics (aggregate of all academic performances beginning from class VIII), but also actively coordinates with his fellow cadets in taking out RIMC’s Monthly Chronicle. “I am also the secretary of our College Journalism Club,” said Dhar, appearing indifferent to his success.Apart from Dhar, this year, 14 other RIMC cadets also got selected in the NDA Exam, which was taken by over three lakh students all over India. Of these, eight cadets found a place in the top 50.
Sharing his success with Garhwal Post, Dhar said that one should have a focused attitude to tackle the exam. “Unlike other competitive tests, NDA is different as one has to know a bit of everything,” he explained.
“From English to GK, biology, physics, geology, chemistry etc., everything has to be covered. The emphasis should be more on mathematics (plus one and two),” he said, while giving credit to RIMC faculty, especially SK Tyagi and Rachna Malhotra, for his success.“One also has to take extra burden to learn concepts of Biology, Physics and Chemistry again as only class 10 level questions are asked.”
Coaching
On the need for coaching to crack NDA, Dhar pointed out that one can do well even without coaching. “For psychological tests also, coaching is not required but it may be useful for performing endurance/ obstacle tests,” he said, while advising NDA aspirants to give emphasis on physical fitness. “Jogging for a while everyday also helps,” he suggested.
SSB Experience
Dhar, who was called to Bhopal for his five-day SSB test, said that he was caught on the wrong foot after the interviewer asked him to list five negative things about RIMC. “I knew the positive things but was totally clueless about anything negative about it,” he acknowledged.
“Except this question, I convincingly answered the others,” he added.
Maritime thoughts
Referring to maritime security lapses in the Mumbai episode, Dhar said, “There should be more coordination among Navy, Coast Guards and the police.”
Compared to Pakistan’s naval strength, Dhar said that India was on a better footing. “While India is able to produce indigenous aircraft carriers at the Kochi shipyard, Pakistan is not,” he said.
About the future requirements of the Indian Navy, he made a case for induction of nuclear submarines. “Unfortunately, we do not have the capability of producing indigenous nuclear subs, but some day, India will,” he asserted.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1090
Doon film buffs kept ‘Zanjeer’ going for 15 weeks
Flashback
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 19 May 2009: Prakash Mehra, a small town man from Bijnor who gave Amitabh Bachchan the persona of ‘Angry Young Man’, is dead but the ‘fire’ in his films, still linger on in memories.
Take for instance, Manohar Yadav, 45, a private worker (near Raj Plaza) and self-proclaimed fan of Amitabh Bachchan, who despite his advancing age still nurtures the angry young man image of Vijay, the character played by Big B in many films. “I watched Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) thrice,” Yadav told Garhwal Post.
The film, which ran for 16 weeks at Kanak Cinema, drew a houseful crowd for three weeks. “During that time, we paid Rs 2 lakhs advance, considered very high that time, to get the film,” recalled LS Dhawan, Manager of Kanak Cinema, adding that the Balcony seat then cost only Rs 5.
“The front circle cost Rs 1.90 paise and Rs 3 was the price for Upper Stall,” he said, adding that all Mehra-Big B films pulled in heavy crowds. It is another story that Kanak Cinema, now, makes money mostly by showing Bhojpuri movies.
At Payal Cinema, which screened the Mehra directed ‘Sharaabi’ (1984) for 16 weeks, the film reportedly drew a houseful crowd for 7 weeks. “Mehra’s film ‘Namak Halaal’ (1982), ran a repeat screening after being shown at Prabhat Cinema, for 12 weeks,” recalled Taranjeet Singh Kohli, a man looking after Payal Theatre’s parking lot for more than 25 years.
According to Chhotu Rehman, who runs Chhaya Scooter Centre opposite Payal Theatre, ticket seekers for ‘Sharaabi’ formed serpentine queues running up to the main road. “Then, the show timings used to be 12-3, 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 p.m.,” he disclosed, pointing out that excess crowd used to disturb their work.
In contrast, Payal, where a dubbed version of Hollywood film ‘Island Mummy’ is currently being shown, had only 20 people inside the 945 seat theatre at the 4 p.m. show.
But one man who witnessed the soaring popularity of Big B in Doon among film buffs (then there were no Cable TV, CDs, DVDs, etc.) clearly, is Bala Kishen, 56, a lineman- turned-machine operator-turned booking counter staff at Prabhat Theatre.
“Prakash Mehra’s three hit films – Zanjeer (1973), Laawaris (1981) and Namak Halal (1982) – were screened at Prabhat Theatre,” informed Kishen, who has been working at the same theatre for more than 35 years.
“Zanjeer ran for 15 weeks and always used to block traffic for hours during the show,” recollected Kishen, adding that tickets then were priced at Rs 3.60 for the balcony. “The die hard fans in the front seats only paid 60 paise.”
According to Kishen, Mehra’s ‘Laawaris’ (1981) ran for 14 weeks, while Namak Halal (1982) had a successful run of 13 weeks. (Unfortunately, due to non-release of new films, Prabhat Theatre is now screening a repeat of the Aamir Khan starrer ‘Ghajini’ with only a handful crowd.
Interestingly, following Zanjeer’s successful run of 100 days here, Mehra gifted a memento to the owner of Prabhat theatre. The memento, which depicts the figure of a jumping horse, is still carefully preserved.
But why horse? “The horse symbol had a pivotal place in the plot of Zanjeer,” explained Kishen. “Vijay (Big B) comes to know about the identity of the villain Teja (Ajit), only by looking at the bracelet that had a horse tied to it…,” Kishen pointed out.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Arora greets Bond on his 75th B’day
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 19 May 2009: Upendra Arora, owner of the Rajpur Road based The Green Bookshop and a longtime friend of Ruskin Bond, was the first to greet the eminent author on his 75th birthday at the latter’s Ivy Cottage in Landour.
“I drove up to Mussoorie and was the first to greet him at 10:30 a.m.,” said Arora, adding that he congratulated Bond’s adopted son – Prem and his wife – for looking after the ageing author with love and affection.
According to Arora, whose book shop the author frequented (he still does, sometimes) to browse classics written by the likes of Thomas Hardy, Henry Fielding, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, etc., while staying in Doon (he lived in Astley Hall and Old Survey Road for some years), he presented Bond a multi-coloured carnation bouquet.
“Carnation flowers are Bond’s weakness,” Arora disclosed, pointing out that Bond had revealed this to him many years ago. “We have been friends for the last 25 years.”During his short but sweet visit at Bond’s Landour home, Arora pointed out that a mother-son duo had come all the way from Mumbai to greet the author. “The mother, who is known to me, had promised her son a visit to Bond’s home if he fared well in his exams,” said Arora, while emphasising his popularity among children.
So far, according to Arora, Penguin India has published more than 70 books authored by Bond. “About 40 titles are still in print,” he informed, adding that 25 more titles have been published by Rupa.
Among Bond’s bestselling books include ‘Rain in the Mountains’, ‘Friends in Small Places, The Room on the Roof’, Bond’s collected fiction, Book of Nature, Best of Bond, etc., revealed Arora.
Bond’s secrets
On being asked to reveal the secrets of his good health, Bond reportedly told Arora, “Be content with life and try to take some time off to look out of the window…”
“I don’t envy anyone. I don’t believe in grabbing what is not mine, because it leads to stress and unhappiness in life…,” said Bond, while crediting these principles for his good health and longevity.
Meanwhile, The Green Bookshop is stockpiling Bond’s popular books for its upcoming programme in Doon on May 23. “The programme is titled Come, Meet & Greet Bond, which will also be attended by Ravi Singh, CEO of Penguin India,” Arora told Garhwal Post.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1070
Slowdown Marriages: Matchmakers give mixed verdict
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 18 May 2009: While laid off IT employees in Hyderabad and Bangalore are finding it difficult to tie the nuptial knot, for Doon based would be brides and grooms, the problem in the slowdown period is of a different kind.
“A change in the selection criteria of would-be-grooms has come about due to the slowdown,” says Bhupender Singh, owner of the Neshville Road based Gurukripa Sangam Matrimonial Services, a Marriage Bureau that specialises only in Punjabi matches from four major Punjabi sub-groups viz Bannu, Hazara, Arora and Khukrain.
“Now, some girls’ families, in this economic crisis, are willing to overlook the earnings of potential grooms if they have MBA, MCA or IT degrees from prestigious institutions,” he discloses, stating that boys with plain degrees (MAs, BScs, MScs, MComs, etc.) were no longer preferred by working girls.
“For qualified and well-settled girls, it is difficult for boys with plain degrees to expect matches,” he states, adding that he had also witnessed cases when some girls rejected boys even when they had permanent but lower level government jobs.
“So far, I have seen a 90% rejection rate for such boys, but the same is not true if the groom-to-be is a high ranking government officer.”
Trends
A new trend among brides to be, says Singh, is their preference for working boys (private sector) outside Uttarakhand, but whose families are settled here. “In Uttarakhand, there is not much money in the private sector. As a result, about 75-85% of the girls prefer to settle outside the state (Delhi, Gurgaon) post their marriage,” he explains, pointing out that there was not much of an impact of the slowdown on the marriage market.
According to Soni, owner of the newly established Nehru Colony based Bandhan Marriage Bureau, professionally qualified girls prefer boys in their same profession. “The trend, so far, in our bureau has been girls seeking boys with similar professional degrees,” she says, acknowledging the existence of some impact of slowdown. “Government jobs were always few. So, a groom working in the private sector is the only option left for the girls,” she clarifies.
Age
“A year-and-a half ago, when we started our marriage bureau, the minimum age for girls was 23, but now, almost 80% of them are 27 and plus,” informs Singh.
The average age of the groom during the same period, adds Singh, had increased from 27 to 29. “Now, almost 70% of the boys are aged 29 plus,” he points out, while describing this tendency as normal ‘as high qualifications are directly proportional to the age’.
Dowry
However, despite lack of a drop in the number of marriages during the current period, a major consequence has been an increase in dowry amount sought by grooms. “Earlier, the going rate was about RS 2 lakhs, but now a well-settled groom commands a price tag of Rs 5-6 lakhs,” reveals Moudgil, a retired officer of BHEL and owner of Jeevan Sathi (a Marriage Bureau), which he has been managing for the last 16 years.
Moudgil, for whom playing matchmaker is a pastime, claims to specialise in Army personnel marriages. “Girls are at a disadvantage now because boys are coming at a premium,” he says pointing out that Army Officers don’t normally demand dowry. “But, rising marriage expenses are also a fact, which cannot be ignored,” he says, at the same time.
Another matchmaker, who runs the Happy Couple Marriage Bureau on Haridwar Road, when contacted by Garhwal Post, adds that ‘it is a busy year’. He told this correspondent to contact him later as he was busy attending to a client in his office. Hope somebody got successfully 'connected'.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Feature&article=1067
Poll musings of a Hyderabadi
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 17.05.2009:
The Shakespearean quote – What’s in a name? – though a cliché, will never lose its relevance. A case in point: I subscribe to two ‘national’ dailies – XX and XY – both having ‘India’ sitting stylishly on their mastheads, but then, so what?
I claim, with utter disdain, that these so called ‘national dailies’ have woefully failed short of their mandate given their high flying titles. Otherwise, what then explains the neglect of Andhra Pradesh (the state where Congress won 33/42 seats, higher than any states in India) in LS poll coverage and analysis.
For me, as a journalist based in Uttarakhand, and not as one who is rooted in Andhra Pradesh, one of the possible headlines for a short 150-200 worded story would have been: YSR (YS Rajasekhar Reddy) adds 33 seats to Cong Kitty. But, alas, there was neither a news story nor a poll analysis about the ruling party’s grand win in AP.
Some journalists, down South, have all along believed (which now supposedly gets confirmed after the 15th General Elections) that the fortune of the Congress at the Centre, is dependent on how the Congress Party fares in the LS poll in Andhra Pradesh. In the 14th General Election (2004), the state Congress Party led by YSR, secured 29/42 seats (then the highest for Congress in any state), and again in the 15th General Election, YSR helped the party bag 33/42 seats, again the highest in any state, successfully keeping the anti-incumbency factor at bay.
As against this, what hit the headlines prominently in these so called major dailies was how Cong fared in UP (20/80), BJP in HP (3/4), Cong in Rajasthan (20/25), Cong in Uttarakhand (5/5), BJP in Chhattisgarh (10/11)…
This is again, against the rule in cricketing tradition, where one always writes about the top scorer and the reasons for his success thereof. But it was not to be.
One major repercussions of the Cong’s solo win (it bagged 156/294) in AP Vidhan Sabha (both elections held simultaneously) is that unlike Uttarakhand, now, there are no chances for the creation of a separate Telangana State. (The statehood movement started in 1969, more than 400 people i.e. Telangana martyrs sacrificed lives, so far.) In the next five years, there is no hope, as the Congress there stands for a united Andhra Pradesh (a la Mulayam, who was against the creation of Uttarakhand).
There goes my dream. The longstanding demand had led to the creation of pro-Telangana (there are 10 Districts in all here in this region) parties like TRS (similar to UKD, here, but like it, it also got routed there).
However, the lack of post-poll analysis on AP did not surprise me after I glanced at a news item in that same ‘national daily’ about how an AP man was responsible for bringing Swine Flu to India… The point was: the story was datelined in Delhi.
Being a Hyderabadi, I always thought the Nawabi City was hailed as an IT hub. But, now, living in Uttarakhand, I wonder if my native city is facing a broadband crisis.
My fair criticism about the mainstream print media is not unfounded, for I believe and see media as a service provider, a vehicle of change and information. Ultimately, they should stand for what they claim to be, i.e., Pan Indian.
Elsewhere, like any other loyal Hyderabadi, I rejoiced at cricketer-turned-politician Azhar’s win from Moradabad. A comparative news story headline, which I envisage, from my present home in Tehri constituency is: Azhar hits bulls eye, Rana knocked for six! (I really wonder why the EC is not partial towards this Hyderabadi, who despite being in Uttarakhand, could not cast vote, while Azhar was allowed to contest from Moradabad! Surely, a violation of my fundamental right under Article 14.)
Moral: Cricket and cricketers win. So, another two General Elections down the line, if BJP decides to change its pro-Hindutva rhetoric, it would not surprise if it chooses to field the Pathan brothers from Muslim dominated constituencies and register wins.
And, lastly, coming to Rahul Gandhi, 39, I would have liked him to address a Press Conference in Doon for there was one question I would have liked the Congress Yuvraj to answer: When are you getting married?
Post his victory from the Congress’ dynastic UP bastion, it would really throw up a surprise, if the most eligible bachelor ties the knot during the current LS term.
One possible choice, according to me, is Rani (Mukherjee), as she has a good fan following in India especially in West Bengal, where Congress is in a poor state of health. Moreover, if they get married, Congress would get another high-profile star campaigner!
What say?
PS: All things said, the failure of NDA in the 15th General Election, is a personal loss to me as I desired to be IT exempted for an annual income of Rs 3 lakh. I hope, UPA hijacks this promise from BJP’s manifesto.
(With inputs from my Dad, in Andhra Pradesh).
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=GupShup&article=1034
Sunday, May 17, 2009
EMRI to induct GPS based ambulance tracking system by year
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 15 May 2009: EMRI Uttarakhand, which has completed one year of its operation in the state, is working to connect its entire fleet of ambulances with Global Positioning System (GPS) based Ambulance Vehicle Location Tracker (AVLT) by the end of 2009.
According to Anoop Nautiyal, EMRI Chief Operating Officer (Uttarakhand), once implemented in the state, the technology will be the first to be adopted by any EMRI centre in the country. “Under this system, we would digitalise all the approach roads in the states. Once the caller puts a call to our centralised call centre in Doon, the system would automatically show the nearest available ambulance from the place of the caller,” explained Nautiyal.
Among others, the system is also expected to help in improving the response time of Emergency Medical Staff and also save wastage of fuel. Presently, EMRI has a fleet of 90 ambulances in all the 13 Districts of the state.
Commenting on the performance of EMRI, which completed one year today, Nautiyal pointed out honesty, integrity and transparency as its success mantra. “We attribute our success to the team work put in by EMRI’s entire 650 staff,” he said, adding that EMRI has tied up with 290 Hospitals (including 106 private) in the state.
Problems
Speaking to Garhwal Post, Nautiyal blamed poor communication facility in 17 locations in the state. “Out of the 90 locations we are in, 17 do not have any telephone network,” he said, while acknowledging that it was depriving people of Emergency Services in these areas.
Surprisingly, out of the 17 locations, where EMRI staff has been facing connectivity problems, 10 locations fall in Pauri, the home district of both the Health Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and the Chief Minister BC Khanduri.
The 10 affected locations in Pauri were Mori, Pabo, Bironkhal, Thalisain, Chandakot, Pokhra, Kaljikhal, Lansdowne, Riknikhal, Dhagu and Nainidanda. The other seven locations facing connectivity problems include one in Uttarakashi (Mori), one in Almora (Salt), Chamoli (Gairsain), two each in Pithoragarh and Rudraprayag.
Disclosing EMRI’s challenging nature of work, he acknowledged absence of road heads as a major concern.
“In some villages, the nearest road head was as far as 30 kms away,” he rued.
“80 percent of the villages in Uttarakhand have an average population of about 500 each. The irony is that most of them are sparsely located, and in many of them, it is not even feasible to lay permanent roads,” he added, while emphasising that there was scope for improving the overall road infrastructure in the state.
He also underscored the need for improving the existing health infrastructure in the state. “Right now, the demand for health services in the state is more than its capability to supply. Moreover, PHCs and CHCs also need to be augmented.”
Statistics
During its one year operation (15 May, 2008 – 14 May, 2009), EMRI attended 53948 patients. Of these, pregnancy cases topped the charts with 18434 cases (34 p.c.) followed by 8885 Road Traffic Accidents (16 p.c.).
According to Nautiyal, apart from inadequate road infrastructure in some places, alcohol influenced driving and driving without helmets were the major causes of accidental injuries. “Most of the victims were two-wheeler riders, who were most often under the influence of alcohol and without any protective headgear,” Nautiyal told Garhwal Post, adding that most accidents occurred in places like Haridwar, Kashipur, Dehradun, Haldwani and Rudrapur.
Significantly, the State Health Department had proposed to establish Trauma Centres in some select places, which till date, have not materialised.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=1014
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