Maiti celebrates green 'V Day

Maiti celebrates green 'V Day
By Prabeer Kumar Sikdar
Dehradun 14 Feb 2008:

Valentine's Day has ended. The market was flooded with many gift items to make the day special for one's Valentine. Be it the evergreen red rose, or a box of luscious chocolates, gifts were in various hues and shapes and some of whose prices had skyrocketed on the 'V' Day. This is typical of this 'special' day, as one would say. But not for Maiti, a unique environment movement for afforestation, that attracted the attention of nature lovers in a different way. They distributed free saplings to young couples to commemorate this day and also to instil in them the need to conserve nature.

"Maiti is undertaking this initiative to make people aware about the need to tackle the harm caused to nature by pollution and deforestation. To make this day memorable for the young couples, we choose the Valentine's Day, and are using it in a creative way to advocate afforestation," said Kalyan Singh Rawat, founder of Maiti.

Literally meaning 'mother's home, the movement run by Kalyan Singh Rawat, distributed free saplings of Cassie and Sistula to young couples, who had reached Gandhi Park to celebrate the occasion. The Maiti Foundation initiated the practice of distribution of free saplings to people on auspicious occasions like Holi, traditional wedding ceremonies and other important days, in the 90’s.

Located in the heart of the city, the Park provides the breathing space to thousands of people. People, young and old, can be seen here on early morns and evenings enjoying the freshness of the green surroundings. "But, over the years, as a result of neglect, the Park has become a storehouse of garbage and plastics. Therefore, we are taking the help of Eco Club members to clean the park," Rawat said. For their initiative, the Forest Department provided free saplings to Maiti for plantation in the park. "By noon, around 20-25 couples gathered in the Gandhi Park, and planted the tender saplings," Rawat said.

When the saplings grow into full-blown trees, it will be a reminder to all the couples, who planted it, that love also grows with time!

Weatherman & Farmer: Made for each other

By PRABEER SIKDAR

DEHRADUN, 11 Apr 2009:

In the age of internet/ television, what would appear astonishing to some is that many Uttarakhand farmers belonging to Garhwal Region are crazy about a radio programme.

Known by the name of ‘Krishi Jagat’, the evening half-an-hour programme (6:45 – 7:15 p.m.) is aired by AIR’s Najibabad Centre on 954 KHz (MW) everyday.

What makes the programme interesting for farmers are the agricultural forecasting and other farming related expert advice provided by Agricultural Scientists of Pant University.

Speaking to Garhwal Post, Bibhuti Bhushan Bhatt, Programme Executive of AIR Najibabad Centre (UP), the programme is quite popular in Chakrata, Mussoorie, New Tehri and Pauri. “The same programme is again retransmitted by AIR Lucknow to Almora and Pauri,” said Bhatt, adding that AIR Najibabad Centre, which is a 200 KW station, remains confined to only Garhwal Region.

“After the constitution of the AIR Almora station, this agri- educational programme also gets aired in the Kumaon Region,” he added, stating that the AIR Najibabad Centre gets much fan mail as well as agri-related queries from farmers in the Garhwal region.

However, a major drawback of the programme is that due to the poor signal, radio listeners cannot connect to the said frequency in areas like Srinagar, Rudraprayag and in some parts of Doon. “The signal is good in the hills, so agricultural scientists speaking about hill crops may be heard by the farmers,” he said, adding that during the programme, scientists also answer the queries/ doubts of farmers on various aspects of farming.

“The letters should be addressed to Station Director, Najibabad Centre, Pin -246763,” Bhatt told Garhwal Post.

Most importantly, what differentiates these Agricultural scientists in the ‘Krishi Jagat’ programme is the fact that they are also trained in making weather based agro-advisories.

“Sponsored by the Indian Meteorological Department, these agricultural scientists are also trained in making medium range weather forecasts,” said Anand Sharma, Founder Director of the State Meteorological Department, who also heads Met Dept’s Agro Advisory Unit (AAU).

An expert in Agricultural meteorology (very few in India), Sharma said that for effective agro-forecasting, the State Met Dept had set up three Agro-Met Field Units in the state. “They are located in IIT Roorkee, Rani Chauri and Pant Varsity,” said Sharma, adding that from these three centres, the weather cum agro advisories are relayed to other places by the State Met Department.

Advantages

Describing the advantages of weather based agro advisories, Sharma said that, if farmers adhered to these advisories, which are also sent to Secretary, Agriculture, Director Agriculture, AIR Najibabad and Lucknow Centres and Agro-Met Field Units (five days in advance), they can save a lot of money and time.

“For instance, for the wheat crop, which is about to be harvested in the plains (Udham Singh Nagar, Doon and Haridwar), at this time, the right time to harvest them (for those who could not do it earlier) is between 10-14 April, because the period is going to remain dry,” he explained.

“To cite another example, it is a common agricultural practice to water young wheat crops, when they are 21-25 days old. But, what is more important is to carefully listen to weather forecasts, because if it rains, the already irrigated crop may be flooded.”

Sharma also emphasised that there ‘are many critical stages in the life of a crop when weather based agro advisories could prove helpful to farmers’.

According to Sharma, the thrust area for the State Met Department is mainly those farmers who cultivate in the State’s plains. “The reasons are that, in these areas, there is possibility for mechanised farming in addition to availability of good irrigation facilities,” he told Garhwal Post.

http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=271

Weather blues: How politicos can save money, time during poll campaign!
By PRABEER SIKDAR

DEHRADUN, 9 Apr 2009:

The recent incident of State BJP President Bachi Singh Rawat addressing an election rally in Nainital LS Constituency via his cell phone while sitting in his hired chopper has definitely highlighted the positive aspect of technology. But it also proves another point: one cannot boss around natural perils like windy conditions, rain, etc!

With hired choppers (reportedly costing lakhs for a day’s service) eating away large chunks of party campaign funds, it really does matter to travel at the right time, and also in the right conditions.

Here enters Anand Sharma, Director of the State Meteorological Department, whose free expert advice on weather related phenomenon in the state is sure to save a politician’s valuable time and money (and also may be life and limb!).

“Politicians seeking my advice before they depart via choppers are nothing new,” Sharma told Garhwal Post, pointing out what Rawat tried to do in Nidar, Sufi in Nainital ‘could have been dangerous’ (where without getting down, Rawat reportedly addressed the rally through a cell phone. The person who received the call kept his cell near the loudspeaker).

“It is because windy conditions are neither safe for landing nor for remaining airborne,” said Sharma, adding that, in this case, nobody sought his opinion.

Interestingly, giving weather related advisories to politicians is old hat for Sharma. “I still have a thank you note sent by then Chief Minister ND Tiwari, when I advised him not to travel to Shimla on 5 July, 2003, as there were indications of rain that day. And rain it did, cats and dogs, as we later went on to record 123.1 mm rain that evening,” he recollected, disclosing that he was personally thanked by the CM for his timely warning.

Sharma’s expert weather advice has also been put to effective use by many politicians during the 2007 Assembly elections as well.

Budget Travel

Though Sharma excels in making advance weather related predictions, it can (if the warnings happen to be true) really help politicos save a lot of their campaign spending and also save time of the people attending the rally.

“The presence of a large number of people at the rally venue is of no use if the chopper carrying the politician cannot make a landing,” he said, adding that adherence to weather reports would also help politicians in many other ways as well.

So, whether the money is black or white, or it is to avoid the wrath of the Election Commission, which also keeps watch on political spending, turning to the weatherman for his free advice, seem to be helpful in the long run.

http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=256

Where Blind lead the normals...

Where Blind lead the normals...
By PRABEER SIKDAR

DEHRADUN, 23 September 2008:

It is often said that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. So, when all doors were closed for the visually challenged Jawaharlal Malhotra, he took to music as a fish takes to water.

Proficient in over half-a-dozen musical instruments like sitar, violin, tabla, flute, synthesizer, harmonium and guitar, Malhotra, who is now 64, ekes out his livelihood by teaching music to youngsters. He also teaches vocal classical.

A resident of Sewak Ashram Road, the locals popularly address him ‘Guruji’. Every day there is a flurry of activities at Gandharv Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, the music school he had founded 30 years ago. “My music school is affiliated to Allahabad based Prayag Sangeet Samiti school and trains students for a 6-year Visharad degree,” he says.

A victim of partition, Malhotra’s family migrated to Dehradun from West Pakistan. He completed BA from DAV PG College but the gradual loss of his sight had put a spoke in his plans for a job. “I am thankful to my mother for enrolling me in a music school as it would later turn out to be my saviour,” he says, thanking his stars.

Though a singer herself, her mother had then forced him to learn music to control his kite-flying obsession.

Malhotra suffers from a rare eye disorder called ‘retinal detachment’ in which the retina peels away gradually leading to complete visual loss. “Now, it is too late to get it treated,” he says, adding that he had learned to live with it.

Married to his former student Kuljeet Malhotra, nee Kaur, the husband-wife duo now runs the music school together. They also run a recognized Junior High School from their two-room house.

Interestingly, the duo had a love marriage. “I had then approached him to learn tabla,” says his wife Kuljeet, who was then working as a Hindi teacher. “I had to face stiff opposition from my parents were opposed to my marriage with a visually challenged person,” she adds. (She still addresses her husband as ‘guruji’)

Bemoaning the decreasing craze for classic music, he says, “When youngsters land at my music school initially, most want me to teach them play Bollywood numbers. But after getting exposed to classical music, they understand the difference and insist me to teach the latter.”

“Light music can never take the place of classical music ever,” he says, while demonstrating it with Bachpan ki muhabbat ko dil se na juda karna -- a hit song from the black and white era Baiju Bawra that he sang to the accompaniment of a harmonium.

“After the doctors expressed their helplessness, I had no other option than to take music seriously,” he discloses.

Despite having a heart problem too, the sexagenarian has not yet lost his spirit. “I am now planning to take out an album of bhajans,” he says.

After playing a classical tune on the guitar, Guruji signs off playing the evergreen Yeh Shaam Mastaani from Kati Patang. (His love for kites continues.)

Injured calf gets new name and shelter

PFA criticises NFYD for playing ‘calf’ politics
By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 7 Apr 2009:
In an interesting development in the injured calf case (reported in Garhwal Post, yesterday), whose left fore leg broke into two after being hit by a vehicle on GMS Road, the People for Animals (PFA) has blamed its rescuer –Jitendra Chauhan – for playing ‘calf’ politics.

“He is a politician. Hence, he is trying to get political mileage out of it,” said Manvi Bhatt, PFA Secretary, who shifted the two-year-old white male calf to PFA’s Animal Shelter in a van this afternoon.

“He already knew that PFA has got its own Shelter Home at Nalapani, so why wasn’t the calf shifted there in the first place,” she remarked, adding that the Old Veterinary Hospital, after getting shifted to the new place, had no facilities to treat injured animals.

When told about the existence of an NGO called Gokul Seva Samiti, which looks after destitute cattle, she said that ‘it only looks after them and does not specialise in providing treatment to injured animals’.

When contacted, Jitendra Chauhan, President of Nehru Foundation for Youth Development (NYFD), which is spearheading a protest against the government’s decision to shift the Veterinary Hospital from Dispensary Road, said, “I never mix politics with social work.

”In his defence, Chauhan, who is an ex-NSUI District President, further said that he had participated in a 36-hour non-stop dharna at the Old Veterinary Hospital on 20-21 March to protest the government’s insensitivity towards animal care. “Had I wanted, I could have invited a top Congress leader to my non-stop dharna while ending my fast, but I chose not to as I did not want to give the protest a political colour,” he said.

When told about the calf being adopted by PFA, he said ‘it was a good move’.
New name
Interestingly, PFA people have given a new name to the injured calf. “We have named it ‘Govardhan’,” said Gauri Maulekhi, a PFA member, adding that all animals at the PFA’s Animal Shelter had a name.
In the evening, PFA also called in a government Vet from Rajpur for its treatment. “Its radius ulna has fractured. So, a steel rod would be inserted, which would enable it to stand on all four feet after three months,” said the doctor after attending to the injured calf.

When asked about the fate of other unfortunate animals that remain out of reach of PFA, Bhatt suggested that ‘all existing government veterinary hospitals in the District should also be converted into animal shelters for destitute cattle’.

She also blamed economic reasons for owners dumping their cattle on the roads. “Unlike humans, dairy owners in the city prefer female calves to male ones,” she said, adding that ‘old milch cows were also abandoned after they passed their prime’.

When asked to suggest a solution to the present impasse on the Old Veterinary Hospital, which has been temporarily shifted to Kanwali Road, she said that the administration could allot at least 2 bighas for it to continue from its former location. “This is needed because all the existing five Veterinary Hospitals in Doon are too far away from the city centre,” she said, while blaming politics for the shifting of the Old Veterinary Hospital on Dispensary Road.

“Mahant Lakshanmandas, who donated the land for the Hospital is no more, but the value of the 13 bighas of land, which has been encroached upon considerably, has risen to crores of rupees now,” she said.
http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Dehradun&article=217

Lucrative Investment

Investment in stamps better than stocks: Rajesh

By PRABEER SIKDAR

DEHRADUN, 9 Apr 2009:

Invest in postal stamps – this is what Rajesh Varma, President of the Uttaranchal Philatelists Association (UPA), suggests to those who are wary of investing in the stock market in the present economic crisis.

“The reason is that, unlike the ups and downs witnessed in the share market, there is never a downfall in the price of a postage stamp, as its value keeps on increasing with the passage of time,” he explains.

Elaborating further, he clarifies that even without an increase in the valuation of a stamp, ‘one can always use it, as it would always retain its face value’.

A winner of a host of philately awards including a ‘Doon Ratna’ after his successful work for the Republic of Nauru (an island state near New Zealand) as a designer of postal stamps for that country, Varma’s love for philately has not faded for the last 30 years.

King of Hobbies

“Though traditional hobbies like philately and numismatics have been taken over by others, the former has still managed to retain its position as the ‘King of Hobbies’,” he says, pointing out that one needed to put in a lot of money to pursue it.

“If one wants to be a professional philatelist, one would have to set aside a lot of money. Though the money can be recovered at a later stage, good investment is a must initially for making gains later.”

In defence of his statement, Varma cites numerous examples from philatelic history to prove his point.

“For instance, a postal stamp released by Department of Posts on Brigadier Rajinder Singh (first Indian recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra) on 27 October, 1997, had a face value of Rs 3. But its present market value stands at Rs 21,” he points out.

Citing some other Indian examples, Varma points out that a commemorative postal stamp of the first anniversary of Indian Independence (with an image of Mahatma Gandhi) released on 15 August, 1948 (face value Rs 10 then) now is priced at 100 pounds!

Valuation Basics

What remains common knowledge among professional philatelists is that the price of a postal stamp ‘is determined by two major factors: stamps with printing errors and stamps released in small number’.

“A philatelist spotting an error in a stamp is sure to make a lot of money,” says Varma, while showing from a philately book the picture of a postal stamp on Henri Dunant (Founder of the International Red Cross), which was released by the Department of Posts on 8 May, 1963.

“For the Red Cross, the + sign is of paramount significance. But due to a printing error by the Department, which prints postal stamps in Nasik, seven stamps came out without the + signs.”

“The face value (stamps with the printing error), which stood at 15 paise in 1963, now stands at Rs 2 lakhs,” he adds.

Citing another instance of the short supply of stamps going on to command record price at a later stage, he cites the example of another commemorative postal stamp of the first anniversary of Indian Independence (with Gandhi’s image), which was released on 15 August, 1948. “Priced at Rs 10, this particular stamp was issued for the official use of C Rajagopalachari, the first Indian Governor General of India. It had SERVICE written in black over the image of Gandhi,” he says, adding that due to change of political circumstances, its actual sale could not take off.

However, C Rajagopalachari is said to have distributed 17 such stamps to his friends/ relatives, later. “It now commands a price of Rs 25 lakhs in the international philately market,” he reveals.

Valuation Gurus

According to Varma, pricing/ valuation of stamps at the international level is done by Stanley Gibbons, a company that is also involved in the business of selling/ buying stamps. “In India, most philatelists follow the valuation standards set by Phila India, a Kolkata based company.

”Interestingly, according to Varma, a separate department of the English Royalty (known in philatelic circle as Crown’s Agent) reportedly buys 5000 stamps in bulk from all the British Commonwealth Countries (53 countries including India), every time a new stamp is released in the market.

Postal care

“Philatelic collections, which comprise stamps, covers, information brochures, miniature sheets, thematic sheetlets, maxim cards, etc., need special care,” explains Varma, adding that almost all members of UPA (total 70 members in the state) buy German made Stock Books (a type of album for keeping stamps) and Hawids (a glue based polythene strip for keeping stamps).

‘One can also buy Indian made Stock Books, which come at a price ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500.”

How to collect

“The easiest way to start collecting postal stamps is to open a Philatelic Deposit Account in any of the 30 major post offices in Uttarakhand by paying Rs 200,” he says, adding that by becoming a member, the Dept of Posts would send all postal stamps/ covers released by it.

“However, amateur philatelists, who want to turn professional, should remember that there would not be instant money in it as one never knows when a stamp’s value would increase,” he cautions.

http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Interview&article=234

An Interview with Vice-Chancellor of Doon University

Doon University should be upgraded to national status: Prof Girijesh Pant

By PRABEER SIKDAR

DEHRADUN, 2 Apr 2009:

In appearance, Prof Girijesh Pant, presently Vice Chancellor of Doon University, looks a simple man, yet he is not a man of few words.

With nine books to his credit, Pant, who has a 30 year long academic/administrative career, is also Head of Centre for West Asian & African Studies at JNU (he is on deputation here). He has also been VC of Guru Ghasidas University (Chhattisgarh) prior to taking over as VC of Doon University in January 2009.

Known as an expert on West Asian affairs, among his well known books are -- ‘India: The Emerging Energy Player’, ‘India’s search for energy security: Prospects for cooperation with extended neighbourhood’, etc.

His last lecture as an expert on West Asian Affairs was at a seminar organised by Centre for Security Analysis (Chennai) on 17 March, where he presented a paper on ‘The future of energy security…’.

Interestingly, Pant’s current stint as Doon Varsity VC brings him closer to the state where his grandparents had spent their lifetime (ie at Almora).

In a free wheeling chat with Garhwal Post, he spoke about various issues surrounding Doon University, in particular, and the state of Higher Education, in general.

Some excerpts from the interview:

Q. Keeping in view your experience as a professor and as an administrator, how do you look at Doon University?

Doon University, which is a state university, is visualised as a place that would help transform higher education in the state. Here, we would rope in high quality teachers and start courses relevant to the times.

Our objective at Doon University (DU) is not only to teach students inside the classrooms, but also to give them requisite field experience. In principle, we would also give equal emphasis to, both, teaching and research components.

Unfortunately, the present teaching methodology adopted in many institutions of higher learning is still based on archaic methods. And I would strive to bring some changes by bringing in contemporary teaching methodology.

Q. Location wise, what advantages do you see for DU, which is touted as a would-be centre of excellence in higher education?

What is a well known fact outside Uttarakhand is Doon’s schooling system. DU, in its present location, is the right place for outgoing students of Dehradun schools, who presently prefer to migrate outside for higher education.

Q. What innovative approaches are you planning to introduce in DU?

Although it is a state university, we would hire the best brains for all the respective schools. Among some of the innovations to be introduced at DU would be scrutiny of faculty performance at regular intervals, introduction of ‘Smart Blackboard’, by which actual classroom lectures would be recorded on CDs and given to students for future reference on the topic.

At the same time, these CDs would also used simultaneously for evaluating the faculty performance by giving them to their peer groups, whose feedback would then be given to the faculty.

Similarly, unlike the present evaluation system followed in other universities, we would also bring some changes at DU. For instance, a small component in the students’ evaluation would also involve an Open Book Exam, where they would be allowed to answer questions by referring to the books. We would also give a portion of marks for communication skills as well. In this method, a student would be grilled by his peer group on a given topic from his course curriculum.

Moreover, for the benefit of DU students, we would also introduce a ‘Scholars in Residence’ programme, where subject experts would stay in the campus for a short duration to interact with students.

Q. Would DU grant affiliation to other colleges?

DU is primarily a Residential University. But if you study the University’s ‘Concept Paper’, there is a mention of having outreach centres/ satellite centres elsewhere.

Though in a broad sense, DU is also empowered to grant affiliation to colleges, this may not happen for now as the University is still struggling with its own teething problems.

Actually, at this juncture, when the University is yet to establish its own credibility, as well as standards and consolidate its structure, it is not in a position to get bogged down with things like conducting examinations, evaluations, etc., for affiliated colleges. Most probably, this may have to wait for five years.

Q. What fee structure is Doon University envisaging for its courses? Will it be affordable?

Though it would follow all laws concerning reservations for students, by virtue of being a class university, the fees would, most probably, be set accordingly. Even though it is a state funded University, the envisaged fee structure would take into account state of the art infrastructure, world class faculty, technology, etc., for its long term sustenance.

Significantly, the state government would have a final say about the fee structure for all DU courses. So far, there have not been any guidelines in this regard. But one thing that is to be kept in mind is that DU has no profit motive at its core.

Q. On the one hand, DU wants to get the best faculty members, who would most probably be from reputed institutions/ universities outside, but what percentage of outside students would it admit?

The local, non-local students’ ratio as well as reservations for various disadvantaged groups in the state is yet to be worked out.

Q. With regard to physical infrastructure, how much work has been completed so far at DU?

My predecessor Prof Gajendra Singh, during his tenure as VC, managed to do a commendable job. So far, at our Kedarpur Campus, which is spread over 55 acres, 40% of the work has been completed. In two years time, we plan to complete all the work there.

Similarly, for our second campus based in Sahaspur, the work would start on war footing after work on the first campus gets over. But, if we get desired funds from the state, we would go ahead with our work at Sahaspur campus, earlier, where we are planning to start a Bio-Diversity Park and a Technology Incubation Centre.

Q. In all, how many schools would be started at DU? How many courses would be introduced this year?

In all, there would be 8 schools, of which we would start two courses/ schools — Mass Communication and a course in Environmental Studies -- from this academic year. Alongside them, we would also offer a one year diploma programme in Animation, Journalism and Natural Resource Management on the lines of IGNOU.

Similarly, from 2010, we would also start offering PhD programmes for NET qualified students in a few subjects. At the same time, we have also set a tentative date to operationalise three other schools as well.

But the election time has created hurdles for DU, as without clearance from the Election Commission (EC), we are not in a position to conduct interviews for the short-listed professors in the above mentioned two courses. We are yet to get the EC nod to carry ahead our faculty recruitment drive.

Q. What is your vision for DU?

I would love to see DU grow up to become a brand -- Its students being reckoned seriously in the Global Knowledge Economy. Unlike the old times, knowledge today is no more confined to a locality or the nation. Similarly, I would want DU to become a source of pride for the people of the state.

For the future, as the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) headed by Sam Pitroda has observed in one of its recommendations, I would want DU to be elevated to the level of a National University.

(On 4 April, Prof Girijesh Pant would also deliver a lecture under the aegis of the Doon Library & Research Centre on the topic ‘Doon University: Vision and Roadmap’ at 4:30 p.m. at Regent Hotel).

http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Interview&article=218