Raj Bhavan approved the ordinance related to OBC reservation

Dehradun (Amaanullah Usmani) The way for the civic elections in Uttarakhand has been cleared. The Raj Bhavan has approved the ordinance related to OBC reservation in the bodies. Now OBC reservation will be implemented according to the report of the single-member dedicated commission. The notification for civic elections can be issued at the end of this month.

The ordinance for the civic elections in Uttarakhand got the green signal from the Law Department. The department had sent its legal opinion to the Raj Bhavan. After which the Raj Bhavan had to take a decision on it. OBC reservation is to be implemented for the civic elections. For this, the government had sent an ordinance to the Raj Bhavan with the aim of changing the law.

The law team of the Raj Bhavan had stopped it citing some law. The Raj Bhavan itself sought opinion on this from the Law Department in the government. The Law Department gave it the green signal. Citing some laws, the Law Department has admitted that if the Raj Bhavan wants, it can approve the ordinance.

Now the Governor has approved the ordinance, with which the process of implementing OBC reservation will start rapidly. After that, municipal elections will be held.

*Thousands in Uttarakhand pledge to attain ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’* Campaign 

Amaanullah Usmani Dehradun-Thousands in Uttarakhand extend support to Central govt’s ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign in Thousands in Uttarakhand pledge to attain ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ Campaign

•Thousands in Uttarakhand extend support to Central govt’s ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign in programs organised by Just Rights for Children (JRC) Alliance

•Child marriage survivors, police officers, teachers, parents and village heads participate in foot marches and take pledges across the state

•JRC is a national alliance of over 250 NGOs working for the protection of child rights across the country

•The alliance partners have prevented 2,50,000 child marriages across India

Extending their overwhelming support to Government of India’s ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign, thousands of people thronged the streets, schools, roads and markets across Uttarakhand to participate in programs conducted by Just Rights for Children (JRC) alliance.

250 villages in three districts witnessed awareness drives, candlelight marches and road shows against child marriage. In an unprecedented show of solidarity for a social cause, police stations, courtrooms, panchayats members, faith leaders, school children, teachers, children and survivors of child marriage took pledges to end child marriage and report the same. Comprising over 250 NGOs partners in over 400 districts in the country, JRC alliance has been working with the state government and local administration in Uttarakhand’s three districts to eliminate child marriage. JRC alliance partners have prevented more than 2,50,000 child marriages across India through persuasion and legal interventions.

The programmes that spread across the entire state reverberated with pledges such as, “I pledge to make every possible effort against child marriage. I pledge to ensure that no child marriage takes place in my family, neighbourhood, or community. I pledge to report any attempt of child marriage to the panchayat and the government officials.”

A child victim of marriage lives a life of abject slavery with no agency and freedom. Moreover, child marriage is the biggest contributor for non-participation of women in the work force. The National Family Health Survey-V (NFHS 2019-21) reports that nationally 23.3% women between the age group of 20-24 were married off before attaining the age of 18 while Uttarakhand reported 9.8 per cent.

“The pain and resilience of millions of girls and mothers, along with the tireless efforts of my colleagues across more than 250 NGOs in the Just Rights for Children alliance, have brought us this historic moment. As we move forward, we look to the government’s leadership at state to cultivate a culture where prevention, protection, and prosecution work in harmony and complement each other, leveraging partnerships to drive lasting behavioural change,” said JRC founder, Bhuwan Ribhu.

State government is providing better facilities to the journalists of the state – Subodh Uniyal

Today journalism itself has become an agenda: Yogesh Bhatt

Amaanullah Usmani

Dehradun – Uttarakhand’s Forest and Environment Minister Subodh Uniyal said that a clean environment is required to live a pure life and it is the duty or responsibility of all of us to maintain it. Uniyal was expressing his views as the chief guest on the occasion of the inauguration of the two-day national convention of Indian Journalist Union (IJU), New Delhi at a hotel on Ring Road.

After lighting the lamp and inaugurating this two-day national convention of IJU, Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal said that Uttarakhand state is not only the holy land of gods but is also a naturally beautiful and attractive state. This state has been providing pure environment to all and has also been a leading state in providing its natural beauty and pure environment to the whole country. He said that this Himalayan state is naturally covered, along with Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri, there is also Kaliyar Sharif, the holy place of Sikhs and Muslim community. All these places have always been giving the message of harmonious environment. Linking the environment to the society, he said that the role of media becomes very important to make the public aware in this direction. Addressing the national convention of IJU, he highlighted the role of media in the society and described its role as important and said that the Uttarakhand government is providing better facilities to the journalists of the state.

He said that the pension given to journalists earlier was Rs. 5,000 per month, which has been increased to Rs. 8,000 per month by the state government. Apart from this, the state government has also started providing housing to many journalists. In the convention, he assured to provide facilities to the journalists on behalf of the government and announced that the government is working on providing facilities to the journalists in the guest house of the forest department. In the opening session of the convention, Union’s National President Shri K. Srinivas Reddy, former National President Shri S.N. Sinha, former National President Shri Amar Devulapalli, National Secretary Jai Singh Rawat and MLA Umesh Sharma Kau also expressed their views on this occasion.

The second session of the convention began with reflection and contemplation on the deteriorating nature of journalism and its directionlessness, in which the keynote speaker, State Information Commissioner Shri Yogesh Bhatt said that today journalism itself has become an agenda. In today’s convention, he criticized both media and journalism and said that in fact journalism has become politicized today, which is a matter of great concern for the journalism community. How should our country’s democracy be? And who is the biggest journalist today?Many such questions are before us today. Reflecting on this, he said that the form of journalism today is worrisome and today there should be discussion and contemplation on journalists and journalism. He also said that media and journalism are different, but today both have been mixed up, which is a matter of concern and needs to be contemplated upon.

On this occasion, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, indirectly pointing towards the conditions of the country, said that the growth of the country is not healthy today. Healthy steps will have to be taken in this direction. Emphasizing on the role of the ruling party and the opposition, he said that today while the ruling party is strong, the opposition should also remain completely strong, so that the fear of each other remains in parallel regarding the development work of the country. He described the voice being raised by the media journalism world of Uttarakhand in the state as commendable and said that the state government should also never ignore the comforts of journalists and the media world. He has demanded from the government that it should show seriousness on providing cashless facility for the treatment of journalists as well as insurance of journalists.

The chief guest of this second session, Director General of Information, Shri Banshidhar Tiwari said that the government has taken many decisions on the demands raised by the journalists. The state government has always been serious about the problems of journalists. He said that now the recognition of journalists will also be done at the tehsil and district level. The amount of journalist welfare fund has also been increased from 5 crores to 10 crores by the government. On this occasion, Director General of Information Banshidhar Tiwari also announced that the government will give Rs. 5 lakh to the deceased journalist Durga Prasad Nautiyal.

Today, in the first day of the convention, the main organizer of the program and President of Journalist Union of Uttarakhand, State Uma Shankar Praveen Mehta, General Secretary Girish Pant, District President Mohammad Shah Nazar, Anil Verma, Manmohan Lakhera, Brahmadatt Sharma, Lalita Baluni, Moolchand, Virendra Gairola, Prakash Pant, Zahid Ali, Adhir Mukherjee, Sheeshpal Rawat, SP Uniyal, Rajendra Verma, Vinay Bhatt, Shravan Kumar, Vijay Kumar Sharma and other journalists were present.

Reached Ramnagar immediately after the accident and enquired about the condition of the injured.

On Monday, 36 people died and 26 people were injured in a horrific bus accident at Kupi near Marchula in Salt tehsil of Almora district. Expressing grief over this tragic incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami prayed to God for the peace of the souls of the deceased and for the bereaved families to bear the grief in this hour of grief. Announcing immediate compensation, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the casualties in this accident and Rs 1 lakh to the injured. The Chief Minister has also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

As soon as the information about this tragic incident was received, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with giving instructions to the concerned officials for immediate relief and rescue work, reached Ramnagar himself and inquired about the well-being of the injured in the bus accident in Marchula and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

The Chief Minister inquired about the condition of the injured admitted in Ramnagar Hospital and gave necessary instructions to the CMO and other doctors for their better treatment. He said that every injured person should get the best possible treatment; if there is a need to send them to a higher centre then they should be immediately sent by air ambulance. During this, the Chief Minister also met the family members of the injured and assured them of providing the best possible treatment to the injured.

In this incident, 6 seriously injured were sent to AIIMS Rishikesh by air ambulance and 1 injured to STH Haldwani through air ambulance and 5 other injured were sent to STH Haldwani by 108 ambulance, 5 injured were taken to other hospitals on the demand of their family members. 9 injured are admitted in Ramnagar Hospital and are being treated.

Immediately after the information of the incident, Commissioner Kumaon/Secretary Chief Minister Deepak Rawat and other officials also reached the spot. Earlier, the Commissioner enquired about the condition of the injured admitted in Ramnagar Hospital. He instructed the doctors to provide better treatment to the injured.

During this, Garhwal MP Anil Baluni, MLA Ramnagar Diwan Singh Bisht, Minister of State rank Dr. Anil Dabbu, BJP District President Pratap Bisht, Commissioner Kumaon Deepak Rawat, District Magistrate Vandana, SSP Prahlad Meena, CMO Dr. Harish Chandra Pant and others were present.

Tragic accident in Uttarakhand, 36 lives buried alive

42 seater bus fell into 150 feet deep gorge

Amanullah Usmani

A bus full of passengers went out of control and fell into a 150 feet deep gorge in Marchula of Salt development block of Almora district of Uttarakhand. 36 people died in the accident. 34 injured were brought to Ramnagar hospital. Eight of them died here. Six injured were airlifted to Rishikesh, while 11 were referred elsewhere.

Nine people are undergoing treatment in Ramnagar Hospital. It is being told that the accident happened due to the breaking of the spring of the bus. There were about 63 passengers in the 42 seater bus of Garhwal Motor Users Cooperative Society (Users). Half a kilometer before the accident spot, the driver had sensed something untoward ahead. The driver had told the passengers that if anyone wanted to get down then they should do so because the road ahead was bad. No passenger got off the bus. If the passengers had listened to the driver, many lives could have been saved.

There are many discussions going on about the bus accident that happened near Marchula on the Marchula-Gaulikhal-Motor Road on Monday morning. Many passengers who survived the accident were also seen telling the officials of the administration who reached the spot that about half a kilometer before the place where the accident happened, the bus got stuck in the road and started shaking, so the driver stopped the bus and said that if anyone wants to get down, he can, but no passenger got down. After this, the driver drove off with the bus and this accident happened. The passengers say that if they had taken the driver’s words seriously and got down, many lives could have been saved.

The passengers who survived the accident told that as soon as the bus fell into the ditch, they did not get a chance to recover. Passengers started falling on each other. Many passengers also fainted after hitting their heads with stones. By the time people reached the spot, they had died.

Somewhere at the accident spot, a passenger’s phone was lying and somewhere else, packets of cold drink, pakodas, chips of some passengers were scattered. The passengers were travelling happily, but on the way they fell into the lap of death.

The accident in Marchula had also increased the concern of the migrants. Migrants living in various states including Mumbai, Delhi, Kanpur, Madras, Gurugram, Madhya Pradesh, Jaipur started getting updates about this incident. People kept getting information about the incident on WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. Migrants called their loved ones and enquired about their well-being.

Chief Minister flagged off from ISBT Dehradun

130 buses of BS-06 model joined the fleet of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation.

Amaanullah Usmani

Dehradun – The Chief Minister said that today another important link is being added to the development of the state by adding 130 new buses to the fleet of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. New buses equipped with modern technology will prove to be an important step towards strengthening the transport system of our state. These buses will not only provide safe, convenient and economical travel experience to the passengers, but will also infuse new energy in the economic, social and tourism activities of the state. He said that the geographical conditions of Uttarakhand are challenging compared to other states. The inaccessible and remote rural areas of the state are dependent on our transport network for basic amenities.

The Chief Minister said that the tourism sector is the backbone of Uttarakhand’s economy. In such a situation, an effective transport system is not only very important for the convenience of passengers, but also contributes to economic development. It is our resolve to connect every corner of the state with better road network and reliable transport services. He said that the government is continuously working to strengthen the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. Where till a few years ago our transport corporation was in a loss of more than Rs 500 crore. The Transport Corporation has been continuously making profits for the last three years. For this, he also praised the work of the officers and employees of the Transport Corporation.

The Chief Minister said that we are moving forward to make this decade the decade of Uttarakhand. Today, Uttarakhand is among the leading states of the country in many areas. The state has got the first place in the Sustainable Development Goals issued by NITI Aayog, it is a challenge for us to maintain it. The GSDP of the state has increased rapidly and the unemployment rate has decreased. Electric buses will also be included in the bus fleet soon. The government is also well aware of the problems of its drivers and conductors. For this, whether it is an increase in DA, implementing the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission or solving the problem of manpower through recruitments in the corporation, we are working for their welfare with full commitment. It has also been decided to give incentives to the drivers, conductors and technical staff providing services on the occasion of this Diwali.

MLA Vinod Chamoli said that the 10 percent increase in the fleet of buses at one go under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami is a big gift for the state. While this will facilitate the movement of people, the Chief Minister has also worked to connect people with their heritage. He said that continuous efforts are necessary to make the Transport Corporation more profitable. Along with the beautification of ISBT, continuous efforts will have to be made to prevent encroachment.

On this occasion, MLA Pramod Nainwal, Mrs. Savita Kapoor, Divisional President Sanjeev Singhal, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Vice President MDDA Banshidhar Tiwari, Additional Secretary Transport Corporation Mr. Narendra Joshi, Anil Garbyal and other officers of Transport Corporation were present.

Abhishek Joshi won first prize in paper presentation in national conference on radiation held at Graphic Era University

Abhishek Joshi of HNB Garhwal University won the first prize in the paper presentation category on the last day of the national conference on radiation held at Graphic Era University.

More than 35 paper presentations and more than 85 poster presentations were presented in the three-day national conference held at Graphic Era Deemed University. In the closing session of this conference, Professor Tibor Kovacs won the second prize in the paper presentation category. Vinay Rawat of SGRR won the third prize in the same category. The first prize in the poster presentation category was awarded to Krishan Pal Singh of PNG Government Degree College, Ramnagar. Beant Kaur of Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala won the second prize and Sania of Zakir Husain College, New Delhi won the third prize in the poster presentation category.

The national conference was organized by the Department of Physics in collaboration with the National Radon Network Society. Department Head Dr. Fateh Singh Gill, Chairman of RadNet Prof. R. C. Ramola, Vice Chairman Prof. B. S. Bajwa, Coordinator Prof. Kuldeep Singh, Senior Researcher of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Dr. S. A. Pandit, Convener Dr. Sanjeev Kimothi, scientists, researchers and PhD scholars from across the world were present in the conference.

Now along with the 38th National Games, Winter National Games will be held in Uttarakhand

Dehradun (Amaanullah Usmani) Even after a long wait, when the confusion over the date of organizing the 38th National Games was not cleared, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami himself took the initiative and met the President of the Indian Olympic Association, Dr. PT Usha and put the whole matter before her. On the initiative of the Chief Minister, the President of the Indian Olympic Association has gladly approved the proposal of the Uttarakhand government for the dates of the event. Now the 38th National Games will be held in Uttarakhand from January 28 to February 14 next year. Not only this, the Olympic Association President also requested to organize the Winter National Games in Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister gladly accepted the request of PT Usha and said that Uttarakhand is ready for this too.

After Uttarakhand got the hosting of the 38th National Games, the state government and the sports department were busy preparing for it, but due to the non-announcement of the dates of the event, a situation of confusion arose. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Dhami was on a visit to Delhi, during this time, despite being very busy, the Chief Minister met the President of the Indian Olympic Association and ended the confusion over the dates of the National Games.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Dhami said that the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand will be very successful and historic. Uttarakhand is fully prepared for this National Sports Mahakumbh. The state government will ensure all the necessary arrangements to make this event memorable. Our effort will be to organize the National Games in Uttarakhand in a better way. This will prove helpful in giving a new identity to the state.

‘Sadbhavna March’ in Doon against growing communalism, Karanprayag residents unite to seek action against divisive elements

S.M.A.KAZMI

Dehradun, In protest against growing communal incidents and targeting of minorities in Uttarakhand, hundreds of public spirited men and women belonging to various social and political organisations marched on the streets of Dehradun as part of “Sadhbavna March” here today.

Hundreds of people gathered at historic Gandhi park, where they sang songs affirming their faith in unity of the common masses and their resolve to maintain dignity and equality of fellow human beings. Later, people with white bands on their mouths and holding placards calling upon people to shun communal and divisive elements, they took out a “Sadbhava March” from Gandhi park to Paltan bazaar and back.

An appeal was made to the general masses of Uttarakhand against attempts being made to disturb the communal harmony and brotherhood of the state by spreading hatred on petty issues. The appeal condemned the targeting of minorities in the name of ‘Love Jehad’ and to displace them from their hearths and homes in the hills. The violence against Dalits in the state is also part of the hate campaign. The appeal expressed concern at the political patronage being given to such divisive elements who are out to destroy the communal harmony and brotherhood of the society for their ulterior political motives. The appeal further expressed deep concern at the failure of the police in acting under pressure and not taking action against such elements who had been destroying public order by taking law into their own hands. The common masses were appealed to raise their voice against such elements.

The appeal noted with concern that the police and the state administration had failed to take suo motto action against such hate mongers and trouble makers despite appeals made by prominent citizens, bureaucrats and women organisations ate the national level in the past years.

Participants in ‘Sadbhavna March against rising communalism in Dehradun on Sunday.

The appeal reminded the state government that safety and security of all the citizens remain the bounden duty of the state and called upon to act as per the directions of the Supreme Court of India. The appeal urged the state government to insure the security of all the citizens irrespective of caste creed, colour and religion, stricvt action against those indulging in spreading communal violence and hatred. The appeal also asked the state government to form permanent peace committees at the block, district and state level.

The people who signed the peace appeal included Dr. Shekhar Pathak, Prof. Uma Bhatt, Radha Behn, Harish Rawat, Balli Singh Cheema, Karan Mahra, Virender Painuly, Rajeev Nayan Bahuguna, Kamla Pant, Geeta Gairola, Shankar Gopal, Nicholas Haoffland, Anil Nauriya, Sumita Hazarika, Razia Baig and Latafat Hussain and hundreds other from across the state.

Prominent amongst those who participated in the march included Dr. Ravi Chopra, Vibha Puri Dass, Kamla Pant,Indresh maikhuri, Samar Bhandari, Suryakant Dhasmana, Garima Dasuani, Lal Chand Sharma, Trilochan Bhatt, Jai Singh Rawat, Satish Dhaulkhandi, Rajinder Negi, Indu Naudiyal, Chander Kala, Nirmala Bisht, jaikrit kandwal, Roshan Dhasmana, Dr. S.N.Sacchan, Surender Sajwan and Atul

Sati and hundreds other.

The organisations which supported the march included Uttarakhand Insaniyat manch, Uttarakhand Mahila Manch, Nasha Virodhi Jan Abhiyan,Chetna Andolan, SFI,Bharat Gyan Vigyan samiti, IPTA, NAPSR,AIDWA,Uttarakhand Congress,CPI, CPM, CPI(ML) and Samajwadi Party.

people of Karanprayag in Chamoli district under the banner of Nagrik Manch submitting a memorandum to SDM, Karanprayag against elements spreading hate against Muslims in the hills.

Meanwhile in a related development, prominent citizens of Karanprayag under the banner of Nagrik Manch, submitted a memorandum addressed to District Magistrate,Chamoli through Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Karanprayag against attempts by some vested elements to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of the Karanprayag by targeting the minority Muslim community. They alleged that some people claiming to be ‘Hindutva’ leaders are trying to grab a Muslim graveyard which they had been trying for the past several years. They said that Hindus and Muslims had been living peacefully without any trouble and part of the local society. It further said that a court case has been going on regarding the graveyard but now attempts are continuously made to create communal trouble.

The Nagrik Manch Karanprayag urged the local administration to immediate take strict action against such elements. Prominent amongst those who met the SDM and submitted a memorandum included Subhash gairola, former Chairman, Nagar Palika Parishad, Karanprayag,Birender Singh Mingwal,President, Vyapar Mandal, Karanprayag, Bhupal Singh Rawat, District Secretary, CPM, Mahesh Khanduri, City President Congress, Ishwari Prasad maikhuri, Dr. Madan Mohan Navni, Suraj Bisht, Ayush Negi and several other youth and student leaders.