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The long road to devotion: Chardham Yatra begins today

By
Tania Saili
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0

After being closed for nearly six winter months, the shrines of Uttarakhand also known as the famous ‘Chardham’ or ‘four shrines’ re-opened their portal for pilgrims this April. While the shrines of Yamnotri and Gangotri were the first to open for pilgrimage on 18th of April, they were followed by Kedarnath Shrine opening on 29th April with Badrinath throwing open its portal to devotees and pilgrims at 4:30 a.m. today i.e. on 30th April.

Temples off-the-beaten path, such as Tungnath Temple will open on 5th of May, followed by Madmaheswar Temple on 18th May and Rudranath Temple will open on 19th May.

Along with the famous-four, the Sikh pilgrimage site of Hemkund Sahib will be the last to open its portal on the 25th of May.

Traditionally, the world-famous Chardham pilgrimage comes to a grinding halt towards first week of November every year when these shrines become inaccessible due to heavy snowfall in the long cold, winter months. Following Spring, around Basant Panchami the dates for the re-opening of the shrines are announced as per ancient rites and rituals.

The State administration, under the watchful eye of the Centre has been working on war-footing over the past few months to ensure that facilities and road safety norms are in place before pilgrims from home and foreign shores start arriving in droves in the hill-state of Uttarakhand or ‘Devbhoomi’ as it is rightly called, to partake in what is considered, a pilgrimage of a lifetime.

Opening Dates of off-the-beaten-track temples:

Tungnath: 5th May

Madmaheshwar: 18th May

Rudranath :19th May

Hemkund: 25th May

Comprehensive medical services enroute “Char Dham yatra”

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newspost
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On the instructions of Uttarakhand CM.Rawat strong steps have been taken to ensure comprehensive medical facilities along the Chardham yatra route.

Proper arrangement of medical relief post, medical units, ambulance, blood bank, trauma centre  have been put in place  to facilitate devotees on Yatra routes. In Badrinath Dham, ‘Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber ‘  has been installed and similar service will be introduced at Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri soon.

A ‘ Hyperbaric oxygen chamber ‘ has been arranged for quick diagnosis of heart related problems to devotees in High altitude areas. Instructions to comply with standard treatment protocol for cardiovascular treatment have been given to the health department.

Secretary Health Nitesh Jha informed that medical officers/ Pharmacist and other paramedical staff have been deployed on Yatra route. Medicines such as Ecosprin and sorbitrate for treatment of diabetes, hypertension for senior citizens has been arranged on yatra route.  ‘Six Sigma health care ‘ center from Delhi will provide specialized health services till June 21 on Yatra routes. The center has also provided cardiologist, pulmonologist  facility in Kedarnath Dham and a cardiologist will also be made available at Yamnotri Dham soon.

The helpline number-104 has also been strengthened to facilitate the devotees visiting Charadham through which all health-related information will be given and complaints and suggestions will also be sought.

 The devotees will be provided the information about health facilities through this helpline. Secretary Health Nitesh Jha said that medical relief posts have been set up at 20 places on ‘Char Dham yatra’ route. At 8 places, first medical responders, services have been provided while at 103 places health units have been constituted.

In addition to this, medical experts, Pharmacists and staff nurses have been arranged and 50 ambulances have been deployed in at major places on the Yatra route. The secretary health Jha said that they were coordinating with major hospitals such as Max, Himalayan, Mahant Indresh and Birla groups for providing expert health services.

The telemedicine services will also be introduced on ‘Char Dham’ route and all preparation for it are complete. He said that quick relief and response team has been arranged in case of any sort of accident on the yatra route and if need be free vehicle will be provided to take the injured to the Jolly grant hospital

Arshleenz Creation: Creating Magic out of nothing at all

By
Tania Saili
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0

Giving-up a lucrative career to pursue your passion is things that dreams are made off. But seldom does one come across such a person who has it in them to do just that, and follow their heart. We, at Team Newspost, were fortunate to bump into vivacious Arshleen Kaur Sabharwal, armed with a B.Ed Degree, from a well-to-do family in Dehradun gave it all up to pursue her passion of creating craft out of discarded material.

Reuse, Recycle and Recreate is her leitmotif. 

Taking about her art, Arshleen briefs us, “Nature is my inspiration. My grandfather gave me the idea of turning glass bottles into gift items, an idea which set me rolling and I haven’t looked back since then.“

Today the young lady is on a roll. In a one room-studio in her home in Dehradun called ‘Arshleenz Creation,’ this young lady creates magic with her hands, turning waste into pieces of art. She was also felicitated by the Manorma Dobriyal Sharma Award for bringing about change and awareness in the society for recycling products and customising them at low cost. An idea which has caught the fancy of plenty of schools in the valley who arrange workshops and camps for their students with Arshleen to assist and guide them. 

Arshleen’s favourite tools of work are glass bottles, wool, newspapers, plastic, anything you think is waste, is an idea which inspires Arshleen to create something beautiful out of it. 

Some of the items made by Arshleen are Bottle planters, Sprinklers, Bird-feeders which she can customise as per her customer requirements. And adding another feather to her cap, Arshleen also makes customise props for marriages, birthday parties and theme parties as well.  Her motto, “you dream, Ill design” is a trend which is making her famous not only amongst her peer group and friends but growing number of buyers from not only Dehradun but foreign shores as well.

The following links give us a glimpse into the magical work of Arshleen:

https://www.instagram.com/arshleenz_creation/

https://www.facebook.com/arshleen.kaur

CM extends greetings ahead of opening of Kedarnath

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The portal to the shrine of Kedarnath will open for the pilgrims on April 29,  2018. Chief Minister Rawat has extended his greetings to the pilgrims and the people of the state on the occasion of opening of the shrine.

The Chief Minister said that all the necessary arrangements have been made by the State Government to facilitate the pilgrims and devotees coming for the darshan of Lord Kedarnath this year.

The road, electricity, water, health and safety arrangements have been made on the trekking route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. Availability of doctors has been ensured at every kilometer on this route. Adequate stay arrangements have been made at Kedarnath.

Welcoming pilgrims from India and abroad to ‘Devbhoomi’, the Chief Minister said that, “our intention was to spread the message of safe and accessible ‘Char Dham yatra’.

He said that due to the well-planned restoration works at Kedarnath, its attractive and grand structure will be visible to all. At Kedarpuri, ‘The Eternal Shiva’ laser show being held for the first time will also be the center of attraction at Kedarnath. Through this laser show, the life-like depiction of various forms of Lord Shiva will be presented.

Laser Show rehearsal dazzles Kedarnath shrine

By
Ashish Dobhal/Tania Saili
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0

June 2013. A devastating deluge wipes out Kedarpuri, a town famous for the 8th century Shiva temple of Kedarnath. Then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendar Modi offers to restore the Shrine to its past glory, but Politics prevent. Like a lodestone attracted to the continuous pull of the Shiv Shrine after becoming Prime Minister, Narendar Modi took up  the Herculean task along with the Uttarakhand government and under the watchful eye of the Centre, they have been able to bring Kedarnath to its present glory.

This is a shining example of the double-engine that the Prime Minister spoke about when BJP came to power in the hill-state which has resulted in all around speed-up in other progress work as well.

Adding another feather to its cap, is how in a few hours before the portal of Kedarnath are flung open to welcome pilgrims and devotees, a rehearsal of a dazzling laser show lit up the exterior facade of the temple at twilight yesterday.

A 25 member team has been working on war-footing to give the laser show its last touches. A myriad of Shiv images were projected on the 8th century stonewalls of the shrine,  mesmerising everyone present.

Once the portals of the shrine open, which is on the 29th of this month, pilgrims and devotees alike will witness this dazzling show, everyday, post sun set.

By-election for Tharali assembly on May 28

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Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer Saujanya has informed that Election Commission of India has announced the by-election scheduled for Tharali-5 (SC) reserve assembly segment of Chamoli district.

Saujanya informed that as per the schedule, Gazette notification for the by-election will be issued on May 3, 2018 while May 10 will be the last date of filing nominations. The scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done on May 11, May 14 will be the last date of withdrawal of candidatures. The polling will take place on May 28 and counting of votes will be done on May 31. The election process for the by-election will be completed by June 2, 2018.

She said that as per the directions of the Election Commission, the by-election will be held as per the photo electoral rolls revised till January 1, 2018. The EVMs with VVPT machines will be used in the voting. She said that as per the direction of the Commission Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect in Chamoli district.

Weaving a livelihood on the roads of Mussoorie

By
Tania Saili
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1

They are spread like a carpet of wildflowers all along the roadside from Dehradun to Mussoorie. Except that there are no flowers, just a riot of colours of every hue that brightens up the scorched hillside. Within a span of fifteen kilometers, a dozen carpet sellers, stain the hillside with splashes of colour. They are all for the picking: woollen ones rub shoulders with synthetic; runners and jhumaar and foot mats festoon the bushes and trees if they are not strung out between straggly trees. All this is done to catch the eye of the tourists and local commuting on the winding roads.

Come meet Irkaan – the sole bread winner for a family of ten, who will tell you: ‘we traditionally belong to Madhavsingh village near Bhadoi in Uttar Pradesh known for its carpet business, but I moved to Dehradun some 30 years ago. As temperatures rise in the plains our business takes a dip and we move to the hills to make a living.’

And they are at it, this selling of carpets, from ten in the morning to six at dusk, and the take home can be anywhere between a hundred to two thousand rupees a day. Vibrant colours; lovely designs, of all shapes and sizes do attract buyers, though many just stop to ask the price and carry on, as we notice. I meet a prospective buyer from Hyderabad and she tells us, ‘ We don’t get this variety at such a throw away price in any of the Malls that I have visited, this is a steal deal if you want value for money.’

So next time you are driving up and down the winding roads to Mussoorie, make sure you buy something from these carpet merchants which will definitely add more colour and warmth to your home.

PM Modi takes stock of reconstruction work at Kedarnath

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newspost
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Prime Minister, Narendra Modi took stock of reconstruction work done at Kedarnath through a drone camera. Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh apprised him about progress of reconstruction and development works being done at Kedarnath through video conferencing. Prime Minister applauded the efforts of state government for its impeccable efforts to give divine and grand look of Kedarnath.

The Chief Secretary Singh showed him that platform in front of Kedarnath temple has been widened from 1500 square metres to 4125 metres, the confluence of Mandakini and Saraswati rivers is 270 metre away from the temple compound.

A 12 feet high debris had accumulated at the place after the 2013 deluge which has been excavated and removed. The entire temple complex can be seen without any obstruction from the entry point. The width of entire entrance route is 50 feet. The facility for drainage and ducts for cables on either side of the entrance is in progress.

The work is on to lay 10 feet broad carved stone tiles in the middle of pedestrian route has been completed. The work is on to construct 470 metre long security wall along river Saraswati and construction is on to construct 380 metre long security wall along river Mandakini. The 13 residential complex for 73 Purohits (priests) is under construction. Besides, 3.5 km long pedestrian route from Garudchatti to Kedarnath has been completed. More than 70 percent work of beautification and widening of Gaurikund-Lincholi route has been completed. The work for drainage and 300 meter long barrier on the eastern side of the temple to protect it from landslide and mudslide has been completed.

Chief Secretary informed that ‘Kedarnath Utthan Charitable Trust’ has been formed for Kedarnath reconstruction work. An amount of Rs 10 crore has been collected under CSR fund for the trust.  The work is on to construct a Yoga meditation cave above 200 metre on the right side bank of river Mandakini. A mobile App has been made for pilgrims visiting Kedarnath and which can be used in any Indian language including south Indian languages and will give details about the Kedarnath shrine.

A laser show would be organised as a pilot project for one week from April 28 during evening. A 10 bedded hospital has been established after renovating the old GMVN guest house and arrangements for water, electricity and other basic amenities have been completed. The replica of Kedarnath reconstruction work would be established in two days. Garhwal commissioner Dilip Jawalkar and other officials were present on the occasion.

53 IFS trainees pass out from Indira Gandhi Forest Academy

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A total of 53 IFS trainees passed out today from Indira Gandhi forest Academy

Dr Shashi Kumar, Director of Indira Gandhi forest Academy informed that for the 2016-18 professional course, Five officers from Uttar Pradesh, six from Bihar, three each from Delhi and Punjab, while one from West Bengal, seven from Rajasthan, one from Madhya Pradesh, six from Tamil Nadu and two trainees were from Jharkhand. Out of these, four are from Maharashtra, three from Karnataka, four from Andhra Pradesh, two from Haryana and four from Telangana were awarded honours diplomas. Two foreign trainees from Bhutan also passed out today.

Uttarakhand Governor Dr. K.K. Paul congratulated passed out IFS Probationers and said that, “Doon valley is known as the ‘Cradle for Indian Forestry’. ‘Chipko Movement’ which was started for environment conservation is being considered as model in the entire world and was started in Himalaya. Forest officers should use intense scientific techniques and social-economic inputs for forest conservation.” 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister congratulated probationers, and said, “that importance of forest has been increasing every day and urged upon the young officers to contribute to forest conservation.  He said 71 percent of the lands in Uttarakhand are under forest cover. He hoped that newly passed out Officers would work towards new technologies and research.

Referring to Uttarkashi eco- sensitize zone, Chief Minister said that there is need to use new technologies for the welfare of society without disturbing the environment. He stressed upon the need to use new technologies in checking incidents of forest fires. He said that less number of forest fire incidents is reported this year since the state government has introduced many steps to check forest fires.

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr Harsh Vardhan congratulated Young Probationers on the successful completion of the training. In his address, Dr Harsh Vardhan spoke on the need of strengthening those community relying on forest for their livelihood, long term beneficial goal from forest, developing income generating source for villagers, and to work to check climate change and to work towards forest conservation.  He hoped that young officers would prove their worth.

Rakesh Bhardwaj: If Music be the food of love, play on

By
Tania Saili
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3

Year 1999. Dr. Palash Sen’s Euphoria comes out with ‘Mayari’ a song which instantly tops music charts across the country and around the same time, making his debut in the Euphoria band was a young lad from Pauri, Garhwal called Rakesh Bhardwaj.

18 years since then, Rakesh Bhardwaj a maestro in rhythm instruments including those from Garhwal and its folk songs, hasnt looked back. Initiated into the world of fusion music Rakesh was born into the family of legendary Garhwali singer Chander Singh Rahi, the first Garhwali to sing at the All India Radio Station, so it doesn’t come as surprise when Rakesh tells us, ‘Music, was my first love, I started playing musical instruments at a young age and would hear my father sing. Then at 13, I started my formal education at the Gandharwa Mahavidyalay, learning tabla from Ustad Faiyaz Khan guru and at present I am a disciple of Taal Yogi Pt. Suresh Talwarkar ji.’

In the year 2014, the famous percussionist conceptualised, ‘Pahadi soul,’ a company dedicated to revive and renew old, authentic pahari songs giving it a fresh tinge. ‘I always wanted to do something worthwhile for my hill-state, give it that recognition, it truly deserves, specially in the field of music.’

He bravely chose ‘Bedo Paako’ as his first choice of song to reinvent. The song considered as the anthem for Garhwalis all over the world became an instant hit. Since, then Rakesh has painstakingly reinvented music videos, some based on his father’s early songs such as  ‘saat samundar paar,’ ‘apni thati tay‘, ‘Gado Guloband,’ and more recently followed by ‘Kukdi.‘

‘I am not in it for the money,’ he tells us. ‘It is about my passion for our culture, tradition  and more so our music that keeps me going. Music is a wind that blows away years and distance within minutes. I want to revive forgotten, soulful songs from our magic mountains without loosing their authenticity.’

Rakesh states that he will not stop reinventing regional songs until he comes across a young lad or girl playing pahadi songs on his/her mobile instead of a Punjabi song.

Definitely our man, is on a mission and he is not going to miss a beat, until it is achieved.

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