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Age is just a number: Ruskin Bond turns 84

By
Tania Saili
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0

19th May. An annual procession makes its way up the sharp incline through the narrow lanes of Landour Cantonment at day break. Making their way to author Ruskin Bond’s home in the hills, Ivy Cottage. Everyone, from the local MLA who arrives with droves of restless media is amongst the first to arrive at the author’s doorstep, followed by the town mayor; children of all ages with their excited parents; publishers; fans; vips, officials, friends all there to wish the town’s gentle muse as he celebrates seeing 84 summers this year.

Even on his birthday, in spite of the continuous flow of well-wishers, we find the Ruskin ready with a smile, receiving endless gifts, bouquets, cakes and bakes while obliging the young and the old with a selfie.

‘I let them fuss over me today,’ says Ruskin with a twinkle in this eyes. ‘If I had my way, I would take off in any direction with my family and a picnic basket, to enjoy my birthday,‘ he adds.

But instead, we find Ruskin at the Cambridge Book Depot, Mussoorie in the afternoon where, he for the past 16 years and on, has been celebrating his birthday with  Surendar and Sunil Arora, owners of the book shop who play the perfect host to Bond’s umpteen fans.

This year too the tradition is being kept alive by the Arora family. Speaking to Newspost Sunil Arora tell us, “Ruskin Bond will come to the shop around 3:30 and there will be book signing. We will then have a book launch of Puffins ‘Ranji the music maker’ followed by a cake-cutting ceremony.“

Writer’s don’t retire, Bond is living proof.  As the author turns another year ‘younger,’ he like clockwork sets about the task of penning stories to amuse and entertain three generations in a row, a rare feat, which few authors can claim.

Doonites fight mountains of garbage

By
Lucky Singh/Tania Saili
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0

‘The stink assaults your senses long before you see it!’ complains a friend. That is until you arrive right next to the sight of the mess. Dehradun is on the verge of drowning in its own garbage. With safai-karamchari been on strike for the past 11 days, the town has been reduced to a heap of filth! That is the condition in all the bustling colonies too.

While in the olden days, ministers would brandish brooms, have their pictures taken as part of the cleanliness drive, today is if you went looking for them, you’d cannot find them for they seem to have gone missing. ‘Have they gone for a ride astride a broom?’ A friend asks, with a mask on his nose to keep out the stench that pervades the atmosphere.

These mountains of filth have turned into grazing grounds for cows and rummaging fields for canines. What have we reduced this green valley to? It was called ‘the city of grey heads and green hedges!’ But wait. All is not lost yet. Two young men Ajay Gariola and Azjad Kazi have taken up the task of cleaning the rubbish around their society, a daily ritual done with sincerity. It is this that has seen many join the dynamic duo.

61 year old Pradeep Chandra Khanduri a retired ONGC officer brandishes a spade to clear up the mess. Speaking to Newspost he said, “At times its the young generation which teaches you a lot, for the past two days I have been watching these two work diligently cleaning up the rubbish piled up outside our society, they have changed the way I felt about things and realised that you too can make a change, instead of choosing to turn a blind eye or blame the government .”

Cutting across the barriers of age and gender, they toil on, leading by personal example. Others are chipping in to fight this man-made menace and with the safai-karamchari strike coming to an end, this phase too shall pass. But its heartening to see citizens doing their bit with a a sense of pride and belonging, trying to do their bit by becoming waste warriors for the city that is home to them.

Its Cycle to Work for this Security Officer

By
Lucky Singh/Tania Saili
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0

Dehradun, a city known for green hedges and grey hair, has now become synonymous with pollution. Government and NGO’s are doing their bit, but a lot yet has to be achieved. Individual efforts are becoming success stories overnight, and adding to that list is Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat’s Chief Security Officer Sanjay Bishnoi.

Sanjay Bishnoi, has started commuting by cycle to work. A feat which has won him praises from everyone including the Chief Minister. Not only does Sanjay himself cycle to work, he has appealed to his colleagues especially those living within 5-7 km radius of their work-place to commute the healthy way.

Speaking to Newspost, Sanjay Bishnoi added, “While coming to work, I would see people walking or cycling and I thought it was a brilliant idea to stay healthy and fit while doing my bit to reduce pollution in the State Capital.”  Motivated by the officer’s move, a few have already started cycling to work and many have decided to buy one too.

Mr. Bishnoi, could be the well-needed inspiration for many who might slowly think of cycling as an alternate to get to work in other government offices, the Police Headquarters or the the Secretariat in the Capital, doing their bit in view of the rising pollution and growing traffic problem.

Sharing with the media his thoughts about Mr. Bishnoi’s initiative, the Chief Minister of the State said, “this is a good message to the society, besides helping in improving the pollution level and traffic problems, everyone has to contribute and only then will these problems could be checked.“

So now, when your route to work takes you cycling even on ill-maintained roads, with kerbs and potholes alongside fast moving traffic, dont worry, there will be moments of pure pleasure as you know you are doing your bit by being healthy as well as making Dehradun pollution free.

Lesser Known Chopta: A place for all seasons

By
Tania Saili
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3
Pic Courtesy:Gaurav Saili

 ….. Northwards soared

The stainless ramp of huge Himala’s wall

Ranged in white ranks against the blue — untrod

Infinite, wonderful – whose uplands vast,

And lifted universe of crest and crag,

Shoulder and shelf, green slope and icy horn,

Riven ravine, and splintered precipice

Led climbing thought higher and higher, until

It seemed to stand in heaven and speak with Gods

 EDWIN ARNOLD – The Light of Asia.

This summer, if you plan to travel into the Garhwal Himalaya, make sure you take the road less travelled. These lesser known routes will take the tourist, pilgrim, trekker or traveller through one of Uttarakhand’s most picturesque, scenic and spiritual region for example the Gopeshwar-Mandal-Chopta-Tungnath route.

Pic Courtesy:Gaurav Saili

Off the beaten track, Chopta remains one of the most elusive and untouched meadows in the region. Its  diverse flora and fauna makes the area one of the most pristine pastures for trekkers and pilgrims alike. The mighty Oak, feathered and festooned with moss and ferns; wiry Birch; Pine and Rhododendron and the forest floor a carpet of slippery grass, is the prefect setting for this gradual trek.

Chopta,  also called mini-Switzerland for its scenic beauty is covered with rhododendron trees, pastures, shrubs surrounded by high peaks caressing the skyline, making it a picture-postcard setting where you feel one with Nature. 

Okhimath, Tungnath, Anasuya, Rudranath: For those on a religious trip, if you were to travel down this lesser known road,  you can always stop and say your prayers at Omkareshwar Temple in Okhimath, before moving onto Tungnath, highest Shiv shrine amongst the panch-kedar and from there, a kilometer long, steep-uphill walk takes you to Chandrashila from where you have a 180 degree view of Trishul, Bandarponch, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi along with Kedar Peak. Then there is the quaint temple of Goddess Anasuya as you move forward towards the fourth-Kedar, Rudranath temple in Gangol Village, which is closer to Gopeshwar.

The sun sets swiftly in the mountains. The journey is done or has it just begun? One is left answering the question as they take leave of these mountains, only to return again.

Lost and Found: Good job, Kedarnath Police!

By
Tania Saili
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1

With pilgrims arriving in droves to Kedarnath, the local police here is working round the clock to ensure that the pilgrimage goes smoothly.  But then, children will be children, and oftener than not, they get separated from their loved ones. Courtesy Uttarakhand Police living upto its motto of Friendly/Mitr Police separated children are being pampered, looked after and consoled by the police here, before being deposited safely into the waiting-arms of their loved one.

Within three weeks of the Kedarnath opening for pilgrimage the instances of loved ones being separated from their friends or family has been on the rise, especially along the long, winding, route up to the shrine.

Keeping women and children safety in mind, the local police here is leaving no stones unturned to make sure that there is no untoward incident. Their humanitarian job  has won them praises not only from local residents but also tourists who leave behind notes in their register, acknowledging and appreciating the police hard-work and diligence.

Speaking to team Newspost, SI Vipin Chandra Pathak says, “its true that a few children and relatives have been separated while walking up to the shrine, but we are ensuring that those separated from their family and friends are reunited as soon as possible. At times, we have been on a case until 2:00 a.m. , but in the end, its all worth it.“

Since 29th April, when the shrine opened, close to 1,67,448 pilgrims have visited Kedarnath to-date and within a short span 5-6 cases of people being separated and reunited within hours has ruled the airwaves.

SI Bipin Pathak is incharge of the Kedarnath Police Station with his team of 85 abled police constables including 4 women constables and a woman wireless operator are fighting odds such as fading mobile network, hurrying porters, lack of information, inclement weather to ensure, everyone returns home with pleasant memories.

Traditional Uttarakhand food: Taste at it’s Best

By
Lucky Singh
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0

Traditional Uttarakhand cuisine is tantalizing to the taste buds whether it isKaapli ki Sabji, Jholi (Kadhi), Mandua ki roti, Dal kay pakode making the list endless.Below are some of the hill state’s delicacies:

 Pattyud/Pinalu (Arbi): Arbi or Yam is called Pinalu in Garhwali and holds a significant place in the food order of the State. People of Uttarakhand make Pakoda’s or fritters out of the leaves of Arbi and flour batter, especially when the rains arrive in the hill-state.

Thachula mooli: Usually, everyone takes radish as a salad, but here in Uttarakhand radish is served as leafy vegetable gravy that can be eaten with chapati as well as with rice.

Bal Mithai: Uttarakhand’s most famous sweet is Bal Mithai, made from Khoya and coated with sugar balls and Almora’s Bal Mithai is famous through out the hill-state. Bal Mithai is a perfect token to take back from Uttarakhand when you visit the State next.

Singodi: This delicious sweet is prepared with Khoya and coconut wrapped in a green leaf that is found in particularly in Kumaon called Malu. This local mouthwatering delicacy is a favorite with locals and tourists as well.

 Aaloo ke Gutkhe: A typical Uttarakhand food made from boiled potatoes, roasted spices along with dry whole red chili along with coriander leaves. Locals use a regional spice called Jhakiya ka Tadka.

 Kumaoni Raita: This is for people who love curd.  This recipe is prepared with curd, cucumber and mustard seeds that give it a pungent taste making it different from all other Raitas. People treat it as a meal rather than taking it as a side dish.

Bhang Ki khatai: This lip-smacking dish of Uttarakhand is prepared with roasted bhang (opium) seeds, cumin seeds and lemon juice. This healthy concoction is good for stomach ailments and is a must-have in summers for locals and tourists alike

Madue Ki Roti: Rotis or Chapattis made from homegrown cereal called Madua is now famous in home and abroad for its nutrient value.This is coarse but delicious form of chapatti is usually taken with homemade butter and is a staple diet in most villages of Uttarakhand.

Jhangora Kheer: This dessert is prepared from milk, sugar and Jhangora, a locally grown cereal of Uttarakhand.

Bhatt ki Dal: Amongst Uttarakhand’s cuisine, Bhatt ki dal (black Soybean) is a very delicious pulse. It’s a concoction of Bhatt, Chana pulses and gehed/gauth dal. It is prepared with a lot of care like soaking it for the night and then grinding it and then steaming it for hours on end.

Dal Pakode: Urad Dal pakode or fritters are an inherent part of Uttarakhand’s rich cuisine. Urad Dal pakodas sprinkled with black til are a must-have during any auspicious festivities. This tasty recipe holds an important place in the lives of people of Uttarakhand.

Sisunak Sag: A Green leafy Vegetable Dish prepared like other green vegetables,  the leaves are locally known as “Bichhu Ghas”.

Kaapa (saag): Boiled spinach, finely chopped and cooked with spice and Curd, and thickened with Rice paste is a healthy recipe rich in iron.

Sweet Arsa: A traditional sweet made from rice, jaggery, water and then fried in hot oil. Arse, again like Urad Dal Pakoda’s are cooked in festivities and special occasions like marriage, birthday etc.

 Chainsoo: This pulse is prepared by black cereal, and is rich in protein, amongst the best food items of Uttarakhand is cooked with cumin and Asafoetida.

 Garhwali Fannah: Garhwal Ka Fannah has become a must-food- item on all menu card of local cuisine. Divine in its taste and aroma, its an instant hit with every age group.

Jholi (pahadi Kadhi): Made from chana flour (besan) and curd, this traditional dish is served pipping hot with ghee and rice.

Foreigners flock to pilgrim destinations in Uttarakhand

By
Ashish Dobhal/Tania Saili
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0

Uttarakhand has always been a crowd-puller especially when it comes to foreigners who come to the region looking to escape the heat and the dust of the plains of India. They flock to the hills, looking for cooler climes, greenery, Yoga and some backpack into the hills along the Chardham pilgrimage route attracted by the shrines and temples nestled in the hill-state.

We witness foreign tourists queuing up from early morning at the Chardham Biometric Registration Centre in Rishikesh registering themselves to visit a few if not all the shrines especially Gangotri, Yamnotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath and a few off beat destinations as well.

Until last week, according to the Biometric registration, the number of foreigners  vying for the Chardham pilgrimage had already crossed three thousand one hundred visitors within a month of the pilgrimage. An elated biometric centre official Premanand happily exclaims, “Most of our foreign tourists like to visit Yamnotri and Gangotri when it comes to pilgrimage. We have tourists who have come all the way from America-Canada-Italy and plenty from Nepal who want to travel to our Chardhams during this time of the year.”

Speaking to Newspost 22 year old Rori, here from Australia, who just got himself registered for the pilgrimage states, “I really like it, I have heard so much about it,” he adds, “there is great energy in India and I am very happy being here, its very nice.”

Uttarakhand Devbhoomi seems to be the first destination choice for foreigners visiting India, especially in summers. Its climate, natural beauty, off the beaten track treks and destination but now its spirituality and religion act like a magnet attracting tired souls and spirit because its not the end, but the journey that makes the difference.

CM Rawat inaugurates “My Mother, Healthy Mother” programme 

By
newspost
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0

On Mother’s Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated “My Mother, Healthy Mother” programme  organised by the Cain Protect Foundation by lighting the ceremonial lamp held at Him Jyoti School at Shastradhara road, Dehradun on Sunday.

The Chief Minister felicitated Aprajita Dabar, Monika Arora and Dr Rekha Khanna for bringing social awareness in form of “Ray of Hope”. The children at the school cut the cake on Mother’s Day and offered it to the Chief Minister. He  also reciprocated by offering the cake to the children.

Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat extended his greetings to all the mothers on Mother’s Day. He said that when mothers are healthy then the baby will be healthy too. If mothers will be healthy today, the future of children will be bright too.  He said that for the overall development of the society it was required that women be empowered. Women need to remain aware and alert towards   their rights and their health. He said that a daughter being educated raises the prestige of the two families. He said that land is being identified in Almora to create a school similar on lines to Him Jyoti School for educating daughters. He said that two residential   colleges equipped with cutting edge technology will be opened in Uttarakhand where the admission will be given on basis of merit.

The Chief Minister said that Cain’s Protect Foundation is running a campaign to raise awareness towards diseases namely Cancer among the women which is admirable. The city BJP president Vinay Goel, Padamshree Dr RP Jain, social activist Rakesh Oberoi, CAN Protect foundation president Dr Sumita Prabhakar, Dr Mahesh Kudiyal and others were present on the occasion.

Nainital Police: And let there be Music

By
Tania Saili
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0

The Nainital Band Stand, in the heart of the town, became a derelict, a monument of neglect for the past many years becoming home to the town drunks and anti-social elements, now all that has changed.  A facelift under the abled-hands of the District Police, and the Band Stand is regaining its past glory.

After an application, seeking permission from DGP Anil Raturi to revive the Band Stand was sent by SSP Nainital Janmejaya Khanduri was instantly approved by the DGP and the historical Band Stand of Nainital perched on the edge of the Lake has finally got its long awaited facelift.

Built sometime in the 1920’s, the Band Stand was built by conservationist, naturalist and author,  Jim Corbett when he was an elected member of the Municipal Board of Nainital from where foot-tapping Jazz numbers by the likes of Kid Ory and rising jazz musicians King Oliver, Louis Armstrong along with Ragtime music resonated along the Nainital Mall road to entertain evening passers-by.

This tradition was kept alive until the mid-seventies when the last 6-7 PAC Band strummed Patriotic, popular film numbers and even Kumaoni numbers from the Stand to entertain tourists visiting the hill-station in summer.

Decades later, the tradition has been relieved thanks to the district’s pro-active police administration. Dressed in immaculate uniform, a 24 member Brass Band of the Police, turns up at the Band Stand every evening from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. strumming Old Hindi Melodies, Kumaoni and Garhwali songs which fill the lake town of Nainital with nostalgia for the old residents and smile on the faces of tourists who come here for a vacation.

Speaking to Team Newspost, SSP Khanduri states, “We started this initiative on the 1st of May and will continue through the summer season until July. It is heartening to see not only locals but tourists appreciating this gesture and sharing pictures and videos of the Band on social media.”

‘Surya asth, Pahaad mast,’ a thing of the past?

By
Lucky Singh/Tania Saili
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0

‘Surya asth, Uttarakhand mast,’ is a well-worn  cliche, connected with the hill state as with other hill-states in  the country. Liquor and hill-folks have become hateful symbols of what is wrong with us, while our womenfolk, all over the hills, try and fight this growing menace tooth and nail. 

In the given circumstances, when an individual, specially a man with the status of a Village Pradhan decides to take a stand against this norm, it is worth sharing. Kantiram, the village Pradhan of Chaurjaspur, in Mathkhaani, Tehri District decided to serve jalebi (sweets) and milk instead of alcohol at his younger sister’s wedding. Inset into the wedding invitation was a yellow sticker which boldly announced  that alcohol of any kind would not be served at the wedding. 

Talking to team Newspost, Gram Pradhan Kantiram says, “I had made up mind that I did not  want alcohol to be served at the wedding. It usually only creates discord, ruckus and chaos at happy  occasions.” Adding: “One must lead by example and so I thought why not me!’ A lot of villagers agreed with his stance, including the bridegroom who was  more than happy with the new arrangement.

A small village of  some 600 villagers have taken a small step in the right direction, stating, “We didn’t find anything amiss or lacking in the wedding arrangements, even the groom’s side of the family returned  happy and content,’ says Dinesh Lal one of the many guests  at the wedding.

Whether this start of not serving alcohol at family functions or ceremonies will bring about a change is open to conjecture – your guess is as good as mine. Will there be a revolutionary change in social norms, or is this just a straw in the wind. Perhaps only time will tell. Watch Newspost for more.

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