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Postponing celebrations in times of Covid-19

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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Dateline Mussoorie: All was going as planned. Venue booked. Date and time fixed. Menu set! Bridal finery finalised. Advance payments made. Wedding invitations gone.

Dr. Gunjan Bahuguna was set to marry Dr. Vijay Gairola on the 26th of April in Dehradun. Then like a tsunami, the second wave of Covid19 broadsided us all.

Without batting an eyelid, this simple, unassuming family took a call by sending off WhatsApp messages to announce that they had pushed the date of the wedding to when the situation was less alarming, a decision supported by everyone, from friends to family to invitees.

“It was tough call to take! It had to be done! For the wellbeing of our friends and guests come first,’ Meera Bahuguna, the mother-of-the-bride to be, tells us.

Talking to Newspost, Dr. Gunjan Bahuguna says, “Since December 2020 we had been planning for our wedding. We have already made an advance payment of rupees five lakhs to-date, but all that is inconsequential.” She happily interjects, “Postponement of our wedding is probably the best decision of my life. I would not like to risk anyone’s life for the sake of getting married.”

In the midst of the second wave of the pandemic we have seen and heard of could-not-care-less attitude in political rallies and the Kumbh Mela. Co-existing side-by-side are those that put aside family functions like weddings and celebratory parties. The writing is on the wall is there for those willing to read. And the message that comes through is loud and clear: ‘Avoid crowds!’ And that could well become the most powerful weapon to defeat this deadly scourge.

We sometimes underestimate the influence of little decisions, but their ripples can be extraordinary, and this young couple sure deserves all the plaudits and blessings for standing up for something they believed in.

Pehal: Homemade meals for those in home isolation

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Mussoorie: Taking cue from Samaritans across the country, a handful of Mussoorie residents have come up with the idea of making simple yet wholesome homemade vegetarian meals for those living in home isolation due to Covid-19.

The piping-hot lunch and dinner meal will consist of one green vegetable, daal, rice and roti made available at the doorstep of those in home isolation. All that one needs to do is call on any of the below given numbers by 11:00 a.m., share their contact details, address and requirement (number of meals required) and freshly cooked home-made food, through contactless delivery, will be delivered at their doorstep, anywhere in Mussoorie, free of cost.

With Covid cases reaching almost two hundred across Mussoorie and most of them in home isolation, this timely help for those in need, is a welcome step lauded by one and all. Rajat Kapoor one of the volunteers for Pehal, tells us, “It was a voluntary effort by us. We know that isolated families of those affected by Covid 19 are struggling to fend basic necessities for themselves let alone cook meals at home. It is a conscious effort.” Another volunteer Rajat Aggarwal, further adds, “We have come across few individuals who were arranging food and groceries for themselves and their families, but since they were isolated and unable to move out due to Covid 19, a need was seen to help such individuals, students, elderly and families who had nowhere else to go.”

Since its inception, Pehal has had a few orders come in and the initiative that began with a close knit of seven like-minded residents of Mussoorie is open to the idea of having more volunteers on board, as Sandeep Sahni puts it, “More hands are always welcome, more people might also come up with newer ideas on what else we can do.”

For now Pehal will be distributing free meals until 5th of May and if need be, would continue to do so after that as well.

HRIDA_greenliving: Helping in times of Covid-19

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.

: Desmond Tutu

Dateline Mussoorie: Words of Desmond Tutu ring true in times of Covid-19 when people from all walks of life are coming forward to give back to the community. In that ever-growing list we add HRIDA_greenliving a Mussoorie based NGO.

They have risen to the occasion and come forward to offer eco-friendly disposables for Covid positive patients living in home isolation across town and that too, all free of charge. These disposables include plates, bowls, cutlery, glasses, serving platters made of sugar bagasse (dry pulpy residue after the extraction of sugarcane juice), Areca palm leaves and birch wood, which are sustainable, biodegradable and compostable.

Under the given circumstances, patients in home isolation due to Covid-19 would commonly use either Plastic or Styrofoam disposables that are easily available in the market but both materials are undoubtedly toxic for the environment. HRIDA_greenliving on the other hand is giving consumers an eco-friendly option and that too free of cost.

Disposables by HRIDA_greenliving

The NGO is making sure that by doing so, another mountain of toxic trash is avoided in our town since we are already fighting mounds of onetime-use litter like disposable masks, gloves etc.

Isha Gupta Vaish, the lady behind the initiative tells us, “Home isolation is a big challenge for all the members of the family, the isolated ones as well as those taking care of them. The virus spread has to be controlled at any cost and one such way is to keep separate/disposable utensils for the affected ones.”

By stepping up the occasion, HRIDA_greenliving is doing their bit to ensure that what cannot be reduced, reused, recycled or composted is being replaced by something eco-friendly.

For those in need, contact: 9557248440 (m)

Mussoorie fights second Covid wave

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Mussoorie: Over the past three weeks there has been a steady rise in those infected by Covid-19 in Mussoorie. Officials have put the total count to hundred and sixty eight, out of which forty-seven are from one particular area in town, the others are spread across. There are six mini containment zones.

With a weekend and daily night curfew in place from 7:00 p.m., there is a day-curfew imposed in town where non-essential shops will close at 2:00 and essential shops will be open until 7:00 p.m.

The local administration is leaving no stone unturned to tackle the grim situation at hand. They have set up a 24×7 Control room number to assist those in need of any assistant related to Covid-19: home-isolation, check-up, medicines etc. Disinfection and sanitization drives are being carried out. By the 23rd of April we will have seven Vaccination Centers covering the length and breadth of Mussoorie. SDM Manish Singh updates us, “To-date six thousand people have been vaccinated in Mussoorie. Out of the total, a little over thousand have been administered both dozes. Those in home-isolation are being followed up with regular help and assistance. A control room is in place to take calls 24×7. People are being fined for not complying to Covid-19 SOP.”

Managing well with a team of thirty-three constables, one SHO, one SSI and two Sub-inspectors, SI Suraj Kandari tells us, “we have been making regular announcements regarding Covid-19 SOPS throughout the town. Enforcing masks and social distancing. We have put up two pickets: library and picture palace end to implement night curfew.”

Taking a cue from fellow hotelier,  Sandeep Sahni, President Uttarakhand Hotel Association promises, “ Taking lead from Four Points by Sheraton, Dehradun who has taken the initiative of providing free services of packed home-made food for Covid positive families in Dehradun who find it difficult to make food. We are working on implementing this initiative throughout the hill-state.” Since yesterday, MJ Residency Hotel and Zion Air Lounge, Dehradun have come aboard, taking this noble task further.

In such testing times, not depending on authorities alone but coming together as a community and doing our bit, could make all the difference in curtailing this growing pandemic.

Control Room: +91 (0) 135-2632681

Uttarakhand’s Sheetal & Yogesh Garbiyal create history atop Mt Annapurna

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Pithoragarh: Creating history. Pithoragarh’s Sheetal and Yogesh Garbiyal, Founder & President of ‘Climbing Beyond The Summits’ along with Pasang Sherpa successfully summited Mount Annapurna on 16th April, 2021 at 14:00 hours.

Putting in hours of high altitude training, the three-member team had been giving it their all to summit Mount Annapurna that stands tall at 8,091 meters in Nepal. It is also the world’s 10th highest mountain peak and amongst the most challenging.

The duo along with six other Indian members from Maharashtra successfully summited Mount Annapurna. The team included another young woman  mountaineer Priyanka Mohite from India. This is the first time that two Indian women i.e. Sheetal and Priyanka have set foot on the worlds 10th highest mountain peak.

In the past, both Sheetal and Yogesh Garbiyal have successfully climbed Mount Everest, Mount Kangchenjunga and have now added Mount Annapurna to their growing list of mountains summited in the past.

Now, back in their home-town of Pithoragarh, an elated Sheetal, who could also be the first Indian woman atop Annapurna, tells me, “It was dangerous and difficult. The mountain is sheer rock, but it was an amazing feeling to be on top of the mountain.It was a feeling like never before.“

This year a record breaking twenty-nine members from various countries successfully summited Mt Annapurna. Out of these twenty-nine members fourteen were women, a record breaking season in terms of the number of women climbers on this challenging peak.

Speaking like a true friend, guide and mentor, Yogesh says, “Though Annapurna is the most dangerous mountain in the world I always wondered why Indian women are not listed in this peak. It was a proud moment for India that an Indian woman unfurled the flag. And the country must be proud of Sheetal’s achievement.” The expedition was sponsored by The Hans Foundation & CBTS.

Indian Summiteers from India:

1. Dr Sumeet Mandale
2. Bhushan Harshe
3. Jitendra Gaware
4. Priyanka Mohite
5. Bhagwaan Chawle
6. Keval Kakka
7. Sheetal
8. Yogesh Garbiyal

If all goes as planned as a part of their high altitude exposure and training ‘Climbing Beyond The Summits’ will be flagging off its  maiden ‘All Women Expedition’ in September, this year to summit Bhagirathi II in Uttarakhand.

‘Saree Bank’ gifting more than just six-yards

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Dehradun: Red, yellow, green, blue or pink in silk, cotton or synthetic are bundles of used sarees which have been carefully washed, sanitized and gift-wrapped to make their way to their second rightful owner via a ‘Saree Bank.’

Over the past few weeks, the Governor of Uttarakhand Baby Rani Maurya has taken up a unique initiative of donating new or unused or usable saris to those who need them the most.

The initiative ‘Saree Bank’ picks up a dozen sarees from drop-off points at Dehradun, Noida and even Agra, the Governor’s hometown. The collection is then segregated, washed and sanitized before being handed-out to underprivileged women across the state of Uttarakhand.

‘Saree Bank’ not only captures the essence of universal sisterhood but it serves the dual purpose of strengthening the relationship between the privileged and under-privileged, the rural and the urban sections of our society.

Since its inception, the ‘Saree Bank’ has collected over four hundred sarees till date that have then made their way to the homes of those who can barely afford to buy one, let alone a few, on any given special occasion.

In her message, Governor Baby Rani Maurya urged women to come out in support of their fellow women and do their bit to empower them by being a part of this concept of gifting sarees.

“There are plenty of sarees we sometimes don’t wear, repeat or find them out of fashion. On the other hand, there is a strata of society who can’t afford to buy new ones,” says a generous donor.

Local NGO’s like Eco-Group have also taken up the task and donated whole-heartedly for the cause, promising to take it forward.

If you too have a saree that you would like to donate, do call on the below number for home collection from anywhere in Dehradun.

Donate @ 91- 70371 75770

Foothills, MTB Challenge, Dehradun on the 14th of April

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Dehradun: Celebrating the memory of cyclist Tanishk Chaudhary, Adventhrill will be organizing a mountain biking challenge on the 14th of April i.e. Tanishk’s birthday.

Tanishk, a young-budding mountain biking enthusiast from Dehradun, whose dream was to represent the state and the country in cycling, lost his life in a freak road accident while out doing what he enjoyed the most, cycling.

Cycling enthusiasts from across the country will come together to celebrate Tanishk’s memory on his 16th birthday and participate in the Foothills MTB Challenge on the 14th of April.

The race will be flagged off at 6 a.m. from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Upper Camp, Garhi Cantt and will end in Rukholi via Purukul and Kimadi. Col. Anil Gurung, Alok Chhetri, Sohan Singh Rawat, Harish Rawat are some of the cyclists who will be participating in the challenge.

All participants pledge to spread awareness about road safety, including India’s highest Adventure Sports Award winner and 2-time Special Service medal winner Colonel Ranvir Jamwal and Deputy Lieutenant of Nehru Mountaineering Institute Colonel Yogesh Dhumal.

Enerzel, Cycling Monk, Cafe Muse Art and Urban Trailblazer have come out in support of the event. Further more, to encourage local youth to take up mountain biking,  cycling couple Dr. Ruchi Sethi and Dr. Sanjay Sethi  have kept aside a cash prize of 20,000/- in the Junior Youth Category for boys and girls respectively.

Naresh Singh Nayal will be the Director of the MTB Challenge while Vinod Saklani and Manish Bhatt will be referees to judge the winners at the end of the race in Rukholi.

Vijay Pratap Singh, the Founder of Adventhrill, says, “Under a youth training program of Adventhrill, a campaign has been started in the memory of Tanishk Chaudhary for young cyclists. Under this programme, three cyclists from Adventhrill: Arjun Rathore, Avnish Rana and Nikhil Bisht have been chosen to represent Uttarakhand in the national team.”

Apurv Saklani, Shubendra Shahi, Kaushal Pandey, Subhash Rauthan, Sunil Mahala, Himanshu Anand, Kunal, Akshat all members of the Adventhrill executive team will be organizing this one-day cycling challenge.

Uttarakhand Hotel Association appeals for help

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Dehradun: Following close on the heals of Goa tourism industry, Uttarakhand hoteliers have appealed to Uttarakhand state authorities to vaccinate all those associated with the tourism business, irrespective of age.

Addressing the media in Mussoorie, President of the Uttarakhand Hotel Association, Sandeep Sahni, stated, “Keeping in mind the importance of tourism in our state we request for all those associated with the tourism business to be vaccinated at the earliest, irrespective of age.” Adding, “We appeal to those in power to exempt our House tax, water and electricity bill be waivered along with road tax. We need the government to boost what remains of the tourism industry, in every possible way.”

With eyes on peak summer season they fear that a repeat of last year could spell doom for close to three thousand five hundred registered hotels and guesthouses in Uttarakhand. The tourism industry contributes 30% to the hill-state’s GDP while generating direct employment for about 1.2-1.5 lakhs. Virtually 1/4th of the hill-state depends on tourism alone and hence cannot be ignored.

Winter of 2020, things were looking up for tourism industry there was a sense of ‘feel-good’ and people were comfortable heading out for holidays. But the recent surge in Covid positive cases has brought about a lull all around. It is no secret that the Tourism Industry world over has taken a major battering.

Hill-stations like Mussoorie and Nainital which on long weekend breaks would be teeming with hordes of tourists from home and aboard have seen a meager 5-10% occupancy, which foretells a bleak future for those associated with the industry.

The Uttarakhand Hoteliers Association seeks timely financial assistance and help from the State government for its employees as well as their establishments as most of them feel they might not be able to sustain another body-blow this year around.

Happily ever after: Haridwar, Mahakumbh

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Haridwar: Everyday a new story unfolds at the Mahakumbh in Haridwar.  Some maybe heart breaking while other’s make you believe in fate, destiny and a rainbow at the end of the clouds.

Today, five long years after being separated from her loved ones on the banks of Ganges, an elderly lady is reunited with her family.

It all started in the beginning of the year. Prior to the upcoming Mahakumbh, an intense verification drive was carried out by the Uttarakhand police along the ganges from Rishikesh to Haridwar. On 1.1.2021 Krishna Devi, presently residing in Triveni Ghat Campus was the wife of a certain Jwala Prasad who was living in Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. The state police  sent her verification form, along with Krishna Devi’s latest photograph to the police station in Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, in an attempt to find Krishna’s family.

When the family members of Krishna were contacted, they informed the police that in the year 2016, Krishna Devi, had visited Haridwar during the Ardh Kumbh. But had failed to return home. Her family searched for Krishna from Haridwar to Ayodhya to Varanasi and Allahabad. Dejected they filed a ‘missing person’ report and also took out an advertisement in newspapers and television channels, but to no avail.

Five years down the line, when the Uttarakhand police contacted her son Dineshwar Pathak and showed him the verification copy of the Kumbh Mela police, their happiness knew no bounds.

Her husband Jwala Prasad along with their son Dineshwar Pathak and daughter Uma Upadhyay reached Rishikesh, in the early hours. They were informed that since her disappearance, their mother had visited Haridwar, Ayodhya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Today, after all necessary formalities were taken care of, a happy and relieved family was reunited. In the past few weeks, the ‘Lost and Found Centre’ set up in Haridwar has  reunited close to four hundred missing people with their family, giving them that perfect ‘happily ever after’ ending.

Rain to douse Uttarakhand’s forest fires

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Dehradun: Forest fire season generally begins around the second week of February until mid-June. Come April and Uttarakhand has already seen over nine hundred incidents of forest fire that has decimated 1,292 hectares of green cover.

Worst affected are hill districts of Pauri, Tehri, Nainital and Almora with forty active forest fires even today. Twelve thousand forest guards are manning thirteen hundred fire crew stations.

Long spell of dry weather; low-lying land winds, rising mercury have been the perfect recipe for these raging fires which wipe out forest wealth worth lakhs within hours. This year around, there have been four human deaths, two injured and seven animal fatalities due to these forest fire incidents in the State.

Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat took to social media stating that forest officers and guards had been stationed and are on vigil, their leave cancelled, trying to minimise loss to life and property. The State machinery has been in over-drive, trying to contain these growing infernos.

Taking cognizance of the forest fires in Uttarakhand, the Centre today stationed two helicopters, one in Gauchar in Garhwal region and the other in Nainital in Kumaon to assist in quenching these garlands of fire.

But there is good news in the offing. Scientist, Rohit Thapliyal from Dehradun Meteorological Department shares with us, “Uttarakhand hills will witness light rainfall activity starting tomorrow i.e. 5th . The plains will witness light to moderate rainfall from 7th onwards. There are chances of hailstorm and thunder in the hill districts of Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Almora, Pithoragarh in the coming days as well.” Consider this as music to the ears of our forest officials and guards who have been working on war footing to contain these fires.

Forest fires have been a constant threat to Uttarakhand’s 3,400 sq km of green forest that comes under a dark cloud every fire season, yet there seems no permanent solution to it.

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