Sarmang MTB Challenge Kimadi organised by Sarmang Adventure Tours.

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February 2, 2020

Dehradun, To promote mountain biking in Uttarakhand, a cycle race Sarmang MTB Challenge, Kimadi was organised today morning by Sarmang Adventure Tours.

45 riders from various parts of India such as Mumbai, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and the home state participated in the cycle race which started at 6:30 a.m. from Parade Ground and reached Kimadi via Purukul. The cyclist rode through Kwality Chowk – Dilaram Chowk – New Cantt Road – Supply – Bijapur Bridge – Gajiawala – Chandroti Bridge – Purkul – Bhitalli Village and came to a stop at Kimadi village.

Despite the terrain being both uphill and challenging, there were no quitters!

Winners under various categories were:

Under 18 Years: Pranav Panwar, Rakshit Joshi and Shobhit Negi

18-30 Years Vijay Pratap Singh ,Lakhvinder Singh, Prasad Vijay Shetty

31-45 Years Manoj Malla, Ashok Limbu and Balwant Chhetri

45-60 Years Sohan Singh Rawat and Alok Chhetri

Under the female category: Anjali Bhandari Simmi Pardal

All the participants appreciated the format of mountain cycling and wished to see more such races in Uttarakhand, as they all felt that the hill-state had potential to promote and conduct Mountain Terrain Cycling.

The event was hosted by coach Naresh Nayal, Alpi Gulati flagged off the race and then Alpi Gulati and Jagjit Singh awarded trophies to winners. Medal and certificates were awarded to all those who crossed the finishing line.

The organising team included Anil Mohan, Arjun Singh, Ravinder Singh, Deepak Banthwan, Amit Bhetwal, Vikesh, Jagjit Singh, Manik Verma, Palak Verma, Jitu Kaithait.

Vikas Jyoti: Uttarakhandi living his Mumbai dreams

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Tania Saili

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February 2, 2020

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casting director, uttarakhand, vikas jyoti — Living his dream in Mumbai

“When I used to do theatre in Delhi there were very few Pahadis’ in the industry, but now, very often, I bump into pahadis’ from my home-state working on making their dreams come true in Mumbai. We all are an extended family out here!” Vikas Jyoti, a man who wears many hats tells me over the phone from Mumbai.

Born and brought up in Delhi, where Vikas’s grandfather came as a sixteen-year-old young lad, as part of the great male exodus from Uttarakhand and set up home. Vikas completed a course in Theatre Acting from the renowned Shriram Centre in New Delhi and was a regular in the theatre circles in the city.

In the year 2008, he moved to Mumbai to see what the mayanagri had in store for him and he was not disappointed, “in Mumbai, a friend of mine was working as a Casting Director and asked me to come and audition. Once done, I was hooked for life.”

With a decade of experience as a Casting Director Vikas has worked on television shows such as Ek Hasina Thi for Star plus, Bayhadh for Sony Entertainment to name a few. Like in all jobs, when stagnation set in he turned Creative Head for Sanjeevani on Star Plus. I ask him about his first love, acting, he fill us in, “Somehow when I came to Mumbai, I couldn’t pay much attention towards acting, but today I hold acting workshops.”

A piece of advice to those who wish to foray into the world of entertainment, Vikas Jyoti advises: “Fluent diction and acting skills is what will see you make it big!”

Talking about his Uttarakhand connect Vikas wishes to visit his home state more often. He and a couple of his friends from the industry are in talks of bringing a project to the hill-state so that not only can they bring ‘their’ talent here, but also tap raw talent which hasn’t yet got an opportunity to venture out.

For the past ten years, being in the Hindi entertainment industry has he seen a change with millennial making their way to Mumbai from Uttarakhand? Pat comes the reply, “There is a growing trend of young talent coming to the industry from the interiors of the hill-state, which is very heartening to see. These young talents are professional, disciplined, goal oriented and promising faces whom I am sure, will do very well in the years to come.”

Come and get a flavour of Uttarakhand in Delhi

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Tania Saili

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January 30, 2020

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Recently, a lot was spoken and written about the missing Uttarakhand tableau from the 71^st Republic Day Parade held in New Delhi. But a few select products and food items of the hill-state at the Uttarakhand Pavilion are making news for all the good reason.

Stalls at the Uttarakhand Pavilion, at the ongoing Bharat Parv organized in the sprawling lawns of the Red Fort in Delhi are catering to everyone’s need.

As part of the Festival of India, where all State and Department tableaus are on display for public, stalls from all States and Union Territories have put forward an array of display, bringing with them a piece of art, craft, culture and flavor from home.

Two stalls of the hill-state of Uttarakhand are overflowing with colourful Chardham Printed Kurta to Pahadi Topi By Soham, Junyali the ‘Pahadi Musical Doll’, Pahadi Theme Design, Organic Soaps, Jute Hand Bags, T-shirt, Pahadi Biscuits & products by Himadri all available under one roof.

Raman Shelly of The Tuds who also got a chance to participate with some new products and designs, tells Newspost, “We have recently launched a Juice Brand called “Rhodo,” ready to drink rhododendron drink and malta juice which are being appreciated this season.”

Despite NRC and CAA protests, roadblocks, braving the winter fog and cold many residents from Delhi, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and NCR have made a beeline to the Red Fort lawns to check out the amazing collection at stalls dotting the landscape.

The five-day exhibit opens from 12:00 in the noon to 9:00 p.m. at night, will end on the 31^st of January. Perhaps today or tomorrow one could make a quick trip to Uttarakhand Pavilion, soak up some sun and take back a flavor from the hills or an apparel which makes us feel a connect to our home away from home.

Uttarakhandi Akangsha Rawat makes waves in Mumbai

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Tania Saili

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January 29, 2020

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Uttarakhandi by birth, Akangsha Rawat has made her screen presence felt in the world of Hindi entertainment. A native of Kendul village near Vyas Ghat, in Pauri district, her family moved to Delhi soon after her birth to join their father who worked in the hotel industry there.

Since a child, lean and tall Akangsha took to modelling when in school and participated in many shows as well. Post her schooling and graduation from Delhi Akangsha played the lead role in Tolichuplone a Telugu movie and then moved to the ‘city of dreams,’ Mumbai. It is in Mumbai, that she completed her post graduation in Advertising and Marketing from St. Xavier’s College and did a short stint in event management as well. Soon she realized she was not cut out for the job and turned to acting and modelling instead.

At her mother’s insistence Akangsha entered the world of Indian television. Luckily for her first big break came as a lead role in Sahara One’s famous show “Solah Shringar.” She appeared in Sony TV’s Palampur Express, her character Kritida in the Radha Krishn on Star Bharat got her instant fame and recognition.

In the year 2018, the young lady gave it all up and moved to their home in the hills fulfilling with her ailing mother’s last wish. Once here, Akangsha nursed her mother for six months, unfortunately my mother did not live to see my return to television, but I feel her constant presence and blessings in all that I undertake, she tells us. Adding “It was ma’s dream for me to take up television and that encouraged me to make a comeback.

Recently Akangsha bagged the coveted role of Parvati in & TV’s new serial “Kahat Hanuman – Jai Shri Ram”. In the serial, Shiva and Parvati narrate the life story of Hanuman. Akangsha Rawat considers playing the role of deities as shower of blessings from God.

What would her ideal holiday be? Whenever work permits, it is a quick trip to our ancestral home in Uttarakhand that revives and refreshes my soul. Her future plans? “In the near future, I want to settle in the mountains – my village home and do something for my people.”

Her message to aspiring young minds: remain focused and be a better judge of human beings. As she rushes for her next take, we wish the young, talented lady all the best in all her future endeavours.

Do catch Akangsha Rawat on “Kahat Hanuman – Jai Shri Ram” every Monday to Friday at 9.30 pm on End TV.

Rishikesh to host awareness workshop on green initiative

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newspost

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January 28, 2020

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Rishikesh, Under the Great Global Cleanup program of Earth Day Network/EDN, a number of programs in collaboration with local coordinators Shyamlal, Lok Paryavaran Shiksha Sansthan (LPSS) have been held in the recent past.

Taking the initiative forward, tomorrow i.e. 29^th of January, 2020 Earth Day Network and Lok Paryavaran Shiksha Sansthan will come together to organize an awareness workshop on green initiative at Ganga Resort, Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh at 11.00 a.m.

Over 500 students, teachers, saints and local community partaking in the event, which will be presided by Swati Singh, Principal, Purnanand School. Dharam Singh Meena, IFS, District Forest Officer has agreed to be the Chief Guest. Along with officials of Earth Day Network, B.P. Bhatt, Executive Officer, Muni Ki Reti Municipality will also be present at the occasion.

With the target of distributing 50,000 cloth bags to replace plastic bags in the area, seven hundred cloth bags will be distributed for free and once the target of cloth bags is completed, it will replace almost 12.50 lakhs of plastic bags from the surroundings of river Ganga. Along with that, a batch of twenty women who trained in stitching and sewing at the Stitching Centre set up at LPSS will be awarded certificates.

On April 13^th, last year, a 9-day rally was flagged off from Devprayag to Haridwar which witnessed awareness programs to sensitize students of local schools, along with a plantation drive of 5,000 trees along the Ganges.

Thereafter on 2^nd October 2019, a 3-day Padyatra was organized from Rishikesh to Haridwar. Enroute the 28 kms the team assisted with volunteers collected plastic waste and disposed it systematically.

The aim of Earth Day Network along with its local co-ordinators is to clean the Ganges from Devprayag, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi all along to Gangasagar.

Earth Day Network (EDN) an international environmental NGO has grown in numbers since its inception on Earth Day i.e. April 22, 1970. Today the network works with over 75,000 partners in 195 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement.

Students of Pen India spread the message of ‘Girl Child Education’

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newspost

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January 24, 2020

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Doiwala- Various programs were organized in Bhaniawala based PEN-India Foundation School on the occasion of National Girl Child Day. School students used various slogans to raise awareness for Girl Child Education.

Students of PEN-India School used slogans like “Educated Girls are the Strength of Nation” while conducting a rally to raise awareness amongst people regarding Girl Child Education. Mr Anoop Rawat, Chairperson and Founder of PEN-India Foundation said, 24th January 1966, Smt. Indira Gandhi for the first time took charge as Prime Minister of India and is remembered as a strong leader. Since 2008 we celebrate this day as “National Girl Child Day” to pay homage to Smt. Indira Gandhi.

According to a recent survey, married women between the age of 20-24, 44.5% females had been married off before they attained 18 years of age. Out of these approximately 22% women became mothers before they turned 18. Mr Santosh Budakoti, Co-founder and Director of the Foundation said, “we cannot imagine a well educated society without educating our girl child. The aim of “National Girl Child Day” is to educate girls and to make them aware about their legal rights. Providing nutrition and preventing child marriages is also the onus of the society at large. It is the responsibility of every individual of our society to educate the daughters of our nation and we all should come forward and join hands to make this movement a successful one.

During this, volunteer teachers, Ms. Ritu Sharma and Ms Deepalika Negi were also present.

Imagine you can: Gunasees Juneja

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Tania Saili

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January 22, 2020

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Dehradun: Born and raised in Dehradun, Gunasees Juneja belongs to a family of educationists who nurtured their youngest born’s creative spirit. As a child, Gunasees wished to grow up to be a “freedom fighter.” In retrospect she believes that being a freedom fighter is pretty much a synonym for an artist, where one gets the freedom to express.

A multi-talented person who enjoys to travel, sing and read, not only is a design strategist but a self-taught digital illustration artist as well. Her work revolves around creative problem solutions, conversion of the ordinary into something extraordinary and the need to communicate uncomfortable things through easily relate-able art.

Armed with a Mass Communication Degree from H.R. College, Mumbai and Crafting Creative Communication from Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad, Gunasees’s work reflects the perfect blend of creativity and strategy.

After her long stint as a creative strategist for various advertising firms in the country, Gunasees returned home to Dehradun.

Deviating from conventional advertising she put her design and strategy skills to create art in the field of education, lifestyle and social development.

Her maiden Creative Illustration Exhibition along with a hands-on workshop held in Dehradun was a hit with audience from all walks of life who appreciated her work. Amongst an array of exhibits was her designer deck of playing cards entitled “Kingdoms Of The World” based on the African and Mughal Kingdom. Telling us more about her unique deck of cards, she says, “I chose these themes because I felt the creative urge to go beyond just traditional and monotonous English & French playing card decks.”

If its not her creative instinct that keeps this young talent busy then it is her love to travel anywhere, anytime. She signs off saying, “I get most of my inspiration from my travel escapades.” And we hope she continues to find her muse and keeps on surprising us with her work.

Snow-storming Gangotri this winter.

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Tania Saili

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January 14, 2020

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bikes, riding, ride, snowstorm — Where angles fear to tread!

Uttarkashi, Come winter and Tilak Soni, mountaineer, adventurist and restaurant owner in Uttarkashi town is busy organizing yet another motorcycle expedition, ‘Snowstorm 2020.’

For a decade now, under the banner ‘Where Eagles Dare,’ Tilak has been a pioneer in Winter Adventure and Alternate Tourism in the hill state.

Promising everyone adventure of a lifetime, appropriately called ‘Snowstorm 2020,’ riders on bikes and SUVs drive into the interiors of Garhwal Himalaya in the heart of winter on roads full of snow and ice.

Like Tilak puts it, “Riding on high mountain roads in winter when they are covered in snow or hard ice is either for the foolhardy adventurer or the skilled traveler. Motorcycling in Zero traction conditions is not every rider’s cup of tea.” He further adds, “The trip is conducted with military discipline and precision. More than being physically fit, one needs to be mentally very strong to bear harsh conditions.”

A complete on-the-job workshop and hands-on training by international trainers is conducted for the first timers. A manual on every minor detail pertaining to biking, riding, weather reading, clothing, food and minute survival skills is handed out to guide riders’ before they and their machines take charge of the road.

16 participants from all over the country, who have signed up for Snowstorm 2020 will be flagged off on the 27^th of January from Uttarkashi and arrive in Dharali the same day. 28^th January a-day training will be conducted for riders. Live demonstration by an international instructor will give the participants a glimpse of the real thing. On the 29^th they will all ride off into the hills to arrive in Gangotri (if weather permits) and return to Uttarkashi by late evening.

Incase you too are bitten by the adventure bug and live for the thrill, then do join Tilak Soni on his Royal Enfield Garud and his team, as they Snowstorm Gangotri this 2020.

Bringing Havaldar Rajendra Singh Negi home

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Tania Saili

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January 12, 2020

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This is one phone call that Rajeshwari Devi, wife of Havaldar Rajendra Singh Negi will never forget. On 8^th of January, she received a call from her husband’s unit stationed in Gulmarg, Kashmir. The call informed Rajeshwari that her husband Rajendra, while on duty had slipped in the snow and could have possibly fallen on the Pakistan side, and was since missing.

In between sobs and sighs Bhaaga Devi, Rajendra’s mother tells us, “He came home for a month in October to spend time with the family. He returned to the forward post in November.”

Since then, every call that the Negi family now receives brings a sense of fear and anxiety as the family awaits news of Rajendra’s whereabouts and his return home.

The news turned the family’s perfect world upside down. Rajeshwari Devi and her three minor children are inconsolable as family and neighbours visit their home to give them solace.

Originally from Adibadri in Garhwal region, Rajendra joined the 11 Garhwal Rifles in the year 2002. Rajendra’s brother Kundan tells us, “I want the central government to put pressure on Pakistan to save my brother just like they did in Wing Commander Abhinandan’s case.”

Earlier in the day, Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi visited the soldier’s house. After collecting detailed information about the jawan, the MLA talked to the the Chief of Defence Staff General Vipin Rawat over the phone. Talking to Newspost, the MLA said, “The CDS knew about the case and told me that inclement weather in the region was obstructing search and rescue work. But also assured us that the Indian Army was leaving no stones unturned and doing their very best to bring back one of their own.”

Reviving Beatles visit rolls in positive results

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Tania Saili

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January 11, 2020

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Beatles, Rishikesh,Maharishi Mahesh Yogi — A mural of the Fab Hour with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Rishikesh, The memories of the Beatles, one of the greatest musical groups ever, remain neglected in the Himalayan town of Rishikesh. It is here in Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram, which was the single most productive capsule of time in their careers where the Beatles stayed in 1968 and penned 48 memorable songs.

Until recently, this fifteen-acre ashram on the outskirts of the city lied in utter neglect. Surrounded by tall weeds and targeted by vandals and wildlife. From being what once was a derelict ruin Chaurasi Kutiya or 84 independent meditation rooms/halls built in stone has been revived as one of the most-visited destinations in Rishikesh.

Beatles, Ashram, Chaurasi Kutiya in Rishikesh — Beatles Ashram/ Chaurasi Kutiya in Rishikesh

The Beatles Ashram, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi meditation centre of the Chaurasi Kuttiya, call what you may, has been a symbol of how half a century ago, the West came and meditated on the banks of the Ganges.

Senior Journalist Raju Gusain and an expert on the Fab Four’s 1968 visit to the ashram talks with pride, “the shift in focus is already showing positive result. Positive reports about the ashram got published in over a hundred foreign dailies and publications, which has seen an influx of foreign tourists. 5000 foreigners visited the ashram last year, compared to 818 tourists from foreign shores in 2017. Revenue too has more than double–fold, from 20 lakhs in 2017 to 78 lakhs in 2019.”

What has added more value to the place is a gallery with 23 photos by Paul Saltzman dedicated to the memory of the Beatles. A second gallery dedicated to the memory of the man behind the place Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and his teachings, last but not the least Forest Department too has put up a personal gallery which boosts of the wildlife which the ashram homes.

Other facilities include a Cafeteria that caters to the need of those who come visiting from 10:00- 5:00 p.m. A solar fence protects the area from the entry of Pachyderms and feline cats, which once roamed freely within the campus.

A three-year break down of tourists visiting Chaurasi Kutiya shows the growth in the numbers of tourists from home and abroad and the income hence:

2017

1) Indians: 13, 888

2) Foreigners: 818

3) Income earned: Rs 20, 33, 175

2018

1) Indians: 23,852

2) Foreigners: 3,939

3) Income earned: Rs 50.51 Lakh

2019

1) Indians: 35,291

2) Foreigners: 5,388

3) Income earned: Rs. 78.45Lakh

‘Where there is a will, there is a way,’ the State Forest Department and Tourism Department worked insync to bring to life the derelict Beatle’s Ashram/ Chaurasi Kutiya and the positive result is there for everyone to see.

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