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

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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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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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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.

bikes, riding, ride, snowstorm
Snow and rides!

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 27th of January from Uttarkashi and arrive in Dharali the same day. 28th 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 29th 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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This is one phone call that Rajeshwari Devi, wife of Havaldar Rajendra Singh Negi will never forget. On 8th 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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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.

Landour limps along

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Tania Saili
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Pic Courtesy: Pushpa Padiyar

Something is better than nothing, as the cliché goes.

Fifteen labourers have been manually clearing the ice and snow from the road beyond the Landour Gurudwara since 9 o’clock. Stationed at various spots in the Cantonment like the Mullingar climb, Char Dukan, Sister Bazaar and Circular Road the motley crew is working with spades and rakes to shovel away the slabs of ice that have been the bane of those living in Landour Cantonment. In the changed situation, they can at least get home on foot.

Speaking to Executive Office, Landour Cantonment, Abhishekh Rathore (who generously took time off from a meeting to update us) assured folks living here: “We have done all that was required within limited time and resources. We had asked for a JCB which was denied to us.”

Pic Courtesy: Pushpa Padiyar

Pushpa Padiyar, Ward Member, Landour Cantonment overseeing road clearing in her area assures me, “This is not a one-day feat. This team of labourers will be on the job until all the roads are operable again.”

As the day progressed with the sun out in all its glory, a few vehicles did manage to ply with snow-chains . That in turn made the task of cutting the ice easier.

Instead of waiting for help to arrive, communities in the vicinity from elderly people along with the young came together to clear by-lanes with whatever limited implements they could get their hands on.

Pic Courtesy: Pushpa Padiyar

For local residents like Durgesh Raturi, “This road clearing today seems more like too little too late, as the sun has been doing most of the job. Yet, I am tempted to say that the fact that I see more people venturing out now post the road clearing without slipping or sliding and hurting themselves is good to see.”

Yet, to those who live in those pretty homes on the  Circular Road or the Upper Chakkar in the Cantonment, they will remain isolated in snow and ice for second day in a row. There is no where else to go, for this place is home.

No: 1 Cantonment? Landour Cantonment? Really?

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Tania Saili
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Pic Courtesy: Ganesh Saili

Landour, Perhaps this is the only time, Landour residents wished they too were a part of the Mussoorie Municipality and not the Cantonment.

Reason? This season’s third, the year’s second heaviest snowfall, and guess what? The entire Cantonment’s Board Members including its Executive Officer seem to be hibernating.

While four JCBs are working as if in a war zone, clearing up the snow off the roads, sprinkling lime and salt to minimize ice formation within Mussoorie Municipality limits. Our  Landour Cantonment beginning at the ramp of Mullingar remains inaccessible just like its members, with their mobiles switched off!

Caged in

Of course, you can see some, if not all our members very active on social media sharing pictures and videos of snowfall but Newspost calls to our esteemed members were of no avail. Their mobiles are either out of range or switched off. The Cantonment Office’s landline has been engaged since morning. Where do we go from here?

Given the present scenario, senior citizens who love to live in Landour even when it is snow bound, wonder if anyone is thinking of those marooned on top of the hill incase of an emergency!

Mercifully, mobile networks are still working and that gives some of us hope. Internationally famed actor Victor Banerjee says: ‘As it snowed heavily all night and there was no electricity I pondered what would happen to us, two old fogies and the only ones in residence on the north face, in case of an emergency. But that’s what makes my life more exciting. We shall wait for a meltdown.”

The local administration in town is most helpful in wanting to help but reminds us: “No one from the Landour Cantonment has asked for any help or aid,” SDM Mussoorie Varun Choudhary tells me.

Fortunately a lone JCB has promised to jump the line of jurisdiction and is valiantly trying to open the narrow roads leading to Chardukan.

With the Cantonment Board elections just weeks away, we the residents of Landour will be casting our vote one more time. Soon our narrow lanes will be crawling with more candidates than voters.

Hopefully this time around we will elect those who will be available when the citizenry need them most.

Following current trend, 80 lakh pilgrims to visit Greater Chardham in 2023

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Dehradun: Social Development for Communities Foundation released a report titled ‘”Analyzing The Tourist Pattern in Chardham Region Of Uttarakhand.” Abhiti Mishra, a student of Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore prepared the report under the guidance of Ashutosh Kandwal, Co-Founder of SDC.

Based on the available data from government sources, the report analyses the patterns of pilgrims coming to Uttarakhand with particular reference to the Chardhams of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri along with the towns of Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Joshimath and Uttarkashi.

Using a regression model, the report predicts the number of tourists that will likely visit the state during the five year period from 2019 to 2023. The report also examines the dip in tourism after the flash foods of 2013 and the recovery hence.

The report concludes that the Chardham region including Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Joshimath and Uttarkashi will amass 16.36% of the total tourist arrivals to Uttarakhand in 2021. More than 55 lakh tourists will visit Chardham in 2020 and the number is predicted to reach 80 lakhs by 2023.

In 2012, a whooping 55.3 lakh visitors visited Chardham, but from 2012 to 2014 there was  a 93% decline in the number, with an all-time low of just 8.4 lakh tourists, in 2014. From 2016 to 2018 there has been phenomenal growth in tourist numbers of about 70%.

Ashutosh Kandwal said that the report can help government agencies, policy-makers and district authorities to better plan and accommodate the increasing number of tourists in the area and to manage the waste generated by them. In recent years the huge influx of tourists in such an ecologically sensitive zone has raised questions about the sustainability and environmental impacts from the tourism industry. Unscientific and unplanned disposal of trash has also emerged as a major concern, Kandwal added.

SDC Foundation will be sharing its findings with the government authorities. It has advocated that detailed studies need to be conducted to increase the preparedness of Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra.

Mussoorie gears up for yet another weather alert

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Tania Saili
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Pic Courtesy: Ganesh Saili

Mussoorie: The Met Department predicts more rain and snowfall in the hills over the next few days. The local administration has swung into action, wanting no repeat of the 4th of January mayhem, when Mussoorie ground to a halt.

With lessons learnt, officials are on their toes, no longer wanting to be caught off guard. Priorities include regulating the flow of exponential increase in traffic. Four JCBs have been placed at crucial road junctions to ensure that roads in and out of town remain open. Abandoned vehicles are being removed and although there is no umbrella ban on those entering town for now, a few regulations have been put in place.

Talking to Newspost, SDM Varun Choudhary who has been personally taking stock of operations assures citizenry: “We have made a stock of all available medicines, ambulances have been readied in case of need. Police barriers have been put up at regular intervals. Food packets have been stocked up in isolated places like Baataghat. It suffered most with tourists stranded for hours on end this 4th of January.”

SDM, Mussoorie also has a word of advice for tourists and locals travelling to Mussoorie over the next few days: “If you are a tourist make sure you carry your prior hotel booking receipt. If a resident, keep your aadhar card or driver license ready for checking so that you can make your way into town. Those without either will be turned back.”

Dr. Prabhanjan, a doctor from Gopalganj, visiting Mussoorie opines: ‘A few breath analyser kits would do the magic and reduce drunks behind wheels,’ and many agree with him.

How prepared the local machinery is? How co-operative locals and tourists will be in making this round of snowfall hassle free? The results will be out in the next forty-eight hours.

PEN-India dedicates calendar to ‘Uttarakhandi women’

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Doiwala- PEN-INDIA foundation dedicated it’s second annual calendar, ” Baramasa 2020″ to the empowered women of Uttarakhand. The calendar was inaugurated by Premchand Agarwal, Speaker of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

The calendar carries a brief description of the empowered women of Uttarakhand along with their photos.  From the likes of “The great warrior, Jiya Rani’ along with “Rani Karnawati” and freedom fighter ‘Nishani Devi Shah,’ social activist ‘Tinchari Mai,’ famous writer  ‘Gaura Pant Shivani,’ woman tree ‘Prabha Devi Semwal,’ folk singer Basanti Bist, social worker Mata Shree Mangala, renowned coach Hansa Manral Sharma, Bollywood actress Himani Shivpuri, entrepreneur Tara Takuli and lieutenant commander Vartika Joshi, are part of this year’s calendar.

Shri Premchand Agarwal appreciated the presentation of these empowered women in the annual calendar and stated, “this will give an opportunity to the students and youth to learn about these women and feel motivated.”

Mr Anoop Rawat, founder and chairperson of PEN-INDIA foundation said that the foundation is determined to provide free and quality education to the underprivileged children of the society. The education provided is mostly activity based.

Mr Santosh Budakoti, co-founder and Director of the Foundation said the content of this calendar was prepared by the help of historians and media personalities. The aim of this calendar is to make people aware about state women who contributed towards the nation and hillstate.

SDM Rishikesh, Shri Premlaal Shah, Inspector Shri Ritesh Shah, OSD Shri Tajendra Negi were present at the occasion.

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