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Conquering Everest’s of the Mind: Prakash Chand

By
Tania Saili
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Giving it his all. 32-year-old Prakash Chand, an Executive Engineer with the Oil and Natural Gas Commission from New Delhi, is on a mission.

He is training atop the pristine, untouched range of Panchachuli, in Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand. What makes his training at -10 degrees, atop high altitude Himalaya peaks even more fascinating is the fact that Prakash is 100% visually impaired.

Being differently-abled has not kept the young lad from enjoying adventure sports like para-gliding and para-sailing, so why should mountaineering, be an exception? He asks me.

Looking for an operator or trainer to fulfil his ambitious dream was nothing short of an uphill task. With constant rejection for years, Prakash chanced upon Yogesh Garbiyal and Sheetal, both seasoned mountaineers, who have been trying to make Darma & Vyas Valley a hub for mountaineering training.

Sheetal leading anchored Prakash during ascent

The duo took him under their wing and Prakash has just put behind him, 10 days training which involved use of mountaineering equipment and gears, carrying 10-15 kg load in -10 degrees. 7-8 hours of trekking on steep, snow terrain and gaining altitude.

About his student, Yogesh says, “He is a quick learner and understood the use of mountaineering gears in three days time, which is nothing short of a miracle.”

Speaking about his trainers, Prakash finds the perfect combination between the two, “While Yogesh Garbiyal is seasoned and mature, Sheetal is a hard task master, but a true motivator. I am sure I will hone my skills under their abled hands.”

Prakash’s itinerary for the next two years is in place. Multi-phased training sessions will demonstrate how his body responds to higher altitude, by testing his physical and mental ability to the limit.

Prakash is hopeful that Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Nehru Institute of Mountaineering will make an exception and take his training upward.

Like any mountaineers ultimate dream, Prakash Chand wishes to unfurl the tri-colour atop Mount Everest, in 2022.

Doonite Puneet Gandhi conferred the “REX Karmaveer Global Fellowship”

By
Tania Saili
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0

Doonite Puneet Gandhi has been conferred with the REX Karmaveer Global Fellowship (RGKF) instituted by International-Confederation-Of-NGO in partnership with United-Nations at a recently held event in New Delhi.

Puneet received the fellowship for his work “Project Innovation”. A Project which worked on adopting rural schools for enhancing their education system. In partnership with international organisation, ‘Project Innovation’ provided international interns who stayed on campus and conducted various activities including teaching, meditation and foreign languages too.

The three-day congregation celebrated inclusivity, egalitarianism and extraordinary in ordinary, a must attend ceremony for all Karmaveer award recipients and REX Karmaveer Global Fellows as everyone is a learner, teacher, mentor and mentee.

In the words of Jeroninio Almeida, “I believe that everyone is a hero, a leader, a volunteer, a teacher and a champion of change. All we need to do is acknowledge and understand this and then help others to also understand the same. That’s all it takes to be a hero, a leader, a volunteer, a teacher and a champion of change.”

The award recipients for this year came from countries including Iran, Mexico, France, UK, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, USA, Singapore, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and many more.

Founder Jeroninio Almeida added, “Ours is not just an award it’s a responsibility for being more and doing more by learning more. It’s a long journey and the fellowship is just the beginning. That’s how we designed our award culture and ethos. That’s what makes the REX Karmaveer very different from all other awards

Speaking to Newspost Puneet said, “The award means something more than just  recognition.  To me, it is a constant reminder that what this world needs and what can be done.  This award is not the end of the goal, but rather a motivation for me to give my best in the future, too.“

Indian Army gets 306 new officers and the IMA, its underpass

By
Tania Saili
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0
Representational Image

Dehradun, The Indian Military Academy, Dehradun held its 145th Regular Course Passing out Parade today morning. 306 Gentlemen Cadets along with 71 Foreign Cadets from friendly countries marched out as officers of the Army from the Academy.

Under a cloud speckled winter sky, with the magnificent Chetwode building in the background, 306 Gentlemen Cadets including 71 foreign cadet from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Tajakistan, Mauritus, Srilanka and Nepal took part in the Passing Out Parade, held in the Drill Square. Reviewing Officer at the Parade, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stood witness to this gallant show of heraldry and spoke about the courage and discipline in the army.

Also present were excited parents, wardens and guardians, some who had made their way from foreign shores to witness the three-hour programme. Parade inspection, sword of honour, piping and the oath ceremony, were memories captured on mobiles and cameras forever by cadets and their parents. The memorable moment when cadets cross the Chetwode threshold or antim pagh with rose petals being showered on them from choppers, as they become officers of the Army, was a sight to behold.

Taking into account, the NH74 being shut to regular traffic during the bi-annual Passing out Parade at the Indian Military Academy, causing difficulties to the man on the road,  the Defence Minister sanctioned two underground passes at a cost of 33 crores which will  connect the North, South and Centre Building, a move welcomed by all.

For decades now the Indian Military Academy has kept alive the glorious tradition of sending out the best men into the army. Joining this long queue of alumni are 306 gentlemen cadet, now officers of the army.  For these young men it was never a glamorous vocation, but one that required raw courage and commitment and one that they worked hard for.

First RUCO Express flagged off for IIP bio-diesel plant

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newspost
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Dehradun, Biodiesel will be made from used-cooking-oil. A Plant installed at the Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, will do just that. The first Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) Express was flagged off for the plant installed at IIP. Dr. Pankaj Pandey, State Secretary and Food Safety Commissioner; Dr. Anjan Ray, Director Indian Institute of Petroleum and Anoop Nautiyal, Founder Chairperson Gati Foundation jointly flagged off RUCO Express carrying 300 liters of used cooking oil.

Commissioner of Food Safety, Dr. Pankaj Pandey said, “every time edible oil is used, the more dangerous it becomes for health. It  poses risk to serious diseases like cancer, heart problems, acidity etc.”  An appeal was made to  hotels, restaurants and other food business operators not to use cooking oil more than three times, post which it should be handed over for biodiesel production at IIP.

Director of Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dr. Anjan Ray added, “bio-diesel, as well as jet fuel, can be made from used cooking oil. IIP intends to set up a bio-diesel plant in atleast 10 percent of the country’s villages.” Elaborating, “Not only can people be saved from harmful edible oil,on the other hand, biodiesel imports in the country can also be reduced.” Dr. Anjan Ray also confirmed that Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, would buy used cooking oil at Rs. 20 per liter.

Dr. Neeraj Atrey, Principal Scientist at IIP demonstrated the process of making bio-diesel from used cooking oil, telling us that a plant for making biodiesel from 50 ltrs of used cooking oil could be fixed into a truck as well.

Anoop Nautiyal Founder of  Gati Foundation said that every person uses about one and a half liters of edible oil in a month. In the year 2017, a total of 2,300 crore tonnes were used in the country and by 2030 it is expected to reach 3,400 tonnes per year.

Sunkissed hills for those who want to soak in the sun

By
Tania Saili
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0

Mussoorie, Come winter and the plains of India are under a thick blanket of fog and smog, with no sight or sign of sun for weeks on end.

But the hills tell a different tale. Weeks post the snowfall abated, the hills of Uttarakhand are basking in sunshine and clear blue skies, even in the depth of winter.

At 7500 feet, Mussoorie is snug as a bug in a rug, blanketed in warm sunshine, with ice-clouds highlighting the blue skies every now and then. Across the town, local residents enjoy the warmth of the bonanza winter sun playing carrom, reading newspaper, discussing politics or work,  yet many who visit the hill-station, find themselves pleasantly surprised with the sun shining brightly, for they came looking for snow.

For Suraj Godiyal and his group of friends, disappointment is apparent, “we saw visuals of snowfall in Dhanolti and Surkhanda shared a week back, we came together expecting snow in Mussoorie too. We are quite disappointed.” Sudhir Thapliyal, a tourist from Nagpur, chips in,“I did expect Mussoorie to be colder, but the sun here is toasty and warm. We find it difficult to walk around without sunglasses or a hat to avoid the bright glare of the sun.’

If we were to believe the State Met Department, cloud cover and haze might continue in Uttarakhand over the next few days. Minimum and maximum temperature will remain close to normal. Pantnagar was the warmest city at 22.9 celsius, with Mukteshwar being the coldest at 4.5 celsius.

Mussoorie residents do feel that there has been a quantum change in the weather patterns of the hills which is apparent through the four seasons. But they add, no complaints here! Enjoy the bright, clear days as long as they last and then plan your winter vacation once the weather turns for the worse.

Oddly enough this weather pattern might continue over the next another couple of days, before rain and snowfall in the interiors of the the hill-state around the 12th and 13th of December will bring the mercury plummeting.

Students of GIC Dhopar Dhar, Tehri appeal for teachers

By
Tania Saili
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0

Tehri, No Principal. Appointment of seven subject teachers pending since 2009 to 2019 namely, Chemistry, Hindi, English, Economics, LT Language, Biology and Political Science at the Government Inter College, Dhopar Dhar.

And thus hangs the undecided fate of 520 students of GIC, Dhopar Dhar, Bhilangana block, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

Innovative way of expressing their angst

It is said that the future of any country depends on its educated younger generation. But students of Government Inter College, Dhopar Dhar are facing an uncertain future with just four teachers holding fort in a school of over 500 students.

The Uttarakhand State Government has run several campaigns like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao ensuring our next generation is educated, but the ground reality is far  from removed.

Students of GIC Dhopar Dhar, some 50 kms from the district headquarters of Tehri have been struggling with shortage of teachers for a long time, now. With numerous letters to the Secondary Education Department and those who matter, remain unanswered to-date.

In protest, the students have found a unique approach of catching the attention of the State Head, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

Letter asking for teachers for GIC school which remains unanswered

As a last resort, they are demonstrating their angst to convey their grievances to the state government. With posters, pamphlets, and charts pasted on their school bags, students make their way to the school shouting slogans, appealing for teachers from the government.

With board exams around the corner, students of class Xth and XIIth have an uphill task at hand. For them self-study or tuitions seems to be the only way out, for now.

In the recent past, many government schools were shut down due to paucity of students, but with 500 odd students enlisted at Government Inter College, Dhopar Dhar, Bhilangana block, Tehri, it is not the lack of students but that of teachers, which has made a mockery of what our education department promises and what the sad reality on ground is.

Winterline Wonder: Mussoorie Carnival

By
Tania Saili
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0

The stage is being set for the annual Mussoorie Winterline Carnival. From the 25th to the 30th of December, local administration is ensuring that the 5- day event is a gala affair for visitors and residents, alike.

From Chardukan to Gandhi Chowk, seven makeshift stages will be earmarked across the town at famous landmarks. It will begin from Library Chowk where the ceremonies will begin. “Ideally we would be happy and honoured to have Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat to flag off the event on the 25th,” SDM Varun Choudhary informed, “including other senior officers whom we shall invite to inaugurate events on subsequent days.”

Pic Courtesy: Bijendra Pundir

With a projected budget hovering at 40 lakhs, and all this raised by voluntary contributions, the youthful SDM Varun Choudhary added, “The idea is to try and promote local talent and culture. This will ensure that tourists who come to Mussoorie during the festive weekend, shall take home memories of fun, sun, laughter and merriment.”

Other events include puppet shows, musical performances, cultural dances, Landour Mela, Karaoke singing scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Participatory competitions such as PubG, Sports, Food eating, Musical Chairs etc will be organized in which tourists too can participate.

Advertised on social media like Facebook.com/winterlinecarnivalmussoorie and Instagram.com/mussooriewinterlinecarnival and shared through Incredible India, all in the hope that it will increase footprint from home and foreign shores as well.

Mussoorie’s dynamic Chairman, Anuj Gupta, said: “We hope this year’s Winterline Carnival will be a huge success. Tourists who come to town go back home with the aroma and flavor of Uttarakhand’s rich cuisine and culture. Mussoorie – the Queen of Hills – will get an added luster to her glittering crown.”

There is a feeling, that with artists like Pratyush Joshi and Aman Shah on board, one will also get a glimpse of the multi-cultural exchange involving talents from all the other twelve districts at the Winterline Carnival.

Giving the lesser-known artists exposure on an international stage will, evoke some of the magic of Devbhoomi.

After all, at day’s end, most established artists have already sung their song.

Managing Uttarakhand’s Shrines

By
Tania Saili
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0

Predictably, the decision of Uttarakhand Government to set up a Chardham Shrine Board to manage the affairs of 51 temples including the famous four:- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri is facing resistance from the Teerth Purohits or those who have been running the affairs of these temples up until now.

This backlash comes in the wake of the approval for Uttarakhand Chardham Shrine Board Bill-2019. Cries of ‘This black law is going to destroy ancient cultural values and ethos,’ resound in the winter’s chill. You can rest assured that there will be the usual: ‘If the government does not change its decision, it will be opposed vehemently.’

Suresh Semwal, President of the Gangotri Temple Committee, says: ‘We oppose the Cabinet approval for the formation of Chardham Shrine Board on the lines of Vaishnodevi Mata Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple Shrine Board.” He claimed that the State Government misled the tirtha priests and the real intention was to deal a body blow to the priests and Sanatan culture. Alleging, “The government has not given a single rupee for the Gangotri Yamunotri Dham since the 2013 deluge. Passing such a sanction without taking into trust the Panda society at large, will not be tolerated.”

Yamunotri Temple Committee Secretary Kriteshwar Uniyal added, “This decision will render eight thousand families homeless, while destroying culture and faith.”

Krishna Kant Kotiyal, President of Devbhoomi Tirtha, alleged that Government should have held consultations with the Teerth Purohits on the issue. Ignoring them and taking a unilateral decision is an insult to the Panda society, “We will strongly oppose this move.”

As for the man-on-the-road or the ordinary pilgrim, opinions taken across a wide spectrum reveal there is the general feeling that the move will put an end to the gradual commercialization and of those who have thus far had a monopoly on the running shrines – both big and small – in Devbhoomi.

If and when the Chardham Shrine Board is put in place, 51 temples including Gangotri, Yamnotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath will come under the single umbrella of the Chardham Development Board. To get an idea of how well it has worked, a visit to Vaishno Devi and Tirupati Balaji temples is highly recommended.

State Level Consultation held on Girl Education

By
newspost
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0

Dehradun, Participants from different stakeholders working in girl education and gender equality took part in an event at the State level Consultation, organized by Room to Read,  to dwell into challenges of Girl Education.  Education Department, SCERT, DIET, Skill and Employment; participation from NGOs RLEK, SAMPARK, Kaaya, Maiti, Samadhan along with prominent personalities like Padam Shri Avadesh Kaushal, Hemlata Behan, Kalyan Singh Rawat; students and fellows from TISS and HANS, were part of the consultation.

Student who had graduated from Room to Read program shared their experience, their journey and spoke about the hurdles faced while completing their elementary education and how life-skills learnt as part of the program helped them in overcoming life challenges.

Key speakers, Ms Asha Painuly, CEO, Dehradun and Ms Nini Mehrotra Sr. Prog. Manager Girl Education and Gender Equality Program from Room to Read, shed light on data collected from last three decades on how the Indian Education System and successive government policies have made steady progress towards bridging gender and social gap, yet a lot remained to be achieved.

Ms Arushi Pokhriyal joined the event and talked about the achievement of women leadership of Uttarakhand which has been recognized world over. She reinforced that girls need to be self-aware of their potential to reach their dream.

Panel members shared their experiences on efforts being put in the field of gender equality and girl education.  The session brought forth the need to mainstream life-skill education. The panel highlighted financial, attitude and practices, crisis situation,  policy and system level barriers, health, protection, gender discrimination, socio cultural barriers etc all relevant areas that could create hindrance for girls in completing her education and yet how she could march forward towards attaining gender equality.

Rhinoceros come home to Corbett National Park

By
Tania Saili
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0

Nainital, First established in 1936, the Corbett National Park known for the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers within its periphery, will soon have a new guest. The thick-skinned, plant-eating mammal, the mighty rhinoceros!

At the 14th State Wildlife Council held at Uttarakhand Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, a joint decision was taken by the Uttarakhand Government and the State Forest Department where a crash of ten rhinoceros will make their way from Assam and West Bengal to their new home in Corbett Tiger Reserve, at a whopping cost of 4 crore.

According to Chief Conservator of Forests, Jairam, “we are very excited and will gradually introduce the rhinos over a period of four months,” adding, “Not only will this increase the biodiversity of Corbett. It will be a double bonanza for tourists who will get to see tigers along with rhinoceros within the park.”

 

The Corbett National Park, recently made headlines when Discovery Channel hosted Man Vs Wild by Bear Grylls and Prime Minister Modi from the park premises.

Known as home to Tigers, other animals found in abundance here are leopards, wild elephants, wild boars, deers that are easy to spot. The Park also boasts of the highest footfall of wildlife enthusiasts from home and abroad making a beeline, in the hope to catch a glimpse of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. The park is open for seven months a year, but shut-shops like all National Parks when the Great Indian Monsoon comes marching in from the South.

With the recent Tiger Count throwing up interesting figures when it comes to tiger population within the Tiger Reserve, the State government is hopeful that the move will show positive results in increase in tourists as these ‘mighty rhinos’ make themselves at home, in Corbett National Park.

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