Quick Response Team a.k.a. Snake Squad to the rescue

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July 13, 2019

snake, rescue — Quick Response Team a.k.a. Snake Squad rescued a king cobra

Dehradun: Snakes and monsoon seem to be synonyms. Sighting these reptiles in residential areas of Dehradun is a common occurrence nowadays. It is in times like this that a Quick Response Team a.k.a. Snake-Catching Squad of the Uttarakhand Forest Department swings into action.

cow, rescue — Cow stuck in a pit in Balawala, Dehradun

Two years ago, the Forest Department set up two Quick Response Teams, consisting of four people each, who were passionate about animal rescue. And they came together to rescue and relocate animals in distress. Since then, this efficient team answers half a dozen calls a day. They work on war-footing, rescuing and relocating countless wild creatures and brings within the ambit domesticated animals like cows, bulls, dogs, pigs and the more so ever, snakes.

Every morning, the team equipped with tongs, sticks, gloves, pipes and a bag including a First-Kit-Aid, get into their Bolero and head out to answer calls from scared residents. Out to rescue a cow fallen into a pit in Balawala, Dehradun, Team Leader Ravi Joshi, tells us more, “We get maximum calls for snake rescue throughout the year, but June to September is peak season when we get close to 5-6 calls a day to catch snakes ranging from King Cobras to Russell Vipers which we then release into the core area of Reserve Forests.”

With the longest fourteen feet King Cobra rescued from Clément Town to a thirteen feet long Rat Snake from Vasant Vihar, the team has seen them all. Ravi further tells us: “Spectacled cobras are found in ample in Balawala; Russell Vipers in Sahastradhara and Garhi Cantonment; Rat Snakes and Water Snakes infest Vasant Vihar and Patel Nagar area, but don’t fear these reptiles, as long as you leave them alone, they will stay out of your way.”

Senior Journalist, Raju Gusain who recently availed the services of the Quick Response Team when he sighted a snake in Deep Nagar, is full of praise, thanking the team Raju says: “They are quick to respond, professional and effective in their action.”

With the monsoon recently making its presence felt in the Valley, the work of the Quick Response Team has only just begun. Perhaps the Forest Department should think on lines of increasing man power in the squad too.

Should you need to avail their service:

Call: 108/0135-2741630 (Forest Department Headquarter)

Mussoorie: Message on the wall from Goa

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Tania Saili

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July 10, 2019

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Draw, Paint — Images of Waste Professionals bring alive the walls of Mussoorie

Mussoorie, A world-renowned Goan artist is in town sketching larger than life portraits of faceless, nameless heroes, on drab walls across the hill station. Under the Hilldaari movement banner this artist has embarked on a first of its kind effort to celebrate the contribution of Waste Professionals to the town.

A white background, some as large as 25 feet, come alive with human portraits made with charcoal. Aptly titled ‘Deewaron Par Dastak,’ the project is an attempt to generate awareness and empathy towards the contribution and rights of different kinds of Waste handlers, including household waste collectors, sweepers, rag- pickers and sanitation workers.

Images, Beauty, Paint — Images that bring alive the walls of Mussoorie

Over a month now and fifty three year old Harshada Kerkar from the Museum of Goa Foundation armed with white paint and charcoal has been learning about Waste Professionals in town. Clicking photographs of these handful men and women, she then brings them alive on walls. ‘These Waste professionals have been tirelessly working for our community for years, but they seldom get the respect they deserve. There are Waste collectors who have been in the profession for twenty years, and who now suffer acute pain in the knees because of traversing on steep slopes. Some families have been in the profession for multiple generations. My art is but an appeal to be empathetic to their needs and rights of the community,’ Harshada adds.

Curious locals and tourists have also chipped in at various spots assisting Harshada in completing some of these artworks, which can take upto 2 to 3 days depending on their size. ‘Initially people thought that I was sketching the portrait of a Godman, a politician or a film star. Many people expressed their disbelief on learning that these are portraits of Waste professionals. I believe that this experience was a knock on the gates (or rather walls) of their imagination, opening newer avenues to ideas of heroism,’ she believes.

Krishna Devi, an aging household Waste collector, and one of the subjects of the portraits on the Kulri wall, gleamingly shares, “my portrait on the busy Mall road has made me proud, and has instilled in me a hope for a more dignified and respectful life.”

Charcoal, Draw — A waste professional painting on the wall yet to be completed

Arvind Shukla, Project Lead, Hilldaari also remarked how the contribution of Waste professionals, over the past six months, has been phenomenal in their aim of making Mussoorie clutter-free. ‘It is because of the efforts of Waste professionals and volunteers, and the partnership with KEEN and Municipal Co-operation, Mussoorie that the project has been able to achieve and maintain 80% source segregation in 8 wards across town. Deewaron Par Dastak was a kick- start to our next phase, to improve the economic and social life chances of the Waste worker community,’ he signs off.

Suraj Tratak rapping to social issues

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Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

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July 9, 2019

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Rap, Rapper, Musician — Performing on the Stage

Dehradun, When artists from various spheres join hands to highlight a social issue, everyone tunes in! And adding to that the long list of artists is Uttarakhand’s young, dynamic rapper Suraj Tratak rapping to social issues who recently launched his rap song entitled, ‘Pani.‘ A song that highlights what has now been recognised as a universal crisis and has adversely affected the hill-state with 60% of its natural water sources drying up and which according to the CAG report, “Less than 50% of the population has access to adequate quantities of safe drinking water in the Uttarakhand.“

Rap, Song, Rapper — A singer who supports social causes

Born on 21st August, 1995 to jot Singh Rawat and Parvati Devi in Mumbai, Suraj Tratak has two siblings, Arjun his older brother and Uday Singh his younger brother who introduced him to the world of music. Not a new entrant to the world of rapping, Suraj’s song ‘Pani‘ released on YouTube deals with water crisis and incorporates lyrics which give useful tips for water conservation. The song has been well received by his growing number of fans not only in his home state but the country and abroad as well.

Talking to Newspost, Suraj tells us, “Being an artist, I have highlighted issues in most of my songs, and now with water crisis becoming a reality not only in Uttarakhand but all over the world, I wanted to compose a song on water conservation to spread awareness. The lyrics to the song were composed in 15 minutes flat!” He adds with much aplomb.

An artist who wears many hats, Suraj is a singer, actor, songwriter as well as a director, who has his roots in Sondhar village, Khaspatti Tehri Garhwal, but has made Dehradun his home, for the past fifteen years. A graduate from Petroleum University, Dehradun, Suraj went on to do his PG MBA, from Graphic Era Hill university, but his true calling was music. Since 2013, Suraj has composed songs both in Hindi and Garhwali on prevalent social and spiritual themes, both close to his heart such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to Pani Bachao. His forte has been the fact that he has highlighted pertinent issues through his songs and given them a suitable platform.

The young talent has composed a song for world spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and has been deeply moved by the teachings of Rajnish Osho, Gautam Buddha, Kabir and Vivekananda whose teachings have been the inspiration for his first music album launched in 2020, ‘Supreme Consciousness.’ Following year i.e. 2021, he went on to launch his second album ‘Painey Pahadi,’ dedicated to his Garhwali roots. Suraj has also represented Uttarakhand in international platform such as TedX along with Ankit Chamoli a Beatboxer.

His song, ‘Pani’ put forth water conservation awareness in a foot-tapping rap beat to Suraj’s voice and lyrics making it an interesting audio clip for everyone to hear.

For those who haven’t yet tuned in, here is the link to the song:

To know more about this young talent, tune in:

https://www.youtube.com/c/SurajTratak

https://www.facebook.com/surajsinghrawatrapper

https://www.instagram.com/suraj.tratak/

Some wishes do come true: Asmita Mamgain

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Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

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July 8, 2019

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Dehradun, The much awaited 2016 Provincial Civil Services (PCS) results finally brought in its sweep relief, smiles and tears not only for the candidates but their families as well.

Dehradun born and brought up Asmita Mamgain, is one such success story, who got the good news while training as a Forest Range Officer. Very soon this young, dynamic young girl will be posted as a Deputy SP in Uttarakhand Police, a dream come true for the young lady as she managed to fulfil her mother’s dying wish.

Telling us more about her accomplishment, a relieved, happy Asmita says, “I am so fortunate that I was able to fulfil my mother’s last wish. She always wanted to see me in a Police Officer’s uniform, complete with the boot, belt and beret. It was because of her that I started preparing for PCS and now when the results have been declared, I know she is happy, content and smiling down at us today.”

Not the one to burn the midnight-oil, Asmita believes that its quality and not quantity of time that one gives for studies, that saw her through. While her coaching at Abhishekh IAS Academy did her good, she revised and polished her skills through self-study and Online Lecture Courses.

Giving credit to her consistency and determination, Asmita add’s, “My mother always encouraged me to sit for PCS. My father and younger sister have been my constant pillar of support in this journey.” She also has a piece of advice for those who plan to sit for competitive exams, “I only wish to tell them to never call it quits! Patience, hard work and sacrifice are the key to a successful career. “

Having got thus far, very soon Asmita will be moving upward, onward up the ladder of success while giving her best to the Uttarakhand Police Force as well.

We, at Newspost, wish this shining star the very best in her future endeavours.

The Gift of Food : Community Fridge, Premnagar

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Tania Saili

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July 5, 2019

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Dehradun, For the past 44 Sundays a group of dedicated 25 year old from the valley under the banner ‘Building Dreams Foundation‘ are doing one of the most noblest of jobs, feeding the hungry. Homeless, beggars, differently abled, children, old people and whom many of us wouldn’t even give a passing look, are being fed thanks to Dehradun’s first Community Fridge, located in a busy intersection in Premnagar which flung open its door for those who wish to have a satisfying meal, anytime of the day.

Operational 17 hours

This Community fridge is operational from morning 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at night, during which anyone who is hungry can help themselves to the edibles stocked inside the fridge, left behind by those who either had leftovers fit for consumption or by others who cook a bit more to feed the hungry.

Those who cannot come personally to deliver food, can have it collected

For those who are unable to make it to the Community Fridge to stock food, yet wish to contribute can call on any of the phone numbers given below. A representative from Building Dreams Foundation will personally come to check the quality of the food (whether it is fit for consumption) and then place it in the Community Fridge.

A list of do’s and dont’s for those who wish to stock the fridge with food:

– Ensure the food cooked is healthy to consume.

– Make sure the fridge door is shut properly so that the food doesn’t spoil.

– Always cover the utensil in which the food is kept.

– Those who have leftover food from parties can call ‘Building Dreams‘ to collect and distribute food they deem fit for consumption.

Who are their customers

For weeks now Building Dreams has been working relentlessly in ensuring that there is food for everyone. From homeless people, rag pickers, beggars even daily labourers to young children whose parents are away making ends meet, are regular visitors to the Community Fridge to grab a bite.

Future plans

Surbhi Jaiswal, Chief Executive of Building Dreams Foundation shares with us, “The idea of Community fridge came into existence two and a half years back when we started to work on zero food wastage. Due to lack of fund and initial support from people, the project had a delayed start. Today the idea has finally become a reality.”

Slowly but surely, Building Dreams Foundation motto, “No one deserves to go hungry,” has caught the fancy of those who want to feed the needy but dint know how. The team is now working on installing similar Community Fridges at other prominent landmarks in the valley, covering the entire city.

Contact Numbers:

8384897524 (m)

7078386765 (m)

9720592667 (m)

PEN-India Foundation honours Gauri Goyal

By

newspost

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July 4, 2019

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Doiwala, As India commemorates 117th Death Anniversary of Swami Vivekanand, an icon who has been a constant source of inspiration specially to the youth, PEN-India Foundation felicitated Gauri Goyal, for her selfless act of devoting her time to teach underprivileged students of the PEN-India Foundation, Doiwala.

Gauri Goyal, a 12th standard student from Hope Town Girls’ School, Dehradun, is a resident of Bhaniawala but stays in the school boarding. Home for her summer vacation, this young girl instead of preparing for her upcoming boards or taking tuitions, contacted the authorities of the Foundation and expressed her desire to volunteer her services ath the School during the long summer break. For now, Gauri is teaching art and craft to the students of PEN-India School as well as guiding the young minds in basic social and behavioural etiquettes.

Gauri Goyal felicitated by the Founders of Pen India Foundation

PEN-India Foundation founders, honoured Gauri Goyal with a portrait of Swami Vivekanand as a memento. Dr Prakash Keshaviah, the patron of the Foundation and a Biomedical scientist said, “the development of the society is possible only through education and youth should come forward to educate the underprivileged children.” During the event, Mr Anoop Rawat, the Founder and Chairperson of the Foundation added, “Gauri is a source of inspiration for today’s youth. She is providing activity based education for two hours daily to our students.“

Mr Santosh Budakoti, the Co-founder and Director of the Foundation stated, “it is really very inspirational that Gauri is spending her summer vacations providing education to young students, unlike other kids her age who spend their vacations doing other things.”

Tapping the great Indian monsoon

By

Tania Saili

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July 3, 2019

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Dehradun, On Monday, the central government launched a five-point water conservation campaign – Jal Shakti Abhiyan, endorsed by Bollywood mega stars – Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, where in Aamir Khan stated, “It is critical that we save water today for a better tomorrow, for our future generations and nation.”

With alarming water crisis graph such as this doing the rounds, immediate measures need to be taken is saving rain water, not just by the government but individuals too can do their bit.

One such individual is Ashish Garg, from Dehradun who has made a simple rain water harvest contraption tapping the Monsoon in the valley.

Ashish tells us, “rain water is quite pure and potable yet is flows down drains. Hence a precious commodity like rain water, which we get in ample in Dehradun is wasted once it leaves the premises of our houses or office complex.”

This thought inspired him to do something, adding, “there is a dire need to collect this water within the boundary of our premises and allow it to seep into the ground, hence rising ground water table. Considering, that water scarcity is a reality, we all need to do our bit to conserve and preserve this rare commodity.“

Ashish Garg has put together a contraption at his residence in Dehradun through which he taps pure rain water from the rooftop through a down pipe and elbow, easing its fall onto the ground to minimise soil erosion, where it will gradually seep into ground and help in maintaining ground water table.

“Though there are other methods of rain water harvesting but considering cost and technical details involved, this simple method is the minimum effort every citizen can try to implement at home so that rain water is not all lost until a better alternative of rain water harvesting is implemented,” says Ashish

Simple yet effective, these household tips if echoed locally, can do wonders to the ground water table and for water conservation in turn, contributing to a better future.

Aparna Kumar conquers seven summits on seven continents

By

Tania Saili

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July 1, 2019

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Dehradun, When we last connected in January this year, Aparna Kumar was training hard for what was her next mission, Mount Denali in Alaska. I remember her telling me how her two previous attempts on Mount Denali in the year 2017 and 2018 had been unsuccessful, but she sounded confident as if she knew she would be third time lucky, “I am scheduled to ski to North Pole in April this year and will then scale Mount Denali in Alaska in June.”

And thats what she did. Today afternoon a tweet that Aparna Kumar had successfully scaled Mount Denali went viral here in Uttarakhand.

Earlier this year, in January, 44 year old, Indian Police Services Aparna Kumar currently attached as DIG Training, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Seemadwar, Dehradun had hoisted the Tricolour on the South Pole. Aparna had trudged hauling a 40 kilo sledge skiing nine to ten hours a day on the illustrious footsteps of ‘Scotts of the Antartica.’

And five months down the line, she is atop Mount Denali. Aparna Kumar, a mother of two, is from the 2002 batch of IPS and is in the Uttar Pradesh cadre. The first IPS and ITBP officer to successfully scale the southern most tip of the earth, title goes to Aparna too. Karnataka-born and brought up, Aparna was bitten by the mountaineering bug, which saw her constantly on the move, where she has in the past six years, successfully scaled prominent peaks in seven continents.

In May 2016, Aparna summited Mount Everest from the north face. Almost a month post the mountaineering journey, Aparna Kumar message for the women of the world was: ‘One should keep trying and never quit. It is very important to pursue one’s passion with a single minded focus and devotion.“

Now having completed the seven summits, winning the coveted explorer’s Grand Slam is next on her agenda. Aparna Kumar has created history of being the first Indian woman to scale seven summits on seven continents and made it evident, that all dreams come true if we have the courage and the single minded focus to pursue them.

Priyanka Rawat, Uttarakhand finalist for ‘Hautmonde Mrs India Worldwide’

By

Tania Saili

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July 1, 2019

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Dehradun, If all goes well, then in October this year, the coveted ‘Hautmonde Mrs India Worldwide’ crown might just make its way from Greece to the hill-state of Uttarakhand.

36-year-old Priyanka Rawat with her roots in Khola Chauri, Pauri will be representing her home state at the Season 9 finale of the ‘Hautmonde Mrs India Worldwide‘ on the 20^th of October in Greece this year.

Uttarakhand finalist for the Mrs India Worldwide

An English Honour graduate, Priyanka also holds a post-graduate degree in German. With a 13-year-old marriage and mother of an 8-year-old boy, Priyanka is on a well-deserved break from the aviation industry after serving it for 14 years.

Giving us a brief rundown about her journey from the blue skies to now inching her way closer to the crown, Priyanka gives credit to her better-half Deepak Singh Rawat, she proudly claims, “It is Deepak who filed my registration form for the pageant without informing me. When I received a mail saying your audition is on so and so date, he insisted that I participate and since its been a ride.”

Settled in Dehradun for the past many years, Priyanka gives credit to her job and upbringing for the way she is, “being from the aviation field, glamour comes naturally. I have been a very confident, forth coming child and with an encouraging husband, I just got lucky.”

With finals just three moths away, a battery of dieticians, groomers, skin specialists and social media personnels are grooming participants for the grand finale.

Calling her experience a growing process, Priyanka adds, “eight months back in November when my husband registered my name and to-date the exposure has made me relook at life, with lots of confidence, self realization, and a sense of awe for the empowered women I have come across in the competition.”

Talking like a true winner, she signs off, saying, “winning and loosing is the last chapter. It’s the journey that makes it worth the while.”

And we hope this journey ends with a sash and the coveted crown of ‘Hautmonde Mrs India Worldwide’ for Priyanka Rawat, and for Uttarakhand in turn.

‘First Pahadi Flashmob’ takes everyone by surprise

By

Tania Saili

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June 25, 2019

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Flashmob — Priyanka Meher and her team of flashmob dancers

Dehradun, Shoppers at Crossroad Mall Dehradun were in for a pleasant surprise, when Nishant Thapa, a talented young dancer broke into some amazing dance moves in the ground floor of the Mall which then within seconds changed into a Flashmob. Dancing to foot-tapping Garhwali tracks by talented singer Priyanka Meher leading the first of its kind flashmob dance in Dehradun, the ‘First Pahadi Flashmob‘ left everyone spell-bound.

Perfectly choreographed by Ridhima of Danza fame, the 25 young boys and girls, joined lead performers Priyanka and Praqar in what has been given the title of the ‘First Pahadi Flashmob.‘ In-sync with each other the mob led by leading artists Priyanka Meher whose latest remix of songs such as Ran Singh Bajo, Padhana londa gopala and Bhag Futni along with Rongpaz, UK Rappy Boy & TUDs Lifestyle, made the evening more special.

With Pahadi Designer T-shirts, these young boys and girls took everyone by surprise making Sunday evening memorable not just for themselves but for everyone present in the Mall. The fifteen minute audio and visual treat with a Pahadi twist to it, was enjoyed by all age groups. The audience was seen recording the performance on their mobiles as Akshay Purohit from Dehradun wanted to record it for, ‘his friends and family who missed the performance,’ in another corner of the Mall, Pahadi Rapper Suraj Tratak was spotted witnessing his, “First ever Pahadi Flashmob in the valley, which came as a pleasant surprise.” Movie-goer, Prakash Rawat stated how he, “finished the movie and was about to leave the premises when the show started in the mall complex and he stayed back to watch it till the end.” He added, “it was a great experience.“

With the chanting of, ‘once more, once more‘ echoing in the Mall, the flashmob won the hearts of those who had come to the Mall for just another regular shopping experience, leaving everyone spell-bound and asking for more.

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