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Mussoorie gears up for New Year Eve

By
Tania Saili
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Mussoorie, If you haven’t quite decided where you want to head this New Year’s Eve, then maybe this article will help you make up your mind.

Perched a mile high in the sky, Mussoorie is sprawled across the first foothills of the Himalaya. Throughout the year, the town attracts visitors  from home and abroad, but as the year comes to an end, crowds flock to get away from it all, and enjoy the festivities in town.

Mussoorie the ‘Queen of Hills’ is ready to ring in 2020 on a high note. Decked in sparkle and glitter, The Mall brims over with sunshine and smiling people of every age group. With the Mussoorie Winterline Carnival being hosted from the 25th-30th there is more than one special reason for everyone to pick the hill-station to begin their New Year.

Smitabh and his friends from Delhi tell me, “Actually we were thinking of something new for the new year. All eight of us decided to go to a hill station and we chose Mussoorie as its closer to  Delhi, the weather is lovely, no pollution and lots of activities lined-up.”

Rajinder Singh with his family from Amritsar, came to town looking for a sunny getaway from the fog enveloped plains of Punjab, and he is not disappointed, “There is a temperature dip in the evening and morning, but the sun is lovely during the day. We and the children are enjoying themselves walking the length and breadth of town.”

“The streets lit up at night makes Mussoorie look like Las Vegas, except there aren’t any casinos in town,” quips Romy Wadehra, a resident in town.

Most hotels boast of 80% occupancy with different themes to woo their clients. From famous Djs to a live orchestra, tantalising menu and games, there is something from everyone, as 2019 comes to an end.

As yet another spectacular sunset brings us closer to new year eve with snow peak mountains and the magnificent winterline out in all its glory, there is still time for those left out of the fun.

Pack their bags and head to Mussoorie.

Dindyaali: Home away from Home

By
Tania Saili
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0
Dindyaali in all its glory

Dehradun, 20 kms from the state capital of Dehradun, tucked away on the Dehradun-Thano road in village Siriyon is a unique home-stay called, Dindyaali.

Recently renovated and fixed with modern amenities, this is a traditional Garhwali two-storied homestay. Complete with a meditation hall on top and three rooms on the ground floor, Dindyaali is an ideal get-away from the city madness to enjoy the serene, calm surroundings of Siriyon and treat your taste buds on some traditional flavours of our hills.

A joint venture of Raturi and Naithani family turned their ancestral house into a pahadi homestay. The idea was to give those who walked through its doors, a true flavor of Uttarakhand on the lines of its motto, ‘atithi devo bhawa.’

The proud host and hostess with their guests

The highlight of the visit is the traditional welcome, the traditional attire  and jewellery worn by passionate host and hostess, and of course, nothing beats the lip-smacking, authentic Pahadi food like freshly grounded chutney, kaafli, chaisu, phaada, jhangura ki kheer, koday ki roti served on bio-degradable cutlery, to guests comfortably sitting on the ground, pahadi style.

Badrish Chhabra from Dehradun visited Dindyaali a few days back and is full of praise for the place, “it feels as if I am sitting somewhere in the hills, far away from the city. The flavours and ambience of Dindyaali brought back memories of childhood spent in the the interiors of Uttarakhand. Simply amazing,” is what this Pahadi sardar had to say. And others who have been through its doors, promise to return soon.

Pahadi cuisine to tantalize the taste buds

Giving us more insight, Navendu Raturi tells us, “We will be organising a, ‘pahadi theme party on the 31st of January for 50 guests. Complete with pahadi food, culture and traditional games, the guests can re-learn dancing steps of thadiya and chouffla, our traditional dances.”

For now, Dindyaali easily homes ten people, but the family is working on increasing their space in tune with their surrounding. They can want to open their doors and hearth to guests who come looking for more than just your run of the mill, regular, home-stay close to Dehradun.

Dehradun latest Plastic Bank comes up at Indian Council of Agriculture Research

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newspost
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Dehradun, As a part of the Swachhta Pakhwada drive, Dehradun based ICAR-IISWC joined hands with CSIR-IIP and Gati Foundation to establish a Plastic Bank in their campus.

Gati Foundation is working with Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) to create a supply chain of plastic waste. IIP is recycling plastic waste to fuel with the help of a plant that is installed inside the campus of IIP.

During the program Anoop Nautiyal, Founder Chairperson, Gati Foundation graced the occasion as Chief Guest. “We are really happy to establishPlastic Bank at IISWC and are really hopeful that this is a big step towards addressing the massive problem of plastic waste in our cities,” said Nautiyal. He also informed that till now Gati Foundation has been able to provide more than 1000 kgs of plastic waste to IIP from the five, community-driven plastic banks in the city.

Dr. Sanat, Senior Scientist, CSIR-IIP informed the gathering about the technology of converting plastic into fuel and thereby converting waste into wealth. He was accompanied by Dr. Atul Ranjan, Senior Scientist, CSIR-IIP.

On this occasion, Dr. P.R. Ojasvi, Director IISWC stated that the institute will collect the plastic from the campus for its further supply to IIP through Gati Foundation. He also asked the scientists to evolve some biological technique to decompose the single use plastic.

Dr. Bankey Bihari, Head, HRD&SS Division and Dr Harsh Mehta, Head Plant Science Division from IISWC were also present in the program. At the end of the program, a formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr Indu Rawat, Scientist and Nodal Officer, Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. From Gati Foundation Pyare Lal, Anushka Martolia and Rishabh Shrivastava were also present in the program.

Snowfall snarls traffic this weekend

By
Tania Saili
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0

Dehradun: Kilometers on end. Inching bumper to bumper. Cars of all shapes and size, thrown in with a few hundred bikes and scooties have choked the Mussoorie-Dhanolti bypass, even before the season’s first snowfall settled.

It started yesterday morning. As the first flake danced to the ground, vehicles snaked their way to Dhanolti and Mussoorie from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana. Arriving in droves, as little as one year olds to people in their late seventies came to town, to get a feel of the ‘Real Thing!

Cars of all shapes and size, choke the Mussoorie-Dhanolti bypass,

For shopkeepers big and small, from Dehradun to Mussoorie and even Dhanolti meant good business. The local administration stepped in for the safety of visitors by diverting traffic at various entry points. Though the strategy of limiting entry worked well yet, led to tipping point as the vehicles kept pouring into town, late into the night.

Mussoorie SHO Vidhya Bhushan Negi has had a busy weekend. Talking to Newspost he said: “Due to snow, traffic was diverted from the Jaypee bend to Mussoorie to ease traffic snarls along the Dhanolti-bypass. Police force has been deployed at important landmarks such as Battaghaat, Lal Tibaa, Library Chowk, Barlowganj. Tehri and Dehradun police are working in sync and diverting traffic time to time to ensure there is no untoward incident,” he added.

As for local residents, the enthusiasm of tourists to take their vehicles along with them has caused, “pure mayhem. Rental bikes and scooties are rage of the day, tourists refuse to walk and enjoy themselves,” Smarty Singh from Landour Bazaar tells me, as he sorts out, yet another traffic jam on the sharp incline.

 The waltz of the snowflakes is once in a lifetime experience, but it comes with its own share of peril for those who refuse to dance in harmony with it.

Trail of memories: Apoorwa D Karnatic

By
Tania Saili
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0
Poem, Poet
The poet at an Open Mic reciting her poem

Nainital, 22-year-old Poet, Apoorwa D Karnatic has roots in Mukteshwar, Nainital. It is here, her home in the hills, that Apoorwa found her true calling, poetry.

A final year Mass Communication student from Galgotia University, Apoorwa captured her feeling in words and composed her first poem in 2007 when she lost her Grandmother.

“Whenever I feel a strong connect with an event or an issue, I put pen to paper and string words together. At times, all it takes is half an hour to express myself in words,” Apoorwa tells me over the phone. For years now, the young talent has been composing poetry on issues faced by the hill-state and its folks.

poem, poet
The poet with her strength, her family

Kahani Palayan Ki, HitMyarPahad recited by Apoorwa at an Open Mic organised by Poem & Kahaniya was  appreciated by the audience. It gives a glimpse into the written magic that the poet weaves about her home state and has an instant connect with the audience. Apoorwa talks about important, need of the hour topics such as Responsible Tourism ” adds Raman Shelly who happened to hear the young poet at the gig.

 

Apoorwa’s annual summer visit to her home in the hills made her empathise with the hardships of hill folk. She has seen how despite adversities, these brave people, do not give it up, instead “they keep moving forward with a certain resilience and a smile on their face.” Her next compilation, ‘Happy Pahadan’ to be released in the coming January 2020, is about that.

In the near future, once her final year is behind her, Apoorwa plans to continue her illustrious poetry career but take up pertinent issues on ground too.

Hygiene and sanitation amongst womenfolk is what I want to address Apoorwa shares with us. It is here, amongst her people, that her heart and mind reside and finds her true inspiration to weave magic with words.

Strategy to curb e-waste in Dehradun: Gati Foundation

By
newspost
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0

Dehradun, city based environmental action and advocacy group, Gati Foundation, conducted an extensive study on e-waste management in Dehradun. The study focused on: e-waste management practices at authorised mobile dealers/centers; citizens’ awareness on e-waste management and informal sector of e-waste recycling in the city.

The study visited 14 authorised mobile centers of one of the largest mobile companies in India; conducted an online interview with over 130 people; and interacted with city-based informal recyclers. The research team visited authorised mobile centers at Rajpur Road, Jakhan, Dilaram, Ballupur and GMS road in the city.

The findings of the study revealed shocking facts and figures: authorised mobile dealers in the city are openly flouting the legal norms enshrined under the E-waste Management Rules 2016 notified by the Government of India (GoI).  94% of the mobile dealers do not have a separate dustbin for e-waste disposal as mentioned under rule 7(1). 88% of the mobile dealers are not aware of the E-waste (Management) Rules 2016, which governs the entire domain of e-waste management in the country. 63% of the mobile dealers are not even aware of the term ‘e-waste’.

As per rule 5(1)(d), it is mandatory for mobile dealers and brand owners to roll out buyback scheme or deposit refund scheme in order to manage the e-waste. Surprisingly, not even a single mobile dealer is aware of the buyback scheme or does not have a system for managing the deposit refund scheme.

“E-waste rules pose a strict liability on brand owners, dealers and recyclers engaged in e-waste management. The mobile dealers are found to be openly flouting the rules. It is a grave danger to the environment as the informal ecosystem has the potential of causing serious pollution to soil, water and air. Companies must facilitate a complete solution to manage the e-waste getting generated in our cities post their product usage,” says Anoop Nautiyal, Founder of Gati Foundation.

The second part of the study focussed on the citizen survey. 90% of the citizens are not aware of any registered e-waste recycler in the city. 9 out of 10 respondents agreed that companies must take responsibility for  e-waste generated post-consumer use of their products. 50% of the citizens are disposing of e-waste by selling it to a local Kabadiwala. 8 out of 10 respondents say that they prefer buying a new phone instead of buying a second hand or refurbished device.

“The infrastructure to handle electronic waste in the city is in a critical state right now. Role of companies is crucial here as they can help in executing pan-city e-waste awareness and collection drives which can help in curbing the problem. State agencies can be mobilised to act against the illegal units engaged in dismantling of e-waste inside the city, causing environmental pollution“, said Rishabh Shrivastava, Lead – Public Policy and Communications, Gati Foundation.

The study also highlighted that a large number of illegal units in the city are engaged in unscientific dismantling or recycling of the e-waste, contaminating the soil and water bodies in the region. Most of the e-waste from these illegal units is being transported and dumped in neighbouring cities of Uttar Pradesh like Saharanpur and Moradabad. Based on the findings of the study, Foundation has sent a legal submission to mobile companies and is working to implement strategies to curb the problem of e-waste in Dehradun.

Dream in Colours: Doon wall painting competition

By
Tania Saili
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0
Doon wall painting, an artist's vision of what he sees

Dehradun, In an attempt to reach out to the citizens of Dehradun, the Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) is holding Doon Wall Painting Competition, 2019.

The theme for the inaugural edition of the competition is completely in sync with Uttarakhand showcasing the hill-state’s Heritage, Culture and Wildlife.

The online registration process is already in place and close to three-dozen artists have already taken keen interest in the Doon Wall Painting Competition from the hill state.

The Coordination Team at DSCL has made it easy to reach out and provide additional information apart from answering queries of interested candidates.

An artist writing with paint on dehradun’s wall

Talented artist Mukesh Negi who has been bringing alive the walls of Rishikesh with his murals for years now, recently filled the online registration form, tells us, “it will definitely be a wonderful experience working shoulder to shoulder with artists from various walks of life. I am looking forward to now putting paint to the drab walls of our state capital.”

 

A dedicated 30 feet wall  is the canvas for willing artists, with no fixed time limit. Thus far a dozen painters, young men and women, aged between 18-30, armed with their pallets, colour and brushes have set about showcasing their talent at Darshan Lal Chowk and the Yamuna Colony.

Talking to Newspost, Ganesh Pandey, DEO said, “enthusiastic candidates are filling forms and we are overwhelmed by the response. The Best Wall Painting will be judged by a Committee comprising of senior officials from the Dehradun Smart City Limited and be felicitated on 26th of January, 2020.”

While the winner walks away with 75,000/- as First prize, 2nd prize is for 50,000/- and the 3rd prize for 25,000/- . But there is something for everyone, as all participants will receive a certificate of appreciation for bringing Dehradun’s listless walls to life again.

Those interested can register online before 13th December 2019:

Doon Wall Painting Competition 2019 Google forms

Conquering Everest’s of the Mind: Prakash Chand

By
Tania Saili
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0

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.

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