Twinkle, Twinkle little Star: Prakriti Garbyal

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September 4, 2019

Model, Ramp — Shining Star in all her glory

Pithoragarh, “My maternal grandmother raised me to be a Queen, and I am making my way to the top, slow and steady” says an excited 15-year-old Prakriti Garbyal who just got home after winning the “Miss Teen India Perfect Selfie Award “ at the Alee Club Miss and Mr. Teen India 2019, held on the 25th of August in New Delhi.

Born to a Social Worker father and her mother, a teacher in Dhaarchula, Pithoragarh district. The 2^nd amongst three siblings is already making heads turn.

Class 10^th Art student, Prakriti Garbyal gave her first audition on 22^nd of June this year and then made her way up from amongst 54 girls and 43 boys from all over India, to be in the final Top 15.

Prakriti’s debut into the glamour world was not alone. Her immediate and extended family came out in full support to guide her along the way. Prakriti took helpful tips from YouTube while her maternal aunt taught her, “nuances of modelling and body language and groomed me to a great extent,” she adds.

Teen, Model — “Miss Teen India Perfect Selfie Award“

A shy, hesitant, fresher at the Alee Club Miss and Mr. Teen India 2019 Prakriti won over her shortcomings and came out a winner, enriched with experience and confidence. Looking back she says, “It was a very motivating and educating experience. I enjoyed walking the ramp and made memories with new friends who have enriched my life.”

For now, the 15 year old wants to concentrate on her upcoming Xth board exams and finish school with flying colours. Prakriti then plans to dedicate her time and efforts polishing her modelling skills to take part in ‘India’s Top Model,’ her ultimate dream.

I am sure, this isn’t the last we have heard of this budding model that promises to bring laurels to her hometown and hill-state.

Neeru Pal, the next big talent in hip-hop music

By

Tania Saili

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September 3, 2019

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rapping, music — Neeru Pal at the हसल show

Dehradun resident Niranjali Pal a.k.a Neeru Pal is synonymous with hip-hop music. This budding 22-year-old BCom graduate from Dehradun recently made her debut on an International platform. Neeru was amongst the Top 15 rappers in MTV हसल show, which went on air on 10^th of August.

Music, Rapping — Neeru Pal with her younger sibling

Neeru gave it her best. She worked hard and various screening committees noticed her raw talent as she made her way up the ladder from early July. One amongst lakhs of rappers who auditioned from all over India, Neeru made it to the 100 short-listed artists, then final 50 and then the Top 15 rappers.

Though Neeru couldn’t make it the finals, the young girl has no regrets. “When I started rapping in the year 2014. I was amongst the few ladies who were rapping back then,” adding, “I never had any formal training, but I write my own lyrics and I feel that I can express myself better by rapping, and have been recognized as one as well.”

Balancing a full-time job with her passion, the singer, composer and lyricist squeezes in two hours of daily rap. Her love for writing is an art she feels was passed down to her from her late father. “I started writing when I was in class 10^th and then found rapping the perfect way of expressing my thoughts.”

Neeru Pal lyrics are based on various social issues and some inspired from her life as well that her peer group relates to.

Neeru strongly believes that MTV हसल show, has given her the recognition she was looking for. Noticing, “There are girls now who are rapping so well that they are giving their male counter parts a run for their money.”

Today Neeru Pal sees her in-born talent as a stepping-stone forward from her humble background. She is busy honing her hip-hop skills and aiming to make a name for herself in the music industry.

We wish this talent, all the very best.

Mussoorie remembers its Uttarakhand martyrs

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Tania Saili

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September 2, 2019

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Mussoorie shoot out — Statues of Martyrs who lost their life

Mussoorie, The 25^th Death Anniversary of six martyrs who lost their life during the struggle for a separate hill-state of Uttarakhand on 2nd September, 1994 were remembered in the hill-station of, where the unfortunate shoot-out took place.

Stream of events were lined-up for the day commemorating its dearly departed. Prayers as well as garlanding of statues of martyrs by their family members and other dignitaries at took place at the Shaheed Sthal early today morning.

Dignitaries, Mussoorie, Shaheed Sthal — Dignitaries at Mussoorie Shaheed Sthal

It was a tearful reunion for the families who lost their beloved on this fateful day 25 years ago. Family members of Martyrs Hansa Dhanai, Belmati Chauhan, Balbir Negi, Rai Singh Bangari, Madan Singh Mamgain and Dhanpat Singh were in full attendance at the venue which saw people from all walks of life paying tribute. For them it was, “as if life had gone by at the blink of an eye” spoke Narottam Singh son of late Shri Dhanpat Singh.

Shopkeepers in Mussoorie kept their shutters down until 11:00 as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives. Dignitaries BJP MP Ajay Bhatt, MLA Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi, Chairman of the town Anuj Gupta, former MLA Jot Singh Gunsola, Former Chairman Manmohan Singh Malla, OP Uniyal and UKD Minister Pritam Panwar were present at the Shaeed Sthal to pay homage to the martyrs.

Prayer session in progress at Shaheed Sthal Mussoorie

Speaking at the occasion Uttarakhand Kranti Dal Minister Pritam Panwar stated, “the need of the hour is to tap migration from the hills and that will be the biggest tribute paid to our martyrs.” BJP MP Ajay Bhatt paid his heartfelt condolences to the family of martyrs, adding, “the sacrifice of the people of the town for the creation of Uttarakhand which turns 19 this November, is something the State will never forget. Everyone has been an inseparable part of this journey.”

For old timers like Professor Ganesh Saili, ‘‘if it hadn’t been for the sacrifice of these 6 people, Uttarakhand would still be a distant dream.’

Naga Adventure: Bringing home jobs

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Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

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September 1, 2019

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Naga Adventure, Camp, Uttarkashi — Entry gates of the adventure camp

Uttarkashi, This feel-good story comes to us from the hill-district of Uttarkashi where four friends have waged a war against migration, and are leading by example, inspiring others to follow suit.

Friends from village Nald, just 12 kms beyond the town of Uttarkashi, Dharmendra Panwar, Ganesh Rana, Deepak Rana and Rajneesh Rawat launched Naga Adventure Company on 21st November 2018. Like all beginnings, teething troubles plagued the four young men but they faced all the difficulties with their chin held-up high.

Aged between 25 and 28 when most young men move to the promising plains of India, dreaming of a better, brighter future, they stuck to their guns and were determined to bring prosperity to their home-land.

Zipline, Naga Adventure, Uttarkashi — Naga Adventure Zip line in Uttarkashi

Located at 1600 meters above sea level, amidst thick deodar forest, Naga Adventure is one-of-its-kind camp where local employees from the village earn money assisting the youth and their endeavour, at their doorstep.

Ganesh, briefs us about why they thought of setting up an adventure camp in Uttarkashi, “the town is a tourist-hub, and we wanted to make the most of this opportunity to promote and provide job opportunities to the local here.”

Almost a year since it opened it gates, Naga Adventure has served more than 1500 tourists visiting the area.

Talking more about Naga Adventure, Dharmendra tells us, “Naga Adventure gives you a chance to enjoy different adventure sports. Zip lines, high-rope course, trekking, camping, etc, we give every age group a taste of true adventure in scenic locale.”

Deepak add,“My colleagues are well trained and have a lot of experience in this field.” He further adds, “The camp gives complete facilities to tourists coming from all over the globe looking for outdoor and adventure.”

About future aspirations, Rajneesh tells us, “in the future, we want to develop this area so that we can generate more employment opportunities and put Uttarkashi on the world map for adventure.”

The drive to do something for their district has won Dharmendra Panwar, Ganesh Rana, Deepak Rana and Rajneesh Rawat praise from not only those who come visit but also from those whose lives they have touched.

Dehradun mobile dealers unaware of e-waste management rules

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newspost

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August 29, 2019

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Mobile shop — Pic Courtesy: Gati Foundation

Dehradun based environmental action and advocacy group, Gati Foundation conducted a social audit of 16 prominent mobile dealers of the city. Out of these, ten were authorised Samsung mobile dealers and six were multi-brand mobile dealers. The audit was based on the legal framework laid down under the e-waste management rules 2016, notified by the Government of India. As per an earlier survey by Gati, 72% of the e-waste generated in Dehradun is because of mobile phones. Yet, mobile centers continue to flout environmental norms related to the sustainable management of e-waste.

Rule 7 of the e-waste management rules 2016 very clearly lays down that it is the responsibility of the dealer to provide the consumer with a bin or box to implement a proper collection/take back of e-waste. 94% of the dealers have been found to have no kind of bin or box facility in place to take back the e-waste being generated in the city. 88% of the dealers do not have any kind of mechanism in place at their shops for collecting the e-waste.

Mobile, E-Waste — Pic Courtesy: Gati Foundation

“E-waste is becoming a major environmental menace. In this era of smart mobile technology, we don’t have adequate mechanisms to manage the e-waste being generated by it. The awareness level of mobile dealers in the city with regard to e-waste is really low. This should be a major cause of concern for multinational giants who are selling their products in the market. A robust take-back system with the help of informed dealers must be created by the private corporations in order to handle the e-waste in an eco-friendly manner,” said Anoop Nautiyal, Founder, Gati Foundation.

2016 rules very clearly state that companies should make people aware of their buyback schemes. Alarmingly, 56% of the dealers are unaware of any such buyback scheme by the multinational electronics giant, Samsung. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a legal principle that mandates private corporations to take care of the waste generated directly by them, 88% of the dealer are unaware of this principle.

“Problem of e-waste is rising rapidly. In coming times, we plan to engage with government agencies and private corporations in order to seek innovative and sustainable solutions to the modern-day problem of e-waste, polluting our environment and human health,” said Rishabh Shrivastava, Lead – Communications, Gati Foundation.

Anushka Martolia, Hem Sahu, Adhyayan Mamgain and Neelam Kumari were involved in conducting the social audit of the mobile dealers in Dehradun.

Tenzin Norgay National Adventure Award 2019 goes to Aparna Kumar

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Tania Saili

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August 28, 2019

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Aparna Kumar, Moutaineer, Mountain, Climbing, Scaling

Dehradun, 2019 has been special a year for Mountaineer Aparna Kumar who created history of being the first Indian woman to scale seven summits on seven continents. An extraordinary feat which has won her the coveted Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2019 on occasion of the National Sports Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

Speaking to Newspost she said, “I am relieved and motivated to work harder and do better. This is just the beginning, and any recognition on any national or international level is very encouraging.”

Earlier this year, in January, 45 year old, Indian Police Services Aparna Kumar currently attached as DIG Training, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Seemadwar, Dehradun hoisted the Tricolour on the South Pole. And five months down the line, she was atop Mount Denali.

In May 2016, Aparna summited Mount Everest from the north face, and her 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.“

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. The lady has in the past six years, successfully scaled prominent peaks in seven continents. Her never-say-die spirit saw her became part of a seven-member expedition team along with two guides to South Pole earlier in January this year.

Being conferred with the highest National Award at par with Arjuna award for Adventure Sports in India Aparna has made it evident, that all dreams come true if we have the courage and the single minded focus to pursue them.

NGT directs Chief Secretary to submit report on solid waste management

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newspost

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August 27, 2019

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mountains of mess — Pic Courtesy: Advocate Akash Vashishtha

The NGT has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to submit a report on a petition filled against illegal and widespread dumping of solid wastes, plastic wastes, bio-medical wastes, hazardous wastes and other obnoxious matter in and across Uttarakhand, especially in the higher reaches of the hill-state.

The order was passed on the petition moved by NGO Friends and Former Chairman of International Union of Forest Research Organizations, Vienna, Dr. Ajay Singh Rawat.

Noting the gravity of the issue, the court will hear the matter with the main petition pertaining to Compliance of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 for Uttarakhand, which will come up for consideration in September.

The petition moved through Mr. Akash Vashishtha, Advocate was argued by Mr. Rajiv Dutta, Senior Advocate.

“The entire hills of the state were in distress because of unrestrained dumping everywhere and no disposal thereof. The garbage is thrown, gets accumulated and is then set on fire. The biggest problem creators are the hotels, resorts and restaurants. Tourists are plundering the hills like anything,” Sr. Advocate, Rajiv Dutta, told the court.

The petition also carried a written reply submitted in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on 08-03-18 revealed that Uttarakhand is the worst-performing state in the country in terms of processing solid waste. Every day, the state generates 1,406 tons solid waste and processes 0 per cent of it.

Including the Swachh Survekshan 2019 report which stated that the state capital Dehradun slipped to the 384^th slot out of 425 cities having a population of over one lakh, which witnesses the abysmal performance of the state capital. A total of 4237 cities had participated in the survey but no city in Uttarakhand featured in the list of top 250.

The petition also seeks directions from the court to implement and enforce the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, fix quotas to 4000 tourists coming to places situated above 4000 feet above sea level altitude in Uttarakhand, especially during May-June and November-March, are just some of the directions that the petition seeks. A complete ban on large-scale weddings and events at an altitude of 5000 feet or more above sea level, amongst others.

Order SWM 21.08.2019

Players from Mussoorie make it to the Basketball Nationals

By

Tania Saili

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August 26, 2019

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Mussoorie, Two students of Mussoorie’s Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary School have made it to the Basketball National Team in Under 19 and Under 14 category respectively.

Student of class XIIth Aman Veer Singh and Ankit Kumar of class VIIIth will soon be participating in the Basketball Nationals in the Under 19 and Under 14 category to be held in Tamil Nadu and Odisha this September. The boys were handpicked from amongst 70 players who played in various tournaments and were selected on the basis of their performance.

Aman and Ankit give credit to their coach Raisuddin Ansari a pass-out from the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, who put in two to three hours of rigorous training on the basketball court, teaching students tricks of the game.

 While, Aman Veer Singh  has in the past represented Uttarakhand Basketball Teams in Sub- Junior and Junior categories in 2016 and 2018 respectively. He shall now represent Council For The Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Regional Basketball Team in CISCE Nationals to be held from 22nd to 27th of September, in Tamil Nadu. The young player has his goals set as he confidently tells us “I would like to join UCLA in America and will take my game to the NBA, which is the ultimate level for any basketball player.”

On the other hand, Ankit Kumar, will be part of the Uttarakhand State Basketball Team in the 46th Sub-Junior (under 14 category) Basketball Nationals to be held in Cuttack, Odisha from 3rd to 9th September. Ankit joined school in grade 6^th and has been playing basketball for just two years now, he tells us, “feels great to have qualified in the Under 14 category. I will try to improve my game and play for India in the future,” he signs off.

Coordinator, Dalveer Kaur Singh, speaks on behalf of the School and its Management, stating, “Its really great. The joint effort of our coach and the students has brought us laurels in the past and we are sure that they will continue to do so in the future as well.”

The Woodpecker: An upward and onward journey

By

Tania Saili

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August 25, 2019

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The Woodpecker — Pic Courtesy: Shanali Bankim Sharma

Dehradun, Seldom do we come across individual tales of tragedy inspiring beauty. Shanali Bankim Sharma, the case in point here, did just that. She is the lady behind the unique brand ‘The Woodpecker’ a five-month-old start-up that excels in making hand-painted household wooden wares.

Born in Pathankot, Shanali moved to Dehradun when she was eight years old and made the valley her home. With an MBA in Finance, Shanali started painting “as a meditation or mode of expression,” after she lost her husband three years ago. Looking back she remembers how, “Painting gave me strength to stand up again,” adding, “It all started with painting on wooden logs for friends. I then added a few more utility products that could replace plastic and would inspire people towards a more eco-friendly living, and since that day its been an upward, onward journey.”

It was this motivation and determination that gave birth to ‘The Woodpecker.’ Shanali’s love for the outdoors and photographs clicked by her late husband inspired her hand-painted bird and floral series.

Today, her backdrop, the Himalaya and the abundance of Nature inspire her art on handcrafted wooden ware using natural oils for polishing, with each item being a piece of heart, part of a soul and a moment of someone’s life that will definitely add more beauty to your home.

Officially launched online in March this year, The Woodpecker is gradually growing, “the response has been very positive and people are appreciating it, they say it’s a unique idea and no two items are alike,” says the artist.

Shanali also works on developing skills in students of government schools and encourages them to use their creativity bent of mind and hands. She supplies her young students with art supply, holds workshops and teaches them the nuances of painting and art in the hope that they carry it forward, “These young minds, aged between 11 to 17 are soaking it all in. They enjoy what they are being taught, which is very heartening to see” she signs off.

Wooden trays, platters, home decor, candle holders, coasters, stone art, lamps, wine-trays, cheese platters, latest collection of Ocean coasters and trays are available at Alaya and Himalayan Weavers, in Dehradun. You could also order online through Instagram & Facebook Page.

Follow ‘The Woodpecker’ on:

(https://instagram.com/the.woodpecker.ddn igshid=1dksry19obyl0)

Shanalib.art (https://instagram.com/shanalib.art?igshid=h5gvh5e9jhgf)

https://www.facebook.com/TheWoodpecker.ddn/
https://www.facebook.com/ShanaliB.Art/

Saying it with flowers this monsoon

By

Tania Saili

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August 22, 2019

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Monsoon, Wildflowers — A carpet of garden escapees dot the hillside

Mussoorie, In the hills, they will tell you that when the cobra lilies turn red; the tree ferns begin to turn brown; the setting sun changes its multi-hued pallet of colours with each passing day and the garden escapees bloom on the mountain-side in all their splendour – you can take it for granted that the Great Indian Monsoon is on the retreat after its three month reign in our mountain home.

Come mid-August and a carpet of wild flowers spring into existence in colourful bouquets. Mauve, pink and white orchids bloom around every nook and corner of the hill-station. But what takes your breath away are the vibrant garden-escapees, the glory of the place. My personal favourites are the wild ginger lily, the cobra lily and the garden escapees. The sheer variety of colour abloom in dense masses from August to beginning of October, adding splashes of bright, happy colours on the jade green hillside.

The slopes above and below the road is awash in a nodding sea of flowers dancing in the gentle breeze. They watch you through the water-laden mist which comes down to touch the plants, as if to make sure that all is well, and it parts, the colours jump out at you: crimson, scarlet, mauve, white, yellow, pink, orange, purple and sometimes a deep, almost black maroon, you name it and they all there in plenty, giving company to the moss, ferns and grass carpeting the hillside.

monsoon, fern — The tree fern turns brown towards the end of monsoon

Such a gathering of wildflowers warms the cockles of the heart and appeals the eyes just at a time when everything else is shrouded in a gloomy mist of grey, briefly giving way to bright sunshine and blue skies.

The wild-flowers play ‘now-you-see-me, now-you-don’t,’ peeping through the dense mist, reminding us all that this too shall pass, just as Autumn comes chugging around the corner.

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