‘ONGC the untold Story’ celebrated in Dehradun

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February 15, 2019

At an event organized by the Doon library and Research Center in Dehradun, Author Raj Kanwar’s latest book ‘ONGC the untold Story’ was celebrated.

Chief Guest was Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, IAS, Director, LBSNAA, Mussoorie, DG Law and Order Ashok Kumar, Professor Ganesh Saili, Pradeep Singh and Dr. B.K. Joshi Director of the Doon Library who presided over the function.

The one-hour programme was complete with speeches and a slide-show that retraced the history of the book which chronicles the journey of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation from its nascent days to it being set up in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

The forward of the book is by former Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul and retells the history of ONGC: its first employees; its first woman employee; why Dehradun was chosen to be the Oil Capital of India and a home to the pride of India interlaced with many other interesting facets.

The 183-page book is a pictorial delight with text that covers the forty odd disciplines of the ONGC, highlighting the challenges and the lessons learnt from them.

Speaking about the book, DG Ashok Kumar stated, “the sketch of those days at its best. ONGC the untold Story is a must read for the next generation growing up in the city.”

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra added that Raj Kanwar was an historian: “One who had not only witnessed but recorded history in this book.”

Luminaries from the written world gave rare gravitas to the function. Among them were Author-Journalist Jaskiran Chopra, Author Ashok Lal, Author Mona Verma, Nadir Billy Maurya, Mona Marwah, Manav Kanwar and many other luminaries.

The octogenarian Author Raj Kanwar spoke with gratitude and reassured the audience that he had already started work on his next book entitled, “Dateline Dehradun’ which will chronicle the landmarks that have been crossed in making Dehradun, the city it is today.

Arushi Nishank hosts India Chapter of IWES- 2019

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newspost

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February 13, 2019

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New Delhi: Arushi Nishank, Chairperson, International Women Empowerment Summit & Awards hosted India Chapter of IWES- 2019 in New Delhi. The Programme was organized in collaboration with Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, United Nations (UNICEF) and “ Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign” a flagship programme of Prime Minister Modi.

The Chief Guests for the event were Shri. Dhamendra Pradhan, Ms. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi. The programme was attended by leading women in the field of cinema, literature, health, entrepreneur, philanthropist and house makers–Kirron Kher, Raveena Tandon, Deana Uppal, P.T Usha, Deepa Malik, Mata Shri Mangla Ji, Bachendri Pal, Sushma Seth, Ira Singhal, Laxmi Aggarwal to name a few.

The prime objective of the event was to bring women on a platform to discuss the issues that are becoming an obstacle for her to realise her full potential. Women’s issues were the limelight of India Chapter of International Women Empowerment Summit & Awards.

Arushi Nishank, Chairperson, International Women Empowerment Summit & Awards, spoke about, “Women empowerment is very close to my heart not only because I am a woman but being a woman I carry responsibility for others and society. Women are such strong pillar in a family, business and in any organisation, she needs a wake up call to know all her capabilities, being from Saraswati(goddess of wisdom ) to Kali(GODDESS OF DESTRUCTION). at present where girl child ratio is increasing and women participation is more in different sectors but women safely and economic independence is yet to improve, education in society not only for woman but for men also required.“

IWES, 1st chapter was successfully done in UAE, Dubai last year. There were more than 9 countries influential ladies participated for formulating policy for women which later handed over to both UAE and Indian government for any reference for making women policies.

Aparna Kumar: Getting to the end of the world

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Tania Saili

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February 12, 2019

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On January 14, 2019 @ 9:30 a.m. IG Headquarter, Mr. Daljeet Singh Chaudhary got a call from South Pole Station. One of their own, 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.’

Annually, many trekkers take up the challenge to reach the place. It is the coldest and driest place on earth, and no small wonder why the place remains the least visited continent on the earth. But braving minus 37 celsius, is not for everyone and only a few succeed.

Aparna is a mother of two. She is from the 2002 batch of IPS and is in the Uttar Pradesh cadre. She is the first IPS and ITBP officer to successfully scale the southern most tip of the earth. Karnataka-born and brought up, Aparna set out on the 30th of December, 2018 from Dehradun and completed this arduous 111 mile trek within 8 days of being dropped off at 89 degree south latitude on the 13th of January, 2019, making history.

For the last six years, Aparna Kumar trained with all her might in advance mountaineering and has successfully scaled prominent peaks in six continents. In May 2016, Aparna summited Mount Everest from the north face. Post this feat, she trained for a little over six months during which she learnt to ski. What almost upset the applecart was that just a month before the expedition, she was diagnosed with right lung pneumonia and advised complete bed rest for almost three weeks. But not the one to give up and with her never-say-die spirit Aparna became part of a seven member expedition team along with two guides to South Pole. Of course being the only woman member in the expedition had its own set of challenges.

Talking to Newspost, retracing her footsteps, Aparna gets nostalgic, “The most challenging part of the journey was the extreme cold conditions and low visibility and high speed chilly winds.” Almost a month post the mountaineering journey, Aparna Kumar has a message for the women of the world know: ‘One should keep trying and never quit. It is very important to pursue one’s passion with a single minded focus and devotion.“

When asked what was next on her bucket list? She is quick to reply, “I am scheduled to ski to North Pole in April this year and will then scale Mount Denali in Alaska in June. A peak which remains un-scaled on my two previous accounts in 2017 and 2018.”

Completing the seven summits and winning the coveted explorer’s Grand Slam, is what we wish for Aparna Kumar in the months ahead.

Basant Panchami with a twist: Planting orchards

By

Tania Saili

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February 10, 2019

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Satyu, Tehri Garhwal: Earth Day Network along with Sustainable Green Initiative, a six year old social enterprise which has been planting fruit trees to fight hunger, poverty, and climate change will now help plant 15,000 fruit trees in the villages on the periphery of the Saklana Village, Tehri in Uttarakhand today.

Sapling of fruit trees such as apricot, walnut, plum, pear and lemon will be distributed among hill-folks from over a dozen villages on the occasion of Basant Panchami, the day that marks the beginning of spring.

The distribution centre has been set up at the Shahid Nagendra Dutt Saklani Govt Inter College, Satyu from where villagers will go on to plant these in their farmland and homesteads. “We are fortunate to be a part of the tree story in the very area that gave the world Vriksha Manav, Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani,” stated Mrs. Karuna Singh, Country Director, Earth Day Network.

Saklana has a special reverence when it comes to tree plantation as this was home to Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani or Tree Man who breathed his last on the 28^th of January this year. The veteran regenerated over hundred hectares of barren forest area with Oak trees, with a rough estimate putting the number at fifty lakhs. Mr. Raj Mohan, Director, Sustainable Green Initiative (SGI) added, “This day has become doubly important and auspicious since we are where the Vriksha Manav worked his magic. We dedicate our efforts to him.”

Sustainable Green Initiative will not only aid and assist villagers to plant but also nurture these fruit trees. It is an attempt to not only increase out depleting green cover but also provide nutrition and secondary income to those who plant these trees by reaping fruits from these trees.

This unique initiative is a befitting tribute to the memory of Vriksha Manav on the on set off Spring!

Leading from the front: Chamoli Pecan Nuts farming

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Tania Saili

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February 9, 2019

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The border district of Chamoli might well become the first district in Uttarakhand to market home-grown Pecan Nuts. Under the Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan State Project, the Horticulture Department here is working on a one hectare maiden nursery in village Kothiyalsain where they will grow and nurture Pecan Nut saplings.

A rare dry fruit, Pecan nut is used liberally in the chocolate business and other culinary delights such as cakes and pies and have a lot of health benefits too. At present, the selling rate of Pecan Nuts from California in America is close to three thousand per kilogram.

A close to 15 lakhs has already been spent in the Kothiyalsain nursery where Pecan Nut saplings will be reared along side Seedless Guava and Srinagar Mandarin saplings too.

The ideal height which the Pecan Nut trees need to flourish is at 1200-2000 meters above sea level. These large, deciduous trees are being readied from two hundred mother plants of the ‘mahan’ and ‘nelis’ variety that will be grafted over the next two months and then shifted to poly-houses with controlled climate management.

If these trees take root, then within five years, Pecan Nuts will be commercially cultivated in Chamoli villages. It assures to bring in good revenue for its farmers, giving the Horticulture Department something to celebrate about.

According to Narendra Yadav, Chief Horticulture Officer, stationed in Chamoli enlightens us, “there is always a great demand for Pecan Nut. The altitude of Chamoli makes it ideal for growing this tree, for which this nursery is being put together on war-footing. A cluster of farmers have been already brought together who will plant these trees and in the coming five years, and reap the benefits of Pecan Nuts home-grown in Chamoli.”

Making of the Uttarakhand Cap

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Tania Saili

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February 8, 2019

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Dehradun, Half a dozen students with their faculty mentors of the Graphic Era Hill University, Department of Fashion Design burnt the midnight oil for six long months to give us the ‘Uttarakhand Cap’.

This isn’t your regular topi/cap but one that brings with it the rich tradition and culture of the hill-state of Uttarakhand.

The Uttarakhand Cap designed under the student brand ‘SWAYAM,’ inculcates an embroidered band with the State’s Aipan Art, the vibrant colour of the State Bird Monal, the red of the State Tree Rhododendron and the colourful bands of the Kumaon Regiment and Garhwal Rifles. The richness of this tradition in further signified by the use of indigenous handloom silk fabric.

Telling us more about the cap, Dr. Jyoti Chhabra Professor and Head, School of Design, Graphic Era Hill University tells us, “The University students felt that the people of Uttarakhand wear a variety of caps but unlike other states; Uttarakhand does not have its own authentic cap. This “Uttarakhand Cap” is an innovative initiative by the students to represent the honour and traditional values of the residents of the State.”

The Cap was officially launched on the 1^st of February 2019, when it was worn by the Chief Minister along with Cabinet Ministers Prakash Pant, Yashpal Arya, Harak Singh Rawat, Dhan Singh Rawat, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh among others. Praising the Uttarakhand Cap the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat admired the research and approach of the entire faculty in designing the cap.

Signing off Dr. Jyoti Chabbra adds, “It has been the result of the exploratory research done by students of the Department of Fashion Design. The department has the philosophy of promoting the culture and traditions of our home state through our fashion exploration. It’s both our vision and mission to put Uttarakhand on the Indian fashion map through the hill-state’s first generation of designers.”

To order your free size Uttarakhand Cap place an order with the Department of Fashion Design GEHU on their FaceBook Page fdgehu.

‘Masked’ anti-begging outreach campaign in Dehradun

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Tania Saili

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February 7, 2019

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Dehradun, For the past eight years, Mountain Children Foundation has partnered with CHILDLINE, a project of the Government of India to provide an emergency helpline for children in distress in the city.

The 1098 toll free helpline number is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by 9 members of the Mountain Children Foundation CHILDLINE team who go out at any time of day or night to help children who are either lost, in need of medical care or in danger of harm or exploitation. This unique initiative has helped over 2900 children who were in need of care and protection.

Recently, as a part of their outreach program the team conducted a masked outreach at all the major traffic intersections in the city. Wearing brightly coloured masks, holding anti-begging placards, the MCF CHILDLINE team enacted skits to send the message of how child beggary is a curse.

While cars waited at traffic signals, team members approached motorists for alms and, when given, returned the alms pointing at their placards with slogans “Give education not alms – giving alms is ensuring child trafficking,” highlighted.

Since, child beggars have very little to look forward to in life and end up victims of drug or sexual abuse. The aim of MCF CHILDLINE is to ensure that these children have a promising future and do not end up becoming criminals.

Aditi Kaur, of Mountain Children Foundation tells us, “the number of Child beggars has increased tremendously in Uttarakhand and the only way to stop it is to stop giving alms. Government and non government – Aasraa and NGO has special educations centers for these children, but every time we give alms we ensure they remain on the streets.”

Next time you reach into your pocket or purse to give alms collected in a steel bowl or into an out-stretched malnourished palm, just remember, we are turning these children into ‘chronic beggars,’ something we should detest for their own well-being.

Be the wind beneath her wings: Sheetal

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Tania Saili

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February 6, 2019

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Pithoragarh, Youngest Woman Mountaineer in the World to summit Mount Kanchenjunga in April 2018, Sheetal from Salmora in Pithoragarh seeks your help!

The young lady is now rearing to summit the highest peak standing at 8,848m above sea level, Mount Everest. The peak represents the purest form of wonder and magnificence of nature and what stands between her and the summit is ‘funds.’

“As a young girl, I used to love trailing my mother into the forest in Salmora fetching fuel and fodder. The feel of fresh air and the solid ground beneath my feet made me feel at peace and complete.” Narrates an excited 23-year-old Sheetal who claimed the coveted title last year.

Her’s has been a journey of pure grit, determination and hard work. Her love for mountaineering began at the age of 18 as an NCC cadet at a Basic Mountaineering Course from Darjeeling. Since then the young lady has moved onwards and upwards.

Sheetal successfully completed the HMI Basic Course in Mountaineering, with Grade ‘A’ which qualiﬁed her to undertake the Advanced Course in Mountaineering, completed from JIM.

An ace at rock climbing, cramponing, ice climbing, aid climbing, climbing knots, jumaring, rappelling, crevasse rescue system, self-arrest systems, Sheetal is armed well to summit Everest, from where she plans to achieve the objective of, ‘spreading the message of women empowerment.‘

The Deputy Leader of the Kanchenjunga expedition Yogesh Garbiyal, an accomplished mountaineer himself tells us, “I was with her as a leader in the Kenchanjunga expedition. I know she is very strong and holds an international record despite coming from a marginal background. The girl has a passion for high altitude, extreme temperatures, low oxygen and high velocity winds, she thrives in this environment.”

Despite her achieving an International feat the State government has been oblivious to her laurels. With less than two months to put it all together, the young girl has been running from pillar to post looking for possible funders for her Everest Expedition 2019.

This high altitude expedition is an expensive adventure sport that requires funds and financial support to operate. Sheetal is trying hard to win the attention of various national and international organizations, institutions, corporate homes in time to get funds together.

With the help of family, friends and well-wishers, she has already collected Rs 3,10,000/-( Three lakh ten thousand) but needs an additional sum of Rs 18,90,000/-( Eighteen lakh ninety thousand only) to achieve her goal.

She invites you to be part of her journey:

Contact Number: +918954593699

Donate now: https://www.ketto.org/contribute/contribute.php?fmd_id=79122&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=whatsappShare&utm_campaign=climbingbeyondthesummits-everest-expedition-2019&utm_content=ffa9f310fd2f9f9c8d326038b7606829

‘Dagdiya’: Stronger Together!

By

Tania Saili

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February 5, 2019

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Pauri, What happens when siblings and cousins passionate about making a difference in their home state come together? They get wings! Officially launched on the auspicious occasion of the 70^th Republic Day of India, i.e. 26th January 201, Dagdiya which means ‘friends’ across Uttarakhand, is a socio-commercial initiative that set roots in Isoti village in Pauri, Garhwal.

Founded by like-minded people, Anjilee Istwal, Col Asheesh Istwal(Retd) & Kavindera Istwal, the initiative plans to moblise the youth and empower the womenfolk of Uttarakhand. Priority being Health, Hygiene, Sanitation, Education and IT education.

Dagdiya is motivating hill-folks to take control of their own destiny, to be the catalysts, drivers and stakeholders in development of their home in the hills and eventually, reap benefits.

The concept hinges on bringing together the two pillars of society i.e. the Youth and its Women by connecting them on a broader platform through Dagdiya. Akin to a club, Dagdiya soon plans to have a chapter in every village bearing an online presence through a Facebook profile under the name Dagdiya Dagdiya & physical presence as a Dagdiya Center in each village.

Dagdiya Center will be the hub in the village where young, old, men and women will come together under one roof. Equipped with facilities like Broadband WIFI Connectivity, Library, Computers, Video Projection System and Satellite TV connectivity. The centre will provide provisions for games as well as work as a facilitation center providing venue for classes, meetings, workshops, cultural events and various other programs/occasions.

The Dagdiya Youth Centre, will concentrate on motivating and guiding young minds by using the power of sports and social media. The youth will be counselled about various employment/Self Employment options, groomed for interviews and provided avenues for self-growth and development. On the other hand, the Dagdiya Women Connect, will tap into the native enterprise of the women folk. Various self-help initiatives will be aligned and women will be encouraged to produce handmade items and thereafter provided with market linkage so that they are economically empowered.

Just over a week old and Isoti, the native village of the founding members of the Dagdiya Foundation will soon house a ‘Dagdiya Center.’ A small-scale food-processing unit is being established in Dharasu to give opportunities to the womenfolk here. Two Dagdiyas from the village are leading examples of reverse migration and have taken to tilling their ancestral farmland lying fallow for years. Another Dagdiya Pravesh Istwal has established two poly-houses.

Anyone and everyone can contribute to the Dagdiya cause. Material support like donating books, farming implements, old computers desktops/laptops are welcome. Better still, if you have the fire in your belly and wanted to do something for your home in the hills, but dint know how, come be a Dagdiya!

Vaidya Balendu Prakash on ‘World Cancer Day’

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Vaidya Balendu Prakash

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February 4, 2019

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Ved Balendu Prakash — Pic Courtesy: Shikha Prakash

I wish you all a healthy and long life on World Cancer Day. Cancer is a deadly disease which, in spite of all advances in medicine, causes a lot of fear and depression in patients and their near and dear ones. The reason is clear! We do have treatments available in the form of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation but the relapse of cancer is rather a rule than an exception.

With all the treatment facilities available, the number of new cancer patients and mortality rate due to cancer continue to rise. These treatments can help in increasing the life span of cancer patients and in some cases, even in completely eradicating the disease. But the term ‘cancer’ continues to haunt the lives of patients. The disease affects infants, children, youngsters, adults and elderly of all classes and castes alike. However, the distribution of the disease may depend on habitat, eating habits, lifestyle and genetic disposition to an extent.

Now, the question arises should we be afraid of cancer? I say no! And this is not a vague comment but is based on the 60 years long clinical experiences of my late father and me. I have been involved in cancer treatment for more than 42 years now and as per my experience, a regulated diet and lifestyle in combination with mineral based ayurvedic formulations can help revive patients even from the last stage of different types of cancer. I have seen many such patients who are alive for more than three decades now. But such single cases are not sufficient to prove the effects of the protocol. So, a pilot study was conducted in 1997 under CCRAS, Ministry of Ayush on APML, a form of blood cancer. IRCH, AIIMS was chosen as reference laboratory. 15 patients participated in the study, 8 of these were relapse cases in whom the disease had returned after successful allopathic treatment. These patients have poor prognosis in modern medicine. The other seven were de novo cases, who had opted for Ayurvedic treatment immediately after diagnosis of the disease. 4 patients died within the first month of treatment. 11 patients were able to complete the treatment protocol for 90 days. Unexpectedly, all these eleven patients were completely free from the disease after 90 days. They were completely healthy throughout the three years of follow up.

Ayurvedic medicine based on silver bhasma does not kill cancer but maintains the imbalance of silver and eliminates toxicity. Dhatu vigyan in Ayurveda states that there are seven dhatus in our body, gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin, Lead, Zinc. Any imbalance in these dhatus disrupts metabolism. When all of these are in proper balance and equilibrium we remain free from any disease and lead a healthy life.

There is another disease called Pancreatitis, meaning inflammation of pancreas. Up to 40% cases of Pancreatitis get converted into pancreatic cancer. But a formulation made from Copper, Mercury and Sulphur has been found effective in treating this disease. This has also been proven in experimental studies. Since 1997 more than seven hundred patients have received this treatment and about 80% of them are disease free. But only medicine does not cure the disease. It requires a well regulated diet and lifestyle.

Over eating, long gaps of eating, less sleep, eating non-seasonal fruits and vegetables, all of these increase the acidity of the body and create a base for disease development, by causing inflammation. The above stated examples show that Ayurveda maintains the health of the healthy and heals the diseased.

At the end, I just want to say that cancer, in spite of being a dreadful disease, can be prevented and even treated following the concepts of Ayurveda with a regulated diet and lifestyle.

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