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December 11, 2018

Mussoorie, The Queen of Hillsdecks up yet again to ring in 2019 on a high-note. For 6^th year in a row, the five-day annual Mussoorie Winterline Carnival will be celebrated from December 25^th to the 30^th of the month.

With civic polls just over and budget constraints, the festival will be a mellowed version of its former past as the administration states, but promises not to disappoint those who come visiting.

Bigwigs of Bollywood have been dropped and the highlight will be on local artists and youth. “The idea was to continue the tradition of the carnival which is finally on a roll. Given the limited time span and budget, local administration is working around the constraints and trying to make it a success,” said SDM, Mussoorie Minakshi Patwal

Newly elected Chairman of Mussoorie, Anuj Gupta informed us that there would be no night events this time round, “the entire town will be lit up from Library to Mullingar. Small stages will be erected at famous landmarks of the town where artists will connect with locals and tourists during the day.”

A roaring success in the past, traditional food court on the Mall road will once again titillate your food buds.

While local authorities and organisers are leaving no stone unturned to ring in 2019. Hotels big and small are brushing up their act to welcome a host of tourists to make up for the lean winter months. As Sandeep Sawhney President, Uttarakhand Hotel Owner’s Association puts it, ‘There are lots of programmes lined up for the festive week. All major hotels in town are giving 2-3 day package with special meals along with music, dance and bonfire and the works.”

For those how are still undecided about where to head this New Year Eve, Mussoorie awaits your arrival.

‘The Swings Café’ comes to Dehradun

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Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

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December 10, 2018

Cafe, Cafe and more cafes. One better than the other, the new ones out-doing the older ones. And in the same league, we have a newer-better-unique concept, flawlessly executed by not one, but two entrepreneurs Abhishek Bhandari and Saurabh Gupta. ‘The Swings Café’ as the name suggests, has swings of all sizes and shapes for their clients to just sit back and chillax.

You could eat, drink, read, laze and just take in the positive vibes that the cafe oozes off. Situated on Rajpur road, the cafe takes you away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You could pick up a book from the shelves and enjoy a cup of coffee or choose from an array of food items from their elaborate menu.

Telling us more about the Cafe, partners Abhishek and Saurabh share with us their journey, “A lot of thinking went into the concept of the cafe that we wanted to open. These days people look for a comfortable ambience where they can unwind and relax, and we have been able to nail that to the tee.”

The duo met in 2009 and after giving up their multinational careers, started the cafe which was inaugurated on the 30th of November by newly elected Dehradun Mayor Sunil Uniyal Gama. While Abhishek has his ancestral roots in Chamoli, he was brought-up in Haldwani and then Dehradun, just like his partner Saurabh Gupta who despite being from Varanasi calls Dehradun his home-away-from-home.

The Swings Café menu has a whole lot of food items to choose from such as Salads, Pizzas, Pastas; Rolls; Burgers; Sandwiches; Tandoori Items, Sizzlers, Chinese to name only a few.

The partners tells us, “Within a short span of time, we have got a lot of love and appreciation from our growing number of customers.” To bring in the younger crowd, the cafe also gives a 15% discount to college students from Dehradun colleges such as Graphic Era, UPIS, DIT.

With a sitting capacity of 50-60 people, this could be your next kitty, birthday or celebration venue. And for those who enjoy the outdoors, the cafe has as sit-out balcony which opens up to the lush green mountain range of Mussoorie-Dhanolti.

Next time in Dehradun, do stop by ‘The Swings Café‘ and hang loose.

Many chip in with MAD to clean Rispana

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December 9, 2018

Dehradun, Valley’s student activist group, Making a Difference by Being the Difference (MAD) convened a massive clean up drive and awareness programme at Deepnagar today.

The drive was carried out as a part of MAD’s campaign to attract both public attention and highlight government’s inaction in the cause of rejuvenating Rispana river. Earlier in the week, MAD had convened a press conference and spoken strongly about the Government’s apathy towards the rejuvenation of Rispana, post the much-hyped plantation drive carried out in July this year.

Over a hundred and fifty volunteers including NCC volunteers from SGRR, Graphic Era, DBS, DAV were joined by students of Government Girls Inter College, representatives from Lions Club,Agaz Foundation, Shere-e-Bhagat Singh Sansthan, assembled at Rispana bridge early morning.

Volunteers directly entered of what was left of the river. Braving stench of the pollution them embarked upon their mission and continued the cleanliness drive for three hours. Drains from surrounding colonies continued to pollute the river despite MAD’s extensive report to the civic authorities and State Government on these challenges.

MAD plans to continue their earnest attempt and it’s engagement with authorities to ensure that Rispana’s rejuvenation soon turns into a reality.

Dehradun, Valley’s student activist group, Making a Difference by Being the Difference (MAD) convened a massive clean up drive and awareness programme at Deepnagar today at the drive were Utkarsh, Archie, Gayatri, Manzer, Shardul Rana, Abhimanyu, Khushali, Prince, Rajesh, Chetna, Rachna, Sharad among others.

MAD clean-up drive on Sunday

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December 8, 2018

Dehradun, student activist group, Making a Difference by Being the Difference (MAD) lashed out at the State Government for hollow promises on Rispana rejuvenation.

Highlighting the fact that not an inch has moved to rejuvenate Rispana since July, the students said that senseless pollution of natural resources was unacceptable to them. The group has announced that it plans to start cleaning small stretches of the river on its own. A hundred member clean-up will take place on Sunday in Deepnagar, one of the worst stretches of the river.

For the past seven years, MAD has been campaigning for the rejuvenation of Rispana and Bindal rivers. The activist group was instrumental in getting sanction from the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee which stated that Rispana showed signs of revival in 2014. Following which the Union of India declared the two rivers part of Ganga basin and marked a copy of the same to MAD in 2016.

When the State Government accepted MAD’s petition to work on Rispana rejuvenation and involved them for the planning of the same, the group claimed that they did not know that their efforts would cease post 2018 July plantation. Instead when the High Court asked the State to clear river beds, the State came forward with an anti-environment ordinance. The move has not gone unnoticed by nature lovers.

Pointing out how earlier this year the Chief Minister had publicly remarked that MAD was responsible in bringing Rispana’s renewed future up-close to city residents, MAD members stated though monthly meetings were convened on Rispana’s rejuvenation by senior bureaucrats with all departments in attendance.

Today too MAD wants to take concrete steps such as river cleaning, tapping of drains, recharge of springs, further hydrological inputs, implementation of the NIH Report Amidst.

In late November 2018, when MAD members inspected the plantation which were carried out in July, it was found that areas near Tapobhoomi Ashram were barren.

MAD member Gayatri whose message on Rispana was echoed on Prime Minister’s Mann ki Baat felt that despite the Prime Minister’s appeal the State government had not moved with the right intent to tackle the issue.

MAD now hopes that it’s renewed movement will wake the Government out of its slumber. Members also appealed to Dehradun residents to actively join efforts to rejuvenate Rispana.

Hills of Mussoorie come alive at the Goa Art & Lit Fest

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December 8, 2018

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The Queen of Hills Mussoorie, came alive on Friday the 7^thof December at the 9^th Goa Arts and Literature Fest (GALF), thanks to two of its resident authors, Stephen Alter and Ganesh Saili.

Three-day GALF saw an interesting line-up of authors; poets; artists; publishers descend upon Panaji, Goa, this season.

Mussoorie based writers Stephen Alter and Ganesh Saili spoke on the very first day of the fest and gently took their audience on a walk down memory lane.

The hour-long programme entitled, ‘Mussoorie & The Mountains’, was well attended with an audience that was engaged and attentive. The authors, who call Mussoorie home, shared personal anecdotes and interesting tales with their audience in rapt attention.

According to Saili, his hometown doesn’t stop to amaze him! Mussoorie keeps throwing up stories from the past for the author to put pen to paper. “Perhaps this is one of the reasons why so many authors find the town a treasure trove of stories from the past,” he added.

As for author Stephen Alter, his hometown and its surrounding hills provide the gist for his stories. At present, Stephen is busy penning his next book entitled, ‘Wild Himalayas,’ a book encompassing the natural history of the Himalaya.

Speaking to Newspost over the phone, Author Ganesh Saili said, “GALF was a great festival run entirely by volunteers and it was a pleasure to see so many young folks participating in the Fest.”

And about his interaction with Ganesh Saili, Stephen Alter added, “Always a pleasure to share the stage with Ganesh Saili, who knows the lore and legends of Mussoorie better than anyone. Enjoyed speaking with him at sea level, though we usually meet at an elevation 2,000 meters closer to the clouds!”

And on that note, we wish the Goa Fest and both the authors grand success.

143rd Regular Course Passing Out Parade held in IMA

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December 8, 2018

Dehradun, The Indian Military Academy here held its 143^rd Regular Course Passing Out Parade today morning. 427 Gentlemen Cadets including 80 Foreign Cadets marched out as officers of the Army.

Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Devraj Ambu was the Reviewing Officer at the Parade.

Braving the early morning winter chill against the backdrop of the magnificent Chetwode Hall, 347 Indian Gentlemen Cadets along with 80 Foreign Cadets from seven friendly Nations including 49 cadets from Afghanistan, 15 from Bhutan, 5 from Maldives, two each from Nepal, Srilanka and Vietnam along with five cadets from Tajakistan joined the passing out brigade as well.

The spirit of camaraderie, unity, strength and valour stood out as the young men dressed in uniform marched out for the Inspection Parade.

Gentleman Cadet Arjun Thakur was awarded the Sword of Honour along with the Gold Medal.

In full attendance, proud parents, wardens, siblings, spouses and guardians became an inseparable part of the parade, as they took pictures to capture the moment forever. For every cadet who crossed the Chetwode threshold or antim-pagh, they became Officers of the Indian Army, with rose petals being showered upon them.

A two-hour programme including a Parade Inspection, Sword of Honour, Piping and Oath Ceremony ended with the singing of the Military Song, Kadam Kadam badayee jah, Khushi kay geet gaye ja resounding throughout the Military Academy.

For decades now, the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun has kept alive the glorious tradition of turning Gentlemen Cadets not only from India but friendly nations, into excellent Officer material who then go on to join their respective regiments to serve their Nation well.

Dehradun Hoteliers air concern about online travel portals

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December 7, 2018

Dehradun, In response to the grievances expressed by most of the hoteliers regarding high commissions and deep discounting, some forty hotel owners of Dehradun held a meeting today.

All present were of the view of how indiscriminate discounts were being offered by two online travel portals (goibibo / makemytrip). Moreover these companies were charging commissions up to the tune of 35% from hoteliers on the sell rates. This was making it difficult for hoteliers to sustain their businesses and are earn revenue. “The hoteliers claimed that OTA’s business practices were exploitative, unethical and divisive and led to predatory pricing and other market distortions that had the potential to harm both hoteliers and consumers in the long term.”

Recently regional hotel associations like the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Gujarat expressed concerns regarding GI-MMT. They decided that hotels in Ahmedabad would not accept discounts from December 1 and that commissions would be below 18%.

Budget and mid-market hotels across the city also expressed their anger against OYO, as their businesses was adversely affected due to deep discounting, high commissions and arbitrary contract changes being sought by the platform.

Dehradun hoteliers came on a common platform and considered action against OYO, the room aggregators associating with hotels on SMART SELL MODEL, as well. Those present unanimously felt that OYO was disrupting the smooth operation of the hospitality market by also picking up rooms at private homes and renting them out.

Some of the important decisions taken at the meeting were:

1. TAC for OTA’s to be renegotiated and to be fixed for all hotels @ 15% Flat across the city
2. Performance Link Bonus to be denied across GI-MMT .
3. Hotels do not want any discount coupons to be applied by OTA’s ( Go-MMT) and rooms be sold at set rack rates of the hotels.
4. Deny 2.5 % Platform fee charged by OYO.
5. To deny OYO commission on GST as well as flat commissions on walk-in guests .
6. To discuss out-standing payments by OYO to hotel partners.

Dehradun hoteliers decided to be part of HRAU (Hotel and restaurant Association of Uttarakhand), and would soon hold a Meeting with local representatives of OYO , GO-MMT to update and discuss the pointers that took place at the meeting.

PEN India Foundation felicitates volunteers.

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December 5, 2018

Dehradun, Each year, 5th of December is celebrated as International Volunteer Day. On this occasion PEN-India Foundation felicitated its volunteers.

Dr. Prakash Keshaviah, the Patron of the Foundation spoke on the occasion stating, “On 17th December 1985, UN General Assembly passed a mandate to observe 5th of December as International Volunteer Day every year. In 2001, UN celebrates International Volunteer Day, a day to celebrate the contributions of the volunteers at the local, national as well as at international level.“

Mr. Anoop Rawat, the Chairperson of the Foundation informed that, “Ms. Poonam Naugain has been awarded/felicitated with the Achievers Award, for selflessly providing free education to the underprivileged children in the PEN India School.” Ms Poonam, is a B.Sc Home Science student at G.B Pant University.

Mr. Santosh Budakoti, the Director of the Foundation said, “various NGOs are coming forward (extending their help) for the smooth running of the PEN India School. Just like Ms Poonam, various students and youngsters are getting involved with PEN India Foundation as volunteers.”

Awardees of PEN India Foundation:
Aarti Pundir, Simran Sadana, Swapnil Gahlot, Mansi Negi, Poonam Naugain, Anukriti, Neha Jawa, Yamuni Bhandari, Himanshu, Piyush Kandwal, Pankaj Budakoti, Susheel Nautiyal, Prakash Pandey, Sandeep Rawat, Ritu Sharma, Deepalika Negi,

Bugwaal: Diwali in the hills of Jaunpur and Jaunsar

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December 5, 2018