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Elena Wadehra: A Palette of Dreams

By
Tania Saili
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0

Mussoorie, Russia born, Elena Wadehra made Landour, Mussoorie her home in the year 2014, when she married a Sikh gentleman Romy Wadehra and settled here.

Painting is in the lady’s genes. Her paternal grandfather, Mikhail Tobolski was a Soviet artist who worked magic with oil paints. A self-taught artist Mikhail painted portraits and made copies of famous paintings as well. Naturally, since a child, Elena too had a flair of expressing herself in Art. A talent she enhanced under her Russian art teachers.

While acrylic paints are Elena’s medium of expression, she has her own unique style, which borders with quaint, whimsical artwork. Most of her artwork is a trip down memory lane, inspired by childhood memories of festivities in Russia.

Elena captures emotions and depicts them beautifully through her canvas, giving them endearing names such as, The Gift; Dreaming Girl, Angle of Peace, Angle of Joy, Enamored Bear and so on and so forth. Mythical characters such as Unicorns, Elves come to life in her work transporting her clients to a world of fantasy.

Romy, her encouraging husband tells us, “because of her I have started understanding art, I appreciate it more. My limited knowledge of painters and paintings has increased. I am more aware now and understand the effort that goes into making a single canvas.”

Talking to Newspost, Elena tells us how a 30 cm x 30cm canvas takes one week to a month to turn out, the way it does. “I feel obsessed and excited when an idea for a painting comes to me. I forget eating, drinking and am totally engrossed in it till its completed.”

At present, the talented lady is busy illustrating and collaborating with two American children book authors. Based on her paintings, Elena has readied a set of six Christmas postcards. Decorative and collector postcards are a must-have this festive season, available at local stores and online too.

Elena Wadehra artwork can be viewed on Instagram: ElenaDreamArt.

CM inaugurates country’s first State Data Centre

By
newspost
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0

Chief Minister Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the country’s first Hyper Converged Infrastructure State Data Centre in Dehradun. Thea 3-tier State Data Centre, developed by the Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA) of the Uttarakhand government, is the first of its kind data-center in the country, with 100 per cent software based Hyper Converged Infrastructure (HCI) Technology. It has 105 terabyte form, which can be expanded up to 12 petabyte.

Chief Minister, while congratulating the team of the Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA) for successfully completing the State Data Centre before the deadline, “We have to develop such a system that the government work is completed in a fixed time frame. This will also remove the shortcomings of our system. Efforts are being made that a certain part of every department’s budget is being spent on IT and technical development.“

The information of all government departments will be available under one roof and hence  speed up activities and save energy. Based on modern and green technology, the CM felt the need to connect the State Data Centre with Solar Energy. A step in realising the vision of the Prime Minister’s Digital India, the establishment of the State Data Centre, is a great leap in the digital sector.

ITDA added that, “the Date centre is developed on the latest technology on Hyper Converged Infrastructure (HCI) which has  been developed on Green Concept to reduce the use of electricity and increase efficiency. All citizen centric services will be accessible through this State Data Centre. It will also reduce burden on the public exchequer.  Modern biometric systems and 24×7 CCTV surveillance makes State Data Centre even more secure and reliable.“

Mushrooming a brighter tomorrow: Monika Panwar

By
Lucky Singh/Tulika Singhroy
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0
Tehri, The youth of Uttarakhand are returning to their roots, with dreams of a brighter, better future amidst their home in the mountains. Today, we share the story of Monika Panwar, an ex-employee of a multinational company from Chamba, District Tehri. A young promising girl with all that she could ask for. But something, somewhere, were amiss. That something was her yearning for her hometown and home-state.
Monika finished her schooling from Chamba and went on to do her B-Tech from Roorkee College of Engineering. In the year 2016, Monika started working but felt the need to do something back home? Two years later, she quit and headed back home to Chamba. Today, all of 23, the young lady has started a successful Mushroom farming enterprise with a capacity of one to four tonnes of monthly produce, depending on the market requirement.
Talking about her bold step, Monika responds, ”I gave up my job because I felt the urge to do something for my State and it’s people. Armed with the right education hill folks should return to their roots and explore avenues here. ” Adding, “Garhwal is a rich state, it’s a gold mine that we are sitting on.”
Initially Monika started a small-scale, one-room mushroom production unit. She tells us, “mushroom growing doesn’t require too much fuss. They easily grow in rooms. With an initial investment of eight to ten thousand anyone can start grow mushrooms, getting good returns too.“
Along with a seven person team Monika is learning the tricks of the trade as she spreads her wings and in turn is imparting the trade of mushroom growing to those who are helping her as well.
Many ask Monika, why farming post an engineering degree? She holds her head high and retorts, “Why not? Its never too late to return home and do something for those whom you grew up with. My career graph might not be the best to boast about, but when I see a smile on the faces of those whom I have helped, and if I can convince even one youth to stay back or return home, then i have accomplished what I set out to do.”
We hope that Monika Panwar’s story inspires those who wish to make a positive difference to a place, they call home.

Culinary traditions being kept alive in Mussoorie

By
Tania Saili
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0
Pic Courtesy: Vijendra Pundir

Mussoorie, Jaypee Residency Manor, kept its date with the traditional cake mixing ceremony at the hotel’s Terrace today evening.

For over a decade now, the hotel has been ringing in the festive season with the traditional christmas cake mixing ceremony. Tanuj Nayyar, Executive Chef of the hotel guided the guests to mix some thirty kilograms of ingredients. An interesting array of dry fruits including dates, cherries, black currants, raisins, ginger and orange peals, cashew nuts, Tutti-Frutti and candied pumpkin almonds and figs soaked in ten litres of Rum and Brandy went into  preparing this traditional cake batter.

The Chef explained, “Christmas in no fun without the traditional Christmas Cake. Making this cake is no quick and easy task. We consider this as a ritual to usher in the festive season, good tidings and happiness.”

Pic Courtesy: Deepak Rawat

Author Bill Aitken and Ganesh Saili along with hotel guests, students of Nirmala High School, Mussoorie along with the chef and executives of the hotel took part in the hour long cake mixing ceremony.

Mr Anil Sharma (VP) Jaypee Residency Manor, added, “Festivals break boundaries and bring people together in celebrations. We at the hotel are keeping alive this culinary ritual in the hills with a few close friends from the community.”

Sharing their first-hand experience at cake mixing, a rather shy Bhumika of class 8th said, “one memorable moment for me and my friends. We had fun mixing the cake ingredients and enjoyed every minute of it.” On the other hand, Rajeev Rana also of Class 8th smiling from side to side added, “this was something new that we did. It was loads of fun, wont forget this in a hurry.”

The cake batter will now soak in spirit until 24th of December before it goes into the oven, to be ready in time to ring in Christmas in Mussoorie.

Exclusive: Some Stories are Meant to be Told

By
Tania Saili
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0

Dehradun, 2014. Barely a year into her married-life with the elder son of Kala and Vinod Chand of Balawala, Dehradun, 23-year-old Kavita found herself a solitary relict.

Early 2015, a drowning accident in Haridwar killed her young husband. What for many, would have been the end of the world, for this young girl it was just the beginning of a twist in the tale.

Looking back Kavita says, “I never wanted to leave my in-laws alone, they gave me so much love and affection. Whatever I asked for was fulfilled instantly. They loved me more than a daughter. I just couldn’t turn my back and return to my parents, knowing how heart broken they would be.”

As years went by, their daughter-in-law became an inseparable part of the Chand family that includes Vinod Chand’s younger brother Vijay, his wife Kamla and their two children.

Three years later, on 19th of November this year, the close-knit family got together to arrange a grand wedding not for their marriageable daughter but their beloved daughter in-law, Kavita.

Nothing was amiss. The family chose Tejpal Rawat from Rishikesh who made sure that his wife-to-be would have all the comforts that she rightly deserved. The wedding, festivities, clothes, jewellery, venue were handpicked to suit the bride’s wishes.

An emotional Vijay Chand tells us, “when our son passed away, everyone told us to send Kavita back as she was unlucky for the family. But we stood by her. I gave her away (kanyadaan) as my own daughter at her wedding. She is an inseparable part of us. ”

Today the otherwise shy Chand family has become an example of humanity, large heartedness and compassion. Without mincing words Vijay adds, “I wish that our society will learn something from this gesture. Our daughter-in-law is just like our daughter, and she deserves all the love and blessings in the world.”

Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, someone special gives us a fairytale and this is Kavita’s fairytale gifted to her by the Chand family.

Gauchar Festival to be celebrated from 23rd – 29th November

By
newspost
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0

Gauchar Festival in Uttarakhand has been one of the most important elements of Uttarakhand’s history and has been celebrated since 1943 – since the time of Indo-Tibetan Trade era.

This year, Gauchar Festival will be held from 23rd – 29th November, and will hold an all-round theme signifying the confluence of ‘Trade and Tradition.’ The weeklong extravaganza will offer a variety of activities to participate and indulge in.

Since the festival will be held at different locations in Gauchar, it will exhibit a diverse environment for all enthusiasts. People seeking for an adrenaline rush can partake in land and aerial adventure sports such as paragliding, hot air balloon rides and trekking. For those looking to visit the festival for business meets can interact with the buyers and sellers. Furthermore, the festival also feature Yoga Camps and activities like Prabhat Pheri.

Taking it to the next level, Gauchar Festival will also organize some mini internal fairs with concentric themes; the visitors can be a part of the Film Festival, witnessing amazing feature films by well known directors and composers. Last but not the least, no festival in Uttarakhand is complete without an element of the State cuisine, in the form of a Food Festival. What’s more? There will be opportunity for the people to showcase their culinary skills with a ‘Master-chef Competition’.

Ms. Swati Bhadauria, District Magistrate, Chamoli stated, “Gauchar Festival is one of the major developmental, cultural and industrial fair in the region and stands as a platform to promote trade and tradition. Through this festival, we invite people to explore the rich culture, local heritage and innovative business prospects of the district and State. The District Administration is leaving no stone unturned to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that the festival is a memorable experience for one and all.”

The festival will also host a Sports Meet and sports activities like State Level Boxing Competition, Football, Volleyball, Badminton, Tug of War and Kabaddi Competition.

7 days of continuous celebrations will see performances by various artists such as Jagar Samrat, Shri Pritam Bhartwan, the Pahadi Mr. Pawandeep Rajan, the Soulful Nizami Bandhu, Mr. N. C. Sarkar to name a few.

To stay updated and to register your interest for the different activities and affairs related to Gauchar Festival 2018, stay tuned to the official Social Media Pages of Uttarakhand Tourism or visit the official website for more:

http://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/gaucharfestival2018/

India’s 2nd oldest municipality gets its youngest mayor

By
Tania Saili
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0

70% voters living in the Mussoorie Municipality have given their verdict. Shri Anuj Gupta, the young, independent face bagged the coveted Mussoorie Mayor’s seat.

With twenty-eight polling booths scattered in six sectors divided into two zones, some sixty three candidates contested for the civic poll in the Queen of Hills, including members for the thirteen municipal wards. While nine independent candidates took charge of their wards, four Congress candidates, out of which three repeat candidates swept the poll.

Counting began at Ghananand Inter College, Mussoorie early yesterday morning and trends started pouring in by noon. Anuj Gupta, Independent candidate from the very beginning took an early lead, he maintained it despite three rounds of recounting late into the evening.

Out of the six candidates that stood for the Mayor post, the fight was said to be between three popular candidates namely Anuj Gupta who stood as an Independent, OP Uniyal, former mayor of Mussoorie stood under the BJP banner while Congress Party fielded Megh Singh Kandhari.

  • Results: 
  • Anuj Gupta (Independent): 5176
  • Op Uniyal (BJP):5012
  • Megh Singh Kandari (Congress): 4312
  • Sumit  (AAP): 120
  • Billu Valmiki (Independent):111
  • Puran Singh Rauchela (Independent): 24

What makes Mussoorie a hot-seat?

Is it the fact that it homes Premier Institutes like the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, the Institute of Technical Management, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Academy. Or is it the fact that many  educational institutes, some of which date back to the late 1850’s ensure that VIP and VVIP’s make a beeline to the hill-station throughout the year.

The Mayor being the first citizen of the town holds an added responsibility of playing the perfect host to all who come visiting.

Taking the baton forward, Anuj Gupta, the town’s newly elected mayor has been given the task to ensure that in his five years he polish’s the crown of the ‘Queen of Hills’ and brings back its fading lustre.

Moscow Calling: Puneet Gandhi to attend Future Team Forum

By
Tania Saili
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0

23 year old Puneet Gandhi from Dehradun has been handpicked post a competitive selection and been invited to participate in the Future Team Forum in Moscow.

The world movement, Future Team Forum is being held in Moscow, on December 2-6th, this year. The forum will unite 15,000 volunteers from more than 100 centuries.

Puneet Gandhi, the founding member of Project Innovation has been working in rural India. He and his dedicated team has been streamlining resources by adopting schools in rural areas and transforming them into “Innovation Schools” with their curriculum at par with the changing world.

Volunteering for the past 6 years with several NGO’s such as People for Animals, pace48(UNESCO) etc. Puneet has participated in several International conferences; been invited as a Speaker at various Universities and International Conferences such as Doon Business School, UIT APAC4U in Malaysia, United Nation Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) UN Youth Advisory Board & UN Major Group of Children and Youth, Global Assembly of Youth for Peace.

Puneet adds, “being an AIESEC Alumni, I have been a part of an education project in Astana, Kazakhistan focusing on decent work and Economic Growth (SDG8).”

An awardee of the Karamveer Chakra, (Bronze category) by ICONGO & REX and UN fellowship and Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award, Puneet has now added another feather to his cap.


Talking about his upcoming Moscow venture, Puneet responds, “It’s a great opportunity to be a part of this forum as India is building such a strong relationship with Russia. It’s a good opportunity to learn and build partnerships so we can create more positive impact in the society on ground level.”

The international community FUTURE TEAM is a meeting place for active and caring young people from all the corners of the planet, who strive to change the world. Puneet’s hard work and dedication leaves us no doubt, that they couldn’t have chosen anyone better!

Exclusive: Pihu; The movie’s Uttarakhand connect

By
Tania Saili
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1

It was love at first sight for national award winning film director Vinod Kapri and his young actor Myra Vishwakarma aka Pihu. Vinod Kapri met Myra (pet name Pihu after which the movie was named) at her first birthday in Dehradun. Her journalist parent’s Rohit Vishwakarma and Prerna Sharma’s home were family friends with the Director. Myra had just turned one and Vinod knew he had met his protagonist for a movie which was still at its natal stage.

Speaking to Newspost Vinod Kapri, who belongs to Berinag in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand says, “the movie was shot indoors in a flat in Greater Noida where the entire unit lived as a family. Myra was given a free run of the house and was made very comfortable in front of the camera and familiar with the crew which comes across in the movie too.”

The Director clocked sixty-four hours of footage over the next thirty-three days. After over a dozen rough cuts, it took the Director and his editing team an entire year to get the final hundred minutes of the movie ready to be launched.

‘Pihu’ was screened in theatres across India this Friday and has been receiving raving reviews from moviegoers, as the gripping story keeps the viewer glued to their seat.

Talking about Myra and her moods as a two-year-old child, Vinod says, “There was never a dull moment. Though it was a challenging to shoot a toddler, the entire unit was very patient, there was never a moment of anger or exasperation, we just kept rolling.”

For Prerna Sharma, Myra’s mother, who plays a role in the movie too, shares how, “Myra was just two when she shot for Pihu. She is six now and doesn’t remember anything about the shoot. The unit made sure that they worked around Myra’s schedule and took care off her meals and nap time.”

With people appreciating the hard work that the entire unit and specially the toddler put into it, proud parents as well as an elated Director reiterates, “we are very happy with the response. The audience is loving it and its getting good reviews, this is more than one could ask for.”

Nestle India’s Initiative to curb Maggi wrapper menace

By
Tania Saili
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0

Recently, Nestlé India launched a ‘MAGGI Wrappers Return Scheme’ in an attempt to curb plastic waste. Under the scheme, Maggi consumers can grab their free Maggi packet, for every ten empty MAGGI wrappers they return to Maggi Collection Points.

The pilot project launched in Dehradun and Mussoorie is part of Nestlé India plastic waste management initiative, “by working with around 250 retailers in the region, who shall collect MAGGI Wrappers. Consumers are given a packet of MAGGI Noodles for every 10 MAGGI noodle wrappers they return to Nestlé India,” stated the Spokesperson to FE Online, adding, “Indian Pollution Control Association will collect these wrappers from the retailers and responsibly dispose them.”

An elated Rishabh Shrivastava, Policy Analyst and Digital Editor of Gati Foundation responded, “the global multinational Nestle, the organization behind Maggi, and many other well-known brands; has decided to start its plastic curbing initiative in the country in our twin cities of Dehradun and Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. This action has been spurred by the brand audit that was done by our organization, Gati Foundation in Mussoorie in end May along with the Forest Dept of the Govt of Uttarakhand.”

Further adding, Nestlé India Spokesperson stated, “We are hopeful that this will bring about a behaviour change in consumers and help create awareness for responsibly disposing plastic waste and prevent littering.”

This initiative comes post a  cleanup and brand audit conducted by Gati Foundation in Mussoorie this May. Along with that, a three-day field visit was conducted to study the problem of plastic pollution created by Maggi packets. Though small, the movement garnered a lot of attention from residents and tourists alike who were appalled at the statistics that the report revealed.

The response to the growing menace by Nestle India, might seem, too little too late to many, but a few agree to the fact that it is better late, than never.

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