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Aditi Singh crowned “Mrs India Earth, 2018”

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‘Mrs India Earth Pageant, 2018,” was a glittering ceremony held on the 7th of September in Delhi, in which  Aditi Singh, Principal of Vasant International School, Delhi walked away with crown of  Mrs India Earth, 2018.

Chosen from close to forty nine contestants who came from all across India, three beauty queens were crowned under General Category as well as the 40 plus Classic Category in which Aditi bagged the title of Mrs India Earth, 2018, in the General Category.

Married to an Army Officer, presently posted in the Valley, Aditi Singh was born and raised in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh before she settled in New Delhi. An Educationist by profession, Aditi brought with her years of teaching and administrative expertise to the ramp.

Women from all walks of life, qualified doctors, I.T heads, Engineers, Women from the Armed forces as well as Educationists took part in the three day competition.

During their stay, the contestants were tested on various grounds including talent and physical round. The participants were also groomed for skin, hair, eye and over-all care by trained professionals.

Organised by Vinay Yadawa and Ritika Vinay Asia Pacific, the finale was hosted by Aman Verma who added glamour to the show.

Speaking to us, Aditi said, “Its been a long, beautiful journey. The Pageant was a class part and it was wonderful competing for the crown with the best of contestants who brought with them beauty backed with intelligence and charisma.”

Dastangoi to be performed at WIC India Dehradun

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Coming Friday highly acclaimed dastangos Valentina Trivedi and Anuja Jaiman will weave magic on stage on 14th of September, 2018, at The World Stage, WIC India Dehradun.
Reviving the century-old lost art form of Urdu Storytelling, WIC India Dehradun will be staging Dastangoi, a rare form of performing art. Dastangos, Ms. Valentina Trivedi’ and Ms. Anuja Jaiman will showcase their passion of storytelling through a tale, musical and narrative. 
 
Based on Satyajit Ray’s popular children’s film ‘Goopi Gyne Bagha Byne‘, a Dastan with songs will unfold on stage, engaging the lovers of theatre, culture, music and tradition on one platform.  This rich vocal tradition comes as a complete package with elements of love, war, magic and trickery that make their way into the present.  
 
The hour long musical theatre is definitely going to have you asking for more. The performance will definitely bring out the essence of the story ‘Dastan Goopi Bagha ki,’ keeping the original tunes of Ray intact.  Warring kings, a wicked minister, beautiful, coy princesses and a sly magician are some of the interesting characters in this tale of adventure and magic which will be brought to life, in the soulful narration of Valentina Trivedi and Anuja Jaiman, a visual treat you wouldn’t like to miss!  

State Government suspends two IAS Officers named in NH-74 scam

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For many a month the NH 74 Compensation Scam of Uttarakhand has been grabbing headlines. In a fresh update, today Trivendra Singh Rawat run State Government suspended two senior IAS officers Pankaj Pandey and Chandresh Kumar Yadav, whose names had crept up during the investigations.

Initial investigation revealed that land-use had been changed many a time to pay compensation at inflated rates. During the preliminary investigation carried out at the Commissioner Level, eight PCS officials had been named as the first accused out of which seven officers were suspended and one had retired.

The investigation was then handed over to the SIT, which submitted a report to the government, highlighting the involvement of two IAS officers in the scam. Both Pankaj Kumar Pandey IAS and Chandresh Yadav IAS were District Magistrates of Udham Singh Nagar during the period under the scanner. They were Arbitrators during their respective tenures.

The arbitrator’s recommendation is important for compensation. After the SIT report, the government wrote to the DOPT seeking permission to investigate the above-mentioned officers, and to demand an explanation from them. Today the Trivendra Singh Rawat Government suspended them on finding that their explanations unsatisfactory.

Heavy irregularities arose in land acquisition for the widening of National Highway 74, at that time of Harish Rawat headed Congress government.

The BJP had raised this issue amid much heat and dust in the last Assembly Elections. They had promised to get to the bottom of this murky affair if they came back to power. True to their word, after the BJP government formation, the scam was investigate at a break neck pace, first at the Commissioner level and then by setting up a SIT.

Meanwhile the government had sought and obtained approval from the Central Personnel and Training Department (DOPT) to be able to take action against these two IAS officers without any further delay.

Plastic ‘ghar-wapsi,’ an initiative by MAD, Dehradun

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Dehradun, On the occasion of ‘Himalaya Diwas,’ Making a Difference by Being the Difference has embarked on a special campaign entitled, ‘Ghar Wapsi.’

This catchy, self–explanatory term talks about returning plastic waste (wrappers) back to the umpteen Companies that produce them. Talking to Newspost, Abhijay Negi, Founder, MAD tells us, “Following the Extended Producer Responsibility which was initiated in 2016 all Co-operate Houses which earn from sale of their products need to ensure that they process the plastic waste that they generate. But this is something they seem to all have conveniently forgotten. A start has to be made! And MAD has taken up this uphill task of ensuring that all this kinds of plastic wrapper waste is collected, segregated, packaged and returned to their producers, no matter how big or small the Company is.

So how does this work! Simple! Team MAD will soon release a list of locations in Dehradun where residents can drop off plastic wrappers of all kinds collected from their items of daily use. Over a period of two months the team will then, collect, segregate, package and send these back to their respective companies.

The onus of the success of this campaign lies squarely on the number of Doon residents who join this initiative. We would like the companies to think of alternate bio-friendly wrappers which will be in sync with Nature, instead of the plastic ones,‘ highlights Karan Kapoor, President Elect, MAD.

Now it is your turn, to do your bit, in taking this cause further. Making a Difference by Being the Difference will collect all plastic waste until 9th of November this year, which also coincides with the Uttarakhand State Foundation Day and give this as a befitting return gift to all the MNC’s stating in bold, ‘thank you! But no thank you!’

Garbage collection in Dehradun is just a call away

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Good news for Doonites! One won’t have to depend only on the City’s Municipal Board for garbage collection. Just dial 7895267144 and Waste Warriors shall be there to pick up your dry waste. Waste Warriors and the Municipal Board have come together to spread awareness about segregating dry and wet waste as well as the harmful effects of e-waste and plastic.

The Waste Warriors were registered in Dehradun in 2012. Six years down the road this unique initiative has now found roots in Jim Corbett Park as well as in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

By sheer grit and determination under the able leadership of Jodie Underhill, a British national, who while in India on a personal visit, was taken aback by tons of garbage lying scattered all around and setting up base in Dehradun. This organization has taken upon itself the noble onus of cleaning up this city that was once known as a place with ‘Grey heads and Green hedges.’

Today they have ninety-five active members and over two hundred volunteers. Manager, Naveen Kumar Sadana of Waste Warriors tells us, “initially we bring people onto one platform and make them aware of what is wet, dry and e-waste so that they too can participate and help us in eradicating waste.

Now the Dehradun Municipal Board gave a van to Waste Warriors in order to help them collect dry-recycle waste from every nook and cranny of Dehradun.

For a while now, Waste Warriors has been collecting garbage thrown around in Dehradun’s famous landmarks like Ashley Hall, Gandhi Park, and Dalanwala. This is then segregated and disposed of. Also, they organize door-to-door collection from select areas of the town. The organization’s educational programmes are of great help in reaching out to many more people.

The Waste Warriors yeomen service is just a call away. At last, there’s hope that this mission will leave behind a better and cleaner place for future generations.

Anuradha Paudwal arrives in Uttarakhand

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Famous singer Anuradha Paudwal was accorded a warm welcome on her arrival in Uttarakhand. Nodal Officer of the Uttarakhand Film Development Council Mr. K.S.Chauhan welcomed her with a bouquet at the Jolly Grant Airport.

Mr. Chauhan discussed film policy and other topics with Anuradha Paudwal. He also invited her for the Investors Summit to be held in the October, 2018. Mr. Chouhan said that the state government is organizing a large-scale programme for investment in the Hill-State, in which investment is being invited in different areas, for which Filmmakers and Directors are being invited as well.

Talking with nostalgia, Anuradha spoke at length about her old relationship with Devbhoomi. She spoke about the famous Ganga Aarti of Haridwar which is known all over the world, the famed singer of the late 80’s spoke how she had sung Ganga Aarti in the 90s for the T-Series Company, which was  well received by all. 

Anuradha Paudwal was overwhelmed with the natural beauty of Uttarakhand, and said that she is glad that more and more film producers and directors are coming to Uttarakhand for shooting, which indeed is good news.

Larsen and Toubro donate over five crores for CM’s Relief Fund

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Dehradun, In view of heavy rains in Uttarakhand and resultant damage, Larsen and Toubro Limited donated an amount of of Rs. 5, 45,37,896 for Uttarakhand Chief Ministers’ Relief Fund.

Vikas Khitha, Chief Executive, Hydel Power Development and Chief, Special Initiative, L&T Construction, Kuldeep Goyal, Vice-President and Chief, Corporate Affairs, Larsen and Toubro Limited  and R. Balasubramanium, General Manager and Head, Utility Power Distribution, Larsen and Toubro Limited met the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and presented the cheque of the said amount to him.

Chief Minister thanked the management and employees of Larsen and Toubro for the support.       

Out of the total amount donated to Chief Ministers’ Relief Fund, the management and employees of L&T Financial Services donated Rs. 3,14,16,012 while L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering Limited management and employees donated Rs. 2,31,21,884.

Doon Buddhist Committee helps out in flood hit Kerala

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Dehradun, Helping out in the Kerala floods is a team of volunteers from the Doon Buddhist Committee in the valley which has been holding medical camps and restoring Buddhist Stupas in the region.

Headed under the able-hands of Tenzin Luding, his wife Dr. Diki Bhutia from Sikkim , Nawang Chhogial and Lucky Gaikwad the team has been working on war footing from the very first day they landed in Gods Own Country.

On the 3rd of September,  the day, the team arrived in Kerala, they held three medical camps until the the 8th of September. They visited areas which were worse affected and could only be accessed by boats such as the villages in Kuttanadu, Kavalam and Allapuza District.  The team also distributed books and stationery amongst teachers and students of the flood affected area.

Along with this, they got in touch with members of Abhayaloka Buddhist Community Kerala and Kerala Buddhist Council in Karumadikuttan, Ambalapuzzha, a small village near Allapuzha (Alleppey). Famous for its Black Granite Idol of Lord Buddha, it is also known as Karumadikuttan, as it is enclosed in a Pagoda like structure, and dates back to the 9th and 10th Century. Located on the banks of the Punnamada Lake in Alleppey, this temple is the living symbol of an ancient civilization and belief that flourished in the State.

When disaster struck, the  ancient Stupa was submerged entirely in the flood waters. The team painstakingly restored, painted and cleaned up the historical stupa giving it a new lease of life.

Talking to Newpost, Tenzin Luding tells us, “There is so much to do and so much that we have accomplished. It is heart breaking to see what devastation that the floods brought but it is also endearing to see the spirit of humanity and compassion amongst the people here.

Women turn floriculturist for a better tomorrow

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Chamba, Tehri; The women of Uttarakhand have been synonymous with every social, cultural, environmental change that the hill-state has seen.  So no surprises here when the women of Chopariyal and Churerdhar village have given up traditional farming and taken floriculture to the next level.

Once barren, the fields of Chopariyal and Churerdhar have come to life. Their crop of bright yellow and orange marigold sway in the breeze bringing smiles and a regular income to those who nurture them.

Once plagued with weeds, these fields are carpeted with vibrant marigold flowers in bloom. A feat accomplished under the Integrated Livelihood Project which the women of these villages took to. The Livelihood Project organized the village women in groups and urged them to cultivate flowers, which were easy to grow and also in high demand throughout the year.

The Project provided the ladies with flower seeds and training in collaboration with the Horticulture Department. In April this year, women prepared nurseries of the Pusa Basanti variety of Marigold and once the sapling were ready they were transplanted in fields at an interval of one week.

Project Director Dr. Heeraballabh Pant, tells us, “this has been possible only because of the hard work of these women. Floriculture is a good business and less taxing for women.

Come September, the first crop of flowers are in bloom and ready to be sold. The women recently sent a quintal of flowers to Rishikesh and split the money amongst themselves. They also received their first order of two quintals of Pusa Basanti which will bloom until mid November. Post which another crop of flowers will be cultivated thus sustaining a dozen families of both the villages.

The women reiterate the fact that cultivation of flowers takes less effort and the profit is good, with a ready market. A happy Shakuntala Devi, of village Churerdhar tells us, “I love flowers and am enjoying cultivating them. There is less labour and makes good money, I am happy with what am doing and will convince other women to join in as well.

Some fragrance always remains in the hands that distribute flowers, and this phrase comes true for the women of Chopariyal and Churerdhar.

SPIC MACAY: Dancing in the Hills of Kumaon

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Under the SPIC MACAY banner, world renowned Odissi Dancer Padmashree Ranjana Gauhar and her troupe are performing in Kumaon, Uttarakhand.
Chairperson, SPIC MACAY Kumaon region, Asha Sharma Gaur who actively hosts artists from all over the country, invited Guru Ranjana Gauhar, a dancer who’s name figures amongst the most distinguished exponents of the art form, for a three day marathon tour which began in Haldwani on the 4th of September, Pantnagar, Nainital, Ghorakhal ending in  Bhimtal on the 7th of this month.
Ranjana Gauhar is a Padmashree awardee and has also been felicitated by the National Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2007 for her contribution in the field of Indian Classical dance.  A multifaceted artist, she has also authored a book titled “Odissi – the dance divine”. Founder–President of ‘Utsav – Educational & Cultural Society’ she has been carrying forth the tradition of Guru-Shishya parampara as she guides her disciples into the nuances & intricacies of Odissi dance.

Also accompanying her in the tour are two of her promising senior disciples Vrinda Chadha and  Vinod Kevin Bachan.

Artists often draw inspiration from the beauty of nature. And the lush green mountains of Uttarakhand are indeed an inviting example of such inspiration,” tells us Vrinda Chadha.
For the past sixteen years, Vrinda has been training under Ranjana Gauhar and is currently receiving a National Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture Government of India for Odissi dance. Also a masters student of philosophy from Delhi University, the young artist has performed with her Guru nationally and internationally.
Vinod Kevin Bachan from Trinidad and Tobago is a foreign student and recipient of scholarship from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations for Odissi dance and has been dedicatedly pursuing his passion for the last 15 years in India and has performed extensively with his Guru on esteemed platforms as well.