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Basant Panchami with a twist: Planting orchards

By
Tania Saili
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1

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 28th 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

By
Tania Saili
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0

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

By
Tania Saili
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0

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 1st 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

By
Tania Saili
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0

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

By
Tania Saili
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0

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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0

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 70th 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’

By
Vaidya Balendu Prakash
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1
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.

Those who never came home: Salute Sqn Ldr.Negi

By
Tania Saili
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1
Courtesy: Twitter

Dehradun, Friday the 1st of February was a black-day in the history of the Indian Air Force. The Airforce confirmed that two of its senior pilots were killed when their French-built Mirage 2000 aircraft crashed today morning, minutes after taking off from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) runway, in Bengaluru’s eastern suburb.

The pilots of the ill-fated Mirage 2000 fighter jet aircraft were identified as Squadron Leader Sameer Abrol from Ghaziabad and Squadron Leader Siddarth Negi from Dehradun.

As the news of the sad demise of Squadron Leader Siddarth Negi reached his hometown, a pall of gloom hung heavy. Siddarth was born and brought up in Dehradun and was a resident of Dhartawala, Panditwari near Vasant Vihar. Siddarth’s father Shri. Balbir Singh Negi retired from the CBCID , was presently working in Graphic Era University, while his mother was a homemaker. Siddharth has a younger sibling, a sister who is married. Naveen Bist, Siddharth’s neighbor spoke to Newspost at length and told us how life had been cut short for the promising young man, “Today is his birthday and we got the news of his demise, we are all aggrieved and lost for words. He was a student of Seven Oaks School. Siddharth had been married for two and a half year’s. His wife works in the Air Force too.” Naveen ji tells us.

Squadron Leader Siddarth Negi was commissioned in June 2009 while his colleague Sameer Abrol from Ghaziabad belonged to the 2008 batch.

Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the single-engine jet fighter aircraft was on a test flight after an upgrade carried out by HAL that ended in a lethal crash aat 10:30 a.m. Both Sameer and Siddarth were part of Aircraft and System Testing Establishment in Bengaluru.

Within minutes of the crash, the ghastly visuals of smoke, fire and choppers hovering over the crash site went viral. Witnesses in the vicinity shared images and video clips on all social media platforms.

Siddharth’s family left for Bengaluru today. According to sources, the last rites will be held in Kalhally crematorium tomorrow morning at 10a.m.

Review of Mussoorie’s Mythistory: Mystifying Mussoorie

By
Tania Saili
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0

Mussoorie’s Mythistory                   Hugh and Colleen Gantzer

Niyogi Books                                    Pages:118

Rs. 295                                             ISBN: 978-93-86906-70-0

Well known travel writers Hugh and Colleen Gantzer’s latest book ‘Mussoorie’s Mythistory’ is a collection of twelve carefully handpicked and strung together tales. What do they have in common? Well they are set in and around Mussoorie. In this mosaic of stories, history is interlaced with myths along a 19-mile ridge, tied together with two hundred year history.

Mussoorie’s mist parts in ‘Mussoorie’s Mythistory’ to reveal alternative endings to some of the tales the town tells. Oftener than not, the Yeti comes visiting minus the misses or the Lidini. The Abominable Snowman hangs around the outskirts of the hill-station in the heart of winter, looking for company and finds one. The snow beast has struck!

Elsewhere you find the hooded Italian Capuchin Brothers of St. George’s College in Barlowgunj having their doors rattled—opened and slammed shut. All the while petrified students look on. Later we are on ‘Burnt Hill’ or Pari Tibba, or the Hill-0f-Fairies but only during the days of the Raj. ‘They are inside the Tara Bhoots. Lakhs of them. They look like little bits of glass.’ Don’t ask the reviewer, the end of this tale. It is a well-guarded secret covered by the Defence of India Act. But writers can always dip into personal diary, can’t they?

‘Fowl Play’ is set in the deep of winter. But starved chickens come out winners, with their ‘special chickenfeed.’ And how could you have a book on Mussoorie without the usual Maharaja or two thrown in for good measure. And that is when you meet the Raja of Shershahir who at 72 enjoys nothing more than the company of young people, especially if they are the kind that stay young – forever.

The author’s love for the hill station gives us delicate images of the saanp ka bhutta in the monsoon. All those who have been to school here are familiar with this Pitcher Plant. ‘The snake bhuttas appear when the mushrooms do. They send out a long spike ending in a sinister, cobra-like hood. Inside the hood is a seedpod like a small corn cog. Then, as August progresses, the kernels on the pod start to blush till they turn a brilliant scarlet, warning people to stay away.’

Later, a cabaret show upsets the moral police of the town with interesting results. In ‘Afghan Seed’ Hugh and Colleen take the reader to the unexplored word of the Afghan labourers who built retaining walls. They used no mortar. They used no cement. Yet you will find them intact, having withstood the onslaught of Time. Any visitor to St. George’s College or the Railway School in Jharipani can see for himself these mute tributes to the sheer strength, sweat and tears of these men who shaped these hills into what they are today.

In ‘Flights of Fancy’ the line between dream and reality; myth and legend; fact and fiction blurs to bring the reader into a wonderland of Mussoorie as she could have been. Often you may feel like Harry Potter has just fallen through the rabbit hole and walked into the Mad Hatter.

Voter list information to be available on Voter Helpline 1950

By
newspost
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0

Dehradun, Chief Electoral Officer Smt. Saujanya has said that the name and description in the voter list can be verified on Voter Helpline 1950. This is a toll free number, which will be formally launched on February 1. Contact can be established on this toll free number for getting Voter I-Card made and getting information related to the BLO and polling booth. In a press conference held at the Media Centre, Secretariat, information regarding the figures of voters as per the January 31, 2019 final publication of the special brief revision of the Photo Electoral Rolls, on the basis of the qualification date of 01 January 2019, was given.

Chief Electoral Officer informed that final publication of the special brief revision has been done. But still application for enrolment in the voter list can be submitted. This is not the final voter list as elections are not announced yet. The electoral rolls will be finalized till the last date of nomination during elections. However, for the enrolment in the voter list or  any amendment, the concerned person has to apply about 10 days before the last date of nomination. Instructions have been given to lay special focus on female voters and voters in the age group of 18-19 years.

Chief Electoral Officer informed that only VVPAT machines will be used. In order to give information about the EVM and VVPAT to the voters, mock poll and display programmes are being organized in the entire state.

District Election Officers have been given instructions to organise voter awareness programmes through SWEEP. Directions have been issued for transfers of officials related to the elections on the basis of the standards set by the Election Commission of India. On this occasion, EVM and VVPAT were also displayed.

Giving information regarding the figures of voters as per the January 31, 2019 final publication of the special brief revision of the Photo Electoral Rolls on the basis of the qualification date of 01 January 2019, Smt. Saujanya said that after the revision, the total number of voters in the state are 76,28,526.

The male voter are 39,84,327, female voters are 36,43,969 and transgender voters are 230. The number of voters in comparison to draft publication has increase of 65,696. The E-P ratio was 64.40 per cent in the draft, while in the final publication it is 68.30 per cent.

The sex ratio was 912 in draft, while the final publication it is 915. Total polling stations are 11235, out of which 2548 are in urban areas and 8687 are in rural areas. Similarly, the total polling station location are 8367. These include 1107 in urban areas and 7260 in rural areas It was informed that the most remote polling station is in Tharali assembly constituency 40-Primary School, Kanol and in Badrinath assembly constituency 43- Primary School Dumak.

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