Monday, December 21, 2009

Whisky gets 6-day Police Remand

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The court of judicial magistrate (first) class sent Dawinder Singh alias Whisky “ main accused in the murder of a financier” to six-day police remand on Friday. UT police, which already had his custody since last six days, had sought 10 days more on the pretext of recovering the weapon. “We want to recovery illegal .32 bore revolver and fake seal used by accused for preparing a fake RC and driving license from Udham Singh Nagar, Bajpur, Uttarakhand. We also have to ascertain (his involvement in) cases against him in Chandigarh. He is a hardcore criminal and wanted in 11 other criminal cases,” said public prosecutor before an open court.

Whisky was produced before a duty magistrate, with cops handing over his remand application and informing the magistrate that the accused was declared proclaimed offender in many cases as well as convicted in one. An FIR was registered against Whisky for cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and various provisions of Arms Act. He had shot a financier in his Sector-20 shop with his .32 bore revolver on November 25 over a financial deal.

Meanwhile, the Panjab University authorities on Thursday sealed a room in Hostel Number-1, where Whisky reportedly used to stay with Sandeep Kumar, a student of Hindi department, who has been expelled from the hostel. Cops have also recovered over 50 live cartridges and other weapons following the discloser by Whisky.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Uttarakhand CM launches 'Sparsh Ganga' Drive

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Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' today launched 'Sparsh Ganga' drive organised by National Service Scheme (NSS) at Muni Ki Reti, Risikesh by picking up waste from the bank of the Ganga river.

Ganga Cleaning Day Addressing the volunteers of NSS, the Uttaranchal Chief Minister said it is the duty of all citizens to keep Ganga clean. He said the drive will draw attention of the world towards the environmental problems of the holy river.

He announced a donation of Rs 11 lakh to the drive. He also announced that December 17, would be observed as ' Ganga Cleaning Day' every year.

More than 4000 volunteers are taking part in the 'Sparsh Ganga drive which will remove waste from the 68 places on the banks of Ganga in the region. The drive would continue for three years.

Source: Mynews.in

Saturday, November 28, 2009

House Terrace Collapse Kills 1, Injures 14 in Uttarakhand

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Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand): One woman was killed, while 14 others injured, when the terrace of an old house collapsed near the temple of Lord Madmaheshwar at Ukhimath area in Uttaranchal, police today said.

The incident took place yesterday, when the idol of Lord Madmaheshwar was being taken inside the Omkaleshwar temple and a large number of pilgrims gathered at the terrace of the old house to have its glimpse, they said adding that suddenly theterrace collapsed killing one woman on the spot.

As many as 14 other persons were also injured in the incident of which three critically injured were sent to Srinagar Base Hospital.

Source: Dnaindia.com

Friday, November 27, 2009

In Uttarakhand Elephant Calf Dies after Falling from Hilltop

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Dehradun: An elephant calf died after falling from a hilltop in Uttarakhand's Pauri district, forest officials said here today.

The seven-year-old calf was found injured with her hip bone broken by forest guards during a routine patrolling at Lansedowne forest division in Uttarakhand, about 150 km from here, yesterday, Lansedowne DFO Narendra Singh said.

The female pachyderm later succumbed to her injuries at night, he said.

Source: Dnaindia.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

In Mussoorie Tourists will have to Pay Eco Tax

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NAINITAL: It may not be good news for tourists but for Mussoorie it could literally mean a breath of fresh air. The Uttarakhand government has decided to introduce eco tax upon entry into the Queen of Hills with immediate effect, which is a first in the history of Mussoorie. It will be in line with the Naini lake tax charged from tourists in Nainital.

The tax of Rs 100 from heavy vehicles and Rs 30 from cars and jeeps — will be levied by Mussoorie Municipal Board either through its employees or contracted agents from motorists at Kolhukhet — Mussoorie’s entry point. Those planning to spend their holidays at Uttarakhand’s most pictureseque resort should now be ready to cough up ecological tax as their mite towards preserving the pristine greenery of the region.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, chairman of Mussoorie Municipal Board, O P Uniyal, said each private bus will be charged Rs 100 whereas the driver of a small vehicle will have to pay Rs 30 per entry. Two-wheelers will pay Rs 5.

“The decision has been taken. The government will strictly endorse these taxes with immediate effect,’’ said chairman Uniyal.

The objective is to collect revenue for preserving the town’s environment, its heritage, apart from maintaining its sanitation and cleanliness. The money will be spent on encouraging plantation and educating tourists against using plastic while in Mussoorie.

“We don’t know whether the new tax will get good response or not, but we have done this to help preserve Mussoorie’s beauty and eco-system without causing any setback to tourism,’’ said a senior IAS officer in Dehradun.

Source: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Uttarakhand Women Earn a Living Out of Forest Produce

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Chamoli (Uttrakhand), Sep 8 (ANI): Women of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand are rolling out herbal incense sticks and coal under the guidance of the district's forest department.

They have formed various self-help groups to reap profits out of herbal environment friendly incense sticks and coal from leaves.

Aranyam, an eco and herbal centre in the district has appointed a few self-help groups to roll out these items.

The incense sticks are being prepared from lemongrass whereas the fallen leaves of Cheer Trees, which spreads fire in the forest are being utilised to making coal. Such attempt also helps in avoiding such fire related incidents in the forest area.

" Till this date, people were dependent only on agriculture but to improve our economic and living conditions, we have started such self help programs. Here we make coal and incense sticks," said Bina Rawat, woman belonging to a self-help group.

On a regular basis, these women prepare around 1000 packets of incense sticks. They claim to generate enough income.

"We have been benefited a lot as we earn enough money after selling the incense sticks and the coal," said Sunita Devi, another women.

Every woman earns almost 70 to 100 rupees in a day.

The forest department official of the district said that such centre has been established to provide employment opportunities to people by utilising the forest produces.

"This centre has been established while keeping in mind to provide employment opportunities to people through the forest produce," said Sanatan, District Forest Officer, Alaknanda forest department, Chamoli.

In a way, these herbal items benefit both the ecology and the people but it still awaits recognition by the government.

Source: Bignewsnetwork.com

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Uttarakhand Annual Plan size Fixed at Rs 5,574 Crore

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The Planning Commission approved the annual plan outlay for Uttarakhand for the year 2009-10 at Rs 5,574.7 crore.

The plan was approved at a meeting between Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister R P Nishank at New Delhi. Last year, the plan size was Rs 4,775 crore.

This includes additional central assistance of Rs 400 crore for the Maha Kumbh Mela at Haridwar that will be held next year.

Commenting on the performance of the state, Ahluwalia said the growth rate was good and even plan expenditure was encouraging.

“Ahluwalia was very positive about Uttarakhand,” a top official here said.

Nishank said emphasis would continue on social sector and this was clearly reflected in both the Eleventh Plan and the Annual Plan proposals.

Nishank said that the Centre should supplement efforts to bring Uttarakhand at par with other developed states.

He said the tax holiday period should be extended up to 2020 to keep up the present pace of industrialisation in the state.

Source: business-standard.com

Monday, August 3, 2009

Tiger Found Dead in Corbett National Park

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A four-year-old tiger was found dead in the buffer zone of Jim Corbett National park in Uttarakhand an official said here on Sunday.

The big cat was found dead in a nallah by forest guards during routine patrolling yesterday, said Vinod Singhal, Director of the Jim Corbett national park, which is abode to over 160 tigers.

"It seems to have died a natural death as there are no injury marks on its body. Moreover, all its body parts are intact," he said.

However, Singhal said, a team of government veterinary doctors and wildlife experts, are conducting a postmortem to know the exact cause of the death.

Source: Hindu.com

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Entries of Gangotri and Badrinath closed ahead of Solar Eclipse

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Dehradun , July 21 The Entries for the famous Hindu temples of Gangotri and Badrinath were stopped for pilgrims earlier than the scheduled time today on the eve of solar eclipse.

Badrinath temple authorities said that as the"Sutak"(inauspicious time) starts 12 hours sooner than the solar eclipse, the entrance of Badrinath temple were closed for pilgrims in the evening.

Badrinath temple authorities also said that the entrance of Badrinath temple would reopen tomorrow after the eclipse is over.

Another shrine in Uttaranchal state is Gangotri, located in Uttarkashi district was also closed for pilgrims in view of solar eclipse tomorrow, the sources said.

In the same way "Ganga Aarti" in Haridwar was held before than the scheduled time. The morning "Ganga Aarti" would be completed after the solar eclipse is over, they said.

The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century an event described as a once-in-a-life time opportunity will be seen tomorrow.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Dehra Dun encounter: Slain youth's father demands CBI probe

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The father of a slain youth, holding an MBA, on Sunday demanded a CBI inquiry into his alleged killing in a fake encounter, an incident which has triggered a controversy.

"There are 26 injury marks in his body other than the bullet marks. They can't be anything but marks of torture and beating him. He had been beaten before the entire drama of encounter," Ravinder Singh, father of 22-year-old Ranbir, said.

"We are not satisfied. We want a CBI investigation into it (the killing). If the government orders it, then it is okay. Otherwise, we will press for it," he said.

A distraught Mr. Singh said he wanted "exemplary" punishment to those involved to prevent people from even thinking about such an act given the consequences. "I will fight for it," he said.

The body of the youth was brought here on Saturday night by road from Dehradun in neighbouring Uttaranchal.

Controversy broke out on Saturday over his gunning down after he allegedly fled with a sub-inspector's revolver while his family claimed he was killed in a fake encounter. The incident triggered protests from family and opposition Congress, after which Uttaranchal Chief Minister R.P. Nishank handed over the probe to CB-CID.

Source: Hindu.com

Ten Best Adventure Places in India

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India is one of the advantageous places in the world to host adventure activities, whether it is a safari in a nature reserve, a camel ride through the desert or a trek through the mountains.

India has many adventure destinations that attract many adventure enthusiasts to India. Adventure sports like trekking, mountaineering, rafting and rock climbing; and water sports like snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving are done in many places in India.

10 best adventure places:

1. Darjeeling is located in northern part of west Bengal at an altitude of 7000ft.

The Museum of Natural History is another tourist attraction in Darjeeling, has a fine collection of Himalayan animals, reptiles, birds and insects. Other few places, worth a visit are the, Bhutia Bustee Monastery, Dhirdam temple, Ava Art gallery and Aloobaari Monastery.

2. Gulmarg- "the meadow of flowers" is situated in the great Himalayas. Gulmarg also offers some excellent opportunities for long walks. The beauty of the Kashmir valley will not fail to mesmerize you. You may explore the Nanga Parbat and the Haramukh.

3. Situated in the foothills of Himalayas, Jim Corbett National Park is the place for adventure sports such as jungle safaris, wildlife camps and jungle camps.

4. Manali draws a good number of tourists due to number of temple, monasteries, passes, waterfalls, landscapes etc. It is also an ideal place for the adventure sports like the skiing, hiking and trekking.

5. The Zanskar valley is situated across the Suru Valley and over the Pensi La in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Trekking is possible to Panikhar or Rangdum over the Pentse La, into the Zanskar Valley from Lamayuru, Leh or Darcha, from Padum to the Markha valley.

6. Dodital dwells in the Uttarkashi District of the Garhwal. It offers excellent opportunities for the other popular adventure sport of trekking. Dodi Lake is renowned for trout and Mahseer fishing.

7. Leh is indeed a trekker's paradise in North India. Polo is a popular activity in Leh. Leh-Manali highway rewards spectacular and picturesque landscapes. You may try river rafting in the Zanskar River at Leh.

8. The adventure destination of Rishikesh is located in the northern part of the state of Uttaranchal. The rapids and rivers of Rishikesh are excellent spots for the adventure lovers. Rishikesh also acts at a base for trekking camps.

9. Auli lies towards the north of the state of Uttaranchal and forms a part of the Garhwal mountain range. Auli is one of the very few places in India where skiing is a major pastime.

10. Billing in Himachal Pradesh is located at 8,500 feet in the Kangra valley. Para Sailing has been a regular sport at Billing in the Kangra valley.

Source: ibtimes.com