State at a glance

Group of orphans, disabled on trekking expedition

In a unique initiative, an adventure club from Mysore has brought together teenagers from different strata of society for a trekking expedition to Kuari Pass in Uttarakhand. The 24-member group has 15 orphans, including two disabled. The group, which started its journey from Mysore, was flagged off in New Delhi on Wednesday by Sachin Pilot. It will make its way to Kuari pass (4,268 metres) in Chamoli district of the state. "Such an initiative shows that every strata has hope, the government from different states should encourage such initiatives. A venture like this shows that caste, creed, strata should not matter," Pilot said on the occasion, adding that the amalgamation of different cultures in the group will help the students gain new experiences.

D.S.D. Solanki, an official of the International Academy of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (IAMAS) club, said: "The orphans are from government-run orphanages. Since they do not mingle much with the general public and have fixed days to go out, they are detached. This initiative is to make them feel a part of us. It will instill confidence in them."

The group has two differently-abled students -- one is partially blind and has hearing and speech impairment, while the other one is visually challenged. The students are from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. The club has collaborated with the Society for Trekking and Environmental Preservation (STEP), Delhi, which is providing the group with infrastructure, equipment, guidance and volunteers for the expedition. For 15-year-old Kavya, the trip was her first. "The whole journey was a learning experience. On Tuesday, we went to see the Taj Mahal and other forts. I got to meet people from different states and learn about their culture," she said. Suhas Dilip Godake, 15, was on his second trekking expedition. "I have trekked till Lonavala, Maharashtra, before. But, this journey is long and enriching. I made friends and realized even people, who don't stay in orphanages, are like me. They talk about books, school, teachers just like me," he said. "I got to know more about reality. After interacting with them (orphans) I could understand them better. We thought they will be quiet and aloof but they were friendly and wanted to learn more things," said Anannya Deepanjali Kodandena, 15.

87 lost lives in natural calamities last year in Uttarakhand

Nearly 1,700 people died due to natural calamities including heavy rains and floods in the country last year. 87 deaths were reported in Uttarakhand. According to latest Home Ministry data, a total of 1,676 people died due to heavy rains, floods and landslide during 2009. Besides a total of 1.28 lakh cattle were also killed during the period. A total of 13.59 lakh households were also damaged in natural calamities and about 47 lakh hectares of cropped area was also affected.

The death toll was the highest-- 396 -- in Karnataka. 254 people died in Uttar Pradesh, 142 in Kerala, 137 in West Bengal and 108 in Andhra Pradesh, the data said. Gujarat reported 94 deaths, 87 in Uttarakhand, 65 in Maharashtra and 63 in Bihar among others, it said. 44,132 cattle died in Andhra Pradesh, 38,744 in West Bengal, 31,059 in Maharashtra, 9,043 in Karnataka and 3,509 in Rajasthan during the said period. While about 6.65 lakh houses were damaged due to natural disasters in Karnataka, 3.18 lakh in West Bengal, 2.13 lakh in Andhra Pradesh and 75,000 in Maharashtra, the data said. In Bihar, only two cattle died, three in Chhattisgarh and seven in Puducherry during the last year. A total of 6,050 household in Bihar, 1,321 in Chhattisgarh and only one in Puducherry were damaged. Among all natural calamities affected states, 24.22 lakh hectares of cropped area was destroyed in Karnataka. 8.79 lakh hectare in Maharashtra, 4.61 lakh in Uttar Pradesh, 4.47 lakh in West Bengal and 2.82 lakh hectare in Andhra Pradesh was damaged last year, the data said.

Work on 3 Bhagirathi projects suspended

The construction work has been suspended in three out of eight hydro-electric projects on river Bhagirathi in Uttarakhand, the government told the Rajya Sabha recently. Replying to a written query, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that the work on hydro projects Bharonghati (381 MW), Loharinag Pala (600 MW) and Pala Maneri (480 MW) has been suspended in compliance with the state government directions of 2008. Giving details of the other projects he said, Maneri Bhali I (90 MW) and II (304) were commissioned in 1984 and 2008 respectively and generating power. The 1000 MW Tehri dam was commissioned in 2006 while Koteshwar dam, (400 MW) will be commissioned in 2010-2011. "The techno-economic clearance on the DPR has been accorded and land acquisition for the project is in progress," he said. Ramesh added that the dams are not expected to cause extinction of river Ganga because the waters, after diversion, will be taken to power house and following generation of electricity will be redirected into the river. "Also, stipulated mandatory discharge is made in the downstream below the diversion structure in the river for the aquatic environment," he said.

Infinite bags UPC's IT project

Infinite Computer Solutions, a global service provider of infrastructure management services, has bagged an IT modernisation project of Uttarakhand Power Corporation (UPC) worth Rs 125 crore. The deal covers all the components of the project including hardware, software and networking.

Napalchyal gets extension for six months

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary N. S. Napalchyal, who was to retire this week, has been given an extension of six months, officials said. The proposal of the state government regarding extension to Napalchyal has received approval from the Prime Minister's office, they said. Napalchyal would now hold the post of the Chief Secretary till October this year. This is for the first time since the creation of separate hill state of Uttarakhand that a Chief Secretary has been granted extension.