Friday, March 26, 2010

Hot Mail

The so-called democracy
It is indeed an irony that in democratic country like India, a famous painter like MF Husain has to live in exile because a sect of some fundamentalist did not like his artistic work. The same can be said for Taslima Nasreen as well, who is also living in exile for almost a decade. She has been requesting for Indian citizenship but her request is falling on deaf ears. In a democracy it is the responsibility of State to grant security to the persons and to protect fundamental right to free speech and expression. Above mentioned incidents make a mockery of our democracy.
Vaibhav Vats, Haridwar

Mela of faith
It is not easy to answer whether the ongoing Kumbh Mela is a boon to the people of Uttarakhand or not. Businesspersons, shopkeepers, contractors and labours concerned have benefited up to a great extent during Kumbh. Also, we will find ourselves rich in infrastructure with better roads and such. At the same time the police force and other para-military forces, which are engaged relentlessly in maintaining the law and order, are also learning the lesson of hard work. Above all, it is the government of Uttarakhand, which has filled its coffer as never before. Amidst this heavy inflow of money, the possibility of corruption at high level cannot be ruled out as well. However, it is faith and devotion which has inspired many to visit Haridwar. Can this religious fervour of Kumbh Mela really fulfil the quest for eternal peace and containment? Well, a visit to the holy city will certainly answer this question as well.
Dr. M.S. Aswal, GKV, Haridwar

Use funds judiciously
True, centre has allocated huge funds for the Mahakumbh. The main issue is that how and where these funds are being utilized. The situation at present speaks volume about the state of development been carried out in Haridwar and nearby areas in the name of Kumbh. Amidst this channelization of funds, it is anybody's guess that money is either filling coffers of corrupt officers or being utilized for inferior quality work. For instance, roads that are laid for Kumbh are already withering away and showing the signs of poor material. No wonder these roads will not last for long.
Talking about the sanitation problem, no concrete measures are implemented in this regard as well. The state has come into limelight due to Kumbh as crores of devotees are visiting and now it is up to state govt. and the locals to make the most of this opportunity and use Kumbh as a catalyst to promote the divine land of Uttarakhand on the path of development.
Natasha Roorkee

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Young Buzz: No Mahakumbh of jobs!

There were great expectations that Kumbh would create ample job opportunities for one and all, for youth in particular. However, majority of youngsters feel that Kumbh has let them down in this regard. Karuna Verma engages some youth as they speak their mind on the issue

Early birds benefited

Of course, Kumbh has created job opportunities. Various departments have recruited candidates during Kumbh. In fact, a couple of friends have been selected for the posts like accountant and electrician. Those who were early birds have managed to get a job.
Vikas Kumar, STUDENT

Temporary employment

True, there are jobs during Kumbh but only for some categories. There is no taker for medical students or other such professionals. Besides that these jobs are on ad hoc basis and most of these are not well paid jobs.
Luvjeet, STUDENT

Only for unskilled

Kumbh has brought jobs for youth. But most of these jobs have been for unskilled labour. People with domain expertise have not recruited. Youth are still looking for other options as Kumbh has not been able to offer them a job opportunity.
Rajni, Student

Lack of ads
Kumbh has done nothing for youth. It is only about people and more crowd. Also, recruitment for Kumbh hasn’t been done through proper channel and hardly any recruitment advertisement was carried anywhere.

Sushant Sharma, STUDENT

Professional unwanted

Qualified professionals have not absorbed at all. Kumbh recruitment has been done at lower grade level. Also, these jobs lack security. Nevertheless, if you have managed to get a job during Kumbh then it would make your resume look more impressive.
Anuj, student

IN BRIEF

Lakhs take dip in the Ganga on Ram Navami

Nearly 10 lakh devotees took a dip in the Ganga here on the occasion of Ram Navami amid tight security. According to official sources, devotees had started arriving at the different ghats in this town, which is hosting the Maha Kumbh this year, for a dip on the holy occasion. They said that nearly 10 lakh persons had taken bath in the Ganga till the evening.


'No discrimination in identification of statehood activists'

Uttarakhand government has denied any discrimination while identifying activists involved in numerous agitations for separate statehood demand before the state came into being. While replying to a motion moved during Zero Hour, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant told the assembly that the process of identification of statehood activists is in progress and more activists would be included in the list. Pant, however, also denied allegations by Rana and other Congress members that government is not issuing Identity Cards to activists associated with opposition parties.

The minister said anybody who fits the bill under the criteria is being issued ID card. 78 activists have already been issued such cards, he added.


139 places ‘sensitive’

A total of 139 places have been identified as sensitive from security point of view in Uttarakhand and strict vigil is being maintained in these areas, the state Assembly was informed. In reply to a question, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant said the sensitive places across the state have been classified into four categories depending upon the level of sensitivity. As many as 22 places have been included in category A, 25 in category B, 40 in category C and 52 in others, he said, adding the state police is maintaining strict vigil in the areas with the help of Special Operations Group at district level and Special Task Force at state level. In this regard, he said a total of 12,675 police officials and jawans have been deputed for the purpose.


State ready to host winter SAF games

The Uttarakhand government said the state was ready to host the first winter SAF Games and it schedule was changed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). IOA changed the programme of first SAF winter games, which were scheduled in January this year due to 11th South Asian Games in Dhaka (Bangladesh) from Jan 29, 2010 till February 9 and the 21st Winter Olympic Games in Canada from February 12, 2010 till February 28, 2010, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant informed the state assembly while replying to a question by Pritam Singh of Congress. He, however, added that all preparations have been made in this regard and the state was ready to host first SAF winter games.

Towering problem

Telecom companies are installing towers with radiation capacity that is much higher than the stipulated one::

Anjali Nauriyal Kishanpur

The residents of Kishanpur are opposing the setting up of mobile towers in their locality. Already there are four towers that have been installed very close to each other. These towers are not only spoiling the look of the area but will also create a whole lot of health problems, state some of the citizens.

More than adults, students of a school that is situated close by will be harmed as they all are present most of the time within a one-km radius of the tower, state concerned residents.
"The radiation emitted by the tower is bound to cause health hazards for the aged as well and also disturb the concentration of birds in the locality," they warned.

Says Gideon John, who has lived in the area for over two decades, "There was a time when we would wake up to the chirping of birds in the mornings, but not any more. We are facing several problems because of these towers. There is too much noise pollution whenever the generators are put to use. The residents are also facing air pollution as well and uneasiness due to transmission of rays."

"We are stuck with these towers, but we won't allow any more towers in the area," adds Gideon, adding, "I am sure that the people who allow these towers to be installed in their homes are unaware about the harmful effects of rays emitting fromthese towers. Companies never explain what damage these rays can cause to humans. And by the time people discover the ill-effects, it is too late."

Ashok Verma, a well-known lawyer of the town, states that so far there is no government regulation to control this menace. Disgruntled people can approach the civil court. "But it is the bounden duty of cell phone companies to inform the general public about the ill-effects of living close to these towers. If they are not doing this they are failing in their duty," he points out.
The central government has set up a panel to study the problem and make recommendations. But until then people, it seems, will continue to suffer as telecom infrastructure has invaded our lives and health like never before.

What is bothering residents is that the telecom companies are installing towers with radiation capacity that is much higher than the stipulated one. The standard fixed by the International Commission of Non-iodized Radiation is not being followed due to mindless competition between companies and the desire of users for better and better coverage area.

Kumbh Manthan


P.S. Chauhan


The legend has it that the Kumbh is held at four places, including Haridwar, which were sanctified by drops of elixir from Amrit Kalash that had emerged during Samudra Manthan. The truth is that when intellectuals gather at sacred places for churning of thoughts, they end up giving a new direction to the entire humanity. It is this quest for immortal thoughts and eternal verities of life and the reason of holding the Kumbh.

Thus, the Kumbh Parv is not only about performing some rituals or just a spectacle of glamorous Peshwaees and Shahi Snans and not just a confluence of lakhs of devotees. Its significance lies deeper in the backdrop of all the rituals and rites. Kumbh, is a tryst of saints and seers for brain storming sessions on vital issues confronting the society. To some extent the same is happening in the ongoing Kumbh at Haridwar too. In the medley of issues that are being discussed by the sant community, five issues have emerged prominently.

Saving the Ganga: This issue is confronting entire society and the need of the hour is to save our rivers and keeping them pollution free. The All India Akhara Parishad, apex body of all the 13 akharas of different sects, has raised this issue in a big way. The Parishad has been holding meetings and conventions of the sant community to create social awareness on the issue.

"Declaring Ganga a national river is not enough. It should be declared a national heritage and strict laws must implemented to maintain her purity. Masses in general should also come forward to protect the Ganga and other rivers as well," says Mahant Gyan Das, the president of the Parishad. Swami Avdheshanand Giri, the Acharya Mahamandleshwar of the Juna Akhara is organizing an International Jal Sansad to discuss water crisis to suggest ways to save our water resources from depletion and pollution.

Yoga: Indeed, yoga is one the economic pillars of the region and during Kumbh some lobbies are even propagating yoga and meditation for a healthy and peaceful living as well. Swami Chidanand Muni Ji Maharaj of Rishikesh, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism organized a weeklong International Yoga Festival, which was attended by a large number of people. Close on the heels of this festival, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya also organized a weeklong International Festival of Yoga and Spirituality. "Occasions like Kumbh provide a platform to learn the niceties of our ancient wisdom," says Dr. Pranav Pandya, the chancellor of the Vishwavidyalaya. Through his camps, Sri Sri Ravishankar is also emphasizing on the efficacy of yoga and meditation, which are essential components of the art of living.

Fighting Corruption: Besides giving the message of yoga, Swami Ramdev has launched a campaign in a big way during the Kumbh to weed out corruption form political and social life. He is trying to instil a sense of pride and exhorting people to weed out corruption from all sections of soecity. He has decided to launch a political party for the same cause.

Global Warming: Another current issue taken up by some saints is of global warming and environment protection. Soham Baba of Netherlands and his followers, including a large number of foreigners, have taken out big rallies, with placards and banners to warn the people of the dangers of global warming. His followers are also collecting plastics items from different places in the city. They are also roaming in the mela area, distributing saplings to the pilgrims and requesting them to plant them after they go back to their destinations.

Female Foeticide: If Soham Baba is busy creating social awareness on global warming, Shani Peethadheeshwar of Delhi, Daati Maharaj, has taken up the cause of awakening the conscience of society on the issue of female foeticide. He has put up hoardings in the entire mela area to convey this message and urging the pilgrims to give up the heinous crime of killing female foetus. The founder of Bharat Mata Mandir and former Shankar-acharya, Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj is also organizing conferences to preach gender equality and proper respect to womenfolk.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

At A glance

HP allocates 96.02 bigha

The Himachal Pradesh government has given 96.02 bigha of land on a 99-year lease in Solan district to yoga guru Swami Ramdev, state Health Minister Rajeev Bindal said. In reply to a question by BJP's Bipin Parmar in the state Assembly, Bindal said the land in Kalhog in Kandaghat tehsil has been leased at a cost of Rs.16 lakh. The yoga guru, who had visited the site of the proposed branch of Patanjali yogapeeth, the first outside its Haridwar headquarters, during his visit to Shimla last week, had said that the centre could start functioning by the end of this year. Bindal added that the centre was also purchasing herbs from the state for preparing medicines.

'Yajna' in memory martyrs
A one-month long 'Vishnu Mahayajna' was being performed in memory of Kargil martyrs on the banks of river Ganga here from March 14. Families of nearly 100 soldiers, who died in the war, reached here from various parts of the country to take part in the Yajna organised by Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee. They also took a holy dip in river Ganga. Spokesperson of the temple committee Madhu Bhatt said more families of Kargil martyrs are expected to reach here to take part in the 'Mahayajna'.
Empowering women
For empowering women, Uttarakhand government has increased the gender budget by nearly Rs.200 crore for 2010-11. Concerned over the skewed sex ratio in the state, the state government has earmarked Rs.1417.75 crore for gender budget, meant for women empowerment through various schemes. The allocated amount for 2010-11 is nearly 17.65 percent more than the previous fiscal when it was Rs 1205.04 crore. For the first time, Rs one crore has been allocated for providing free gas connections to rural women while an equal amount has been provided for employment-oriented plantation of herbs like Harr, Bahera and Trifla. The state government has also earmarked Rs.50 lakh for protecting women against domestic violence, while Rs.5 lakh each has been provided for constructing homes for mentally challenged women and promoting widow marriage.
Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank while presenting the budget last evening had expressed the government's commitment to take women forward. For this purpose, he said Rs 296.49 crore has been proposed for the women empowerment and child development departments. There are only 906 girls against 1000 boys as per the 2001 census, he said.

No headway in power sector
From generation to distribution, the Uttarakhand government is finding it tough to make headway in power sector for driving growth. With widespread opposition on various fronts, the government is facing an uphill task to improve the power scenario especially in the wake of the latest hydel project scandal which has put a question mark on new power policy for micro, mini and small hydel projects. Main opposition Congress is already seeking a CBI probe into the issue alleging wide-spread irregularity in the allotment of 56 hydel projects to some liquor and new companies. Two years ago, the government was forced to suspend its two major hydel projects - 480 Mw Pala Maneri and 381 Mw Bhaironghait on environmental and religious grounds following which the Centre too put on hold NTPC's 600 Mw Loharinagpala project.

Dream girl casts spell:

Hema Malini's aura has not faded over the years and her inspiring dance performance during on-going Kumbh bears testimony to that ::

P.S. Chauhan

While lakhs of devotees took dip of faith in the Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Navsamvatsar on March 16, the celebrated cine star and dream girl of yesterday Hema Malini, added more hues of faith to the Kumbh Nagari by her mesmerizing presentation of Gangaavtaran (the descent of the Ganga). It was followed by her one hour ballet on Shiv Parvati Vivah. The celebrated danseuse gave her brilliant performance before audience at state culture department auditorium on the evening of Navsamvatsar, as serene Ganga gurgled nearby. Padmshree Hema Malini, accompanied by her daughters, Isha and Ahana and her troupe, had specially come to Haridwar to take part in the on-going cultural programme during the Kumbh.

The film actress and the noted classical dancer started her performance with a brief masterly presentation of the descent of the Ganga from heaven to the earth. The brief dramatic presentation was specially prepared for the Kumbh at Haridwar where the Ganga is at the centre of the mega event.

This consummate dramatic presentation was followed by an equally consummate ballet on the mythological story of Shiv Parvati Vivah. The ballet assumed special significance, as it was presented on the first Navratra which is devoted to the adoration of Shail Putri (Parvati). The first part of the ballet depicted how Sati (Parvati's name in her former life) immolated herself after the humiliating behaviour of her father, King Daksh Prajapati of Kankhal towards her consort. The presentation at once struck a deep chord in the hearts of the audience, since the epochal event of the first marriage of Shiva with Sati and later on her immolation took place at Kankhal here. The second part of the ballet vivified how Parvati, by her long and rigorous worship, pleased Lord Shiva, who ultimately agreed to tie a nuptial knot with her for the welfare of mankind.

The flawless dance postures of Hema Malini, the perfect poise and rhythm of her body and her mastery over the niceties of classical dance forms, accompanied by rendition of scriptural texts and powerful music, virtually cast a spell.

In the ballet, which was directed by Bhushan Lakhandari, the role of Shiva was played by K.N. Murthy, while music was given by the famous music maestro, Ravindra Jain, with Kavita Krishnamurthy, Suresh Wadekar and K.C. Desiraju as playback singers.

In a brief speech after her performance, Hema Malini said that currently she was preparing a full fledged ballet of about two hours, depicting the journey of the Mother Ganga, right from her coming down from heaven on the earth to her present miserable plight. She told the cheering audience that next year she would perform the full ballet at Haridwar.

Giving her message on the first Kumbh of the century at Haridwar, she said, "On the sacred occasion of the Kumbh we should take a pledge to save the mother Ganga. I have taken up the mission of making Ganga pure and clean and my objective in composing the ballet on the holy river is also to create social awareness on the issue. Haridwar and Rishikesh have always fascinated me. I shall continue my association with these two cities." During her two-day stay at Rishikesh and Haridwar, the cine star met some leading saints to take their blessings and also took a dip in the Ganga.

Baba in party mood: Baba Ramdev's organisation to contest elections

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has announced that his Bharat Swabhiman Andolan would contest the next Lok Sabha elections in an effort to build a corruption-free India. He, however, ruled out joining the fray himself.

Ramdev, whose real name is Ramkishan Yadav, told reporters here that he would field candidates in all the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies. "We will have members in every district in a year or two, and they will become a big deciding political force," he said, speaking in Hindi. Stating that he himself would not contest elections, Ramdev said: "I will never contest elections and never take up any political position."

He said the next general election would be a watershed event, "when all the corrupt politicians will be wiped out" once the Bharat Swabhiman Andolan becomes a force to reckon with.
"One of the main objectives of the movement is to end corruption and to bring back more than Rs.300 lakh crore of Indian black money from abroad for the country's development," he said. Ramdev, whose yoga lessons are followed by an estimated 85 million people on televisions and video, said the recent arrests of self-claimed holy men on criminal charges was "a very big conspiracy" even if some of them were indeed guilty.

"Some politicians and communal forces are conspiring to malign the name of Indian saints by trapping them in cases related to fake currency, rape, murder, sex scandal and drugs," he said. Ramdev shot to fame by teaching traditional Indian yoga and breathing exercises at camps and on television through the channel "Astha", managed by his Patanjali Yogpeeth, a sprawling yoga retreat and Ayurveda centre on the Haridwar-Rishikesh highway in Uttarakhand. "He had been campaigning for clean governance, better health, 100 per cent franchise, restoring the country's lost glory, a cleaner Ganga and recovery of black money for the last three years," a senior Patanjali Yogpeeth spokesman told.

Ramdev had earlier said he would not join active politics but "act as a facilitator to ensure a clean, green and proud India".

Deluge of faith: Religious fervour on Somvati Amavasya and Navsamvatsar was unprecedented:

It was indeed a sight to behold on Somvati Amavasya as hordes of devotees from all over the globe marched towards the Ganga. They were driven by an unwavering faith and seeked to fulfill their ultimate desire to take a dip in the Ganga. Two back-to-back snans, Somvati Amavasya and Navsamvatsar, replet the masses with faith and devotion. Nearly 50 lakhs pilgrims took holy dip on Somvati Amavasya and more than 10 lakhs did the same on Navsamvatsar. It was a unique occasion as well, because of coincidence of the Somvati Amavasya with the Mahakumbh.

Praveen Jha Shastri says that it is after 760 years that Somvati Amavasya has occurred during Kumbh. The snan of Somvati Amavasya, sixth snan of the Kumbh and second Shahi snan, has one more special significance. As all the 13 akharas, including 7 Shaiva akharas of the sanyasis, the 3 Vaishnav akharas of the Bairagi sect, the 2 akharas of the Udasins and the 1 akhara of the Nirmals, took part in this Shahi snan. On the first Shahi Snan which was held on February 12, only the 7 akharas of the Sanyasi sect took part.

This time sadhus and mahants also took out royal processions to display their glory and grandeur. As their respective Acharya Mahamandleshwars and Shree Mahants seated on decked chariots and in palanquins under gold and silver canopies. The akharas took snan in order of precedence, which was decided jointly by the All India Akhara Parishad and the mela administration. The three Shankaracharyas, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati and Swami Nishchhalanand Saraswati, followed by their large retinue, also took holy bath on the occasion, amid the chanting of Vedic hymns, blowing of the conches and trumpets and bells. As the royal processions of the sadhus and the mahants meandered through the prescribed routes devotees thronged to have a glimpse of the holy men.

Dr. Vishnu Dutt Rakesh, a noted scholar of the Indian scriptures says that these royal processions of the sadhus had their genesis in the old traditions of grand welcome accorded to the sants and the mahants by the kings and the princesses, as the holy men proceeded to take bath in the river during the Kumbh. On Navsamvatsar the devotees took bath at Hari-ki-Pauri throughout the day, while on the day of the Shahi Snan on Somvati Amavasya, the sanctum sanctorum was reserved for the sant community from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m..

This time the security arrangements were more elaborate. The entire mela area was turned into a fortress with multi-layer security arrangement. D.I.G. Kumbh Mela, Alok Sharma, who really did a commendable job in meticulously planning and consummately executing the security arrangements, said that 14,000 security personnel, including 28 companies of the P.A.C., 10 companies of the R.A.F., 15 companies of the C.R.P.F., 6 companies of the C.I.S.F., 2 companies of the B.S.F., 3 companies of the I.T.B.P., besides units of divers, mounted police, bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs and fire extinguishers, were deployed and 132 CCTV cameras, including 55 at Hari Ki Pauri were installed to keep a vigil on disruptive elements. A very strict traffic plan to manage traffic was also enforced. More than 2,000 special buses from different states and 28 special trains were pressed into service to ferry the devotees. A large number of pilgrims also flocked to the city by their personal vehicles and hired buses.

The Kumbh mela officer, Anand Vardhan, thanked security personnel, officials and employees of all the departments for their co-operation, support and making Kumbh a success.