Great Escape

Is Mussoorie ready to handle summer influx of tourists? Sanjay Tamta finds out…

As the temperature rises in the plains and heat became unbearable, tourists make a beeline to Mussoorie. For obvious reasons Queen of the Hills is numeo uno choice for many. The tourists inflow has considerably risen over the last few backs and with them seasonal problems like traffic snarls have once again come to the fore. This is just the beginning and the peak span of maximum visitors is on the cards. But is the Queen of the Hills ready for the symmer of 2010? Is there inadequate parking space this year? Speaking to Mussoorie Plus, the Chairman of the Nagar Paalika Parishad Mussoorie O.P. Uniyal said, "Parking and traffic jams are indeed some of the major problems which the town face each season. To address them state's chief minister has permitted four sites for spacious parking lots, out of which the Landour parking has been completed and is functional. Work on the massive Kingkraig parking is in the full swing and work on Library and Picture Palace parking would commence soon. Former would have a three-tier complex as well. I have also proposed for a loop from Classic Heights to Vishnu Palace encircling Savoy Post Office."

Segregation and functions of authorities is no doubt a chaotic situation in Mussoorie and civic amenities like water, electricity and health need a lot of improvement. "The much-awaited Rs.16 crore Hardy waterfall harvest scheme would rectify the water shortage situation to a great extent and Rs.62 crore has been green signaled from the state government for sewerage treatment on which work has already begun. Besides, the chief secretary Uttarakhand recently summoned a meeting involving the governing bodies and responsible authorities to look into the matter seriously and prepare a report so that loopholes can be filled.

Apart from civic grievances, a lot more attention is needed towards enhancement of tourist interests as the sole economy of the town depends on it.

Judicial custody of Ghandy's aide extended

A city court on Tuesday extended the judicial custody of a suspected associate of Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy by 14 days. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja sent Arvind Joshi, who hails from Uttarakhand, to judicial custody till May 25. Joshi was arrested from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh February 21 and was brought to New Delhi on March 19 in connection with a warrant issued against him. Joshi was allegedly in possession of the hard disk of a laptop seized from Ghandy last year.

Rs 2 lakh each to families of soldiers

Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank has announced an assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of Major Yogendra Rajwar and Rifleman Uttam Singh Negi, who died fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir recently. Nishank also went to the residence of Maj Rajwar in Dehradun to meet his family members and said his supreme sacrifice has made the state as well as country proud. In this regard, the chief minister also directed the District Magistrate of Dehra Dun to provide education facilities to Maj Rajwar's son.

Transfer of judges put on hold

A recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium to transfer three High Court judges whose names were allegedly in the list of beneficiaries in the multi-crore Provident Fund scam has reportedly not found favour with the government. Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily is learnt to have returned the file of recommendation to the Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan with a "request to reconsider" the decision, official sources said. While Justice Sushil Harkauli and Justice J C S Rawat were transferred to the Jharkhand High Court from Allahabad and Nainital High Courts, respectively, Justice Tarun Agarwal of the Jharkhand High Court was transferred to Nainital (Uttarakhand) High Court last year after their names allegedly figured in the list of beneficiaries in the Ghaziabad PF scam. The SC collegium had recently recommended that they should be sent back to the High Courts from where they were transferred in the later half of 2009. But the Law Ministry has put its foot down by returning the recommendation of the five-judge panel. If the collegium decides to once again recommend their names for transfer, the government will have to accept it as per the Memorandum of Procedure which governs the appointment of members of the higher judiciary.

The three judges were transferred as it was decided that they should not continue in the same place after their names allegedly cropped up during investigations. CBI is yet to file its final report on the investigations before the Supreme Court which ordered a probe in September, 2008.

'Scrap dam projects on Ganga'

Hundreds of holy men in Varanasi held a rally last week and demanded scrapping of dam projects on the Ganga to save the livelihood of people. They also say that the Ganga, which flows through Gangotri in Uttarakhand, is much more cleaner than the river that flows in Varanasi. "We want that every dam project should be scrapped. the Ganga should be clean because livelihood of 10 to 20 crore people is linked with the Ganga. The Indian constitution says that a government should not do anything that hampers the livelihood of a person. That's why, now we are asking the government politely that such projects should be scrapped," said Swami Narendranand, a Hindu pontiff. "We are also taking help of acts like RTI (Right to Information). Besides that, we want to know what would be an alternative solution for the issue. For example, looking for an alternative way of producing energy is a legal outlook; similarly there is a constructive prospect as well. Therefore, every step would be taken to create awareness. We would also pressurise the ministers for this," said K.N. Govindacharya, a former leader of BJP. The Ganga is one of the main rivers of the Indian sub-continent, which rises from the Himalayas and drains into the Sunderbans delta of Bay of Bengal.

Uttarakhand, HP to jointly take up issue of industrial package

Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh will jointly take up the issue of extension of special industrial package to the hilly states with the centre. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting between Himachal chief minister P K Dhumal and his Uttarakhand counterpart Ramesh Pokhariyal 'Nishank' in Shimla reacently. Both chief ministers agreed to ask the centre not only to restore the package upto March 2013 but further extend it up to March 2020. Briefing mediapersons, Dhumal and Pokhariyal said the hill states would fight for their rights on all fronts and also write a letter to prime minister to restore the package up to March, 2013 and extend it up to March, 2020. Pointing out that the north-eastern states had been granted Special Industrial Package for 20 years and the incentives were much more as compared to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, they said that without restoration of exemption in central excise duty, the package was meaningless. The Uttarakhand government has sought extension of the total Central Industrial Package (CIP) stating that exemptions in excise duty are the most important part of the package. Chairman of State Media Advisory Committee Devendra Bhasin said the state government demanded the extension of total industrial package including the exemption in excise duty. "This (exemption in excise duty) is the most important part of the package that attracts industries to set up their units," Bhasin said in a statement. In this regard, he said although income tax holiday and capital subsidy have not been ended, the industries would not find any attraction in setting up their units as exemptions in excise duty is the major part of the package. CIP expired in March this year. Uttarakhand witnessed a robust growth in industrial sector following the CIP in 2003 by the then government with top notch companies like Tata Motors, Britannia, Hero Honda and Bajaj Auto setting up their units. Nishank has met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee several times seeking the extension of the package.

'Credit availability still a concern for industry'

Credit availability continues to be a major concern area for industry as 74 per cent of industry representatives of northern region complained of not observing any improvement in credit availability in last six months, according to CII survey. Moreover, 67 per cent respondents expect no change in the credit availability in next six months though 47 per cent expect increase in cost of credit in the same period, the survey highlighted. According to the CII Northern Region Business Outlook Survey, the overall outlook for business is better for the current six months (April-September 2010-11) vis-à-vis actual performance for the last six months (October-March 2009-10).

The survey is based on 137 responses received from industries across Chandigarh and the states of Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Among them, 56 per cent were from the manufacturing sector, 39 per cent from the service sector while 46 per cent represented small organisations.

Infrastructure and institutional shortages followed by cost and availability of labour are the other two most important areas of concern, survey highlighted. Survey found that 96 per cent of the respondents expect GDP growth of 7 per cent or more as against only 16 per cent in the previous October-March 2009-10. It further said that 90 per cent of the respondents expect inflation to be 5 per cent or higher suggesting high inflationary expectations, on the back of the headline inflation nearing double digits.

The survey also looked into the expectations on various elements that build up business confidence including investments, capacity utilisation and sales, etc. Capacity utilisation is expected to improve with 64 per cent of the respondents expecting a capacity utilisation of greater than 75 per cent as against only 38 per cent reporting a capacity utilisation of more than 75 per cent in the last six months.

Char Dhams booking goes online

The administration of Char Dhams has now started the facility of online booking for darshan at Char Dhams. The pilgrims had to stand in long queues for darshan at these dhams and a lot of precious time was wasted. Keeping in view the convenience of the pilgrims, now the management committees of these dhams have provided the facility of internet booking on the sites of these dhams. Now on the lines of Vaishno Devi temple, the pilgrims visiting the char dhams can get their time of offering prayers at the dhams already booked at the websites of the dhams. It will solve much of their difficulties and they can plan their trip accordingly. Meanwhile, there is good news for the pilgrims who are short of time and are planning a trip for the sacred Char Dham yatra. Many private aviation companies including Prabhatam and Pawan Hans, have started air services for Char Dhams. Six more companies have so far been permitted by the state government to operate their air services. The private aviation companies are vying with one another in offering lucrative packages to the pilgrims of Char Dhams.

The second phase of the Ganga Sparsh Abhiyan will start in the state with the beginning of the Char Dham yatra. It is to be mentioned here that the ambitious project has been launched by the state government for the conservation of the rivers of the state and to ensure their purity and their cleanliness. About one lakh volunteers of the NSS, the women and youth volunteers and many social organizations are participating in the drive to clean the rivers. The first phase of the movement was launched by the state chief minister, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, at Haridwar and Rishikesh on the bank of the Ganga. The assistant commandant of the youth welfare and prantiya rakshak dal department of the state, Ajay Kumar Agrawal, says that under the second phase the work of cleaning up of the main rivers, their tributaries and springs will be taken up from Gangotri to Badrinath.

Meanwhile, the Char Dham Vikas Parishad has demanded Rs.400 crores from the centre for the Char Dham Yatra. It is to be mentioned here that the Parishad looks after the management of the four dhams and is also responsible for creating infrastructure for the pilgrims who undertake the Char Dham yatra. The vice president of the Char Dham Yatra Vikas Parishad, Surat Ram Nautiyal, says that the central government provided the financial assistance of Rs.550 crore for the holding of the Kumbh at Haridwar. "The Char Dham yatra is also a mega cultural event. If the central government provides adequate assistance, better facilities of transportation, drinking water, medical aid, boarding and lodging etc. can be provided to lacs of pilgrims," says Nautiyal. The Parishad has also demanded 200 megawatt of free electricity from the central government for the yatra. "The state is passing through scarcity of electricity. If the central government provides 200 MW of electricity, the electricity requirements of the pilgrims can be fully met," says Nautiyal.

Aim it right

Flaunting her trendy headgear, her shades gleaming in the sun and her wrist bands making a style statement, 17-year-old Albha Oberoi surely isn't talking fashion here. She's simply dressing up for her evening shooting classes that are an everyday affair now that she's practicing to participate in the Kumar Surender Singh National Championship scheduled to be held in June. Fresh out of class XII, while Albha is ready to join a product designing course, she's been practicing regularly to realize her dream of becoming the world shooting champ like Abhinav Bindra.

A winner all the way, Albha first developed a penchant for the sport when she was just 14.

"I always had an inclination for shooting as I watched it on TV. My grandfather, who was in the Army, would narrate his tales of his adventures with shooting. So when my coach Mayank Marwah started hobby classes in school, I was quick to join. Within a few months he had already identified a winner in me," recalls this promising young sharpshooter, an alumnus of Summer Valley School.

Her parents, too, have been very supportive. "My Dad Pranveer, AGM at Lintas Pharmaceuticals, and mother Anuradha, a teacher of Geography at my school, were pretty excited when they first heard about my decision to join classes. I can't thank them enough for letting me experience the thrill of this sport which was initially considered to be suitable only for boys," smiles Albha.

At her latest tourney, the All India Open Shooting Championship held at Punjab Armed Police Shooting Range in Jalandhar, Punjab, in November last year, Albha participated in the 10 metres air pistol event and averaged a score of 360. This makes her eligible to enter the trials for selection of the national team in the Air Pistol Junior Women's category. The score required to enter the national trials is a minimum of 350.

After bagging two silver medals in her very first competitive event at the state and district level, young shooter took to sharp shooting in all earnest bagging her first gold at the All-India Inter-School Shooting Championship held at Amity University, Noida in 2007. She also boasts of winning gold medals at the state level in 2008 and 2009 championships and a silver medal at the All-India Inter School finals last year.

Determined to join the league of champs, this budding shooter follows a rigorous practice schedule. "My day begins at 5 and then I'm at the range for my yoga session and holding practice. The evenings again are devoted to shooting practices and Saturdays are for practice matches with other shooters," she reveals.

"My immediate plans are to qualify for the national team and be known as a world-class shooter just like my idols Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang, Jaspal Rana and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Academically I plan to pursue a degree in industrial designing. That way I'll be able to strike the perfect balance between academics and my career," she declares.

Char Dham Yatra 2010: On a holy trail

P.S. Chatham

At the call of the deities, the pilgrims from all over the globe have started gathering at Haridwar and Rishikesh to embark on the most sacred Char Dham Yatra which begins from Rishikesh on May 16. The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri, after remaining closed during winter, will reopen for devotees on Akshya Tritya, May 16. Whereas the shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath will open on May 18 and 19, respectively. Both openings will be performed amidst the chanting of the vedic mantras, beating of drums and blowing of conches. The Char Dham Yatra, which is one of the biggest yatras circuits in the world, is the lifeline of the religious tourism in the state as well as the backbone of its economy. Due to Adhimas or Mal Mass (an extra month of Hindu calendar), during which no auspicious rites can be performed, the opening of the four shrines has been delayed by about one month this year. It is the desire of every Hindu to pay obeisance at the four dhams, namely Badrinath (the seat of Lord Vishnu, which symbolizes compassion), Kedarnath (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas on the earth, which symbolizes welfare), Gangotri (the origin of the Ganga, which symbolizes purity) and Yamunotri (the origin of the Yamuna, which stands for devotion). Legend has it that a visit to these holy shrines sets a person free from the vicious cycle of birth and death.

The Char Dham Yatra starts from Rishikesh. Legend has it that Adi Guru Shankracharya installed the statue of lord Vishnu (Bharat) at Bharat Mandir here. So the pilgrims begin their yatra after doing parikarma of Bharat Mandir and taking dip at Triveni Ghat at Rishikesh. The state machinery is fully geared up for the Yatra, expecting heavy influx of the devotees. About 10 lacs pilgrims take part in the yatra every year. The state chief minister, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has declared that the Char Dham Yatra will be held on the pattern of the Kumbh at Haridwar and infrastructure will also be created on the same lines to make the yatra a hassle free affair. To minimize the chances of accidents caused by a desire to complete the yatra in hurry, the administration has fixed the minimum time limit for the yatra this year. The minimum time for the yatra for one dham will be three days and for two it would six days, while the time limit of eight days and ten days has been prescribed for the yatra of three dhams and four dhams, respectively.

Elaborate preparations have been made by the administration for the yatra. Green cards to vehicles will be issued only after examining the fitness of the vehicles, insurance certificate, license of the driver etc. Also strict vigil will be kept to ensure that the drivers do not exceed the prescribed speed limit and do not drive in drunken state. The sources in the transport department say that 12,000 big busses, 3,000 taxis and 200 mini buses will ply on the yatra route. The administration has identified 265 accident prone spots and 12 disastar management units have been set up. The vice president of the Char Dham Yatra Parishad, Surat Ram Nautiyal says that 240 toilets have been constructed and 106 primary health centers have been set up on the yatra route. "As many as 240 water tanks, each with the capacity of 5,000 liters and 469 stand posts have been constructed to cater to the requirement of potable water of the pilgrims," says Nautiyal. Massive security arrangements have also been put in place, including setting up of 54 police posts, deployment of eight companies of the PAC and 2,000 police personnel and installation of CCTV cameras at the shrines.

For the sake of convenience the devotees will not be allowed to remain at the sanctum sanctorum for long period and one VIP or VVIP will be sent along with 30 devotees for prayer in the shrine. The administration of the shrines has also banned the use of all items of plastics. "No body will be allowed to carry polythene in any form. The pilgrims will also not be allowed to take rosary made of plastic or paper. The ban will be strictly enforced to protect the environment of this eco-fragile region," says Anusya Prasad Bhatt, the chairman of Badri-Kedar Samiti. The devotees will be given locally made Prasad, called Adi Prasad, in packets of cloths and baskets made of ringaal (bamboo). "It is not only an eco-friendly step but it will also generate employment for the locals," says Bhatt.

Woman power

Mona Verma, based in Hardwar, recently received the Woman of Substance Award from the All India Women's Conference, Hardwar Chapter, by Swami Awdeshanand. She has also been selected as the woman member of the Asia Developement Bank Board from her district. The board will look into the problems related to Ganga water and channelize the funds granted by the Asia Development Bank.

She has also authored a book, 'A Bridge to Nowhere', published by Future Group, Mumbai. The book, which was launched by Ruskin Bond, has received rare reviews and Verma states that talks are underway with a film director in Mumbai to make a movie or tele-series.

Her second book 'God is a River' is complete and the talks are on at an advanced level with a publishing house. Verma has served as a member of the Delhi Public School parent teacher management committee. Recently, the DPS society organised a global poetry writing competition. Verma was chosen as the judge. Other interests of Verma include painting. She is an avid painter and charcoal and oil are her preferred mediums. "After finishing my second book, I would love to go back to my paints for a while and let writing hibernate for a few months," she states. She has also studied Indian classical music and sports and swimming are her other passions.

For a laidback life Uttarakhand is a preferred place

Chandigarh, Dehradun, Pune, Udaipur, Indore, Jabalpur and Ranchi occupy the highest ranking among tier-II cities for post-retirement living for majority of CEOs and other officials, according to a report by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).

However, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Noida, Faridabad, Sonepat and Manesar fall in the category of poor ranking as not many CEOs and other retired officials prefer to stay there, an Assocham release said. The report is based on an analysis carried out on the basis of parameters like availability of good civic amenities like power, roads, marketing facilities, health and recreation centres including sewage and water disposal facilities as also environment, ecology and overall prevailing law and order situation in tier-II cities.

The cities taken into account for the purpose comprised Indore, Jabalpur, Chandigarh, Pune, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Surat, Coimbatore, Madurai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Vijawada, Mysore, Dehradun, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Faridabad, Noida, Sonepat and Lucknow. Assocham secretary general, D. S. Rawat said that a vast majority of well-to-do serving populace in government and corporate sector have a priority for Chandigarh and Dehradun in northern India. Both places provide the best of civic amenities and good climatic conditions as also conducive law and order environment.

As a result, the rating of Chandigarh turns out to be the best followed by Dehradun which is a place worth living. Chandigarh has occupied prime position even though off late there are widespread criticism that entire Punjab and Haryana are facing potable water shortage. Pune, Udaipur, Indore, Jabalpur and Ranchi fall in the second rung with Udaipur and Pune securing equal rank followed by Ranchi, Jabalpur and Indore for corporate and others for spending their post-retirement period. All these cities provide a peaceful environment in which elderly couple can stay safely.

Unfortunately, tier-II cities like Ghaziabad, Meerut, Faridabad, Manesar, Sonepat and even Noida are no longer preferred for settling down as public perception about them continues to be adverse, the report added. Neither stable power supply is available in these cities nor civic amenities are up to the mark. Law and order of these cities are consistently subject to criticism and most importantly, the identified cities are known for criminal activities, it said.

In Gujarat, Surat is rated one of the best centre in which superannuated people would like to settle down, especially those that have entrepreneur skills. Similar is the case of Aurnagabad in Maharashtra.

Haridwar decoded : Main Haridwar Bol Raha Hoon

Among the plethora of books on the Kumbh and Haridwar published during the Kumbh 2010, Dr. Kamalkant Budhkar's autobiography of Haridwar, Main Haridwar Bol Raha Hoon, deserves special mention. Dr. Budhkar, a veteran journalist and a reader in the department of journalism and Hindi literature in Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, has penned a vivid and authentic account of the mythological, religious and cultural account of the world famous city of pilgrimage since hoary past. Quoting extensively from legends, scriptures, old manuscripts, records and illustrated by some rare photos, the book is, indeed, a treasure worth cherishing for those who want to delve deep into the descent of the Ganga, the tradition of the akharas, the different sects of the sant community, the pandas and the teerth purohits.

The autobiography of the holy city, to which Dr. Budhkar gives a voice, a voice of the vicissitudes in its journey from times immemorial to the modern age, written in chaste and fluent Hindi, with a balance of written and pictorial contents, makes a pleasant and informative reading. However, the book would have been a more comprehensive account of Haridwar, if the author had also thrown some light on the rich flora and fauna of the city and also on the industrial and educational developments which have changed the skyline of the city.

Main Haridwar Bol Raha Hoon

Author: Dr. Kamal Kant Budhkar

Reviewed by P.S. Chauhan

No more trekking at 'Gaumukh'

Tourists will not be allowed to go near 'Gaumukh', the source of the Ganga, with the Uttarakhand government imposing a total ban on trekking to the spot to protect receding Himalayan glaciers from human activities. The regulations would come into effect from this month. Tourists will be stopped 500 meters away from Gaumukh, Deputy Director of Gangotri National Park, Indrapal Singh, said. The park administration would erect fencing and display boards to inform tourists about the ban.

Gaumukh is near the famous shrine of Gangotri visited by lakhs of pilgrims every year. As several trekking routes like Tapovan, Raktvan, Vasukital and Kalindikhal pass through Gaumukh, an alternative route is also being explored by the forest department, he said. In 2008, the government had brought restrictions in the number of visitors to 150 a day. Official sources said Kanwarias, devotees of Lord Shiva, used to throng Gangotri area daily during July-August raising concerns about the fragile ecological conditions of the range.

Speaking Tree: Transformation is just one thought away

Brahmkumari Shivani

Recreate every morning the thought which you want to live for the whole day and pass on to others with whom you come in contact with. Let all other thoughts go away, establish yourself in this thought and let it spread to the whole cosmos. Feel yourself as a tiny bubble expanding and merging in the surrounding ocean of love. Imbibe yourself in that thought and then start your karma, whosoever comes to you, idealise that thought in him.

After every hour in your work schedule, just pause for a minute and reaffirm to yourself , 'Love is my nature.' If negative or low depressive thoughts come to your mind, don't blame others or circumstances. Own them since they are your own creations. You have to remember that your emotions are your own creation so change is needed in you and not your circumstances. Your own perspective needs a change. Changing your perspective, the relation with your family and colleagues will develop into completion. The hollowness in relations will vanish. Clean your box (mind) first then your contact persons will automatically change.

Sometimes it happens, that we do not react to the wrongs done by others but deep inside it keeps on pricking. Tell yourself that it was right having not reacted at the spur of the moment. The reason: the person who hurt you with his fiery words was himself 'wounded'. There is deep pain inside him and that accounts for his angry outpour on you. Try to empathise with him. He is already wounded and why do you want to give him more pain?

By not reacting to the person, you are not submissive. Rather you are victorious. One who bends, is not weak, rather the egoistic person is weak. It needs courage to bend and that brings flexibility and increases your tolerance in life. Instead of reacting send peaceful vibrations. Each being is a form of love. They (your opponents) are waiting for you. It is just that who breaks the ice first? You initiate in sending the vibrations of love and peace. Remember help is always extended at subtle level. To help others, I need to be full with that virtue. I cannot give unless I have that. First I have to be in the capacity of awakened state. Create those vibrations in you that they emanate to others. You can teach others only by exemplifying in your life those virtues and not by preaching. So keep your mind clean. Give love to all and do not tag any person with the label, "He is an angry man, its his nature to get angry on any trivial issue." Send peaceful energy at thought level and transformation is just a thought away.

(As told to Geeta Anandi)

At a glance

Seer denies involvement

A seer, whose car was allegedly driven to a gathering of devotees triggering a stampede, told investigators that the vehicle he had travelled was not involved in the incident during the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. The car accident and consequent stampede had left seven pilgrims killed and several others injured on the day of the last royal bath on April 14 and as per preliminary investigation the vehicle of Guru Pilot Baba had overshot the way triggering the mishap. State police quizzed the seer yesterday and he informed investigators that his car was not responsible for the accident, police said here. Appearing before the Haridwar Circle Officer (City) Pankaj Bhatt, Baba said his car neither hit pilgrims nor he had any knowledge about the car which actually caused the accident, police said. The stampede occurred on Birla Ghat Bridge area during a procession of Joona Akhara when the Sadhus and seers were going to take royal bath at Har-ki-Pauri. Baba's name figured in the preliminary investigations and police arrested Sudhir Kumar, the driver of the car, which caused accident. Baba also told the police that he did not know Kumar.

Satellite during Kumbh

For the first time in the history of Kumbh Mela, scientists used satellite data to arrive at an authentic figure of pilgrims taking dip in the Ganges at Haridwar - which was 1.66 crore on April 14. On the request of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, a team of 12 scientists of ISRO and state space centre took the help of satellite to count the number of pilgrims, an official statement said here. The scientists also documented the management of the huge crowd of pilgrims as well as the infrastructural facilities in the form of a report which would help in effective conduct of future Kumbh melas and other such big gatherings, it said. According to the report, 1.66 crore pilgrims took bath in the river on the day of fourth and last royal bath on April 14, 2010. Officials said that over five crore pilgrims took bath during the three-and-a-half-month-long Mahakumbh Mela which concluded on April 30.

Cow urine improves yield

Apiculturists in Uttarakhand are making use of cow urine to prevent bees from contacting microbial diseases during the rearing process. Researchers at the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar have taken to using cow urine extensively while breeding honeybees. "This is proving to be a sure-shot treatment for the honeybee rearing. Also, when one can get four percent increase in profits by the use of cow urine, what else does anyone want? Honeybee helps in the production and from the last two years, their population had decreased. Despite using medicines and pesticides, there was no increase in their population. The honeybee keepers are now totally depending upon cow urine," said Ruchira Tiwari, a researcher at the Govind Vallabh Agricultural University. In the course of rearing, bees are kept in fixed-frame boxes for better commercial extraction of honey, which makes them susceptible to microbial diseases during the process. The medicines used for killing the microbes have had a bad effect on the production of larvae but cow urine does not have such side-effects. "Medicines used to cost us a lot. The expenditure of medicines and other pesticides was very high. Cow urine is free and further, there is an increase in profit by three to four percent," said Puran Chandra Joshi, a beekeeper. An average bee colony yields about 10-15 kilograms of honey, which is produced by 20,000 to 60,000 bees. Bees being fast breeders lay as many as 800 to 3,000 eggs daily, which help breeders multiply their flock and yield without any expenditure. They also get beeswax as an additional by-product. Honey has numerous uses such as medicine, food and an ingredient in various compounds. It is also an excellent medium for vitamins.

19 more tigers killed

As many as 19 tigers were killed in the country in the first four months of this year, taking the number of tigers below the official figure of 1,411, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh informed the Lok Sabha. The highest mortality of three each was reported from Uttarakhand and Kerala, Ramesh said. The minister said that 66 tigers were killed in the country in 2009 while 31 were killed in 2008. Ramesh also apprised the house of the steps taken by his ministry for protection and conservation of tigers in the country. The Public Accounts Committee, in its report tabled in the Lok Sabha last week, had criticised the ministry for failing to take adequate measures for the preservation of tigers.

Badri-Kedar varsity

Sri Badrinath- Kedarnath temple committee, responsible for the management of two famous Hindu shrines, will set up an university here. A proposal in this regard was passed by the temple committee unanimously in a recent meeting, Temple Committee Chairman Anusuiya Prasad Bhatt today said, adding the proposal has been sent to the Uttarakhand government for its approval. The University, being christened as Badri-Kedar University, would be nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas and impart degrees in various religious subjects like Vedas, Purans, Brahm Nirupan, Srishti Vigyan, Adhyatmic Vigyan, Jyotish, Bhakti and Medical Education, Bhatt said. The varsity will be managed by the temple committee, while talks with experts and educationists were going on to finalise other modalities, including the land and estimated expenditure, he said.

A star attraction

Whether alive or dead, a snow leopardess remains one of the main attractions of the G B Pant High Altitude Zoo in Nainital. Rani, the snow leopardess, died last week at the zoo, but her body is being preserved using taxidermy techniques. "This snow leopardess was the main attraction of the zoo for years, and it is also a very rare animal which is only found in snowy regions. And generally, people don't get to see these snow leopards in forests, too. Therefore, taxidermy is a very important method of preserving such rare animals," said Parag Madhukar, District Forest Officer (DFO). Even though there are a lot of stuffed animals on display at zoos and museums in India, many are decades old, and have started showing signs of decay. "I appreciate the efforts made by the Forest Department of Uttarakhand to preserve the body. Because, be it state museums or national museums, the taxidermic specimens kept there are from the British era, and that is what the public views. But the life of those specimens is also ending now; it has been more than 60-70 years. They have started cracking. So, instead of burning the dead bodies of animals, if we can preserve the bodies and display them in museums, and use them for research, education and forensic purposes," said S A Gaikwad, a taxidermist.

In sync with ecology

Power utility NTPC said the construction of an underground tunnel for the 520-MW Tapovan Vishnugad hydel project is not affecting sources of water near Joshimath area. "We have conducted a survey with the help of the Geological Survey of India. The survey did not find any relation between the tunnel and drying of water sources in Joshimath area," NTPC Regional Executive Director Arvind Kumar told reporters here as the project is facing the ire of locals and politicians amid reports that it is affecting sources of water in the area. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal had earlier ordered an inquiry and asked the state power secretary Utpal Kumar to submit a report in this regard. There has been a series of protests against the project located in Chamoli district in the last two months.

A Nobel idea?

By demanding the Nobel Peace Prize, the world's most prestigious award, for the Kumbh 2010, chief minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has started an interesting debate. In fact even before the main Shahi Snan on April 14, Dr. Nishank said that the Kumbh, the biggest confluence of the humans at one place on the Earth, deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Later on, he reiterated his stand many times. Dr. Nishank said that a well-known management expert from the USA, Dr. Hira Mani, who came to study the management of the Kumbh, was so impressed by the arrangements of the mega fair that he suggested that the Kumbh should be nominated for the coveted prize. "Nearly six crores devotees from 140 countries congregated at fair. To host so many devotees deserves the world's top award," asserted Dr. Nishank.

Though chief minister's stand has generated sharp criticism within the state. The leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Dr. Harak Singh Rawat says, "The chief minister has made a myopic statement. He should know that the Nobel prize is given every year to persons for outstanding work in some prescribed categories and cannot be given for crowd management. "Even the former chief minister of the state, Lt. General (retired) B.C. Khanduri has voiced his disagreement with Dr. Nishank on this issue.

The president of the Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti, Sanjay Chopra says, "Self glorification and demand for Nobel Prize for the Kumbh by the chief minister are only a ploy to cover up the mismanagement and the corruption during the mela and the large number of casualties during the mega event." Striking a balance, the president of the Ganga Sabha, Ram Kumar Mishra says that the Kumbh may not qualify for the Nobel prize but the fair of such a vast magnitude definitely deserves a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Ganga conservation on anvil

State cabinet meet focuses on river pollution:

In an unprecedented move the council of ministers of the state held a special meeting at Malviya Dweep, Har-ki-Pauri, on the last date of the Kumbh 2010. Prior to the meet all ministers led by the chief minister, Dr. Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, took a holy dip at Brahm Kund. The meeting was held to draw attention that how can Ganga retain her purity and her mythological signification. After the meeting the chief minister said that the state govt. favoured "World Heritage" status for the Ganga and they would soon write to the prime minister, urging him to take steps to make the United Nations accord the "World Heritage" status to the holy river.

"The huge congregation of devotees from 140 countries of the world during the Kumbh has clearly demonstrated that the river deserves the said status." The cabinet also decided to constitute an autonomous body, the Ganga Action Authority, for the conservation of the river.

The Ganga Nirmal Yojna, with a time bound programme of five years. This yojana will be launched to ensure cleaning of the Ganga from Gaumukh to Haridwar. It will also include the cleaning and conservation of all the tributaries of the Ganga, the permanent tapping of all the drains at Muni-ki-Reti, Swargashram, Rishikesh and Haridwar to make the river completely free from the discharge of all effluents. The cabinet also decided to spruce up infrastructure for the Char Dham Yatra as well as at other destinations of pilgrimage, such as Hem Kund Sahib, Panch Kedar, Panchwati, Jageshwar Dham and Piran Kaliyar.

Desperate measures

Water crisis forces forest officials to set up artificial ponds at RNP::

Authorities in Uttarakhand's Rajaji National Park have created artificial lakes and ponds to make water available to animals during the scorching summer. The shortage of water is so severe that the national park's water bodies have dried up, and some animals have died. According to M.S. Negi, Range Officer of Rajaji National Park, acute water shortage is posing a serious threat to animals, as they have to walk long distances for it.

"Less rainfall during the monsoon and no rainfall during the winters have caused this shortage of water. Water sources are on the verge of drying. Due to this, there is a huge problem of water for the animals and if there is no rainfall in the next few weeks then it will be a big problem for them," said Negi. "We have made arrangements (for the animals). We have dug ponds with JCP machines and made water available for the animals, so that they don't have to go out of the forest," he added. The Rajaji National Park is spread over an area of 820 square kilometers and is home to 23 species of mammals and 315 species of birds, which include Asian elephants, tiger, king cobra, panther, Bear, Chital, Sambar, Wild Boar, Kakar, Python, Monitor Lizard, Wild Cats and many more.

Fair deal

The much-awaited Permanent Mela Authority would be a reality soon, P.S. Chauhan reports:

Those who have been demanding the setting up of a PMA (Permanent Mela Authority) for Haridwar and Rishikesh have a reason to cheer. The special meeting of the council of ministers of the state held at Malviya

Dweep, Har-ki-Pauri, has decided to set up a Permanent Mela Authority for hosting the melas in Haridwar-Rishikesh region. Since 1986, when Haridwar district was carved out of Saharanpur district out of then undivided U.P., the citizens of Haridwar have been demanding the setting up of a Permanent Mela Authority to successfully host the melas which are held here round the year.

However, the then government of U.P. constituted Haridwar Development Authority (HDA) for the planned development of Haridwar and Rishikesh. But as HDA could not serve the purpose, thus there was a need to have a dedicated authority for the hassle free hosting of fairs. Even some political parties, social and cultural outfits, and the Vyapar Mandal, have been strongly advocating the setting up of a mechanism which may be entrusted with the responsibility of the planned and integrated development of Haridwar and Rishikesh and also of organising the fairs which are held here in 'God's plenty' every year. Besides the Kumbh and the Ardh Kumbh, which are held after every twelve and six years respectively, each year fairs like Kanwar Mela, Kartik Purnima, Somvati Amavasya, Baisakhi and the Urs at Piran Kaliyar, test the mettle of the district administration. At present, temporary mela authorities are set up for the holding of the Kumbh and the Ardh Kumbh, while the task of holding the other melas is left to the district administration with limited resources at its disposal. Mudit Parashar, a prominent businessman of Ranipur crossing, said "Each year nearly 36 big melas are held at Haridwar and the neighbouring holy town of Rishikesh. During these melas the entire attention of the civil and the police administration remains focussed on holding these melas and attending the VIPs. And in the process routine work of the police and the civil administration suffers. After the setting up of an autonomous and independent authority to hold the melas, the civil and the police administration will remain free to discharge their normal duties."Ashok Tripathi, a leading priest of the Ganga Sabha, echoes the same sentiments, "Hundreds of crores of rupees are earmarked for the Kumbh and the Ardh Kumbh every time. However, since this money was spent in haste as a result the quality of work is inferior. If the same amount is utilized with a vision then the mela preparations will be more effective and hosting these fairs will not be a pain. Also a better infrastructure will change the face of the region."

However, a prominent social activist and former M.L.A. from Haridwar, Ambrish Kumar sounds a note of warning, "The proposed Permanent Mela Authority should be kept free from political interference. Prominent social activists and intellectuals, who have a vision for planning and development, should be included in the proposed Mela Authority. If it is stuffed with leaders of the ruling political dispensation, it will meet the same fate as the existing HDA."The sources say that the Mela Authority, which is in the pipeline, will be a high power body, with huge funds and sufficient number of personnel at its disposal. The existing HDA is likely to be merged in the proposed Mela Authority and it will include the region from Piran Kaliyar to Haridwar and Rishikesh along with Neelkanth. It is likely to be headed by the state's chief minister, while its vice president may be nominated from the citizens of the region. The state urban development minister, Madan Kaushik says that the details of the proposed Mela Authority will be finalized soon.

Are they dying a natural death?

Anjali Nauriyal E.C. Road

Travelling on Doon roads is no longer safe as more and more trees are falling down on unsuspecting commuters causing deaths in many cases. The most recent incident was the death of a young girl, who was participating in the Run for event, when a tree fell on her injuring her fatally. According to eye witnesses, the tree was loosely hanging after getting partly burnt. Many others were injured in the incident. Many trees, including a huge one on EC Road, were uprooted last week in a night storm. The same gale uprooted a tree at Astley Hall that brought down hoardings, while a tree from St. Joseph's campus fell on Subhash Road. Earlier a month ago, three people died when a huge tree fell on them on Sahastradhara Road.

These freak accidents have become so common that one shudders to travel on Doon roads these days, lest a tree falls on one's head from nowhere. But who can we blame except ourselves for this disastrous development? Not only are we mercilessly chopping down trees in the valley but also have done nothing to ensure that they remain healthy.

Sahastradhara Road can be cited as an example. This road was once lined with majestic trees. Today driving down on this road shows that the once glorious looking trees look unhealthy and shrivelled up and dying and holding on precariously on weakened roots.

Sangita Gairola, a resident of Sahastradhara since '84, says, "Sahastradhara Road was once a shaded avenue of Silver Oaks and Jacarandas that made the drive on this road such a pleasure. Today the trees look diseased and even the leaves look outwardly green; the trunks and roots upon close examination are found to be corroded and rotten. Why?" The reasons, as gathered from various sources, seem to be many. While one reason is that people with vested interests pour down some harmful chemical to kill the trees, another one is that all our lands are turning fallow as they are being provided no nourishment that can sustain them in the long run. Thirdly the trees are all drying up because the Eucalyptus trees that abound absorb all the water from the ground turning it dry. And last but not the least is because of attack of deadly termite.

Kuldeep Sahdev, who has a shop of electrical goods on this road, avers, "It was a big tragedy when some of our ignorant and unconcerned leaders got Eucalyptus trees planted all over the country. Eucalyptus is a killer; it destroys all other trees. Also we can see that most of our trees are over-aged and we have just not bothered to plant new ones. We have forgotten that only if we have greenery, do we have everything."

It's time the residents took the matter on their own hands instead of waiting for the government or other agencies like FRI to do the environment clean-up act for us. Time is ripe for a people's revolution and for taking up individual responsibility and damage control efforts. Gairola says, "Enough has been written about accusations hurled at people who cut trees, who condone it, who promote it and those who tell us that it is a necessary evil for growth and development. We should now start a parallel movement. Let's start planting two trees for every one that is cut in the city. Let's do it in our neighbourhood and at an individual level. Neighbourhood Tree Planting Association should be formed to plant trees relentlessly. Why cry yourself hoarse to stop those who have no ears to listen? Let us be the change we want to see." It is a shame that trees are being treated with such impunity and abused in a city that houses the Forest Research Institute. And who is conducting a survey around Doon to check out which are the vulnerable trees that can fall any moment? Apparently no one so far!

Speaking Tree: Life of fulfilment

Sohan Baba

It is absurd that for many an Indian sadhu or mendicant has been portrayed in the West as a person begging alms to feed himself. On the other hand Indian rishis have enjoyed the status of rajrishis or royal ascetics, Brahmarshi (Tatpurusha, knower of Brahm jnana or esoteric knowledge) and Maharshi (a teacher of mysticism).

Royalty of a sage is just to exhibit the same state of abundance of Indian mendicants. How can one renunciate without achieving anything in life. Vaibhav se hi to vairagya mein jaya ja sakta hai. (Moving from abundance to detachment or renunciation is alone possible). I can concentrate on the supreme, the five elements of nature on my throne with as much ease as in a shamshan ghat(cremation ground) or an operation theatre. Prosperity comes with cleanliness; cleanliness in surroundings and purity in thoughts. With filth all around, how can one expect royalty to usher in one's life or community. The growing plastic menace in the holy city and Ganga river is symbolic of the poverty. To enjoy life fully, one must take up service to humanity. Performing surgeries on brain malignancies alone in Netherlands (work place of Soham baba) did not give me satisfaction, so I started working in the form of mission serving people in 128 countries.

Mahalakshmi is very much needed if you wish to live for others. To live for others has been my mission. Indian sages of yore were very wise. They introduced such good tradition in our system as the title prefixed with every man is "Shri" and with that of woman is "Shrimati". This denotes the affluence being attached, without denial. Hence one must lead a holistic life of fulfillment. And to lead a fulfilling life, one needs to be transparent in words and deeds. Give due importance to the vaibhav and vairagya. Money must not rule our minds at any moment of life rather it should be the other way round that we must keep money under our thumb.

Theory of neurologist Sigmund Freud is very much apt in this context. Freud proposed a vertical and hierarchical architecture of human consciousness: the conscious mind, the preconscious, and the unconscious mind - each lying beneath the other. Initially the growth pattern of mind is vertical but after reaching a certain state, its growth is horizontal. That means, initially it is aimed at gaining knowledge of new things and after a certain level, one starts distributing what one has earned in knowledge. Thereafter it's the balanced life.

(As told to Geeta Anandi)

State seeks additional 350 MW power

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank requested an additional 350 MW power from the central quota to the hill state in view of the commencement of 'char dham' yatra in May. After witnessing a huge rush of pilgrims during the Mahakumbh mela, the state government is now expecting a large number of devotees to undertake the 'char dham' pilgrimage to Garhwal Himalayas from here and at least 350 MW power is required for ensuring uninterrupted power supply during the period, said an official release quoting Nishank.

The chief minister said he had already talked to the Prime Minister as well as Union Power Minister over the issue. The annual pilgrimage to char dham including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in Garwhal Himalayas will commence from May 15. Nishank noted that power crisis is a problem affecting the entire nation and that Uttarakhand is in fact in a better situation as compared to some other states. However, he said power generation has been affected by decreased water level in rivers as a result of less rainfall. Moreover, the demand for electricity has also increased due to setting up of new industrial units. The chief minister said the government is trying to provide regular power supply to the people and is buying electricity worth Rs 400 crore from outside.

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.

Fair of many firsts

2010 Kumbh has been unique in many ways

The first Mahakumbh of the century at Haridwar and the first to be held after the creation of Uttarakhand, concluded with its eleventh and last snan on the auspicious occasion of the Purnima of the Adhimas (additional month) of the Baisakh of the Hindu calendar on April 28.

The devotees, including the sant community, bid adieu to the holy city, hoping to meet here again on the bank of the Ganga, after eleven years in 2021. "Due to the required conjunction of planets and stars for the holding of the Kumbh, the next Kumbh at Haridwar will be held after 11 years, instead of twelve years, a phenomenon which will occur after thousands of years," says Vipin Parashar, an eminent astrologer of the city. The last snan of the Kumbh started at wee hours at all the ghats, including Brahm Kund at Har-ki-Pauri, with cries of 'Har-Har-Mahadev' and 'Jai Ganga Maiya'. Most of the devotees came from Western U.P., Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujrat. Four special trains were run by the railway department and 200 special buses were also pressed into service to ferry the devotees from different states. Since the administration did not want to take any chance regarding the safety and security of the pilgrims, highly elaborate security arrangements were made and strict traffic plan was in place in the entire mela area. The official sources say that more than 15 lakh devotees took holy dip in the last snan. The Kumbh 2010 will be remembered for many firsts to its credit. For the first time in the history of the world such a huge gathering was witnessed at one place. The Kumbh mela officer, Anand Vardhan says that millions of devotees, from the country and abroad, driven by faith, congregated in the mela area during the four month mela period. Secondly, no cultural event had so far attracted such a global attention.

Huge number of devotees from more than 100 countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, the U.S.A., the U.K., Russia, Japan, Italy, Germany and Australia, flocked to the bank of the Ganga to have vivid glimpses of the mysticism and rituals of the wide spectrum of the Indian culture. Again, the akharas, which occupy the centerstage at the Kumbh, also made history this time. So far, at the Kumbh at Haridwar and the three other places where the Kumbh is held, there used to be three Shahi Snans, one Shahi Snan of the seven Sanyasi Akharas and the two other Shahi Snans in which all the 13 akharas, including the 7 akharas of the Sanyasis, 3 akharas of the Bairagis, the 2 akharas of the Udasins and one akhara of the Nirmals, used to take part. This time, in a welcome gesture of unity and harmony not only did all the 13 akharas participate in all the three Shahi Snans, but also declared the snan of the Bairagis, Udasins and the Nirmals, which was held on March 30 as a Shahi Snan, thus raising the number of the Shahi Snans from three to four. Also for the first time, the representatives of the Akhara Parishad, the apex body of all the akharas, took snan with masses on the last snan on April 28. The unity and comradeship, displayed by the akharas this time, ensured that there were no mutual bickering and clashes among the sadhus and the mahants, which had been a common feature in the previous Kumbhs not only in Haridwar but at other venues of the Kumbh too. Moreover, in the Kumbh at Haridwar it was for the first time that the administration provided camps and tents for all the mahamandleshwars, mandleshwars and mahants on the bank of the Ganga at Daksh Dweep, Gauri Shankar Dweep, Bairagi Camp, Neel Dhara Bank etc., outside the main city. The shifting of the main Kumbh area outside the city, on the pattern of the Kumbh at Prayag, eased pressure of the heavy rush of pilgrims from the main city. A welcome feature of this Mahakumbh was that both the central and the state governments acted in perfect sync, to ensure safety and security and smooth holding of this unique event. The central government provided heavy para military forces, besides generously providing financial assistance of about Rs.560 crore, the highest ever provided for the holding of any fair in the country. The Kumbh mela D.I.G., Alok Sharma says that 20,000 security personnel, including civil and the P.A.C. jawans of Uttarakhand and many other states and 60 companies of the para military forces provided by the centre were deployed throughout the mela area.

If the Mahakumbh 2010 made history on many fronts, history repeated itself in one respect. Inspite of the best efforts of the administration and highly elaborate security arrangements and massive preparations for crowd management, casualties due to untoward incident could not be avoided. The mega fair, which otherwise went very well, free from terror and violence, was disgraced by an unfortunate accident, resulting in a stampede and the caving in of the railings of a bridge, claiming at least seven precious lives.

80 million in 104 days

About 80 million people bathed in the river Ganges in northern India during the Kumbh Mela festival that lasted 104 days, organisers said on as the event drew to a close.

The Kumbh Mela, which is billed as the largest festival on Earth, attracts Hindus from across the country to the sacred water that they believe washes away their sins and frees them from the cycle of life and rebirth.

The Ganges is especially auspicious during the Kumbh Mela, which is held every three years and rotates among four Indian cities. "Our confirmed total is 80 million bathers along the 15-kilometre (nine-mile) stretch of the river," Ashok Sharma, the Mela's senior press official, told AFP from Haridwar, this year's venue. "The numbers were even bigger than we expected, but the event generally passed off safely due to excellent organisation." He said the only accident that marred the festival was when a car driven by sadhus (holy men) hit and killed two pilgrims, and triggered a stampede in which seven other people died.

The Kumbh Mela ("Pitcher Festival") peaks on three major bathing days when naked, ash-smeared sadhus charge into the water at a time decreed by astrologers.

The spot where they bathe is where the river is said to leave the Himalayan mountains and start its long journey across the plains of northern India before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. It is also where, in Hindu mythology, a few drops from a pitcher containing the nectar of immortality fell during a fight between gods and demons.

The other drops fell at Allahabad, Nasik and Ujjain -- the other Kumbh Mela cities. The attendance figures are impossible to verify and some observers suggest they are exaggerated by the host city, but previous Kumbh Mela events are thought to have attracted similar numbers.

Power crisis

Industrial production in Uttarakhand has been badly hit by an acute power shortage, with the steel industry facing the brunt of the supply outages. The 60-odd steel units in the state claimed that they are facing a production loss of Rs 30 crore every day due to the power cuts effected by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), the sole distribution agency in the hill state.

The owners of the steel industry have met top government officials and submitted a memorandum demanding more power to the industrial units. In the memorandum, D K Agarwal, the President of the steel chapter of the Kumaon-Garhwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), said the steel industry, which takes only 16.5 percent of the HT load, is getting only 8 hours of supply per day whereas other HT industries are getting 16 hours of power. "You will kindly appreciate that the steel industry is catering to the infrastructure needs of the country. Our industry is supplying goods to sectors like power, the Delhi metro, automobile, sugar, paper and others. Hence, we must get sufficient power to run our industries, otherwise these units will close down if the trend continues," said Agarwal. Uttarakhand, which is considered as a power surplus state, has been facing an average power deficit of 86mu in this season, while Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have been facing acute power shortage which has led to daily power cut of over 10 hours in each state, a study has said. Of the total 8,980 million unit (mu) power deficit in the country, Maharashtra and UP have been facing deficit of 2,609 mu and 1,351mu, respectively, in this summer, Assocham secretary general DS Rawat said in a statement. The average power demand in Maharashtra is estimated at 12,132mu against the availability of 9,523mu, it said.

In UP, huge difference between power demand and supply has led to power cuts of over 10 hours a day, the study said, and pointed out that the situation in the Southern region-- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry -- is no better, with Andhra facing shortage of The study further said the Northern states like Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi face power deficit of 1mu, 4mu and 19mu, respectively. The survey, however said, Jammu & Kashmir is the only state which faces zero power deficit. The chamber has recommended acceleration in power generation along with harnessing non-conventional energy resources including wind, solar and tidal.

Fair & Ugly:

104 days of Kumbh have left a trail of garbage and stink, reports P.S. Chauhan:

Though on April 28, the Maha Kumbh has come to an end but the mega event has left tonnes of stinking filth and garbage behind it, which will take weeks to get disposed. And now it is a tough task to dispose this trash and to restore city's hale. Indeed, sanitation mess needs to be cleared at the earliest. The condition was not that bad when Kumbh started but as the event came to an end it has worsened. Though devotees have been flocking ever since Kumbh started in January but these hordes of pilgrims were manageable and it wasn't a Herculean task to maintain healthy hygiene conditions and concerned authorities did not face any challenge. But the last two months of the Kumbh saw a surge in the number of devotees and sanitation conditions started to worsen. Stats say that nearly eight crore devotees congregated in the city during the mega fair. Beside huge discharge of human excreta, a large quantity of polythene and plastic items brought by the pilgrims and an equally large amount of organic and inorganic waste of crockery and other items that were used in thousands of tents, ashrams and akharas for bhandaras and mass feasting, has brought sanitation on the brink of collapse. The disposal of the bio-medical waste of the temporary mela hospitals and the inorganic waste of polythene and plastics, which has got mixed with the organic waste, is posing a big threat as well. The health officer of the city, Dr. Anil Tyagi admits that during the snans nearly 5-6 thousand tonnes of garbage has piled up in Kumbh area.

Heaps of filth and garbage have become a common sight in Shankaracharya Nagar, Mahamandleshwar Nagar and Gaur Shankar Dweep. The worst hit are Bairagi camp and Daksh Dweep, where sanitation conditions have virtually collapsed. Here roads have turned into pools of mud and dirty water, providing a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies. The temporary toilets made in the Kumbh area have got choked and the sewer pits are overflowing.

The entire Kumbh mela area is stinking and it is difficult to pass through without covering one's face. Forget mela area even at Brahmpuri, Saptsarover, Bhopatwala, Laljiwala, Balawala, Satighat, Rajghat, Kadachh Mohalla the condition is no different. The state urban development minister and the minister in-charge of the Kumbh, Madan Kaushik visited several areas in the city and instructed the health officials to expedite their work. If the filth is not cleaned soon then danger of breaking out of an epidemic looms large. Hundreds of patients of diarrhea are being admitted every day in the hospitals. Brijendra Harsh, who is associated with the Prakhar Mission Hospital Services, a voluntary organisation, says that 90 per cent of these patients are suffering from cholera or diarrhea. Dr. Anil Tyagi says that the city will soon be rid of filth. The Kumbh mela health officer, Dr. S.P. Agarwal says that more than 9,000 sanitary workers with 36 trolleys are working in three shifts to clear the heaps of filth and garbage which is being dumped in the trenching grounds at Kangri and near the Jatwara bridge at Jwalapur. The Kumbh mela officer, Anand Vardhan himself inspected the Mahamandleshwar Nagar and the adjoining areas and issued strict instrucitons to the officials of the health department to clear the entire mela area of garbage at the earliest.