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Uttarakhand’s tableau at Republic Day parade comes in third

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Uttarakhand tableau got third place in the Republic Day parade

Dateline Dehradun: The tableau from the hill state of Uttarakhand themed on ‘Cultural Heritage and Adventure Sports’ that made its way down the Kartavya Path during Republic Day parade came in third, with Gujarat’s tableau taking the first spot, followed by Uttar Pradesh.

Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated the people of the state and all those who worked behind the curtains including artists who took part in creating the tableau. He said, “the Uttarakhand tableau represented the rich cultural heritage and adventure sports of Uttarakhand.”

Artists from Champawat secured second place in the cultural program held at National Theatre Camp

16 artists from the hillstate participated in the tableau which made its was down Kartavya Path on 26th January with the famous Aipan art beautifully depicting the social, cultural and religious importance of the hill state that will celebrate its 25th Foundation Day this year in November. The tableau also included adventure sports and adventure tourism. Director General Information Shri Banshidhar Tiwari stated, “as per the instructions of the Chief Minister, the state government had decided to display a tableau that would promote cultural heritage and give national recognition to adventure sports.

Led by Joint Director Information K. S. Chauhan, the Uttarakhand tableau was voted third best amongst sixteen shortlisted state tableaus. Talking to Newspost, KS Chauhan said, “Since the inception of the state, Uttarakhand tableau has managed to garner awards and has been amongst the first three favourites. Someone who leads from the front, Chauhan added, “the entire process takes close to five months. We have been camping in New Delhi since 14th January and have had morning to noon rehearsals. Artists from Champawat secured second place in the cultural program held at National Theatre Camp, New Delhi earlier this month that gave us much required boost and confidence.”

Authors Hugh & Colleen Gantzer conferred with Padma Shri

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Hugh and Colleen Ganzter

Dateline Mussoorie: Mussoorie’s resident authors Hugh and Colleen Gantzer, the husband-and-wife duo, are being recognised for their contribution to travel journalism spanning five decades with Padma Shri on Republic Day.

Colleen Gantzer, who passed away at the age of 90 on 6th November, last year will receive the award posthumously.

Pioneers in travel writing, the dedication of Hugh and Colleen to document India’s diverse heritage and hidden gems has been reflected in their 30-plus books, thousands of articles, and 52 documentaries broadcast on Doordarshan.

Together as a team, their spirit of adventure remained unwavering. They have been recognised with accolades and garnered numerous awards such as the Gold Awards from the Pacific Asia Travel Association and National Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award amongst others.

The duo were regular contributors to the Indian Express and The Hindu. They also wrote for Travel Biz Monitor, Hospitality Biz and Garhwal Post since inception. Their collective work inspired wanderlust in readers, and will be remembered as a trailblazer in the world of travel writing.

 

Talking to Newspost from Coonoor, where Hugh Gantzer lives with his son and daughter-in-law, said he was happy to be receiving the award and would be ‘home’ in Mussoorie in the coming summer.

Author Ganesh Saili, who took over as Hony. Secretary of the old Mussoorie Library (estb:1853) from Mr Hugh Gantzer, ten years ago, says: ‘It’s great achievement that their work has found recognition and its an honour for the town.

Meera Saklani elected Mussoorie’s Chairperson

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Meera Saklani, Chairperson of Mussoorie Municipal Board

Dateline Dehradun: Meera Saklani creates history. The 51-year-old has been elected as Mussoorie’s first woman Chairperson.

67% voters within the Mussoorie municipality have given their verdict. Shrimati Meera Saklani, the BJP candidate bagged the coveted Mussoorie Chairperson seat.

Counting began at Ghananand Inter College early morning. Trends started pouring in by noon. Bjp cadre Meera Saklani, took an early lead and maintained it despite three rounds of recounting late into the evening.

Meera Saklani, Mussoorie’s first woman chairperson

Out of the five women candidates that stood for the Mayor post, the real fight was between three candidates namely BJP’s Meera Saklani, Congress candidate Manju Bhandari and Independent candidate Upma Panwar.

  • Results: 
  • Meera Saklani (BJP):6258
  • Upma Panwar (Independent): 5943
  • Manju Bhandari (Congress): 2954
  • Shakuntala Panwar (Independent): 432
  • Nancy Panwar (Independent):532

What makes Mussoorie a hot-seat? Is it the fact that it homes Premier Institutes like the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, the Institute of Technical Management, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Academy. Or is it the fact that many  educational institutes, some of which date back to the late 1850’s ensure that VIP and VVIP’s make a beeline to the hill-station throughout the year.

The Chairperson being the first citizen of the town holds an added responsibility of playing the perfect host to all who come visiting.

The proximity of the hill-station to the plains of India and its connectivity by road, rail and air makes it a must-visit for tourists from home as well as abroad, giving Mussoorie an edge over Shimla and Nainital, the other two hill-stations.

Taking the baton forward, Meera, the town’s newly elected Chairperson has the uphill task to bring back lustre to the crown of the Queen of Hills by taking the bull by it horns, as she states, “There will be many responsibilities. But bringing about a change in the working ethos of the municipality is going to be my biggest challenge.”

Career Counselling Session held at CJM School Dehradun by Innovative Future Steps

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Innovative Future Steps conducts career counselling session

Dehradun: A transformative career counselling session, titled “Vision to Victory,” was held at CJM School Dehradun aimed at guiding students towards making informed decisions about their future career paths. Conducted in collaboration with Innovative Future Steps, it was an insightful  event for students from class 8 and 11th – 12th.

A transformative career counselling session, titled “Vision to Victory,” was held at CJM School Dehradun in collaboration with Innovative Future Steps

The session led by Mr. Ravinder Virmani, a seasoned education and training compliance professional. Mr Virmani brings to the table 20 years of experience in overseas education sector. Since 2004, Mr. Virmani has worked across various Australian universities, colleges, and Registered Training Organizations (RTOs), specializing in Vocational Education Training (VET) and Higher Education (HE). His extensive expertise in administration, client relations, business operations, management, training, and compliance has made him a trusted consultant in the international education sector.

During the session, Mr. Virmani shared valuable insights on how students can choose the right career after 12th grade. He emphasized the importance of considering aptitude, personality, and interests when exploring career options. He also provided a detailed overview of different career paths available across various streams—Science, Commerce, and Humanities—guiding students on how to align their strengths with their future aspirations.

A key highlight of the session was Mr. Virmani’s discussion on studying abroad. He outlined the benefits of pursuing higher education in countries like Australia, the USA, the UK, Germany, and New Zealand, while also offering a comparative analysis of the challenges and opportunities each destination presents.

The session proved to be an eye-opener for many students, offering them clear direction and vision as they embark on the journey of choosing their careers. The students left with a better understanding of the various opportunities available to them, both locally and internationally.

Mr. Virmani was warmly welcomed by the school coordinator, Ms. Sheetal Singh, who expressed her gratitude for the valuable insights shared during the session. The school and Innovative Future Steps are committed to providing students with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their future.

For more information about Innovative Future Steps and upcoming career counselling sessions.

Mussoorie Municipal Board to get its first woman chairperson

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Women campaigning

Dateline Mussoorie: Two hundred year old hill station Mussoorie is set to create history by electing its first woman Chairperson to take charge of the Mussoorie Municipal Board  founded in 1842.

Meera Saklani (BJP), Manju Bhandari (Congress) and three independent candidates: Shakuntala Panwar, Nancy Panwar Kaintura and Upma Panwar Gupta are fighting it out for the coveted position reserved for OBC women candidates.

The election fever has kept Mussoorie rather warm this winter. Women brave the bitter  cold taking out processions as a show of strength to prove their mettle campaigning for their candidates. From late night meetings to handing out pamphlets and brochures, house-to-house campaigning has women across age groups taking part. Many have decided to stay back to vote and campaign for their candidates instead of heading back to their villages during winter break. First time voter Jyoti says, “I was supposed to head home for winter break, but I want to support my candidate and make sure she wins,’ on the other hand we have 70 year old Radha Rani hobbling around on her walking stick seeking vote and support for her candidate, “Its about time we women come out and choose a sensible candidate who can help save of what remains of Mussoorie,’ she says in a huff.

In Uttarakhand, women have traditionally been the cutting edge of all environmental and social revolution in state, and now women leaders are set to be game changers in politics and about time too.

Major political parties such as the Bhartiya Janta Party has fielded women ward councillors in 44 out of 100 wards while Congress has fielded 45 women councillors, perhaps to woo those who rule the roost with a 20% rise in women voter percentage since 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

It would be interesting to witness matrishakti play a decisive role not solely through voting but also in the formation of local bodies when the Uttarakhand goes to poll on 23rd January.

The MadHouse: Allegorical satire holds mirror to society

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Niyogi Books ‘The MadHouse: Pagalkhana’ translated into English by Punarvasu Joshi hits the stands

THE MADHOUSE: PAGALKHANA

ISBN: 978-81-19626-27-4

PUBLISHER: NIYOGI BOOKS

Latest from Niyogi Books ‘The MadHouse: Pagalkhana’ originally written in Hindi by well-known litterateur Gyan Chaturvedi has been translated into English by Punarvasu Joshi.

Not new to the world of translation, Punarvasu holds a PhD in nanotechnology from Arizona State University. He decided to take up Pagalkhana as he believed that this allegorical satire pulls back the curtain on the vicious cycle of consumership. It holds a mirror to today’s society and is story that needs to reach a wider audience.

The translator has managed to beautifully capture the zeitgeist of today’s consumerist society in the four hundred odd page book which chronicles the jarring transformation that occurred in the psyche of the Indian society by the onslaught of liberalisation.

The collection of stories are woven around two characters, the omnipresent character being ‘The Bazaar’, and then there is the hapless ‘The Citizen,’ continuously trapped in the vicious cycle of ‘The Bazaar’ where ‘The Citizen” is robbed off his dreams, aspirations and memories even when he is constantly trying to lock himself away from the prying eyes of the Bazaar – who is out to get him! He writes: ‘It was a flood. Life was surrounded by the Bazaar, everywhere.’ He goes on to further elaborate, ‘It was the Bazaar that was flowing everywhere. Laughter, conversation, day-to-day dealings among people, literature, culture……’

It is in this free-market economy and excessive consumption that nameless characters of The Madhouse find themselves trapped, day in and day out, ‘The Bazaar kept expanding…. When it spreads, it swallows everything that comes in its way. The bazaar had spread so far and so fast…’

In this game of pursuit and escape between the Citizen and the Bazaar, the author Dr Chaturvedi has done a fantastic job of showcasing the pain, the plight, the psyche, the pride, the breakdown and the dynamics churning within our society post 1990s liberalisation. As he writes, ‘Personal relationships were the first to dissolve. Friendships found themselves neck-deep in the muddy waters.’

Punarva Joshi has done justice to the original, as it a tale that needs to be told, and retold. The translator’s love for both the languages, Hindi and English makes the book a reader’s delight. Light and breezy, the translator keeps his sentences short and crisp. The Madhouse is a befitting tribute to the original work and to the skill or passion or maybe both, of the translator who has brought it to a wider readership.

Get your copy now!

Shrishti’s ‘Love is in Me for “You” Hits the Stands

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Love is in Me for You

Love Weaves Through All We do

Love is beautiful

To not be

Is the situation.

 

Love can torment

To not be

Is an illusion.

Expresses Shrishti, a new entrant to the world of words, born and bred in Dehradun. Her debut book, ‘Love is in Me for “You” is a collection of poems by the young lady that brings in a refreshing perspective to the realm of poetry and the universal theme of Love.

Shrishti tells Newspost, “I like poetry because it lets one express what we want to say without saying too much. At times if we leave the poem open-ending, you see ambiguous interpretations floating your way, that could lead to new creativities, that is the beauty of composing poems.”

Shrishti, the budding author

About her love for writing, she says, “as a student I dedicated most of my time to finish my Bachelors syllabus, now as I come to end of my Masters the urge to write and publish and make my debut in the field of writing is what motivated me to put pen to papers.”

The author finds her inspiration from the likes of Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath whose struggles with mental descent was evident in their poetry. The forty-page book revolves around the central theme of love in all its forms, “Love is an emotion, a gift, depending on the person or thing whom you want to dedicate it to. I have also used ‘love’ as a ‘force’ that could lead a person to commit deeds good or bad, perhaps it could also be the source of happiness and sorrow. Love requires the power to understand and live accordingly.”

As for her future plans, Shrishti shares, “I am planning to write a novel about which I don’t want to give away much. I am also keen at looking for collaboration opportunities in writing or work on a biography.

Do get your copy of ‘Love is in Me for “You” on Amazon – ISBN- 978-9363306585 OR  E-book on Bookleaf Publications.

SRHU hosts Uttarakhand’s First Innovation Festival

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Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) successfully hosted the two-day Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024

Dateline Dehradun: Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) successfully hosted the two-day Uttarakhand Innovation Festival 2024 at its Central Park to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth of Uttarakhand. The event witnessed active participation from institutions across the state, with participants showcasing innovative models and business ideas.

The festival was inaugurated by Mata Shri Mangla and Bhole Ji Maharaj, founders of the Hans Foundation, alongside Dr. Vijay Dhasmana, President of SRHU. Speaking at the event, Mata Shri Mangla emphasized the role of the youth in realizing the vision of a self-reliant India, encouraging the use of technology for innovation.

In a motivational video message, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described young minds and their ideas as catalysts for change and extended his best wishes to the participants.

Dr. Vijay Dhasmana urged the youth to shift their focus from seeking jobs to creating employment opportunities. He highlighted SRHU’s commitment to skill development through its Innovation Center, which nurtures entrepreneurial and innovative skills among students.

The event featured over 100 startups, student business ideas, advanced technologies, and women’s self-help groups, contributing to the culture of innovation in Uttarakhand. Emerging Startup Awards were presented to SR Carehive and Ulo Labs, while Pre-Startup Business Idea Awards were given to Mindura Yogwell, Food Project, Rang De Hope, and others for their creative solutions in healthcare, social innovation, and arts.

Addressing the closing session, Forest and Technical Education Minister Subodh Uniyal lauded the festival for enriching the knowledge and skills of young innovators, expressing confidence that such initiatives would make Uttarakhand a hub of innovation. Skill Development Minister Saurabh Bahuguna encouraged participants to overcome the fear of failure and continue advancing in their fields. The event witnessed the release of SRHU’s SRHU Entrepreneurship Policy as well.

The festival’s success was enriched by the efforts of SRHU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rajendra Dobhal and Director, HCIE, Dr. Amjad Husain, who extended gratitude to participants, guests and organizing body Lakshya Educational Society for making the event a milestone in Uttarakhand’s innovation journey.

Landour Mela to be hosted on 21st-22nd December, 2024

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Landour Mela, 2024

Dateline Mussoorie: Mark your calendar! Landour in Mussoorie is all set to host the tenth edition of Landour Mela. This multi-day, community-focused two day event is scheduled for the 21st and 22nd December and serves as a coming together of local traders, artisans, chefs and artists, showcasing their diverse styles and creative expressions to the public.

The two day, free walk-in event celebrates the spirit of community at 7000 ft. Designed to enchant both locals and tourists, the Landour Mela is an annual event that showcases the rich cultural heritage, breathtaking natural beauty, and community spirit of this part of town. A celebration of the vibrant traditions and artistic expressions of Himalayan communities, one comes across a variety of local, natural, organic, and handmade products, folk performances, delicious local cuisine, captivating arts and crafts, and a wide range of activities suitable for all age groups.

Attendees can enjoy guided village treks, nature walks, birdwatching sessions, jeep safaris, and environmental awareness programs, all designed to deepen their appreciation for the stunning landscapes of this charming hill-town.

Landour Mela 2024

Green Life with Cantonment Board, Landour is thrilled to welcome everyone to the annual Landour Mela, where we celebrate the deep-rooted traditions, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality of the Himalayan communities,” said Vivek Binepal, Founder of Green Life, he further added,”This Mela provides a platform for traditional craftsmen, home-based women-led entrepreneurs, Garhwali cuisines, and local farmers to showcase their talents while offering an enriching experience for all attendees.”

Over the years, the mela has evolved into a unique platform for networking and promoting local and natural products made or produced in Uttarakhand. Organized by Green Life® in association with the Cantonment Board Landour and supported by the entire community, including ITM DRDO, Uttarakhand Forest Department (Mussoorie Division), Mussoorie Traders & Welfare Association, Landour Cantt. Residents Welfare Association (LCRWA), Rotary Club Mussoorie, Kellogg’s Memorial Church, and the shop owners community of Landour.

Free activities for all ages includes:
Birding in Landour at 7:00 AM
Kolti Village Trek & Forest Hike at 9:00 AM
Jungle Jeep Safari & Ledur & Jhodi Village Visit at 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM

Birding in Landour at 7:00 AM
Kolti Village Trek & Forest Hike at 9:00 AM
Jungle Jeep Safari & Ledur & Jhodi Village Visit at 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM

For more information: visit https://www.landourmela.in/ or email us on [email protected]

87 of Uttarakhand’s 88 Urban Bodies Score Zero in Garbage Free City Challenge

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SDC Foundation

Dateline Dehradun: In the Swachh Survekshan 2023, which is part of the central government’s cleanliness initiative, Uttarakhand’s performance has been marked by significant concerns. If North India’s Urban Local Bodies are divided into four categories, 80% of Uttarakhand’s 80 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) with a population of less than 1 lakh will fall in the bottom quarter, or the “dirtiest” category. The Garbage Free City Challenge saw 87 of Uttarakhand’s 88 ULBs scoring zero, out of a possible maximum of 1375 points. The state’s Urban Bodies performed poorly across almost all categories, with results indicating a deep need for intervention.

SDC Foundation Releases the Swachh Survekshan 2023 Report

The SDC Foundation, based in Dehradun, has released a detailed report analyzing Uttarakhand’s performance in the Swachh Survekshan 2023. The 34-page report was unveiled at the Press Club in Dehradun. Speaking during the release, Anoop Nautiyal, the founder of the SDC Foundation, highlighted that while the report exposes the widespread neglect in the state’s cleanliness management, it also offers 10 key recommendations for bringing about large-scale improvements. The Foundation has previously released similar reports on Swachhta Survekshan cleanliness surveys in Uttarakhand.

The recent report reveals that Swachh Survekshan 2023 included 446 cities with populations between 1 lakh and 10 lakh across the country. Eight cities from Uttarakhand were part of this category. Among them, Dehradun was the only city to make it into the top 100 cleanest cities in the country, ranking 68th. However, the remaining seven cities performed poorly, with Rudrapur ranking at the bottom of the list from Uttarakhand at 417th place.

​80% of Uttarakhand’s 80 Urban Local Bodies with population less than 1 lakh are in lowest, dirtiest one-fourth ULB in North India

As per the report, among 80 ULB in Uttarakhand with populations under 1 lakh, 64 (80%) were placed in the bottom quarter of North India’s dirtiest cities.

6 towns out of 98 in North India with population between 50000 to 1 lakh

In the category of 50,000 to 1 lakh population, Uttarakhand had 6 ULB out of 98 in North India. All the ULBs from Uttarakhand were ranked in the bottom most. lowest quarter. The most disappointing result came from Khatima, the Chief Minister’s home town, which ranked 98th, making it the dirtiest city in this category across North India.

10 towns out of 200 in North India with population between 25000 to 50000

Among the 200 ULB in North India with populations between 25,000 and 50,000, 10 from Uttarakhand were included. Six of these ranked in the dirtiest quarter, with Sitarganj being ranked 199th, the second dirtiest city in this category across North India.

10 towns out of 282 in North India with population of 15000 to 25000

Among 282 ULB in North India with populations between 15,000 and 25,000, 10 from Uttarakhand were included. Nine of them were in the bottom quarter, with Selakui ranked 280th.

54 towns out of 441 in North India with population less than 15000

Among the 441 ULB in North India with populations under 15,000, 54 from Uttarakhand were included. Of these, 43 ranked in the dirtiest quarter. Three of the dirtiest cities in this category were from Uttarakhand with Chaukhutia at 441st, Sultanpur at 440th and Dineshpur at 439th rank.

Vision for a Cleaner Uttarakhand

The report provides 10 key recommendations to improve the performance of Uttarakhand’s cities and towns in the domain of swachhta across the state.

The most vital recommendation is the formation of a Waste Management Commission, similar to other state commissions, to manage all six types of waste—solid waste, plastic waste, e-waste, biomedical waste, construction waste, and hazardous waste. The commission would be responsible for developing and implementing holistic plans for waste management in the state cutting across urban, rural, forest and all other areas.

The report also emphasizes the need for a special session in the state legislature to raise awareness and train ministers, legislators, and officials about cleanliness initiatives. The session should focus on addressing climate change, environmental issues, and cleanliness in the state. It was said that given the apathy and callousness of the political and bureaucratic class, there is an acute need for Jan Pratinidhi Andolan in Uttarakhand.

Further, the report advocates for various actions, such as waste segregation at the source, training programs for capacity building, involving waste pickers in cleanliness efforts, and launching public campaigns to encourage citizen participation in cleanliness programs.

Upcoming Urban Local Elections in Uttarakhand

Releasing the report, Anoop Nautiyal called upon all political parties to present detailed action plans through their respective manifestos for the improvement of waste management situations in all cities and towns in Uttarakhand for the upcoming ULB elections.

He stressed upon all the mayoral candidates, chairman candidates and councilor candidates of Uttarakhand state to necessarily share their action plan for the improvement of Swachh Survekshan scores and the waste management ground reality in their cities and wards during the campaign.

He said that in the coming days, in view of the ULB elections across the state, the issue of cleanliness will be continuously raised before the people of the state. He appealed for cooperation from all the social organizations and media of the state in the cleanliness mission.

The press conference was attended by SDC Foundation team members Prerna Raturi, Dinesh Semwal, Pyare Lal, and Praveen Upreti. The Foundation expressed gratitude to the report’s contributors, Rishabh Srivastava and Amisha Rampal, for their support in preparing the document.