eUttaranchal - Uttaranchal News

Dehradun, 12 May 2008

Industry body Assocham on Monday recommended a slew of measures to the Uttarakhand government, saying the state has potential to attract investments worth Rs 50,000 crore by 2012.

The chamber has identified hydro and solar power, tourism, IT, technical institutions, biotechnology, handcrafts and floriculture as the major areas for attracting investment with job opportunities for 2 lakh persons, Assocham President V N Dhoot said, while releasing paper ‘A Vision Paper on Uttarakhand: Ideal Destination for Investment’ detailing 15 recommendations.

In its recommendations, Assocham asked the government to encourage setting up of SEZs and agri economic zones (AEZs).

The state government should set up hydro power projects especially mini and captive power plants and windmills, it said.

On the tourism sector, it suggested the government to tie up with India Inc for putting up smaller hotels, motels, fast food centers etc. The state has enormous scope for adventure as well as religious tourism, it pointed out.

The government should also provide suitable environment for IT industry, it said.

In the field of auto components and engineering goods, IT and tourism, the state has attracted over Rs 2 billion FDIs till 2005 and could exceed substantially to over Rs 10 billion by the end of the 11th five year plan in 2012, Assocham said.

It also asked the government to strengthen sectors like herbal and medicinal, film shooting destination, biotechnology, handicrafts, floriculture, horticulture, tea and sports.

News Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

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PAHAR (People’s Association for Himalaya Area Research) has recently completed 25 years. The second program to mark the Silver Jubilee Celebration of PAHAR, a felicitation function was organised at Teen Murti Bhawan, New Delhi to honor the Padma Award winners of 2008 - Shri Tom Alter (Mussorie), Dr. M C Pant (Almora), Dr. R K Jain (Chakrata) and Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri (Nainital). Just to add up, Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri has shared 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

The event commenced with the “Devi Stuti” sung by Shri Heera Singh Rana ji followed by a cultural show performed by Creative Uttarakhand group. The event was marked with the presence of several eminent personalities from different backgrounds including Shri Himanshu Joshi- eminent Hindi writer, Shri Heera Singh Rana- one of the very popular pahari singer, Shri Chandra Singh Rahi - famous Garhwali folk artist, Great poet Manglesh Dabral, many eminent journalists, historians, social workers/activists, civil servants of Uttarakhand origin and youth belonging to internet community.

After a warm welcome from Dr. Shekhar Pathak, all the four honorary guests Shri Tom Alter, Dr. M C Pant, Dr. R K Jain and Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri shared their thoughts with the audience. The event was concluded after the Uttarakhand Gaatha - a slide show presentation by Dr. Shekhar Pathak depicting the land and people, history, culture and lifestyle of Uttarakhand.

Delicious Pahari food was served after the function!

Browse through the pictures of the event below (click to enlarge)

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Dehradun, 07 May 2008

The Chardham pilgrimage began on Wednesday with reopening of the portals of Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines.

Amid chanting of Vedic hymns and shlokas, the doors of Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri temples were reopened coinciding with the auspicious day of Akshya Tritiya.

It is for the first time after a gap of over four decades that portals of three shrines were reopened on the same day.

As icy winds swept the area, scores of pilgrims offered prayers at the temples on the first day of the yatra season, officials said.

The portals of Kedarnath (3581 meter) were reopened at the crack of the dawn as the palanquin of Lord Shiva reached the sanctum sanctorum.

Doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines, situated at a height of 3200 meter and 4421 meter respectively in Uttarkashi district were also thrown open later in the morning.

Badrinath, which is located in Chamoli district at a height of 3133 meter, will be opened on May 9.

The Chardham yatra attracts nearly 15-17 lakh pilgrims every year from home and abroad.

As per official statistics, last year 76,8025 pilgrims visited Badrinath shrine, 55,5918 went to Kedarnath temple while the figures for Gangotri and Yamunotri stood at 32,91,11 and 28,7688 respectively.

The government has taken various steps for the smooth conduct of yatra and directed all the departments to work in tandem during the period.

Chief Minister B Khanduri has asked the transport department to ensure strict implementation of laws during the yatra season so that road accidents can be avoided. He also directed the health department to deploy mobile vans in the areas prone to accidents to provide timely medical help to pilgrims in case of any eventuality.

“All the arrangements for the yatra have been completed,” said a top official of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), a state government enterprise which is the nodal agency for the yatra.

GMVN is also offering special packages to attract more pilgrims to the Chardham.

In the holy town of Rishikesh from where the yatra begins, the state authorities have made arrangements for running nearly 4000 buses for all the four pilgrim centres of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

The pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh shrine, would also begin this month.

Pawan Hans will operate helicopter service from Agastyamuni and Fata to ferry pilgrims to Kedarnath and back from May 9. Helicopter services to Badrinath temple and Hemkund Sahib are also expected to be available from Gauchar this season, the officials said.

Bureau Report

News Source: http://www.zeenews.com

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