New Delhi, 29 Nov 2006

The government had announced a package of economic incentives on 7th January, 2003 for promoting industrialisation in the State of Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand). Under this package, various incentives like income tax exemption, excise exemption and Capital Investment Subsidy to New Industrial units and existing industrial units on their substantial expansion in the identified locations have been provided. As a result, as per Government of Uttaranchal, the industrial growth rate which was 1.9% in 2001-2002 has increased to 18%. 7627 SSI units were established during last two years and the current year with an investment of Rs.1773.00 crore and 44000 persons have been employed. Besides, 2460 industrial units with an investment of Rs.21,500.00 crore are in various stages of implementation, in which employment to about 1,50,000 persons would get generated.

Rs.24.91 crore has been released in this regard by the central government for the State of Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand) since 2002-03.

This was stated by Shri Ashwani Kumar, Minister of State for Industry, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

News Source: http://pib.nic.in/

Dehradun, 19 Nov 2006
Uttaranchal’s leading research organisation ‘Pahar’ is publishing a book that will throw new light on the life and work of explorer-surveyor- geographer Nain Singh Rawat. Dr Shekhar Pathak and Dr Uma Bhatt are the authors of the book titled, ‘Asia Ki Peeth Par’. The publication is all set for a November end release.

Nain Singh was the first of the ‘Pundits’, people that helped Britain to secretly enter, explore and survey Tibet. He did so disguised as a horse trader. He was a schoolteacher by profession and was sent to Tibet to take measurements for the Trigonometrical Survey. Nain Singh’s first visit was a 1,200 mile journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet from January 1865 to April 1866. In January, he reached Lhasa, whose position and altitude he was the first to measure. The Pundits helped the British to secretly explore and survey Tibet when they themselves were denied access to the area.

‘Asia Ki Peeth Par’, in three volumes, is based on three decades of research by the authors. Dr Shekhar Pathak said, “The first part deals with the life of Nain Singh Rawat. His three diaries will figure in the second part and the third part will include the three reports by Rawat that got published in the Royal Geographical Society journal. ‘Asia Ki Peeth Par’ also includes 48 black and white, 24 colour photographs and paintings of Nain Singh Rawat. Also some rare maps used by this great explorer during his visits.”

The books reproduce his handwritten diaries and the comments in English by various Western journals. Incidentally, Rawat’s handwritten diaries never got published in book form and ‘Asia Ki Peeth Par’ will take the readers on a trip to Kathmandu, Lhasa, Ladakh, etc., with Nain Singh. The last of the three volumes contains three archival reports from the Royal Geographical Society: ‘From Nepal to Lhasa, and thence Upper Valley of the Brahmputra to its Source 1865-66’, ‘Report of the Trans-Himalayan Exploration during 1867’ and ‘Journey in Great Tibet from Leh to Lhasa, to India via Assam 1873-74’.

‘Asia Ki Peeth Par’ is a massive 700 page document in Hindi (Part-I and II) and English (Part-III). The first 228 pages are written on his biography and explorations. Part-II of the book contains Hindi Diaries of Nain Singh Rawat and Akshansh Darpan, in 258 pages. The third and last part of the book reproduces his survey work and Reports in English. As
many as 214 pages of this part have Index and Maps.

By Raju Gusain
News Source: Garhwal Post

Gopeshwar (Uttaranchal), 17 Nov 2006

Badrinath Temple on Thursday, closed for the winter season amid chanting of hymns and Vedic rituals.

The Chief Priest of the shrine, known as ‘Rawal’, closed the doors (kapaat) as the wintry chill set in due to snowfall in the higher reaches of Badrinath, Temple sources said, adding that it will re-open in April-May next year.

Thousands of devotees, including many saints, participated in the prayers as the five ‘ved-pathis’ (priests who are given the task of reciting the Vedas) chanted hymns in praise of the Temple deity Lord Vishnu before the doors of the shrine were shut.

Chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Anusuya Maikhuri said more than six lakh pilgrims visited the temple this year.

Badrinath is one of the four holiest ‘Dhams’ (pilgrimage sites) of Hindus and is situated at a height of 3,133 metres above the sea-level on the Indo-Tibetan border in Chamoli district of Uttaranchal.

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

17 Nov 2006
Only a few have benefited, laments Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday lamented that the booming economy had only “benefited a handful of persons” while the plight of the masses had “worsened”. At the same time, the court explained the need for restraint in judicial interventions in administrative and legislative functions, the court said despite its earnest desire, everyone can’t be employed in the “present state of our country’s economy”.

The remarks came while allowing an appeal by a sick public sector pharmaceutical company, IDPL, against an Uttaranchal High Court verdict that directed it to permanently employ 10 low wage temporary personnel. “Jobs cannot be created by judicial orders or by legislative or executive decisions. Jobs are created when the economy is expanding, when there is rapid industrialisation,” observed the judges.

“At present, the state of affairs in our country is that although the economy has progressed a little in some directions, it has only benefited a handful of persons while the plight of the masses has worsened,” the judges said.

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

Shivpuri, 3 Nov 2006

A generally placid but also aggressive in stretches of the holy River Ganges is playing host to a bevy of Indian and foreign rafters vying for top honours at the ongoing 4th annual Asian Rafting and Kayaking Championship here.

Six international teams are participating in the sporting event, namely Japan, New Zealand, France, Nepal, Pakistan and India, producing a tough challenge for rival teams during the championship. Each team has six members.

The three-day championship started this Tuesday from the riverbanks at Shivpuri as its base. The rafters traversed up to Rishikesh, more than 17 kilometres downstream.

Organised by the All India Rafting and Canoeing Federation, the event has been co-sponsored by Uttaranchal State Tourism Board.

About 3,000 sports lovers gathered on the first day to cheer the teams. India is being led an all women team at the championship.

“Presently, we are trying focussing on women sportspersons and trying to improve their skills. Even the International Federation has suggested us that if India wants to win a medal in the Olympics, it should focus on women power and the Uttaranchal is the leader in this,” said Avinash Kohli, Vice President of Indian Canoeing and Kayaking Federation.

Seema Bahaduri, leading the Indian team from Uttaranchal, hopes that more women would enter the fray in the coming years.

“Rafters have a good chance of reaching the Olympics. But not too many girls participate in rafting. Right now, we are the only girls participating. We hope more young girls will get motivated and emulate us,” said Bahaduri.

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