16DD01A.qxd 9/15/2012 10:04 PM Page 1 FACE OF THE WEEK Sushma Swaraj is my inspiration: Raj Lakshmi 2 STAR TRACK 3 Priyanka on a song The Tribune VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Dehradun Plus Dehradun Sunday September 16 2012 www.tribuneindia.com Land mafia trying to take over gurdwara: Minority cell chief TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Gurdwara Nirmal Virakt Kutiya kar sevaks and devotees have alleged that some people who are claiming the religious building as their private property are harassing them HARIDWAR, SEPTEMBER 15 Uttarakhand Minority Commission chairperson Sukhdev Singh Namdhari today alleged that the land and builders' mafia was trying to take over the building of a gurdwara-cum-ashram in Haridwar. Namdhari, along with members of Gurdwara Nirmal Virakt Kutiya, which was founded in 1943, lodged a complaint with Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Mohan Joshi in this regard. Gurdwara Nirmal Virakt Kutiya kar sevaks and devotees alleged that some people who were claiming the religious building as their private property were harassing them. Harvinder Singh, who does Uttarakhand Minority Commission chairperson Sukhdev Singh Namdhari addresses mediapersons in Haridwar on Saturday Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur the religious work at Gurdwara Nirmal Virakt Kutiya, said that this morning a property dealer, who had worked as manager a few years ago at this very ashram, stopped the whitewash work being done at the ashram. "He even threatened us of dire consequences if we don't leave the ashram in a few days. All the workers involved in the work were asked to leave the ashram as the property dealer claimed the ashram as his private property," said Harvinder Singh, chief kar sevak at the ashram. Ramdev asks Mamta, Yadav to withdraw support to govt As the matter came into light, state Minority Commission chairperson Sukhdev Singh Namdhari visited the ashram, and after gathering details about the whole episode, met the SSP in this regard. SSP Arun Mohan Joshi assured the delegation of a POOR CIVIC AMENITIES Ambrish has a dig at admin officials Says next phase of agitation from Oct 2 TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE HARIDWAR, SEPTEMBER 15 Yog guru Swami Ramdev today lashed out at the Congress government for catering to only MNCs and the rich while failing to address the woes of the poor. The yog guru was speaking at Patanjali Yogpeeth here today, where he strongly condemned the recent decision of United Progressive Alliance's economic decisions. Swami Ramdev said that the common man was nowhere in the vision of the WHAT’S ON Ramdev Congress, though he figures only during election time, while the corporates, corrupt and commission agents figure round the clock on their party leaders' radar. Urging UPA coalition government allies Trinamool Congress Mamta Banerjee, Samajwadi Party Mulayam Singh Yadav and Bahujan MP Satpal Maharaj suggests radars for hill areas TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE DEHRADUN, SEPTEMBER 15 Dehradun Football: Lala Nemi Dass District Football League, Ambedkar Stadium, ONGC, Kaulagarh road, 3 pm Dehradun District League, Rangers’ college ground, 2 pm WEATHER CLOUDY 29.5 °C MAXIMUM 24 °C MINIMUM Samaj Party supremo Mayawati to take back their support from the Congressled goverment, Swami Ramdev said that the government was least concerned about the poor. To avoid people's anger in the upcoming elections, they should roll back their party support. The yog guru also anounced his third phase of satyagraha agitation. He said he along with thousands of supporters would sit on a day-long fast in New Delhi on October 2, anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In the backdrop of Ukhimath cloudburst incident, Uttarakhand Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj has suggested establishing radars in the hill areas of the state for keeping a track on movement of clouds, particularly during the rainy season. In a statement issued today, Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj, in whose constituency Ukhimath region falls, said establishment of radars in the hills could help in taking a preemptive action in cases of cloudburst and excessive rains. “If timely information can be obtained about the movement of clouds carrying large volumes of water, death and destruction due to a cloudburst can somehow be minimised,” Maharaj added. He said while disaster management mechanism had worked efficiently in relief and rescue works in Ukhimath, more efforts were needed to further upgrade this mechanism. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE HARIDWAR, SEPTEMBER 15 Former legislator and social activist Ambrish Kumar today lashed out at administrative officials for having "failed" to address the woes of Haridwar residents. Addressing a gathering during an awareness demonstration at Jwalapur, the most affected region as far as civic amenities are concerned, he expressed concern over the reports of the samples of potable water taken by government and nodal agencies. Ambrish Kumar said out of the 70 samples of potable drinking water, 62 had been found to be contaminated, thanks to the laxity of the Jal Nigam, the Jal Sansthan and the Municipal Corporation. He said the blood samples of 100 Jawalapur residents were also taken and of them, 40 had been found to be suffering from typhoid and hepatitis-e virus. "Despite repeated complaints about contaminated water supply and open nullah lines passing through residential areas, the departments concerned have failed to do anything," said Ambrish Kumar, who has also formed the Rashtriya Krantikari Morcha. He accused Haridwar MP Harish Rawat, local BJP legislators Madan Kaushik and Aadesh Chauhanand Bhattewala of misleading the voters of Haridwar. fair investigation, and also directed Kankhal SHO to provide security cover at the ashram premises. Namdhari said that as per bylaws of the ashram, no one can either sell the property, nor can it be named after one person. The claim by the property dealer of the ashram being his stands void, he added. "Since 1943, the holy Guru Granth Sahib was placed at Nirmal Virakt Kutiya, Kankhal. A president, secretary and five members constitute the ashram trust committee, and every year langar and sangat kar sewa are organised at the ashram. Antisocial elements now were eyeing the property. We will not allow them to take over the property," said Namdhari. TOUGH RIDE: A commuter has a tough time driving on a muddy and slippery road in Haridwar on Saturday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur Dalai Lama's Mussoorie visit begins today Tibetans head for ‘home away from home’ in thousands AJAY RAMOLA MUSSOORIE,SEPTEMBER 15 The Tibetan community across the globe has begun arriving in the hill town of Mussoorie to catch a glimpse of spiritual and religious head Dalai Lama during his visit beginning from September 16. Norbu, aged 45, from Bangalore, excited about the visit of Dalai Lama, on reaching Mussoorie said that Mussoorie had a special place in his heart as it was here that his father first arrived along with the Dalai Lama after he was ousted by the Communist Chinese regime in 1959. Norbu further said that he had spend his childhood in Mussoorie, which had been gracious enough to accept them during the years of struggle. “Mussoorie has been like a home away from home for the Tibetan community. Therefore, I thought of visiting the town and seeking blessings from his holiness during his Mussoorie visit,” added Norbu. The teenagers from the community are also excited about the Dalai Lama visit as for many it would be first opportunity listen to him up close. It is worth mentioning that the religious and spiritual leader of the Tibetans, the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, after his escape from Tibet, following Chinese aggression, had arrived in Mussoorie in the April of 1959. He stayed here for over a year where he was provided residence at Birla House (owned by the Birla family) in Happy Valley. He stayed here along with his mother Tendzin Choegyal. On his arrival in the town, the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Mussoorie on April 24 and held a long meeting with the Tibetan leader. Nehru advised the spiritual leader on the future course of action to be taken by the Tibetans. Nehru also assured him and his 1,00,000 followers a safe asylum. The Dalai Lama established the Tibetan government-in-exile at Mussoorie, which was later shifted to Dharamsala in HP. During his stay in Mussoorie, the Dalai Lama worked arduously with the task of resettling the 80,000-odd Tibetan refugees, who had crossed over to India along with him. He established the first school for Tibetan refugees in the town under the name of Central School for Tibetans (CST) on March 3, 1960. Today, over 650 children (including about 100 Indians) are studying at CST. In 1962 he also established Tibetan Homes Foundation (THF), a registered charitable institute dedicated to working for the care of orphans, semi-orphans and destitute Tibetan refugee children. The organisation is celebrating its golden jubilee this year. The general secretary of Tibetan Homes Foundation Gedun Rinchen said: " We have received the warmest hospitality and generosity from the Indian people, especially from Mussoorie, and the visit of His Holiness Dalai Lama will strengthen the bond further." ❚ More reports, photos on page 2 Tibetans hold prayers at a monastery at Clement Town in Dehradun on Saturday. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir