In brief

Visually handicapped students perform

Dehradun:One of the highlights of the programme was participation of a contingent comprising 32 students from the National Institute of Visually Handicapped (NIVH) Dehradun which participated in the Yoga with enthusiasm and élan. Interestingly, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Yoga in a block situated just behind these students. Shalu Singh, a student of Japanese therapy, said that she and her fellow students feel elated over the fact that they performed Yoga along with PM. She accepted that she is not Yoga regular but said she would now do it regularly. Another student Amrita Pal said that performing Yoga with so many people has given her confidence to excel in life. She said that with determination, visually impaired students like her can achieve success in life. Amit Negi who is undergoing a diploma course in computers said that it was a once in a life time experience for him to perform Yoga with the PM. The Yoga Instructor of NIVH, Kavita Verma said that she has trained these students over the past ten days about basic Yoga Asans. She said that it a somewhat difficult to teach visually impaired students, but added that all the students are exceptionally gifted and fast learners.

Organisers distributed one plastic bottle of water

Dehradun:The organisers had distributed one plastic bottle of water and a Yoga Mat to every participant. However, after the event was over the plastic bottles were found lying strewn all over FRI compound, presenting a ugly of the otherwise magnificent campus. Some students of Scouts however took notice of the garbage and collected them. Prabha Pandey, a Scout, said that throwing away of the plastic bottle shows complete lack of care for the nature and civic sense. “All they had to do was to throw the bottle in the dust bin. A large number of them are placed here,’’ she said.

Officials, staff perform Yoga at THDCIL & GPO

Dehradun:Yoga exercises were held at various places on the occasion of International Yoga Day. A Yoga camp was held at THDCIL Corporate Office in Rishikesh with the chairman and managing director DV Singh, director (personnel) Vijay Goel along with employees of the corporation performed Yoga. Singh also administered the oath to perform Yoga to the employees and the other participants. 

Later on in the day a Session of “Positive Impact of Yoga” was organised in association with Bharat Swabhiman Nyas Patanjali Rishikesh.

At the general post office (GPO) in Dehradun, the Uttarakhand circle, chief post master general Vinay Kumar Tiwari along with other officials and employees of the department viewed the live telecast of the Yoga programme at FRI. They also performed Yoga exercises as done by the gathering presided over by the prime ministe Narendra Modi at FRI. Similar programmes were also held at the departmental headquarters in Chamoli, Almora, Nainital, Pauri, Pithogarh and Tehri.

No permits for river rafting till rules are drafted

Nainital:The High Court of Uttarakhand has directed the state Government to frame appropriate regulations for river rafting, paragliding and other such sports activities. Permission for such activities should not be granted till the required regulations are put in place. The high court division bench of justice Rajiv Sharma and justice Lokpal Singh issued this order while hearing on a PIL filed by Rishikesh resident Hariom Kashyap. The petitioner had stated that in 2014 the state government had granted license to two persons with some conditions to set up rafting camps. However, violating the conditions, they set up camps on the banks of the Ganga river with improper works also being carried out in such camps by the Ganga in Rishikesh area. Liquor and meat are served in such camps while loud music is also played apart from which the sewage and garbage is dumped into the river. The division bench stated that the government cannot grant approval to questionable activities in the name of adventure sports. The high court further stated that permission for river rafting should not be granted till rules are framed for such activities.

Modi Magic intact

Dehradun:The famous Modi magic was clearly visible on the Yoga gathering as almost all of them sprang up to their feet as soon as PM arrived. Apparently tired as they had given sleep a miss,   they came to vigour once Modi stepped in. Some youngsters even tried to rush towards Modi as soon as the Yoga practice was over.