The CM, Mr. Tirvendra Singh Rawat, refused the robe describing it as a relic of colonial era; and hence suggested the adoption of a "purely Indian" attire for such occasions.

Brace yourself as Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, two days ago, refused to wear a robe at the 15th convocation ceremony of the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun. The CM, Mr. Tirvendra Singh Rawat, refused the robe describing it as a relic of colonial era; and hence suggested the adoption of a "purely Indian" attire for such occasions.

What "Purely Indian" attire can be worn in a conovocation?

You suggest.

In the meantime, let's take this write-up forward.

Had the Uttarakhand CM wore the customary robe and the function concluded as per plan, the next day's newspapers, TV News Channels and News portals would have nothing to write about, except for the bland report of the Uttarakhand CM attending some convocation ceremony of some Educational Institution.

But by refusing the robe and linking it to some colonial legacy, the CM has made a simple convocation event into a big news.

By refusing the robe, the CM made the event as one about country's pride, ancient Wisdom, ancient culture and our roots.

In his speech, the CM said,

"The country should take pride in its ancestors, its ancient wisdom and culture and should not give up its roots," 

"the youth should serve their country with the same dedication as the Hanuman served Lord Ram. 

Have you thought of some "Purely Indian" attire?

If not, then lets take this article to the conclusion.

I don't think, there was any need for the CM to refuse the robe. The Education system we are following is Western, or purely colonial. It's not about some British Officer creating some selfish education system to subjugate us. The plain truth is : Irrespective of who rules us, or who we are; we have no clue about some better System -- An educational system which can replace the existing one. But that necessarily is not a bad thing either. If a civilization cannot invent, it can at least innovate. But the innovation must be for the major parts of the system. Not for the robe, which is just a customary part of it.

To conclude, there's a common Wisdom which says that in a celebration of any kind, the spotlight must be on the person whose achievement or Happiness is being celebrated. That's why we hear terms such as "The Birthday Girl/Boy" etc.

A University's convocation ceremony is meant for Congratulating the students of the university on attaining their degrees. hence, the spotlight must be on them.

If everything is relative to something else, then remarkably the other dignitaries attending the event, including Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul and Union Minister for Human Resource Prakash Javadekar, readily wore the robe.

Read more »

If you're not aware, then let I tell you: The Cleanliness Survey 2017 or Swachh Survekshan 2017 Rankings, are out and Uttarakhand's capital Dehradun is 316th in the list with 434 Indian cities.

If you're not aware, then let I tell you: The Cleanliness Survey 2017 or Swachh Survekshan 2017 Rankings, are out and Uttarakhand's capital Dehradun is 316th in the list with 434 Indian cities.

As many Hindi Newspapers are saying, it's not only sad but shameful as well to find Dehradun that down the rankings.

What Uttarakhand people have or haven't done to find ourselves at the bottom of the Swachh Survekshan 2017 survey or Swachh Bharat survey (which was carried out by Quality Council of India, deploying 421 assessors for on the spot assessment of 17,500 locations in 434 cities and towns).

For our information, according to the Swachch Survekshan 2017 Rankings, Indore is India’s cleanest city. Other top 10 cleanest cities of the country are Bhopal, Visakhapatnam, Surat, Mysuru, Tiruchirapally, New Delhi Municipal Council, Navi Mumbai, Vadodara and Chandigarh. The dirtiest city is Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.

Notably, we're not among the improvements. We have not significantly improved our ranking from the survey conducted in 2014 before the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission in October 2014.

So why are we so dirty even after three years (Doon-ites)?

Why are we not taking care of the criteria and weightages which were monitored during the Survey. Such as Solid waste management including door-to-door collection, processing, and disposal, ODF or open defecation free status etc. Asking this, as if the survey is believed then majority of us agree that we're not doing so. The survey has given 30 percent weightage to Citizen feedback.

So why have we not improved?

Next time lets fare better, alright?

Is it that easy? Really?

Dehradun residents have not intentionally made their city less clean.

No one wants their place of living to be dirty.

It's only that the Civic cleanliness is the primary responsibility of the Municipal bodies and Governments.

I will call this Survey a clever tactic to blame the people for lack of cleanliness in their cities.

Take for instance the solid waste management. The people can throw the waste in garbage bins (if they are there). They can even pay the municipality to collect the waste from their doorstep, but what about solid waste treatment. If the municipality has to keep the dustbins to lowest minimum, and keep them over flowing, then what is the fault of the people. Another step in waste management is its treatment. If the municipality doesn't have proper mechanism and infrastructure to treat the collected waste, then what is the fault of the people.

Don't know about you, but such surveys come and go. Simply because they are not intended to solve the basic problems.

A city's cleanliness depends on routine cleanliness, waste aggregation, waste disposal and treatment. For that one needs more salaried manpower. the city also needs adequate infrastructure to support that work force. the infrastructure in the form of dustbins, urinals, toilets, waste collection vehicles and waste treatment plants.

In the past three years (ever since the survey is being done), we've not seen much change in this regard.

To conclude, the easiest thing for any Government, is to encourage people to keep their cities clean. But practically speaking, that's just a slogan. Unlike some very enthusiastic groups and NGOs, people cannot leave their livelihoods to clean their cities. In short, if a city's cleanliness is left with its people, then most cities in India will remain dirty. We're a poor country, not everyone can afford 50 Rs. per month for solid waste management.

That's why, I don't see Dehradun as dirty as it's made to be. It's a great city and its people don't want to keep their city less clean.  

Read more »

The Semester exams of DAV PG College Dehradun LLB 1st, 2nd, 3rd Semesters will start from December 12, 2014.

NOTE: The LLB Semester Examinations will take place in 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Meeting, informed Mr. DAV Principal Dr, Devendra Bhasin.

Read more »

Last Date to apply for stenographer posts is November 28, 2014.

The Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), 33, General Mahadeo Singh Road, Dehradun – 248001 (Uttarakhand) -- an Autonomous Institution of Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India-- invites applications from eligible and interested Indian Nationals for the stenographer posts in the Institute. Below are the key details of the WIHG stenographer posts :

Stenographer Gr.II 

04 Posts (English-3, Hindi-1), Pay Scale : Rs. 5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs. 2400, Age : 18-27 years

How to Apply : Duly filled application in the prescribed format along with complete enclosures should reach the Administrative Officer, Wildlife Institute of India, Box 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248001 (Uttarakhand) so as to reach on or before 28/11/2014. Applications from abroad and from far-flung areas  should reach up to  05/12/2014.

For more details on the above stenographer posts and for application format:

Click Here

Read more »

Faculty posts of Scientist C and Scientist D in Wadia Institute Dehradun. Last Date to Apply November 28, 2014.

Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) , 33, General Mahadeo Singh Road, Dehradun – 248001, Uttarakhand -- an Autonomous Institution of Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, invites applications from interested and eligible Indian Nationals for the posts of scientists. Below are the key details :

Scientist C : 02 Posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 15600-39100 with Grade Pay Rs. 6600
Scientist D : 01 Post, Pay Scale : Rs. 15600-39100 with Grade Pay Rs. 7600

How to Apply : Application in prescribed format along with complete enclosures should reach the Administrative Officer, Wildlife Institute of India, Box 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248001 (Uttarakhand) so as to reach on or before 28/11/2014. Applications from abroad and from far-flung areas  should reach up to  05/12/2014.

For more details and for application form:

Click Here

Read more »

If you are keen to take admission in LLB , but the 30 years Age Limit (for General Candidates) and 35 years age limit (For SC/ST candidates) stops you, then rejoice. According to the Principal, DAV PG College Karanpur Dehradun, the Age Limit for Bachelor of Law or LLB has been dispensed with. And now a person of any age can take admission in the LLB programme at DAV PG College Karanpur Dehradun. The DAV PG College Dehradun has just received the age eligibility letter from HNB Garhwal University in this regard.

The sale of merit forms for the admission to LLB programme 2014 in DAV PG College Karanpur Dehradun, is currently on.

Read more »