Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, in an exclusive conversation with TOI on Wednesday, said that “crystal-clear Ganga water would be the USP” of the Maha Kumbh festival slated to take place in Haridwar.
“Our USP for the Kumbh will be getting pilgrims to experience the crystal-clear water of Ganga river, which would be fit for bathing and drinking. The mesmerising view of Ganga river, clean water and beautiful ghats would be a lifelong cherishing experience for the pilgrims coming for the festival,” the chief minister said.
He added that an amount of around Rs 1,500 crore is being spent on Kumbh-related works in Haridwar. “Majority of the projects are complete whereas some are on the verge of completion. For instance, the flyover at Ranipur is being given finishing touches and it would be dedicated to people by the middle of the month. Covid-19 has delayed our works by around three months. However, I am happy
Pithoragarh: After a gap of almost 10 months, the Nepalese government has decided to open its side of the land border with India. Sources confirmed to TOI that the decision to open the border which was closed since March 23 last year on account of the Covid-19 pandemic was taken by the Nepalese cabinet on Thursday. However, the sources added that movement of people across the border hasn’t started yet as the Indian government has not taken any decision so far on opening its side of the border. They added that the Nepalese government has decided that at present, movement of only Indian and Nepalese nationals will be allowed and citizens of other countries will not be permitted to cross the border.
Authorities say most takers are from Haryana and Jharkhand
DEHRADUN: Since the distribution of bottled Ganga water started pan India under project ‘Gangajal’ in 2016, it has been in high demand, with recipients saying they are grateful for the service as the holy water can now be accessed at a minimal price without having to travel all the way to Uttarakhand.
Priced at Rs 30 per bottle (including transportation), Ganga water, sourced from the river’s origin at the Gangotri glacier, is transported to 3,000 post offices under 22 postal circles in India.
These are transported to a plant at the main post office in Uttarkashi, where it is treated
Srishti Goswami
HARIDWAR: On the occasion of the National Girl Child Day on January 24, Haridwar-resident Srishti Goswami will take charge as the chief minister of Uttarakhand for one day during the child assembly session in Dehradun.
A student of BSc Agriculture, Goswami lives in Daulatpur village of the district. Her father runs a small shop in the village and her mother is an Anganwadi worker.
Earlier in 2018, Srishti was selected as a law maker of the child assembly in Uttarakhand. In 2019, she went to Thailand to take part in Girls International Leadership.
Her father Praveen Puri told TOI, “Srishti is a brilliant child. She wants to work for the upliftment of girl students everywhere. She is also part of a social organisation that motivates the girls towards getting education.”