Work on Gandhi memorial begins in Gandhinagar
Mahatma Mandir promises to be the second most important attraction after the Sabarmati Ashram for tourists seeking to know more about Bapu
DILIP PATEL
The construction of a memorial of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhinagar has begun. The memorial, called Mahatma Mandir, is coming up on an area spread over 60,000 sq mt beside the Gandhinagar railway station.
It promises to be the second most important attraction after the Sabarmati Ashram for foreign tourists seeking to know more about the Father of the Nation.
A host of structures, including a concrete mound to be called ‘Salt Mountain’, will be built on the sprawling premises.
The mound-like structure will house a meditation hall and a museum. A convention centre, three halls and a bridge depicting the Dandi Bridge will also be constructed. Interestingly, the terraces of the three halls will have lush lawns.
A giant charkha, murals and sculptures depicting 365 most important events of Bapu’s life — including those related to his stay in South Africa — be among the key attractions at Mahatma Mandir.
The entire project will cost the
government Rs 132 crore.
NEXT VIBRANT SUMMIT TO BE HELD AT MAHATMA MANDIR
CERTAIN SECTIONS of the memorial, which will have many green spaces, are expected to ready by 2011. This is because the state government wants to hold the next Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) there. A lush green corridor, Central Vista, will lead to Mahatma Mandir from the state assembly
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Vehicle registration zooms up by 50 pc in Ahmedabad
Last year, the RTO in Ahmedabad registered 1.27 lakh new vehicles. This year, the number rose to 1.93 lakh vehicles
DILIP PATEL
The Ahmedabad RTO has witnessed a 50 per cent hike in the registration of new vehicles in 2009-10 compared to 2008-09. Last year, the RTO registered 1.27 lakh new vehicles. This year, the number rose to 1.93 lakh vehicles.
Last year, the registration of new cars stood at -12 per cent. And that of two-wheelers was -18 per cent. The reverse swing this year saw a 23 per cent rise in the registration of cars and 37 per cent increase in those of twowheelers. Most of the cars registered are ones that cost more than Rs 4 lakh. Regional Transport Officer (Ahmedabad) R J Patel said, “This year, we have noticed that most cars registered are of the expensive variety. We have registered BMWs, Volkswagen, Audi and Ford Figo. Earlier, people looking for an affordable car zeroed in on the Maruti 800. Now, most prefer Swift, Wagon R or the Santro.”
He added, “The economic slowdown last year forced many people to abandon their plans of buying a vehicle. However, things are looking up now. This year alone, we registered 30,657 cars. Compared to 82,000 twowheelers last year, we registered 1.14 lakh vehicles this year. In fact, the income generated exceeded our target of Rs 194 crore. From last year’s Rs 168 crore, it soared to Rs 215 crore.”
All RTOs in the state are witnessing this trend. Said D R Patel, in-charge RTO who works at the vehicle registration head office in Gandhinagar: “Most students now own two-wheelers. It is also a status symbol for them. But increase in vehicle sales is not witnessed in cities alone. This year, farmers in South Gujarat have harvested a bumper rice crop. The farmers are earning more. All this encourages them to buy more vehicles, most of them expensive ones.”
DILIP PATEL
The Ahmedabad RTO has witnessed a 50 per cent hike in the registration of new vehicles in 2009-10 compared to 2008-09. Last year, the RTO registered 1.27 lakh new vehicles. This year, the number rose to 1.93 lakh vehicles.
Last year, the registration of new cars stood at -12 per cent. And that of two-wheelers was -18 per cent. The reverse swing this year saw a 23 per cent rise in the registration of cars and 37 per cent increase in those of twowheelers. Most of the cars registered are ones that cost more than Rs 4 lakh. Regional Transport Officer (Ahmedabad) R J Patel said, “This year, we have noticed that most cars registered are of the expensive variety. We have registered BMWs, Volkswagen, Audi and Ford Figo. Earlier, people looking for an affordable car zeroed in on the Maruti 800. Now, most prefer Swift, Wagon R or the Santro.”
He added, “The economic slowdown last year forced many people to abandon their plans of buying a vehicle. However, things are looking up now. This year alone, we registered 30,657 cars. Compared to 82,000 twowheelers last year, we registered 1.14 lakh vehicles this year. In fact, the income generated exceeded our target of Rs 194 crore. From last year’s Rs 168 crore, it soared to Rs 215 crore.”
All RTOs in the state are witnessing this trend. Said D R Patel, in-charge RTO who works at the vehicle registration head office in Gandhinagar: “Most students now own two-wheelers. It is also a status symbol for them. But increase in vehicle sales is not witnessed in cities alone. This year, farmers in South Gujarat have harvested a bumper rice crop. The farmers are earning more. All this encourages them to buy more vehicles, most of them expensive ones.”
Raksha Shakti varsity
Raksha Shakti varsity to begin admissions after class XII results
It will begin with Diploma in Basic Policing and Bachelor of Police Service and 250 seats
DILIP PATEL AND VIPUL RAJPUT
Work has begun on the Raksha Shakti University, the first varsity of the country dedicated to policing courses. The varsity will initially have 250 seats, the admission process to which will begin after class XII result is declared.
The temporary campus near New Civil Hospital will be located at the building which earlier was the Ahmedabad District (Rural) Police office (which has now shifted to Sarkhej) and also had the chamber of Director General of Police.
Rooms of the office building are being converted into classrooms. A permanent campus will come up on 300 acres in Lavad, Gandhinagar, at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
In the first phase, the varsity will begin with two courses, Diploma in Basic Policing and Bachelor of Police Service.
University director general, former Ahmedabad police commissioner of OP Mathur said, “The syballi of the two courses are almost ready. The university will begin functioning by April-end or early May.”
State Home Secretary T S Bisht said the first batch will have a combined (both courses) strength of 250 whereas the fee will be Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per semester. Bisht is also member of university’s advisory committee.
The second phase will see introduction of courses on terrorism, cyber crimes, economic offences, internal security and forensic science for police personnel and under-graduates.
The university will have retired IPS officers, serving policemen, ex-Armymen, law professors and forensic expers as faculty. There are talks of affiliating police training institutes of Gujarat to this university
It will begin with Diploma in Basic Policing and Bachelor of Police Service and 250 seats
DILIP PATEL AND VIPUL RAJPUT
Work has begun on the Raksha Shakti University, the first varsity of the country dedicated to policing courses. The varsity will initially have 250 seats, the admission process to which will begin after class XII result is declared.
The temporary campus near New Civil Hospital will be located at the building which earlier was the Ahmedabad District (Rural) Police office (which has now shifted to Sarkhej) and also had the chamber of Director General of Police.
Rooms of the office building are being converted into classrooms. A permanent campus will come up on 300 acres in Lavad, Gandhinagar, at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
In the first phase, the varsity will begin with two courses, Diploma in Basic Policing and Bachelor of Police Service.
University director general, former Ahmedabad police commissioner of OP Mathur said, “The syballi of the two courses are almost ready. The university will begin functioning by April-end or early May.”
State Home Secretary T S Bisht said the first batch will have a combined (both courses) strength of 250 whereas the fee will be Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per semester. Bisht is also member of university’s advisory committee.
The second phase will see introduction of courses on terrorism, cyber crimes, economic offences, internal security and forensic science for police personnel and under-graduates.
The university will have retired IPS officers, serving policemen, ex-Armymen, law professors and forensic expers as faculty. There are talks of affiliating police training institutes of Gujarat to this university
Work on Gandhi memorial begins in Gandhinagar
Work on Gandhi memorial begins in Gandhinagar
Mahatma Mandir promises to be the second most important attraction after the Sabarmati Ashram for tourists seeking to know more about Bapu
DILIP PATEL
The construction of a memorial of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhinagar has begun. The memorial, called Mahatma Mandir, is coming up on an area spread over 60,000 sq mt beside the Gandhinagar railway station.
It promises to be the second most important attraction after the Sabarmati Ashram for foreign tourists seeking to know more about the Father of the Nation.
A host of structures, including a concrete mound to be called ‘Salt Mountain’, will be built on the sprawling premises.
The mound-like structure will house a meditation hall and a museum. A convention centre, three halls and a bridge depicting the Dandi Bridge will also be constructed. Interestingly, the terraces of the three halls will have lush lawns.
A giant charkha, murals and sculptures depicting 365 most important events of Bapu’s life — including those related to his stay in South Africa — be among the key attractions at Mahatma Mandir.
The entire project will cost the
government Rs 132 crore.
NEXT VIBRANT SUMMIT TO BE HELD AT MAHATMA MANDIR
CERTAIN SECTIONS of the memorial, which will have many green spaces, are expected to ready by 2011. This is because the state government wants to hold the next Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) there. A lush green corridor, Central Vista, will lead to Mahatma Mandir from the state assembly.
Mahatma Mandir promises to be the second most important attraction after the Sabarmati Ashram for tourists seeking to know more about Bapu
DILIP PATEL
The construction of a memorial of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhinagar has begun. The memorial, called Mahatma Mandir, is coming up on an area spread over 60,000 sq mt beside the Gandhinagar railway station.
It promises to be the second most important attraction after the Sabarmati Ashram for foreign tourists seeking to know more about the Father of the Nation.
A host of structures, including a concrete mound to be called ‘Salt Mountain’, will be built on the sprawling premises.
The mound-like structure will house a meditation hall and a museum. A convention centre, three halls and a bridge depicting the Dandi Bridge will also be constructed. Interestingly, the terraces of the three halls will have lush lawns.
A giant charkha, murals and sculptures depicting 365 most important events of Bapu’s life — including those related to his stay in South Africa — be among the key attractions at Mahatma Mandir.
The entire project will cost the
government Rs 132 crore.
NEXT VIBRANT SUMMIT TO BE HELD AT MAHATMA MANDIR
CERTAIN SECTIONS of the memorial, which will have many green spaces, are expected to ready by 2011. This is because the state government wants to hold the next Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) there. A lush green corridor, Central Vista, will lead to Mahatma Mandir from the state assembly.
Count of lions in Gir
Four-day census will involve 1,600 people and documentation will include photography for first time
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
Around 1,600 people, including 100 non-governmental agencies and 200 local residents of Gir will be part of the forest department and Gir National Park’s census of Gir lions from April 24 to 27.
The Asiatic Lion is at present concentrated in the ‘Bruhad Gir’ area spanning four districts — Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Amreli and Porbandar. The programme for the primary and final census will be conducted during the day and night.
359 AT LAST COUNT
LAST CENSUS of lions was undertaken in Gir forest in 2005 by the State Forest Department and the number of lions arrived at was 359.
S K Nanda, principal secretary of the forest department said, “The census of the Asiatic Lion is done every five years. It was earlier done in 2005 and again this year. The direct census method will take place near the various water bodies of the selected site. We have finalised 450 sites out of 642 sites for the census. All these sites were surveyed during the precensus exercise. NGOs and wildlife experts from all over the state will be present for this census programme for the first time in 15 years.”
The four major districts where the lions will be censused are Amreli, Bhavnagar and Porbandar which are included in the Gir National Park and Sanctury. Gir and adjoining areas will be divided into seven regions, 28 zones and 100 sub-zones.
TECH PUT TO USE
A TEAM of 200 camera persons, 100 global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information system (GIS) and wireless technology for the location and documentation of the lions will be distributed in these districts. Photography will take place for the first time during this year’s census.
Various methods will be used to identify and scan the lions including sketching their movements, details about their body weight, the number of cubs and lionesses in the pride and the marks and scars on their body or face. According to the Forest Department, the birth rate is only 5 to 10 per cent, while 40 to 50 lions and cubs die each year.
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
Around 1,600 people, including 100 non-governmental agencies and 200 local residents of Gir will be part of the forest department and Gir National Park’s census of Gir lions from April 24 to 27.
The Asiatic Lion is at present concentrated in the ‘Bruhad Gir’ area spanning four districts — Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Amreli and Porbandar. The programme for the primary and final census will be conducted during the day and night.
359 AT LAST COUNT
LAST CENSUS of lions was undertaken in Gir forest in 2005 by the State Forest Department and the number of lions arrived at was 359.
S K Nanda, principal secretary of the forest department said, “The census of the Asiatic Lion is done every five years. It was earlier done in 2005 and again this year. The direct census method will take place near the various water bodies of the selected site. We have finalised 450 sites out of 642 sites for the census. All these sites were surveyed during the precensus exercise. NGOs and wildlife experts from all over the state will be present for this census programme for the first time in 15 years.”
The four major districts where the lions will be censused are Amreli, Bhavnagar and Porbandar which are included in the Gir National Park and Sanctury. Gir and adjoining areas will be divided into seven regions, 28 zones and 100 sub-zones.
TECH PUT TO USE
A TEAM of 200 camera persons, 100 global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information system (GIS) and wireless technology for the location and documentation of the lions will be distributed in these districts. Photography will take place for the first time during this year’s census.
Various methods will be used to identify and scan the lions including sketching their movements, details about their body weight, the number of cubs and lionesses in the pride and the marks and scars on their body or face. According to the Forest Department, the birth rate is only 5 to 10 per cent, while 40 to 50 lions and cubs die each year.
Govt gets new semen sex tech to produce female calves
Gujarat’s milk production target in 2011-12 is 98 lakh tonnes but is expected to cross 1 crore tonnes due to this new technology
DILIP PATEL
This is one sex determination test that has the sanction of the state government. The animal husbandry department of the state government is setting up a frozen semen station laboratory at Patan, that will prepare 50 lakh doses of semen for the birth of cows and female buffaloes.
The semen sex technology imported from US will segregate the X and Y chromosomes from the semen of handpicked bulls and male buffaloes to produce female calf.
The machine has been imported at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore. This will not only give a major boost to the milk production in the state but also end the brutality involved in killing of bulls and male buffaloes that are considered of little use by farmers.
The milk production of Ahmedabad district is three lakh tonnes and there are one lakh cows. There are 1.80 lakh buffaloes. Gujarat’s milk production target in 2011-12 is going to be 98 lakh tonnes but is expected to cross one crore tonnes due to this new technology.
Animal husbandry director Dr AJ Kachhipatel told Mirror, “We will prepare 50 lakh doses of semen that will give birth only to cows and female buffaloes. As many as 96 bulls and male buffaloes of pure breed have been handpicked for the purpose and will be kept on a 270 acre land at Patan for the purpose.”
Kacchipatel said this technology will of great use as a majority of farmers and animal keepers want cows and female buffaloes.
He said this will also help preserve the original breeds of Gir cow and the Kankeraji cow as well as help produce hybrid varieties.
“The doses of frozen semen will be sent to four centres in the state and will be delivered to farmers and animal keepers through 4,000 artificial semen donation centres of the state government and cooperative sector. We will distribute the doses to all 18,000 villages in the state,” Kacchipatel said.
Animal husbandry secretary Rajiv Gupta said the new technology that has been imported is the first of it’s kind in India and will give a huge boost to the production of milk in the state. “The potential of the sector has been increased due to the import of this technology.”
There are presently 79 lakh cows in the state and 88 lakh buffaloes and the technology will help to produce semen not only to satisfy demands in the state but also to other states.
Kisan Sangh Secretary Jetha Patel said: “When a male buffalo is born, farmers either send them to the slaughter house or kill them by giving it sour buttermilk that kills them. About four years ago, majority of oxes were sold off and many of them ended up at the slaughter house as well. However, with an increase in the price of tractors, farmers have once again turned to the oxen to plough their fields.”
Jal Kranti Trust president Mansukh Suvagiya, “I had started a campaign to increase the population of Gir cow to 10 lakhs. When male buffaloes are born they are killed by either being subjected to starvation or through giving sour buttermilk.”
Rajiv Gupta, animal husbandry secretary, said: “The new technology imported to Gujarat is the first in India. It will give a major boost to milk production in the state.”
DILIP PATEL
This is one sex determination test that has the sanction of the state government. The animal husbandry department of the state government is setting up a frozen semen station laboratory at Patan, that will prepare 50 lakh doses of semen for the birth of cows and female buffaloes.
The semen sex technology imported from US will segregate the X and Y chromosomes from the semen of handpicked bulls and male buffaloes to produce female calf.
The machine has been imported at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore. This will not only give a major boost to the milk production in the state but also end the brutality involved in killing of bulls and male buffaloes that are considered of little use by farmers.
The milk production of Ahmedabad district is three lakh tonnes and there are one lakh cows. There are 1.80 lakh buffaloes. Gujarat’s milk production target in 2011-12 is going to be 98 lakh tonnes but is expected to cross one crore tonnes due to this new technology.
Animal husbandry director Dr AJ Kachhipatel told Mirror, “We will prepare 50 lakh doses of semen that will give birth only to cows and female buffaloes. As many as 96 bulls and male buffaloes of pure breed have been handpicked for the purpose and will be kept on a 270 acre land at Patan for the purpose.”
Kacchipatel said this technology will of great use as a majority of farmers and animal keepers want cows and female buffaloes.
He said this will also help preserve the original breeds of Gir cow and the Kankeraji cow as well as help produce hybrid varieties.
“The doses of frozen semen will be sent to four centres in the state and will be delivered to farmers and animal keepers through 4,000 artificial semen donation centres of the state government and cooperative sector. We will distribute the doses to all 18,000 villages in the state,” Kacchipatel said.
Animal husbandry secretary Rajiv Gupta said the new technology that has been imported is the first of it’s kind in India and will give a huge boost to the production of milk in the state. “The potential of the sector has been increased due to the import of this technology.”
There are presently 79 lakh cows in the state and 88 lakh buffaloes and the technology will help to produce semen not only to satisfy demands in the state but also to other states.
Kisan Sangh Secretary Jetha Patel said: “When a male buffalo is born, farmers either send them to the slaughter house or kill them by giving it sour buttermilk that kills them. About four years ago, majority of oxes were sold off and many of them ended up at the slaughter house as well. However, with an increase in the price of tractors, farmers have once again turned to the oxen to plough their fields.”
Jal Kranti Trust president Mansukh Suvagiya, “I had started a campaign to increase the population of Gir cow to 10 lakhs. When male buffaloes are born they are killed by either being subjected to starvation or through giving sour buttermilk.”
Rajiv Gupta, animal husbandry secretary, said: “The new technology imported to Gujarat is the first in India. It will give a major boost to milk production in the state.”
Gujarat Census 2011
Census 2011 to start tomorrow
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
The 15th headcount of India’s population is all set to begin in Gujarat tomorrow. To be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore, Census 2011 will have nearly 10,000 officials covering 1.40 crore houses across the state. In Census 2001, 1.24 crore houses were covered. In the last 10 year, as many as 16 lakh new houses have been constructed in the state.
Director of census operations, Government of India, Manish Bharadwaj said: “The information will be collected in 45 days. And if a family is out for a vacation, we urge them to give their cellphone details to the neighbours. All the data will be collected over the phone. This is being done for the first time.”
On Thursday, Governor Dr Kamla Beniwal will be the first to be enumerated, as the census process begins at 11 am.
Bharadwaj also released information about the number of villages and towns in the state. In the last 10 years, the number of villages have gone down from 18,539 to 18,027 whereas forest villages have increased from 136 to 164.
The number of inhabited villages have reduced from 18,066 to 17,680 whereas uninhabited villages have dropped from 473 to 347. The towns have increased from 242 to 348.
This is also the first time that the the National Population Register (NPR) programme has been linked to the census exercise. The NPR, a comprehensive identity database, will facilitate the creation of a biometrics-based identity system in the country, allowing identity cards for all citizens.
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
The 15th headcount of India’s population is all set to begin in Gujarat tomorrow. To be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore, Census 2011 will have nearly 10,000 officials covering 1.40 crore houses across the state. In Census 2001, 1.24 crore houses were covered. In the last 10 year, as many as 16 lakh new houses have been constructed in the state.
Director of census operations, Government of India, Manish Bharadwaj said: “The information will be collected in 45 days. And if a family is out for a vacation, we urge them to give their cellphone details to the neighbours. All the data will be collected over the phone. This is being done for the first time.”
On Thursday, Governor Dr Kamla Beniwal will be the first to be enumerated, as the census process begins at 11 am.
Bharadwaj also released information about the number of villages and towns in the state. In the last 10 years, the number of villages have gone down from 18,539 to 18,027 whereas forest villages have increased from 136 to 164.
The number of inhabited villages have reduced from 18,066 to 17,680 whereas uninhabited villages have dropped from 473 to 347. The towns have increased from 242 to 348.
This is also the first time that the the National Population Register (NPR) programme has been linked to the census exercise. The NPR, a comprehensive identity database, will facilitate the creation of a biometrics-based identity system in the country, allowing identity cards for all citizens.
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