Buddhists pray for longevity of revered monk
Increase import duty on apple juice concentrate: Himachal
Shimla, July 4: Himachal Pradesh has requested the central government to increase the import duty on apple juice concentrate to save the domestic industry.
Himachal Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta Saturday met Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma in New Delhi and apprised him of the threats to this sector from Chinese companies, a state government statement said.
“China is supplying apple juice concentrate at much lower rates to Indian markets. To save the domestic apple juice industry, the import duty on Chinese juice concentrate should be increased to 75 percent from 37.5 percent,” it added.
The cost of Indian apple juice concentrate is around Rs.75 per kilogram, whereas China is supplying it at about Rs.40 per kg.
Bragta also urged the central government to set up cold chains for storing fruits and establish fruit-based industries in the hill state to promote horticultural activities.
Sharma, who was here last month, said the central government would explore possibilities to set up fruit-based industries like processing units in the state.
Himachal Pradesh is one of India’s major apple-producing regions, with more than 200,000 families engaged in the cultivation of the fruit.
The state produced 25.5 million crates of apples in 2007-08 after recording the maximum output of 28.6 million in 2006-07.
Besides apples, other fruits like cherries, pears, peaches, apricots, kiwi, strawberry, olive, almonds and plums are the major commercial crops of the state.
The state’s fruit industry is worth about Rs.2,000 crore annually.
Nursing Institutes in Himachal waiting for ICN affiliation
Nahan: The Indian Council of Nursing (ICN) is yet to issue the affiliation to institutes which were given the no objection certificate by the Himachal government to run the General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) and BSc (Nursing) about one year back. Sources said that the directorate of medical education had asked the institutes to provide the information regarding the affiliation of the INC but so far no institute has provided the information to directorate.
As per as the information Himachal government introduced the BSc (Nursing) course first time in the state. According to the information state had issued the NOC to 15 institutes for GNM and 12 institutes for BSc (Nursing). Earlier the GNM course was available in the state in four institutes.
Sources said that the Directorate of medical education has framed the syllabus and fee structure which would be finalized on 6th July on which the meeting in the presence of principal secretary of the health is scheduled at Shimla. But before providing the fee structure to institutes the directorate wanted to ensure the affiliation of the Indian medical council. Sources say the risk can not be taken as these courses are directly related with the human life. The session of these courses usually starts in the August-September so it is uncertain whether the course would start from this session or not. It is the pertinent to mention here that the state cabinet had granted the NOC to institutes for running the courses. Later few more institutes were given the NOC. Sources also revealed that the institutes were working hard to meet the basic infrastructure or the purpose as mentioned by the Indian nursing council.
Though there was a scope of the GNM and BSc (Nursing) in the state so there was a long queue of admission seekers in the said courses. The admission seekers were eagerly waiting for the starting of these courses within the state. As per as the information the directorate of medical education had seek the information regarding the information of affiliation from the institutes through a set Performa about one month back.
On the other hand Director Medical Education Dr (Mrs.) Jaishree said that none of the institutes has responded the directorate about the affiliation from Indian Nursing council (INC). She said that the fee structure and syllabus was already finalized which would be finalized on 6th July during the purposed meeting for the purpose. She said that there was no delay on the part of the directorate.
A Unique Festival To Boost Tourism At Himachal Pradesh
Shimla: A unique festival, jointly organised by the Department of tourism of Himachal Pradesh and Sangla Valley Sustainable Development Society has concluded in the state last Sunday. The main attraction in the two-day festival had been the various local delicacies that were served to the tourists gathered at the festival.
The festival has been more like a tradition in the state now. And people make the most of it. Organisers feel that festival like this can be of great help to show case the state's cultural heritage, and simultaneously boost the economy of the region. "We organised this festival to maintain our culture, and make the tourists relish our traditional cuisine," said Lal Singh, organiser of the show. Singh further argues, "People enjoy Chinese food but I think our organic food is tastier and hygienic than the Chinese food."
Through this festival, we are popularising the traditional cuisines in a new manner in an attempt to promote tourism in the region.
Along with food, people attending the fiesta got a chance to see the traditional dance and the ethnic handicrafts of the region. Needless to say, the tourists from abroad visiting the Kinnaur region in Himachal Pradesh were enthralled after enjoying regional food and witnessing the rich culture and tradition of the beautiful hill region. "I am very much impressed by the work because I think it is really a very progressive modern work that the organisers have done here". He adds: "It's simply a treat to our eyes, and the world to see this."
And just like any tourist destination looks forward to, Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh also feels that initiatives of such kind can boost tourism in the region. "Through this festival, we are popularising the traditional cuisines in a new manner in an attempt to promote tourism in the region," said Vidyakaran Negi, president of S.V.S.D.S.
State Government to promote Yoga and Naturopathy- Dr. Bindal
29 June, 2009: A meeting of Advisory Committee for Yoga and Naturopathy constituted by Ayurveda department was held here today. Dr. Rajeev Bindal, Health and Ayurveda Minister presided over the meeting.
Dr. Bindal said that Yoga and Naturopathy would be promoted by the State Government and added that this treatment would be introduced in every hospital of the State in a phased manner. Vigorous efforts would be made to impart Yoga education in schools, he added.
Health Minister said that said that Yoga and Naturopathy centres would be started soon in six hospitals, which were identified recently and added that holistic health programme would be implemented in the State. He said that Yoga and Naturopathy OPD would be started soon in the Ayurvedic College Paprola. He also directed the Ayurveda Department to publish publicity material for popularising ayurvedic treatment.
Dr. Bindal said that trained yoga teachers were being made available in all panchayats and syllabus for yoga education upto 5th standard had been prepared. He said that a special one month training programme on Yoga would be conducted for teachers in association with Government of India. He said that there was a provision of financial assistance of Rs. 35 lac to district hospitals and Rs. 25 lac to Health Centres and other hospitals by Government of India for promotion of Ayurveda.
Dr. Murthy, Director, Central Council for Yoga and Naturopathy said that Government of India would provide Rs. 5 lac to State for launching State wide campaign to promote naturopathy and added that districts would be provided Rs. 3.50 lac under the campaign. A financial assistance of Rs. 9 lac to Government hospitals would also be provided by Centre annually for starting this treatment, he added.
Dr. B. Reddy, Director, Morarji Desai National Yoga Institute also spoke.
Deepak Sanan, Principal Secretary, Health detailed out the activities of the department.
J.R. Katwal, Director, Ayurveda welcomed the Minister and others.
Dr. Rakesh Pandit, OSD Ayurveda proposed vote of thanks.
Senior officers of Ayurveda were present on the occasion.
Buddhists pray for longevity of revered monk
Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh), June 30: Buddhist monks, nuns and civilians assembled at the Drugtharpa Choeiling Buddhist monastery in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur District and prayed for the long life of Yulgyula Rinpoche, a revered Buddhist monk.
71-year-old Rinpoche is the head of the Drugtharpa Choeiling Buddhist monastery, situated at Tashigang in Kinnaur district.
After seeking approval from Rinpoche, devotees offered prayers for his longevity.
Devotees believe that if they offer this prayer then the Lama will remain with them for another ten more years.
"Rinpoche is the eighth reincarnation. We are offering prayers for his long life," said Devi Lama, a Buddhist monk.
During the ceremony, fairies are also worshipped, which the devotees believe will help in increasing the life of Rinpoche.
"Even the fairies are worshipped and it's believed that the fairies get together and work for the long life of the guru. During the ceremony, monks chant prayers and people offer prayers. It's believed that all these will help in increasing the age of the guru," said Roshan Lal, a resident.
Devotees had offered similar prayer ten years back for the Lama when he was 61-year-old. (ANI)
