Uttarakhand

Mussoorie witnessed a thrilling display of endurance and skill as Indian Army personnel Tsewang claimed first place in the 50 km Ultra Marathon. Tsewang, currently posted in Ladakh, completed the challenging course in 3 hours and 40 minutes, overcoming steep inclines along the route. Full Story: Mussoorie: Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Himalayan hills, runners from across India participated in the Mussoorie Ultra Marathon, showcasing their talent and determination. Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, the chief guest at the closing ceremony, honored the winners with trophies and cash prizes. Minister Joshi congratulated Sandeep Sahni, head of the organizing committee, local sports enthusiasts, and social organizations for successfully hosting the event. He lauded the runners’ ...

In a unique move to revive tradition and reduce social pressures, around two dozen villages in Uttarakhand’s Chakrata region have collectively banned fast food, DJs, and lavish gifts in weddings. Villagers have mandated that only traditional Garhwali meals made from local grains like mandua and jhangora be served. Violators face fines of up to ₹1 lakh imposed by the Gram Panchayat. Full Story: Dehradun: Representatives from villages in the Jaunsar-Bawar region have unanimously implemented rules aimed at bringing weddings back to their cultural roots while alleviating financial burdens on families. The new regulations prohibit serving fast foods like chowmein and momos, as well as exchanging expensive gifts, during wedding celebrations. Rajendra Tomar, head of the Doha village clus...

Uttarakhand is experiencing a sharp increase in cold as a cold wave grips the region. While sunny spells in the plains are providing some relief, frost in the hilly areas is causing difficulties for commuters and affecting crops. The dry chill is also raising health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Full Story: Dehradun: The weather in Uttarakhand remains dry, with temperatures expected to drop by 2–3°C in some areas. The cold wave has intensified the chill, making the mornings particularly biting across the plains. Meanwhile, frost in the mountainous regions has created slippery road conditions, posing challenges for drivers. The absence of pre-monsoon rains has resulted in a dry cold, increasing the risk of infectious diseases. While daytime s...

In a remarkable move aimed at curbing social pressure and restoring traditional customs, nearly two dozen villages in Uttarakhand’s Chakrata region have collectively banned fast food, DJ music, extravagant gifts, and lavish wedding rituals. Under the new rules, any violation will attract a ₹1 lakh fine imposed by the village panchayat. According to the decision, items like chowmein, momos, and other fast-food snacks have been completely removed from wedding menus. Instead, families have been encouraged to serve the traditional Garhwali thali, prepared with local grains such as mandua and jhangora, to promote regional cuisine and cultural heritage. Rajendra Tomar, head of the Doha village group, told The Times of India that the excessive display of wealth in weddings had sparked an un...

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has announced relief for owners of older commercial vehicles, deferring the recent increase in vehicle fitness test fees for one year. The decision comes as a respite for thousands of transport operators and commercial vehicle owners across the state. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the move aims to ease the economic burden on vehicle owners. “The state government does not want to impose immediate financial pressure on the people,” he said, adding that the fee hike will now remain unchanged until 21 November 2026. The Central Government had recently approved a 10-fold increase in fitness test fees for commercial vehicles over 15 years old. Considering public sentiment, the Uttarakhand government has decided not to implement this hik...

Dehradun: Uttarakhand is facing intense cold as a persistent cold wave sends shivers across both the hilly and plains regions. While dry winter chills are causing discomfort, children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to infections. Despite the temperature difference between day and night, the daytime chill has also begun to bite. According to the Meteorological Department, the state will experience mainly dry weather over the next few days. Frost in the hilly regions has intensified the cold, while in the plains, even sunny spells cannot ward off the chilly feel. In Dehradun, Friday’s weather remained mostly clear, although occasional clouds partially covered the sun. The maximum temperature was recorded at 27°C and the minimum at 11°C, with similar temperatures expected t...

Haridwar: The Shila Poojan ceremony of the Vishwa Sanatan Mahapeeth in Haridwar saw the gathering of revered saints, religious scholars, and spiritual leaders from across India. The event resonated with cultural and spiritual messages, highlighting the need for preserving Sanatan traditions, promoting ethical education, and implementing social reforms. Aniruddhacharya’s Call for Sanatan EducationDuring the ceremony, prominent storyteller Swami Aniruddhacharya urged that the curriculum of the Mahapeeth should include the heroic tales of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He emphasized that the institution should focus on promoting Sanatan knowledge, Vedic studies, and moral values nationwide. Devkinandan Thakur’s Demand for a Sanatan BoardRenowned speaker Devkina...

Dehradun: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat has once again stirred political discussions within the party with an unconventional demand—he wants to be appointed as the president of his own polling booth. Rawat has also requested that his brother, Jagdish Rawat, be made booth president in their ancestral village, Mohanri. A Social Media Statement that Shocked ManyIn a post on Facebook, Rawat expressed uncertainty about his role in the party under newly appointed state president Ganesh Godiyal and the election management committees. He wrote that having served in senior positions for decades, he now wishes to contribute from the grassroots level. He specifically requested that he be assigned as booth president of the polling station in the Dharmapur...

Dehradun: In a major breakthrough under ‘Operation Kalnemi’, Dehradun police and the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) have arrested Bangladeshi national Mamun Hasan (28), also known as Sachin Chauhan, along with his accomplice Reena Chauhan, a resident of Tyuni, for using fake identities and illegally residing in India. The incident has sent shockwaves due to its extraordinary circumstances. Reena Chauhan reportedly gave her ex-husband’s identity to her Bangladeshi partner, enabling him to settle illegally in Dehradun. SSP Ajay Singh stated that the operation aims to crack down on individuals residing in the state with forged documents and fake identities. Police received information about a Bangladeshi man living illegally in the Nehru Colony area with a local woman. Facebook Connectio...

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: The horrifying ONGC Chowk accident that shook Dehradun on the night of 11 November 2024 claimed the lives of six friends and left one critically injured. After over a year, the police have filed a 500-page chargesheet in the case, citing 60 witnesses. The Tragic Incident On that fateful night, an Innova car carrying seven friends collided with a container near ONGC Chowk in the Cantonment police area. The impact was catastrophic — human bodies were strewn across the road, with severed limbs and two heads lying on the pavement, leaving onlookers traumatized. Six youths — Guneet, Kunal Kukreja, Rishabh Jain, Navya Goyal, Atul Agrawal, and Kamakshi — were killed instantly, while Siddhesh Agrawal, seated at the rear, survived but sustained severe injuries and remai...