Destroyed in 2013, Bhiri govt school renovated

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 17

Government Inter College at Bhiri in Rudraprayag district that was ravaged during the natural disaster of 2013 has got a new lease of life as the strengthening and expansion work at the school was completed today. A Delhi-based organisation, INTACH, worked tirelessly and provided funds and expertise for strengthening and expansion of rooms and halls at the school. This old dilapidated building has been replaced with modern rooms.

The key handing over ceremony was organised at the school hall on Saturday where Rudraprayag District Magistrate Raghav Langar was chief guest. INTACH principal director Manu Bhatnagar also attended the function. He spoke about the role of various organisations in rebuilding ravaged Uttarakhand, following the 2013 disaster. He told the gathering that INTACH had fulfilled its commitment by constructing a school building at Bhiri. District Education Officer SC Bhatt, school principal S. Bisht, senior citizens Ganganand Sati and PD Semwal, social activist Mukesh Semwal, schoolteachers Girish Goswami and state president of the Social Unity Centre Mukesh Semwal also addressed the gathering. Devendra Rawat said INTACH had planted a number of saplings, especially Rudraksha, in nearby villages. The plantation drive would continue in near future. Students of the school presented a cultural programme that was attended by a large number of teachers and students and local people.

Disaster-hit Bastari villagers demand tin sheds  

Pithoragarh: Residents of the disaster-hit Bastari village have demanded separate tin sheds until permanent accommodation were provided to them. They said it was difficult to live with relatives or on school campuses.

The villagers held a meeting at their temporary shelter near Shingali village on Sunday. They said a large chunk of panchayat land was available near Shingali village and it could be used for construction of houses. “We want tin sheds at the same land. Later, when the government allocates the land in our names, permanent houses can be constructed,” said Shankar Datt Bhatt, a social worker.

Bastari village was devastated on July 1 when a massive landslide killed 22 persons. The houses were washed away following a cloudburst.

“The economic base of the village has gone weak. Villagers are selling their cattle as they do not have fodder for cattle,” Bhatt added. — TNS