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June, 2005
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Amarnath pilgrimage begins on June 21

     Srinagar: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has agreed to begin the two-month long Amarnath pilgrimage from June 21, setting aside the controversy over its duration, the state's Governor, Lt.General (retired) S.K. Sinha said on Tuesday. "The pilgrimage from Baltal route would begin from 21st June and it would be for 60 days or two months. This time there would be no advance booking or registration for first 15 days, whosoever comes for the pilgrimage would be allowed. In these 15 days preference would be given to civilians," Sinha told reporters here on the sidelines of a national integration camp. Controversy had brimmed over the pilgrimage's duration as the state government decided to restrict it for a month sighting security reasons. The decision was taken after Sinha, who is also chairman of the Amarnath Shrine Board, met with state chief minister Mufti Mohammad Syed on Monday. A major part of the pilgrimage route has been cleared and work is on to clear the remaining portion of the track in another ten days. Last year, around 300,000 devotees went on the pilgrimage. Several times, militants have attacked the annual pilgrimage since the separatist revolt erupted in 1989. In 2002, eight Hindu pilgrims were killed in the attack on Nunwan camp in Pahalgam. Amarnath stands at a height of nearly 12,500 feet (3,888 metres) above sea level. The pilgrimage leads devotees through monsoon rain-swollen streams and past a glacier-fed lake to the cave where they worship an ice stalagmite, believed to be a phallic symbol representing the regenerative powers of Lord Shiva.
-June 7, 2005

Two Iranian women conquer Mt. Everest (Go to Top)

     Kathmandu: Two Iranian women have become the first Muslim women to conquer Mt. Everest. Farkhondeh Sadegh, a 36-year-old graphic designer, and Loleh Keshavarz, 26, a dentist, achieved the landmark on Monday. "I am proud of myself and my country,and the women from Iran ," said Sadegh. Both women climbed the peak from the southern side through Nepal .They were a part of the 21-member Iranian 2005 Everest Expedition. It was a moment of pride for Iran when it bagged the honour of sending the first Muslim women's team to the top of the world,and notched up the performance of its male climbers who had last accomplished the feat in May 1998. According to the team leader,Alpinist Eghbal Aflaky Aghbelagh the Muslim women have proved that " they are active not only about everything, but also about the sports." After days of bad weather, 46 climbers from nine teams were able to reach the peak on Monday, led by an American, Guillermo Benegas. The Iranian expedition also included four Sherpas from Nepal who acted as guides and porters. The first successful Iranian summiteers, according to the press statement issued by the ministry, included the 51-year-old team leader, Alpinist Eghbal Aflaky Aghbelagh, Mahmed Shoaei, a 43- year-old engineer, Azim Ghechisaz, 24, Reza Bahadorani, a 27- year-old jewellery seller and the two women. Later, a second group of the team led by Miroslav Caban sent two more,Reza Zarei Toudeshici and Jalal Cheshmeh Ghasabani. The women climbers, who braved avalanches and tension caused by the death of three mountaineers, had said they would keep their head scarves on. Sadegh has been climbing for more than 10 years and also trained on Mt Pumori in Nepal. This is her second visit to Nepal.
-June 7, 2005

Shell opens customer friendly retail fuel station in Chennai (Go to Top)

     Chennai: Oil major Royal Dutch Shell has opened its first eco friendly fuel-retailing centre in Chennai. The energy giant is so far the only global oil company to obtain permission to open a chain of fuel retail stations across the country. Shell India Marketing, the auto fuel retailing arm of Shell, plans to set up a network of 2000 petrol pumps in the country and is looking forward to providing its Indian customers experience Shell's expertise towards a new fuelling experience at its outlets. "Shell has been awarded patrol licence for up to 2000 petrol stations in India. We have commissioned two months ago, the first site in Tamil Nadu. We want many to come in Chennai and others area in Tamil Nadu," said Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing director, Shell India Marketing. "What we offer to customers at our stations in Chennai is a proposition of speed. People come in fast and they go out fast. And when they go out they leave with peace of mind. They feel comfortable that there is correct quantity of fuel because our pumps are all digital pumps. The customer gets assurance of international quality standard fuel," he added. The company now has three petrol pumps in India, two in Bangalore and the latest one in Chennai. Some of the environmental friendly features of the outlets include double walled fibreglass storage tanks, leak proof piping, resistant forecourts and oil interceptors. The pumps are disabled friendly and permit wheel chair access to almost all the parts. The company says it will provide priority employment to women and offer growth opportunities to economically weaker sections. The company, which procures petrol and diesel from Mangalore Refineries Petrochemicals Limited, has hinted at finding out other sources, including its refineries in Singapore and Malaysia.
-June 7, 2005

Apa Sherpa climbs Everest for record 15th time (Go to Top)

     Kathmandu: Famed climber Apa Sherpa of Nepal has scaled Mt.Everest for the 15th time, breaking his earlier world record. Sherpa, who has made climbing the world's highest peak a habit, said he is still sturdy enough for future climbs. "Till now I am quite alright. I have just arrived, Will decide the future plan later only," said Sherpa. He says that this year the weather has turned out to be quite bad which made the climbing conditions worse and delayed it. "This time, the weather turned out to be quite unusual. (In the history of my 15th ascent, this is the latest summit ascent," Sherpa said. "Previously, I had the feeling that ti would have been great to step atop Everest just once, but now I have already summitted 15th time," he added. Realizing the importance of education, Sherpa said he was determined to provide a good education to his children and later when they grow up they will themselves decide whether to follow their father's footsteps or engage in other activities. Apa Sherpa climbed Everest for the first time on May 10, 1990 with a New Zealand climbing team. This time the 48 year Sherpa had accompanied South East Ridge Dream Everest Expedition team.
-June 7, 2005

Corbett National Park closed for tiger census (Go to Top)

     Corbett National Park: The famous Corbett National Park covering the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal in Uttaranchal closed for the general public with authorities beginning a tiger census. The last census taken in 2003 had revealed 143 tigers as existing in the park. The census is done every two years. Park officials also believe that the census should only be conducted before the opening of the park in October or else no tourists should be permitted to visit the Park during census. " I am not fully satisfied with the techniques in use as we only get the approximate figure. However, If we want to have better results on census then we should adopt the techniques like the use of caller ID's and digital camera's being used in foreign countries. Moreover, the duration of census done here is very short which lasts only for seven days. In this huge area of 1,288 sq km, the census duration should be extended to one month and during that period tourists arrival should be prohibited as the vehicles moving throughout day and night erases the foot marks of tigers," said Karan, park staff. Director Corbett National Park, Bhavtari believes that the tiger pads are good indicators in tracing the pugmarks and estimating the population. However, the adoption of new techniques might allow the All India Tiger Census to be carried out in November. "Our main target is not only to estimate tigers but also to understand the ongoing increasing or decreasing trends in the population of tigers. The tiger pads are good indicators to mark the presence and the population of tigers in a particular area. However, now we have adopted new techniques to estimate the number of tigers, with which there is also a possibility that the All India Tiger Census might take place in November," said Rajeev Bhavtari, Director Corbett National Park. This park was created in 1936, emerging as the country's first national park. It was named after a well-known British hunter- turned conservationist Jim Corbett. In 1973, it became the first Tiger Reserve in India under the Project Tiger.
-June 1, 2005

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