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| Changthang Lake under serious threat From Tashi Morup Leh, Nov 2: Home for many species of bird Tsomo-riri Lake at Korzok in Changthang is under serious threat due to human insolence as hordes....more MLA for
relief in favour Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Congress MLA from Chhamb Mr Tara Chand has demanded Rs 5 lakhs ex-gratia/relief in favour of those families who lost......more Supply of
drinking Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: The Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta has said that the first priority of Central Government....more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: J&K Electrical Engineering Graduates Association (EEGA) in a meeting here today held under the chairmanship.......more JMM
supports Nov 6 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Jammu Mukti Morcha has extended full support to November 6 Jammu bandh, the opening day of.....more |
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Jagdeshan,
others Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Mr Jagdeshan, Joint Secretary, Union Industry Ministry, alongwith Mr M S Pandit, Principal Secretary........more Sharma’s
concern Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Mr R S Sharma, senior Congress ML:A from Nowshera constituency has expressed concern over the constant firing by.......more Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Nov 2: Pradesh Janata Dal (United and its youth wing visited Kathua and its adjoining) areas under the leadership of Dr Jagdish Raj Dubey, secretary general and MLA ..........more MEF
organises one-day Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Jammu Kashmir Medical Employees Federation organised one day conference at Sub-District Hospital Ramgarh under the presidium of its central body...........more |
Changthang Lake under serious threat From Tashi Morup Leh, Nov 2: Home for many species of bird Tsomo-riri Lake at Korzok in Changthang is under serious threat due to human insolence as hordes of government buildings and camps have come up on the wetland ashore the lake, which is the breeding and feeding ground of rare birds including endangered Black-neck Crane. Tucked in the midst of barren mountains the 19-kilometer-long and 7-kilometer-wide lake at an altitude of 4595 meters is located 215-kilometer southeast of Leh. The lake is fed by number of small glacial streams and it has no external drainage. Due to high rate of evaporation, the water itself is brackish and almost bereft of living organisms. However its northern offshore island of 80x60-meter size forms the main nesting site for Bar-headed Goose and Brown-headed Gull. Other birds found at the lake are Horned-lark, Red-billed Chough, different species of Wagtails, Tibetan Snowfinch, Crag Martin etc. Describing about the lake Blaise Humbert-Drot, an environmentalist said, "It is a natural reservoir which is a sudden rendezvous of over 3000 birds after a long dessert". A consultant to World Wide Fund (WWF), Blaise have been observing the lake for the past five years. He said migratory birds arrive at the lake in April and in May majority of them can be seen nesting on the islands. However, according to his observation, there has been steady decline in their population. This is due to the increase human activity around the lake ever since the construction of a rough road right upto the lake in 1990. Thus opening this once remote basin to tourism and economic exploitation, adversely affecting the breeding grounds of some water birds, nesting on the periphery of the lake, which is to be recognized as one of the 10 wetlands of global importance by WWF. One can imagine the human apathy towards this rare natural setting to see the vehicles passing right through the green wetland to a government rest house at the edge of the lake and further on to fresh constructions and camps. And setting up of an Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) post comprising 40-45 men recently has been the worst thing to happen at this free-for-all lake. Incidentally, Blaise visited the lake just before and after the setting up of the ITBP post. He noticed that just in a month’s time almost all of around 500 Bar-headed Geese, he had recorded, were gone. He also saw a gosling left behind. While as at Tso-kar (another lake relatively in close proximity) had about 3000 Geese at the same time. One cannot rule out the possibility of birds, sensing the threats, fleeing the lake for a safer one. Not only the birds, even lives of human inhabitants and animals (both domestic and wild) are getting affected due to the increase exploitation of such undefiled natural possessions. Besides beautiful habitats for birds both Tsomo-riri and Tso-kar lakes form an important living source for nomadic people called Changpas and their huge livestock that rely on the pastures around the lakes. Also wild animals including Kiang, Nyan, Bharal, Wolf, Red Fox, Lynx, Marmots etc. dwell about the lakes. Unchecked vehicular movement all over the vast pastoral plane impedes the growth of grass besides disturbing the wildlife. It takes years to recover the land to grow grass again after a being ran over by jeep tyres. Conservation measures taken including a check post near Mahe bridge by State Department of Wildlife and a WWF-India field office at Korzok to carry out research alone cannot control the massive influx of tourists and others which seriously threaten the harmony of this unique natural surrounding. Blaise said, soon the pollution level will reach to the No Point Source, which means the causes of pollution will be very difficult to tackle. |
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MLA for relief in favour of Pak-firing victims Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Congress MLA from Chhamb Mr Tara Chand has demanded Rs 5 lakhs ex-gratia/relief in favour of those families who lost their dear ones in Pakistani firing. According to a release, Mr Tara who visited seceral border villages recently took stock of the situation prevailing in the area. He also visited the house of late Shanti Devi, wife of Hari Singh Numberdar who was killed in Pakistani firing the other day. The Congress leader said that due to non-availability of proper accommodation to the border migrants , they go to their natives places and fall prey to the enemy bullets. If the Government failed to provide proper accommodation the people will meet the same fate. Mr MLA demanded Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia/ relief in favour of the family of Shanti Devi and Rs 15,000 per cattle killed in the firing and Rs 1500 for wounded cattle. All the families of the dead victims should get relief at the same rate, he asserted. He also demanded enhancement in the scale of ration from ten kg to 15 kh per member to the border migrants at the relief package at par with the Kashmiri migrants. The MLA expressed concern over the exclusion of employees from the relief list and and said that in 1965 and 71, this had not happened. He demanded that all the migrated families be covered under the relief package. Mr Tara demanded special recruitment drive for the youth of the border belt of Chhamb, Pallanwalla and Khour in Army, BSF, Police and CRPF. |
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Supply of drinking water first priority of NDA: Prof Gupta Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: The Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta has said that the first priority of Central Government headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee is to provide drinking water to every village in the country. The Minister was speaking at the one day seminar here today organized by the Public Health Engineering Department Udhampur on rural water supply programme under pilot project for Udhampur distract. He said that over Rs 2384.65 lakh have been approved by the Central Government under augumentation and upgradation of water supply scheme to Udhampur town which would be spent in two phases. Besides, he said the Central Ground Water Board has also sanctioned Rs one crore for tapping ground water. He said that two rigs have also been sanctioned which will remain permanently at Udhampur district to explore ground water sources. He called for close coordination between the Public Health Engineering and Central Ground Water authorities for achieving tangible results. Expressing great pleasure over conducting the seminar which is aimed at seeking involvement of public in the implementation of the programme, he said that despite millions of rupees spent on execution of drinking water supply schemes, the benefits have not percolated to the people. That is why, public participation has been sought in the implementation of the rural water supply schemes, he added. Earlier the District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Mr Mohammad Sayeed Khan who is also the chairman of the District Water and Sanitation Mission under the Pilot Project, spoke at length about the salient features of the project. Emphasising the role of community participation, the District Development Commissioner said that the NGOs have to play a great role to carry out the programme and they will have to obtain expertise and possess human compassion and spirit of social service to serve the society in a better way. He said that Udhampur district has been chosen for implementation of the programme among 85 districts of the country and an amount of Rs 6.75 crore sanctioned under the Pilot Project programme for Srinagar and Udhampur districts has been released for Udhampur district. The beneficiaries of the water supply schemes will have to provide 10 per cent of the capital cost for completion of the scheme which could be made in the shape of cash, land or material. He said that 20 per cent of the funds received under Accelerated Water Supply Scheme have now been earmarked for pilot projects in the country and our endeavor should be to implement these projects with full sincerity and speed. Lala Shiv Charan Gupta, BJP MLA from Udhampur, MLA Reasi, Messrs Jagjivan Lal, MLA Gool, Abdul Wahid Khan, MLA Chenani, Prithvi Chand and MLC Chuni Lal Khajuria also spoke on the occasion. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: J&K Electrical Engineering Graduates Association (EEGA) in a meeting here today held under the chairmanship of Mr Ravinder Sharma, general secretary discussed various demands. As per a release, the meeting discussed the issue regarding finalisation of seniority lists and regularisation in accordance with the decision of Supreme Court. The meeting expressed apprehensions that the concerned authorities may come out with a wrong fixation of seniority deliberately, to again benefit a bunch of blue eyed boys, there by axing the careers of thousands of serving engineers. The engineers who participated in the meeting were of the view that the back door promotions given through PSC that was held after a gap of 12 years has already given a jolt to the deserving engineers. They said any further attempt to benefit the chosen few by playing foul after deliberately ignoring the actual facts would be strongly resented by one and all. The engineers vociferously and unanimously echoed their views that this time the authorities should remain vigilant and conscious while settling the delicate and sensitive issue of seniority fixation. The meeting vowed to fight together if any anomaly is seen in the seniority list and they were ready to go to any extent if the careers of hundreds of departmental promotees and also the junior engineers waiting for promotion was jeopardized to favour the selected few. The meeting while seeking the intervention of the Chief Minister into the matter so that the deserving engineers are not deprived of justice. The meeting among others was addressed by Messrs F S Bali, Amlok Singh, Ashutosh Bakshi, R C Sharma, Neeraj Sharma and A K Gupta. |
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JMM supports Nov 6 Jammu bandh Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Jammu Mukti Morcha has extended full support to November 6 Jammu bandh, the opening day of Secretariat here, the call for which has been given by Jammu Kashmir Internationalist Front (JKIF) which is demanding separate statehood to Jammu region. This has been decided in JMM meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Prof Virender Gupta. A JMM handout issued here today said the meeting was also attended by Messrs H B Khajuria, Vikram Gaur, A S Jamwal, Raj Kohli, Satyanand and Dr Shiv Dutt Sharma. The JMM in an appeal to people of Jammu has urged them to participate in the bandh and join it voluntarily to make it a complete success. The JMM while reaffirming and reiterating the demand of statehood to Jammu asserted that it is the only way for Jammuites to free themselves from Kashmiris colonialism and protect the cultural and political identity of Jammu. |
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Jagdeshan, others visit Rangreth Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Mr Jagdeshan, Joint Secretary, Union Industry Ministry, alongwith Mr M S Pandit, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce and Mr G Q Wani, Managing Director SIDCO, visited the Software Technology Park coming up at Electronic Complex, Rangreth. According to a release Mr Jagdeshan is on a visit to the State to assess the progress of centrally sponsored schemes coming up under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He was informed that the orders for imported equipment costing Rs 110 lakh have already been placed by Software Technology Park of india (STPI). Besides work on upgradation of High Speed Data Communication Centre (HSDC) and incubation facility centre worth Rs 100 lakh was under implementation through SIDCO. The project is coming up under the Critical Infrastructure Balancing Scheme of Department of Commerce. He was told that the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of current month and will be commissioned in the first week of December. The Joint Secretary and MD SIDCO also visited the Industrial Growth Centre, Lassipora, Pulwama. the centre is coming up at a cost of Rs 30 crore. The Government of India has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the project. Mr Jagdeshan emphasized the need to take up implementation of the project at the earliest. He assured all possible assistance from Central Government and assured that the first instalment of Rs 2 crore will be released very shortly. Mr Jagdeshan also visited some industrial units at Rangreth and Pulwama. |
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Sharma’s concern over Pak firing in Nowshera areas Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Mr R S Sharma, senior Congress ML:A from Nowshera constituency has expressed concern over the constant firing by Pak troops from across the borders, even directly targeting the civil population which speaks volumes about impending dangers. In a statement Mr Sharma however praised the Indian forces guarding the borders who have silenced the guns of enemy and foiled their evil designs. Stressing the need for further strengthening the borders Mr Sharma pleaded for involving the border residents and to provide them basic amenities including safety cover particularly in Rajouri-Poonch border belt that has emerged as latest infiltration route by Pakistan sponsored militants. Mr Sharma hoped that recruitment of unemployed youth of Sunderbani and Nowshera areas in police force including under DGP’s quota, shall become a reality about which the Chief Minister had assured as also to implement the assurance given on the Floor of the House about rehabilitation of 400 youths of Jammu region in Education Department. Mr Sharma also invited the attention of the Union Home and Defence Ministers towards border problems of Nowshera constituency as envisaged in the memorandum presented on their recent visit to the Summer Capital and hoped that the Central Government shall address the burning issues and initiate measures for recruitment of unemployed youth in armed forces, para-military and in central services. He stressed further for construction of concrete bunkers on the borders as an effective measure for the protection of inhabitants residing on the borders. Mr Sharma pleaded with the Central Government to ensure early execution of work on Jammu-Poonch Railway Line, which stands already sanctioned and survey completed as also to take up the construction work on Beri Pattan bridge connecting various areas of Sunderbani with Nowshera. During his recent tour of Nowshera and Sunderbani, Mr Sharma besides taking stock of the developmental works, had detailed discussions with Brigade Commander, Nowshera Garrison, who expressed satisfaction about the cooperation the people have been extending to the Army. Mr Sharma conveyed his tributes to the Brigade Commander for his off and on visits to the affected areas, boosting the morale of the people, by way of launching Sadbhavna Schemes. Mr Sharma also met the Commanding Officers of Lam, Kalsian and Jhanger sectors. He also met the District Development Commissioner Rajouri, The DIG Rajouri-Poonch range, SP Rajouri and sorted out the prevailing issues of the constituency. |
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Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Nov 2: Pradesh Janata Dal (United and its youth wing visited Kathua and its adjoining) areas under the leadership of Dr Jagdish Raj Dubey, secretary general and MLA from Bishnah constituency. As per a release the visiting leaders interacted with the people, gave a patient hearing to them and assured to take up their problems with the concerned higher authorities. The JD-U leaders visited Kathua in connection with "Aman Yatra" (Peace march) which is commencing from tomorrow from Uri (Kashmir) to culminate at Lakhanpur on November 8. Since the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been fed up with gun culture and blood shed of innocent people, the Janata Dal (U) alongwith its youth wing planned to launch peace march to create a ray of hope among the people, who have been craving for peace, which stands disturbed at the hands of Pakistan’s ISI agency. The visiting leaders experienced tension looming large on the faces of the people especially those who have migrated from Chhamb area. The president of Chhamb Sharnarthi Association Mr Mohan Lal Sharma met the visiting leaders and narrated the difficulties faced by them. The leaders assured him and rest of the people to strive for getting their genuine demands conceded by the Government. The leaders who visited Kathua areas besides Dr Jagdish Dubey included Messrs S P Magotra (general secretary), Sanjeev Manmotra (President Yuva Janata Dal-U), Joginder Singh Manhas, Sanjeev Gupta, Rajinder Sharma and Rajinder Singh Tyagi. |
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MEF organises one-day convention at Ramgarh Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Jammu Kashmir Medical Employees Federation organised one day conference at Sub-District Hospital Ramgarh under the presidium of its central body, Mrs Shashi Bala, Sushil Sudan, Kulbhushan Singh Chouhan, senior vice president, vice president and general secretary of the Federation. As per a release medical employees of all categories from block Ramgarh participated in the conference, which besides presidium leaders was also addressed by Messrs Omi Chand, Jagdeep Khajuria, Ghar Singh, Vijay Kumar, Tej Krishan, Sanjay Choudhary and Mrs Preeto Devi. All stressed on the authorities to concede their long pending demands which included implementation of march 1998 agreement of JKMEF with the Government, full implementation of HME-48 order, enhancement in FTA, enhancement in grade of Female MPHWs, overtime allowance for employees discharging 12 hour duty, right to employees to participate in the management, provision of one department one union and formation of JCM as agreed by the Government in 1995. Old body of the block was dissolved and new office bearers were elected as Mr Omi Chand as president. Other office bearers included Messrs Jagdeep Khajuria as senior vice president, Miss Kanta Devi as vice president, Ghar Singh as secretary, Vijay Kumar as joint secretary, Jasbir Singh as chief organisor, Sanjay Choudhary as organisor, Tej Ram as chief advisor, Mrs Preeto Devi as advisor, Bansi Lal as publicity secretary and Tara Chand as cashier. The executive members included Messrs Pamma Massi, Ram Singh, Shiv Kumar, Faquir Chand Gupta and Mohinder Singh. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: A meeting of Muslim Federation Jammu held under the chairmanship of Mr Talat Niaz Qazi condoled the sad demise of Mr Shoukat Ali Khan, a prominent citizen and former district president of MFJ. As per a release the members expressed their deep shock and grief over the untimely demise of Mr Shoukat Khan, a prominent citizen and social worker who strived for well being and upliftment of people. Others who spoke on the occasion included Messrs Parvez Malik, Showkat Qureshi, Talab Hussain, Shouquat Bhatti, Nizam Din, Iqbal Ahmad, Muzzaffar Hussain Manhas, Riyaz Ahmed, Shoukat Manhas, Malik Mohd Jamil and Khwaja Abdul Rouf. Mohalla Dalpatian Welfare Committee in a meeting condoled the death of Mr Shoukat Ali Khan. Mr Aslam Khan, vice president of the committee while paying tributes to the departed soul said that Khan Shoukat Ali worked throughout his life for uplifting the weaker sections and down trodden people. The meeting held that the void created in his death will never be filled in. The participants prayed God Almighty for bestowing peace upon the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss. Teli Welfare Association in a meeting at its Gujjar Nagar office today mourned the sad demise of Mr Showkat Ali Khan, young Muslim leader of Jammu. The meeting held under the presidentship of Mr Abdul Gani was attended among others by Messrs Reham Din, Sher Mohammed, Hakim Din etc. The participants prayed to God Almighty for granting peace to the departed soul. They also expressed sympathies with the bereaved family. |
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Chain hunger strike
in 20th day Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: After a lull of over two weeks the State Government has again invited the leaders of displaced community and the camp college students who are on agitation for over last two months for negotiations tomorrow. The talks will be held in the Chamber of Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Mr Anil Goswami who will represent the Government. Besides the representatives of agitating camp college students the leaders of different K P organizations including Panun Kashmir, All State Kashmir Pandit Conference (ASKPC), All Kashmiri Pandit Solidarity Conference (AKPSC) and All India Kashmiri Pandit Conference (AIKPSC) are likely to attend the meeting. These KP bodies have decided to hold an all Party meeting tomorrow to chalk out their future strategy. Meanwhile, the chain hunger strike launched by the camp college students in front of Divisional Commissioner’s Office has entered 20th day today with a fresh batch of two students Miss Renu Malhotra and Pankaj Wangoo replacing the yesterday’s batch. Addressing the demonstrators Ajay Raina, Rakesh Koul and Anjali Pandita lambasted the State Government for its failure in mitigating the sufferings of the displaced students and blamed it for the stepmotherly treatment. Addressing the agitating students Mr Suneet Jotshi warned the State Government of serious consequences in case the order was not rescined immediately. He said the meeting of all the community leaders has been convened tomorrow to further intensify the struggle. Messrs O N Trisal of AKPSC and M L Malla of ASKPC assured students of their support in their ongoing struggle. |
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HC directs
Khandey, Sushma to file affidavits Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Justice Arun Kumar Goel of the State High Court has directed Chairman, J&K Service Selection Recruitment Board, Iqbal Khandey and Principal Secretary Education, Sushma Choudhary to file affidavits on or before November 30, 2000 in contempt petitions filed against them. In case they fail to do so, both of them will remain present in the court in person, the Justice held. This direction was passed in three contempt petitions filed by aggrieved petitioners, who have obtained BA, BEd degrees and applied for the post of the teachers on the basis of the judgment passed by the High Court with the direction to give weightage to the higher qualification while appointing the teachers in the Education Department. The Justice observed that in the circumstances of the case, there can hardly be any doubt that the respondents are in willful disobedience of the directions of the court which falls within the ambit of Section 2(d) of J&K Contempt of Court Act. " However, before they are dealt with the matter, another opportunity is allowed to them to do the needful and file affidavits on or before November 30, failing which they will remain present in person", the court held. Advocate P N Bhat appeared for the petitioners while’s Advocates Meenu Koul and D S Chouhan represented the respondents in these contempt petition. |
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Mufti asks PM to initiate dialogue on Kashmir Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Former Union Home Minister and president Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mufti Mohd Sayeed has impressed upon Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee to initiate dialogue on Kashmir in an "effort to stop the further bloodshed". Speaking at a one day convention of the PDP workers at Pahalgam in Kashmir, Mufti Sayeed appealed to the Centre to "create conducive atmosphere" in the State so that the meaningful dialogue will be held with all concerned. The former Home Minister alleged that the ruling National Conference leaders have developed vested interests in the militancy "and were as such thwarting the efforts to create congenial atmosphere for finding solution to Kashmir problem." Asserting that his party was the first that believed that dialogue was the only solution to Kashmir problem, Mufti Sayeed reaffirmed that that gun was no solution to any problem. Referring to the developmental activities of the State, the PDP chief alleged that despite the fact that the Centre had provided funds in abundance, yet the same were spent by the State Government on "unproductive" projects, which have no public utility. He referred the construction of the Golf Course near Chashma Shahi and Gandola at Gulmarg which he said were of no help to the common masses. Among others who spoke on the occasion, included Ghulam Hassan Mir, Gh Nabi Mir Lasjan, Bilal Lodhi, G Q Pardesi, Mohd Sultan Panditpuri, Haji Noor Mohammand and Gulzar Ahmad. |
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SOS Village to be dedicated to J&K children today Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: The SOS Childrens’ Village at Gole Gujral Jammu will be dedicated to children of Jammu and Kashmir by Mr Helmut Kutin, president SOS Kinderdorf International at a special function tomorrow. Disclosing this to mediamen here today, Mr Kutin said Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Jammu and Kashmir State, Mr P L Handoo and Minister of State for Food and Supplies Department will grace the occasion also. He said the construction of Jammu village was started in 1997 and it was completed in 1998. He said 122 children consisting of 12 families who have become the victims of militancy and other natural calamities in the State have been adopted by the Village. These children are provided all facilities so that they will not feel deprived and become a burden on the society tomorrow. He said the SOS has started its activities in India in 1964 and at present we have 32 childrens villages throughout the country. Mr Kutin while highlighting the role of SOS said its main aim is to take care of orphan and homeless children who have become the victims of terrorism and natural calamities like floods, earthquake and fire. In an appeal to the people of India Mr Kutin asked them to come forward and extend all support to SOS in this noble cause by sponsoring the orphan and neglected children. Highlighting the role of SOS towards the destitute children Mr J N Koul, president of SOS Childrens Villages of India said with the dedication and team work by our volunteers SOS has been able to wipe out the tears of hundreds of orphan children in the country. These children who otherwise could have fallen in the trap of anti social elements if not taken care of he said, adding many among them have got married and are leading an honorable life. Mr Koul said the SOS is intending to open a Village in Kashmir Valley also for the militancy affected children. He said we have this intention in past also but the proposal was shelved due to unavoidable circumstances. Director SOS Jammu Village, Mr K K Mam said that SOS is serving the people without caste, creed colour and religion and it is ready to open a village in Kashmir as well provided the State Government provides the basic infrastructure in this regard. |
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Man’s Eternal Quest for the Truth By Ravinder Kaul There has been some stray activity in the field of theatre in Jammu in recent times. Some serious practitioners of this fascinating performing art have been continuously striving hard to keep the torch of theatre burning in this city against all odds. Recently, Shivani Cultural Society, one of the foremost theatre groups of the State, organised a three day theatre festival in which they presented three plays produced by the group. It was a well publicised, successful show that once again diverted the attention of the discerning viewers of this city towards theatre. Another group of the city that has been regularly working hard to strengthen its moorings in theatre is Samooh Theatre. Under the active and rather vigorous stewardship of Sudhir Mahajan, the group has been continuously scaling new heights. Samooh Theatre is going to perform its play Adha Sach in Dogri on Saturday, November 4 at Abhinav Theatre. A preview of the play was organised here today before a select audience. The play Adha Sach is based on Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa’s classic film Rashomon. Released in 1950, Rashomon won a number of Academy Awards and five Best Foreign Film Awards of the year. It was voted as one of the Top Ten Films of all time in the 1992 Sight and Sound International Film Directors’ Poll. Rashomon is the film that firmly established Kurosawa on the international art film circuit. Although, the film itself was based on two different short stories written by Akutagawa Ryunosuke (titled Rashomon and In a Grove), it must be one of the rare occasions when a play has based itself on a film. More often than not, it has been the other way round. The play, which has been rendered into Dogri by Sudhir Mahajan himself from a Hindi translation by Rameshchandra Shah, chronicles the events set in 12th century Japan in which a Samurai and his wife are attacked by a bandit. The Samurai is tied by the bandit and his wife is raped by him. Later, the Samurai is found dead, his body pierced by a sword. This tale is narrated in the play from the point of view of a priest, a wigmaker, the bandit, the two victims and a woodcutter. Although the essential facts remain the same all the versions differ widely. The play is an attempt to explore the various facets of truth. Can there be an absolute truth ? Or is everything that we think as true actually only a relative truth ? The play is actually a chronicle of man’s eternal quest for truth. The artistes who are acting in the play include Kulbir Singh Charak as Woodcutter, Dhanesh Dogra as the Priest, Satish Kumar as the Wigmaker, Sudhir Mahajan as Tajomaru, Yasir Nissar Khan as the Samurai, Varsha Dogra as Samurai’s wife, Monika Khurana as mother, Sunil Sharma as Deputy and Shilpa Kotwal. The music is by Bhupinder Singh Jamwal. This play is bound to establish the credentials of Sudhir Mahajan as one of the foremost and currently most active theatre directors of our State. Another feather to his cap will be added when he performs his play Teesveen Shatabdi in the prestigious Nandikar Festival in Calcutta on 25th December. |
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Officials felicitate
for excellent services Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: In connection with its Silver Jubilee celebrations, the Raghunath Bazar Businessmen Association today organised an impressive function. Beside cultural items, function highlighted problems being faced by the businessmen of the Raghunath Bazar. Some Government officials were also felicitated, for their dedicated and sincere services, in the function. Famous artists of the region mesmerized the audience by their excellent performances. Mr Anil Goswami, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, who was chief guest of the function, inaugurated the programme by lightening the traditional lamp. Mr Baldev Khullar, president of the Raghunath Bazar Businessmen Association, in his welcome address, listed problems being faced by the businessmen of the Bazar. He expressed serious concern over unscheduled power curtailment and non-availability of drinking water and other basic amenities in the Bazar. He regretted that despite being one of the business hub of the region, authorities have not take any sincere efforts to improve sanitation and others conditions of the Bazar. He said that businessmen of the Jammu region were sandwiched between bureaucrats on one hand and militants on other hands. Narrating history of the Raghunath Bazar Businessmen Association, Mr Khullar said that for the last 25 years Association have been organising various social and religious functioning beside solving problems of the businessmen of the Bazar. Addressing the function, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Mr Anil Goswami assured the businessmen that authorities would take every possible effort to mitigate their problems. He said that economy of the Jammu region, to a great extent, has depend upon Yatris of Mata Vaishno Devi. He asked the businessmen to provide some extra facilities to the Yatris so that they prefer to stay here for a day or two. Appreciating Raghunath Bazar Businessmen Association for its initiative to start sound and light programme at Shri Raghunath Ji Temple, Mr Goswami urged businessmen to take more steps to attract more and more Yatris. Inspector General of Police, Jammu range, Mr R V Raju, who was guest of honour in the function, while addressing the function asserted that militancy has been contained to a large extent. He informed the audience that about 500 militants have been killed in Jammu region during the last 10 months. He sought cooperation of the all sections of the society to intensify fight against militancy. BJP MLA from Jammu East constituency, Mr Ashok Khajuria in his address gave two cheques of Rs 2.90 lacs and Rs 50,000 respectively to the Raghunath Bazar Businessmen Association for the betterment and development of the Bazar which is heart of the Jammu city. Association also felicitated some Government officials for their dedicated and sincere services. Mr K C Verma, CE-PHE, Mr I D Jandial, SE-PHE, Mr K B Jandial, Director Information, Mr S S Bhalla, Director Tourism, Mr H S Raina, CE PDD, Mr Pawan Kotwal, Administrator Jammu Municipality and Mr Narinder Kohli, CE, R&B were felicitated in the function. Earlier, Mr Jeevan Sharma, a prominent Gazal singer of the region enthralled the audience with his melodious voice. He present famous gazal Payaar Hamara Ettna Paawan Main Janu Tu Janey, Hum To Melay Har Yug Main Ban Key Sajni Sajan. Mr Digvijay Singh and Mr Jai Lal Sharma also mesmerized the audience by the their excellent performances. Mr Vijay Atri managed the stage during the cultural programmes. Mr Rajesh Rohmetra, general secretary of the Raghunath Bazar Businessmen Association was stage secretary in the entire function. |
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Implementation of
programmes under Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Nov 2: The member of National Commission, SC/ST, Government of India, Lama Lobzang and Mrs Viney Nayyar were reviewed the implementations under the Tribal Sub-Plan of Leh district in a District Officer’s meeting here today which were formulated at Rs 68.00 lacs. The Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Mr Dheeraj Gupta while welcoming the members of the National Commission has given a brief resume of the tribal schemes and its implementations. The Deputy Commissioner has emphasised for timely releasing of the Tribal funds in view of the limited working season in Ladakh, so that concrete results can be achieved within the targeted period. Moreover, he underlined for increasing the size of the Tribal Sub-Plan so as to ensure maximum coverage of the tribal people of Ladakh under this privilege. Addressing the meeting, Mrs Viney Nayyar, member National Commission has stressed the need for having a moderate size of tribal fund for Ladakh on the basis of tribal area and the climatic constraint. While referring the article 275 of the tribal welfare programme, she said that Ladakh can have more tribal fund if the reality requirement is projected presentably. Moreover, she stressed for having the role of women in the governance in order to have more balanced administration for betterment of all, particularly for the women section. Mrs Nayyar has also emphasised for promotion of local products. Lama Lobzang on this occasion expressed concern over the considerable delay in releasing the tribal funds for Ladakh. However, he requested the district administration for submission of a detailed report about the allotment, utilisation and further requirement of the fund under tribal scheme so that National Commission will take up the matter with the Planning Commission of India. All the district officers were present in the meeting. |
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