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| Rajput Sabha election Manhas panel releases manifesto Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: A panel of contestants for the posts of President, senior vice president and vice president.....more By Gopal Sharma Ramnagar forest— the only green cover on the outskirts of Jammu in the north, which serves as the lifeline for the inhabitants......more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Stressing on the need of making Panchayats as autonomous decision making .....more Killing of
Mehdi, others Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Various social and political organisations have strongly condemned the.......more Explosion
in Bhaderwah Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Mr Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Bahujan Samaj Party MLA from Bhaderwah has .....more |
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Conference
of ENT surgeons begins Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Chief Minister Dr FArooq Abdullah today called for narrowing disparity in medicare between rural and urban areas and stressed strengthening of basic health........more NC starts
mobilisation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: The National Conference has started mobilisation campaign for forthcoming Panchayat and local bodies elections........more Cong
leaders Excelsior Correspondent BHADERWAH, Nov 4: An emergent meeting of the Congress committee was held under the presidentship of Mr Naresh Kumar Gupta, general secretary..........more Stalemate
continues Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: The chain hunger strike launched by displaced students in protest against the affiliation of camp colleges with Jammu University...........more |
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| Slathia
decries trifurcation demand.... Rajput
Sabha election Wadhera to head Asso of SSI .... DPS hosts Skit, Rangoli
competitions |
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Rajput Sabha election Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: A panel of contestants for the posts of President, senior vice president and vice president of Shri Amar Kashtriya (Rajput) Sabha, which is going to polls on November 12, released their written manifesto appealing the Biradari members to exercise their vote in their favour. Mr Shamsher Singh Manhas, who is a candidate for the post of president of Rajput Sabha told mediapersons here today that if voted to power, his panel would strive hard for the well being of the community. Besides Mr Manhas, others in the panel are Mrs Padmini Langeh for the post of senior vice president and Mr Anchal Singh Jamwal for vice president post. Mr Shamsher Singh Manhas said though Sabha was established in the year 1907, it was for the first time that election is being conducted through secret ballots. It was also for the first time that a female candidate was in the fray and it was also for the first time that any panel has brought out a written manifesto laying emphasis among other things on protection of Sabha’s moveable and immovable property. Other things in the manifesto included constitution of Advisory Board, to provide avenues and opportunities to students, to imbibe democratic spirit in Governing the Sabha, to conduct detailed census of Rajput population in Jammu and Kashmir State, to strive for due share in the governing set up, to help orphans, widows and other needy, to eradicate illiteracy and other social evils, to provide due representation to women folk in the Sabha, to construct Sabha Bhavan at district level and also establish marriage bureau and to raise and create funds for effective and accountable functioning of the Sabha. Mr Manhas said the present incumbents who are in the one to one in the election have resorted to unhealthy criticism and were levelling baseless charges against the candidates in their panel. He said while the present incumbent was too old to handle the affairs of Sabha, the candidate for the post of senior vice president was took young and immature to tackle the Sabha affair and the candidate for the post of vice president was based in Mukerian and has come to J&K a few years back and was not well versed with the functioning of Sabha. Mr Manhas also criticised the issuance of Identity Card to voters and appealed the Returning Officer Mr R P Jamwal advocate to simplify the I-Card procedure and that the identity of the voters could also be established through their driving licenses, pass ports or other identity cards in their possession and not merely those which are being issued by the present incumbent. He also alleged misuse of office of the Sabha and other facilities by the present incumbent who are also in the fray. |
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ENVIRONMENT
FOCUS By Gopal Sharma Ramnagar forest— the only green cover on the outskirts of Jammu in the north, which serves as the lifeline for the inhabitants of this pollution-hit winter capital of the state is at the verge of extinction. The major " credit " goes to some Forest Department officials, followed by the land grabbers and a few so called politicians. A well organised nexus is carrying its activities calendestinely without any check from the top. The recent mass-felling of green trees in this range, near Nagrota Bypass adjoining Tawi bridge has shocked a large number of environment lovers, thousands of citizens, morning walkers and the activists of Non-Governmental Organisations. Some members of a NGO who strongly protested the act and took up the matter with the concerned Divisional Forest Officer said that the officer politely shifted the responsibility on the senior officials. The NGOs have now decided to knock the doors of the State High Court to seek directions for the protection of the only left out green cover around Jammu, which is facing threat of extinction. The recent visit to the area indicated that a large number of green trees are being felled gradually and the activity is going on under the very nose of the forest guards and other officials of the department. Some nomad families have also been allotted forest land near Nagrota Bypass and they are extending their land area by felling trees in a slow move. The activity of felling a massive number of green trees is said to be a conspiracy to eliminate the forests around Jammu and encourage the land encroachment in connivance with some key Forest and Revenue officers which needs a thorough probe. It has also been observed that the forests are getting thin gradually and the wild life is also facing danger and shifting to the other areas. No proper fencing of this enclosure has been executed and the forest guards deployed in the area are not being held responsible for the virtual murder of this greenery. The Bahu forests near Sidhra across Tawi river along the Bypass Road is also being destroyed gradually and the green cover is disappearing in a slow move. Another senior officer of the Department expressed ignorance over the matter when contacted. This is not the only case, several areas in Rajouri, Billawar, Basohli, Udhampur, Patnitop, Batote and Doda are meeting the same fate. Interestingly, after witnessing the recent situation in Orissa, Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has yet to take any lesson from it. Though the region is heading gradually towards the drought and the devastation due to deep environmental effects, the Government has yet to come out with any disaster management programme or any concrete forest policy. It has perhaps even forgot the Amarnath yatra tragedy where hundreds of pilgrims lost their lives in snow clad mountains hardly four years ago. Immediately after this tragedy, the State Government showed some seriousness and even the Central Government which was visibly shaken over the incident appointed a special committee and formulated some rules and regulations. The pilgrims’ limit was also fixed besides imposing age bar but during last year’s pilgrimage, the rules and regulations were thrown to the winds by the officials connected with the yatra arrangements. Such clamities are infact,the outcome of disturbing ecology of the region, which the people are not realising.The rains pattern is changing, temperature is rising gradually and the flash floods and land erosion problems are increasing. The well said proverb " coming events cast their shadows before", is apparently more meaningful for the region, which is heading towards the drought like situation. The Kandi belt is already facing grim scarcity of water and the crops have also suffered major damages recently. A few months back, entire Doda and parts of Kashmir valley remained under the grip of drought but even today a large number of families remained reliefless despite announcement of the Government to provide relief/ compensation to the affected people. A senior Environment Department official said that the state Governments are responsible for the short-term and long term relief management. It’s tragedy that in our country a serious view is not being taken by the respective governments or the concerned Central Government agencies after the data provided by the satellite- stations about the coming clamities. He said that several chronically drought affected districts in the country experience acute shortage of drinking and irrigation water. In order to address this issue a nation wide project titled— ‘Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development’ was taken up in collaboration with other Department of Space Centres and State Remote Sensing Application Centres. In the first phase, about 175 districts covering about 84 millions hactares are expected to cover. In response to a question he said drought is the single most important weather related natural disaster often aggravated by the human action. Drought may start any time but its long lasting impact is observed. Since it affects very large area for months and has a serious impact on economy, destruction of ecological resources, food shortage and starvation of millions of population. All the three phases for drought mitigation— including preparedness, prevention and relief appeared to be missing in the State and no comprehensive measures have been taken. Even, such responsibility has not been shouldered on any of the Government Department or the agency while the most advanced countries in the West have gone far ahead in disaster management planning. It has been learnt that after the recent visit of US President Mr Bill Clinton, the Indian Scientists and the Planners in assistance with the US experts in the field are preparing to work out the programmes of this nature in near future. |
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"Panchayat
elections depend upon mood of unpredictable CM" Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Stressing on the need of making Panchayats as autonomous decision making institutions at grass-root level, the J&K Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mufti Mohammed Sayed today said that need of hour was to involve more and more people in the forthcoming Panchayat elections to make Panchayati Raj institutions participatory in real sense. Inaugurating executive committee meeting of the party, Mr Sayeed said that constitution of the Panchayats means devolution of power at grass-root level. "it is a right step to hold Panchayat elections as aspirations of the different ethnic and religious groups can be fullfilled only by trickling down democracy and decision making process at grass-root level", he said, adding, " Free and fair Panchyat elections should be held to restore confidence of the people in the democratic institutions". Reiterating his party’s stand to hold dialogue with all sections of the society to bring peace and tranquillity in the State, PDP chief hoped that ultimately peace would prevail in the violence-plagued State. "Every one is fed-up with blood-shed and violence as nothing can be achieved through gun, except destruction", he said, adding, "dialogue in the only mean to solve vexed Kashmir problem". He was of the view that bullet was no solution of the problem and stressed on the need of continuing process for dialogue. "Efforts of dialogue should be continued to bring peace in the State", he said. PDP general secretary, Ved Mahajan in his address, asked the executive members to reach to the masses at grass-root level to highlight their miseries. He discussed political scenario in the meeting and informed the committee members about the achievements of membership drive. Launching a scathing attack on State Government for not paying heed to the woes of the masses, Mr Mahajan said that miseries of the masses increased manifold during the last four years due to mis-governance of the National Conference Government. PDP MLA from Bijbehara constituency, Mr Abdul Rehman Veeri, while the addressing the executive members, lambasted the State Government for its miserably failure to mitigate miseries of the masses. He said that except making tall promises this Government has done nothing for the betterment and welfare of the poor and needy people. Pointing towards decision of the Chief Minister to conduct much-awaited Panchyat elections, Mr Veeri said that it was not the question whether the elections would be held on party basis or non-party basis. "The main issue is that the elections should be held in proper manner", he said and stressed on the need of free and fair Panchayat elections to decentralise power in real sense. " Beside restoring shattered confidence of the masses in the democratic institutions, Panchayat elections would provide an opportunity to State Government to involve alienated lot in the decision making process", he said and stressed on the need of free and fair elections as, according to him, the State Government has not so proud record of conducting of free and fair elections. He, however, aired apprehension about holding of Panchayat elections. "Nothing can be said about mood of our unpredictable Chief Minister", he sarcastically said and added that holding of Panchyat elections depend upon mood of our Chief Minister. Coming down heavily on ruling National Conference for, what he called, maintaining a criminal silence over ever-increasing miseries of the masses, Mr Veeri asserted that only PDP can yet the people rid from the yoke of the mis-rule of the National Conference. Prominent Kissan leader, Mr Tirlok Singh Bajwa in his address highlighted woes of the farmers. Messrs Mohammed Sultan Panditpuri, MLA, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Master Tassaduq Hussain, Mirza Iqbal, Vinod Mahajan, Shoukat Ali, Dinesh Sharma, Shoukat Manhas, Sukhvinder Singh and others addressed the meeting. Executive committee of the PDP strongly condemned killing of Aga Sayed Mehdi and paid tributes to the departed leader. |
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Killing of Mehdi, others widely condemned Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Various social and political organisations have strongly condemned the killing of Shia leader in a mine blast at Srinagar yesterday. A condolence meeting was organised by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) senior functionaries here today in which the brutal killing of Shia leader Aga Syeed Mehdi was strongly condemned. The meeting was chaired by Mr Abdul Gani Shah, vice president of the Party. The other Party leaders who attended the meeting include Messrs Amrit Sagar, Ch. Hussain Ali, Peer Baba Abdul Majeed, Paras Ram Poonchi, Prof Baldev Singh, Inder Mohan Bakshi, Subh Dev Singh and D P Saraf. The meeting observed two minutes silence and prayed God to give courage to bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. The Party also condemned the yesterday’s Bhadarwah blast in which two innocent people lost their lives. Congress MLAs and senior Party leaders Messrs Ashok Sharma and Balbir Singh have also condemned this dastardly act strongly. In a joint statement issued here today they said Agha Mehdi championed the cause of national unity and integrity . They said Mr Mehdi was one of the tallest leaders of the State who was loved by one and all. The Party said killing of Mr Mehdi has created doubts in the minds of Congress men in general and Shia community in particular and hence the Government should order a judicial probe into the matter. Jammu and Kashmir Aman Conference while condemning the mine blast in which Agha Syeed Mehdi was killed termed it a cowardice act. The Party in an emergency meeting here today, held under the chairmanship of Nissar Ahmed Nissar its general secretary said that people of entire country were shocked to know about the sudden death of Aga Mehdi. The meeting said those responsible for this senseless act will repent some day on their actions. National Students Union of India (NSUI) State chief Mr Rajeev Saraf has also strongly condemned the killing of Shia leader and five innocent people in yesterday’s blast that took place at Muzhama on Srinagar, Magam road. Kul Hind Nove Soan Kashmir chief Mr Shadi Lal Pandita has also strongly condemned the killing of the Shia leader and five others. He said the increasing attacks by militants on security forces has revealed that the Government has failed to tighten the security measures in the State. He while taking the State Government to task alleged that during last four years of its rule the militancy has increased in the State. He said after making the Kashmiri Pandits and members of Sikh community their safe target the militants have now turned towards Shia community. PDP leader Mr A K Jotshi has also strongly condemned the killing of Shia leader Agha Syeed Mehdi in mine blast. He said his death has created a great vacuum which can not be fulfilled in near future. Our Udhampur Correspondent adds that Jammu Kashmir Samaj Sudhar Committee held a meeting at Udhampur today in which the yesterday’s mine blast at Srinagar was strongly condemned. The meeting was chaired by Mr Mohammed Yousf Wani, president of the Committee which was also attended by Messrs Mohammed Hussain Sohie district president and a large number of social workers. The meeting also observed two minutes silence in memory of departed souls. Our Leh Corespondent adds that the brutal killing of Shia leader was strongly condemned by Anjumane Imamiya Leh Ladakh in its meeting held under the chairmanship of its president Haji Ghulam Hussain. Expressing their serious concern over this inhuman and dastardly act, it demanded immediate arrest of culprits. Special prayers were observed for the peace of the departed soul by the gathering on the occasion. |
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Explosion in Bhaderwah bazar condemned Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Mr Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Bahujan Samaj Party MLA from Bhaderwah has condemned the bomb blast in Seri Bazar Bhaderwah in which two precious lives were lost yesterday. In a press statement issued here today Mr Rehman said that Govt Should take effective steps to protect the life and property of the people. He also demanded immediate arrest of the accused responsible for this act. Mr Rehman expressed shock over the death of the innocent people and demanded Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia relief in favour of the deceased’s families. Meanwhile, Jammu Statehood Front while condemning grenade attack by militants in Seri Bazar demanded immediate arrest of the subversives. The Front also condoled the killing of senior teacher Akhtar Hussain, brother-in-law of Abdul Hamid Qazi, a senior leader of Panthers Party. The members in the meet today described this act as most heinous crime towards the humanity and said that due to ineffective policies of the Govt, the militants are taking toll of innocent people. |
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Conference of ENT
surgeons begins Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Chief Minister Dr FArooq Abdullah today called for narrowing disparity in medicare between rural and urban areas and stressed strengthening of basic health structure in villages. "Unless medical services at primary level are improved, big institutes would continue to be overloaded by heavy patient influx", the Chief Minister said after opening the two day deliberations of 24th North-West Zone and 6th North Zone Conference of Association of ENT Surgeons in Government Medical College here this morning. He said that well equipped health centres could take care of patients with minor diseases leaving big hospitals to concentrate and treat patients with serious ailments. This could be achieved only after providing better services in rural and semi urban areas, he added. The Chief Minister said the health insurance cover scheme is opening up its doors in India like in the west, as it might not be possible to provide free medicare in near future. He, however, regretted that the big slices of concessions available are being grabbed by rich ones leaving needy poor in lurch. The CM said the cost of treatment in certain cases is unaffordable for the poor and referred to the costly equipment like MRI and CG Scanning facilities that were too costly but necessary for diagnostic investigations. He said primary health centres all over the country lack much needed equipment due to resource constraint. Dr Abdullah said India had no dearth of talented doctors who make it to the peak abroad, as their potential is not utilized to the optimum in India. He, however, said that the country has registered remarkable progress in various disciplines of health services. He also referred to the noble nursing profession saying that their ratio in numbers should in any case exceed doctors in an institution for better treatment to patients. Lot many girls want to join this profession but paucity of State funds always comes in the way, he said. Responding to the suggestions made by speakers, the Chief Minister said a joint effort by the people and the Government is needed for establishing speech rehabilitation centre at Jammu. He said this issue would be examined shortly and appealed to people to come forward and extend helping hand in the noble cause. He also felt the need for improving facilities at deaf and dumb schools in the State. Padamshri Prof Prem Kakar, while speaking on the occasion, asked young doctors not to feel at cross roads for selecting line for themselves and instead have overall development. He said young medicos had a future in ENT in the country that has not developed to this extent a few decades ago. He dwelt in details on ENT in mid 50s and said that exhaustive investigations were now being conducted by latest equipment. He said the ENT surgeons were stepping in cancer surgery in a big way. The outgoing president of the North Zone Conference, Prof SPS Mann gave brief resume of the association and its activities. He said India has been included as a member in the prestigious International Rynological Society. Prof Mann handed over the mantle of presidentship of North Zone Chepter to Prof J Paul, Kanotra. Dr Paul in his presidential address said each district hospital in Jammu division has been provided with operative microscopes for performing ear surgeries. The ENT department at Jammu is second to none in North India as for as facilities and equipment is concerned. He said 10 per cent population suffered from some sort of hearing problem while two per cent of them needed the treatment. He called for adopting a strategy to provide assistance for cochlear plants and stressed the need for integrated approach for awareness and diagnosis of hearing problems. He also pleaded for total ban on the sale of pan masalas, which he described as the most potential cause of cancer. Cancer, he said, can be prevented. He also sought facilities for students with impaired hearing. Welcoming the delegates, Dr H L Goswami, Principal Medical College, Jammu hoped the conference would play a major role in upgrading knowledge and sharing experiences by eminent doctors. He cautioned against use of gutka and pan masala, which pose grave health risk in this part of the country after playing havoc in UP and Bihar. The Chief Minister conferred lifetime achievement awards to Padamshree Dr Santosh Kakkar and Padamshree Dr Prem Kakkar and other awards to several doctors for their distinguished sevices in various disciplines of medical sciences. They included Dr Goswami and Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr R K Goyal. The Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Mr H L Kadalbuju released a souvenir of the conference and presented it to the Chief Minister. Dr Abdullah while others were presented mementos on the occasion. Besides doctors in various disciplines of medicine in the State, a number of delegates from various parts of the country are participating in the conference. M/s Ethicare Laboratories - Jammu were the official sponsors of the conference. It was for the first time that a local pharmaceutical company has aimed and come to the level of National pharma participation. |
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NC starts mobilisation campaign Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: The National Conference has started mobilisation campaign for forthcoming Panchayat and local bodies elections. A meeting of the Jammu West block delegated was held today at Sher-i-Kashmir Bhawan to chalk-out strategy for the elections. President of the Youth National Conference, Jammu Mr Chander Mohan Sharma has called the meeting. Mr Bashir Ahmed Kitchloo, Social Welfare Minister and Mr Ajay Sadhotra, Food and Supplies Minister participated in the meeting which was presided over by Mr Bodh Raj Bali, provincial president of the party. Addressing the meeting, Mr Bashir Ahmed Kitchloo called upon the youth to ensure larger involvement of people in the Municipal Corporation elections. Mr Ajay Sadhotra, in his address called upon the youth to strengthen party and stand solidly behind Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah. Mr Bodh Raj Bali, in his address, said that National Conference has always upheld the democratic practices for the overall welfare of the people. He said that proper selection of the candidates were must for the forthcoming elections. Mr R L Gupta, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Jugal Mahajan and D S Trhain addressed the gathering. All ward presidents, office bearers and prominent citizens of Jammu West participated in the meeting. |
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Cong leaders condemn bomb blast Excelsior Correspondent BHADERWAH, Nov 4: An emergent meeting of the Congress committee was held under the presidentship of Mr Naresh Kumar Gupta, general secretary of the District Congress Committee, Doda to condole killing of reknowned educationists of Bhadarwah town namely Akhtar Hussain Peer and Sadiq Hussain Shappoo and one Bal Krishan Sharma. According to a press release, meeting demanded a compensation to the tune of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and five lakh for the injured. A two minute silence was also observed in the meeting to pay tributes to the departed soul. Meeting also condemned killing of Mr Aga Sayeed Mehdi. Capt Hem Raj Kotwal, Shabir Ahmed Khan, Mohammed Yaqoob Sheikh, Miraj Din Zargar, Abdul Gani Mattoo, Shiv Kumar and Swami Raj Dogra and others addressed the meeting. |
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Stalemate continues Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: The chain hunger strike launched by displaced students in protest against the affiliation of camp colleges with Jammu University entered 22nd day today with three students replacing the yesterday’s batch. The students who sat on hunger strike today include Amit Sagar, Miss Pinki and Miss Anita Koul. They were also joined by a large number of their colleagues who staged a demonstration in support of their demands at the venue of hunger strike. Addressing the agitating students Messrs Amit Sagar, Renu Talashi and Miss Neha Pandita lambasted the State Government for its failure in mitigating the sufferings of the displaced students. However, the agitating displaced students today got a shot in arm after the Janata Viaks Front volunteers also joined the dharna in support of their demand. The Front vice president Mr Sanjay Safaya said that Front will give a total support to the displaced students in their on going struggle against the merger of camp colleges with Jammu University. It urged the Government to show flexibility in its approach and held meaningful negotiations with the migrant students who have lost over two months of their academic career. Later a delegation of the Front led by Mr Surinder Bhat called on Assistant Divisional Commissioner and discussed the matter with him. Among the community leaders who today addressed the agitating students include Messrs A N Vaishnavi, ASKPC chief, O N Trisal, president AKPSC, Ashok Barbazoo, Basant Kumar, Rajesh Handoo and Rakesh Koul. In another statement some student leaders Sanjay Bhat, Amit Koul, Suresh Koul and Sunnet Jotshi have urged the State Government to give up its rigid stand and show a flexibility in its approach towards the migrant student community. They warned the Government not to test the patience of the displaced students who have been subjected to many hardships by the terrorists as well as the State Government. Meanwhile, the Kashmir BJP president Mr Mohan Lal Sopori has taken a strong exception of the State Government for adopting a rigid stand on the issue. The BJP Kashmir alleged that the displaced community has suffered a lot due to the callous and discriminatory attitude of he State Government over the years. It warned the State Government of dire consequences if the demands of the displaced students were not met immediately, saying that the student community has already lost the precious time of their academic career due to the wrong and discriminatory policies of Farooq Abdullah Government. The BJP leader has sought the intervention of Union Home Minister, Mr L K Advani and Union Human Resource Development Minister, Mr Murli Manohar Jotshi in the matter and urged them to come to the rescue of displaced students. |
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Slathia decries trifurcation demand Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 4: Tourism Minister, Mr S S Slathia today cautioned people against the demand for trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir saying that this will only serve the purpose of Pakistan that is out to destabilise India. He said unity in diversity is the real strength of India and Jammu and Kashmir will progress and prosper as a single entity and not as a divided lot. The Minister was addressing a public meeting at Teli Basti Trait near Bari Brahmana here this afternoon after inaugurating the additional accommodation of the Government Primary School. The additional accomodation of the school has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1.64 lakhs under Employment Assurance Scheme by Command Area Development agency. Mr Slathia said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have demonstrated their unity in most testing times as elements inimical to peace and tranquility could not divide them on communal lines. The people have maintained their glorious tradition of brotherhood, he said and expressed the hope that they will continue to do so despite provocations of the enemy. He appealed to the people to rise above party politics and work for ccementing the bonds of brotherhood. He said Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, though having distinct socio-cultural identities had a foremost objective of ushering in an era of progress and all round development. This could be achieved only by strengthening the hands of Qaid-e-Sani Dr Farooq Abdullah who has given a dynamic leadership to the State at most crucial stage of the turbulent history of Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Slathia said that those talking of trifurcation were ignoring historic facts and wre, in fact, rendering dis-service to the State in particular and the country in general. Mr Slathia exhorted the people to send their children to the school to get education. This, he said, would enable them to progress in life and bring prosperity to their homes. He said the Government has been giving to priority to the education sector. To universalise the education, Mr Salathia said, the Government has taken various steps. People, he said, should take full advantage of these schemes. He also announced Rs two lakh out of MLA Constituency Fund for the construction and black topping of 500 metres and link road from Teli Basti Trait to (Bari Brahamna) National Highway. This road will benefit nearly 2000 families of the adjoining areas. He also instructed the concerned authorities to submit the estimated cost of the boundary wall of the Government Primary School. |
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Rajput Sabha election Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: A panel of contestants for the posts of President, senior vice president and vice president of Shri Amar Kashtriya (Rajput) Sabha, which is going to polls on November 12, released their written manifesto appealing the Biradari members to exercise their vote in their favour. Mr Shamsher Singh Manhas, who is a candidate for the post of president of Rajput Sabha told mediapersons here today that if voted to power, his panel would would strive hard for the well being of the community. Besides Mr Manhas, others in the panel are Mrs Padmini Langeh for the post of senior vice president and Mr Anchal Singh Jamwal for vice president post. Mr Shamsher Singh Manhas said though Sabha was established in the year 1907, it was for the first time that election is being conducted through secret ballots. It was also for the first time that a female candidate was in the fray and it was also for the first time that any panel has brought out a written manifesto laying emphasis among other things on protection of Sabha’s movable and immovable property. Other things in the manifesto included constitution of Advisory Board, to provide avenues and opportunities to students, to imbibe democratic spirit in Governing the Sabha, to conduct detailed census of Rajput population in Jammu and Kashmir State, to strive for due share in the governing set up, to help orphans, widows and other needy, to eradicate illiteracy and other social evils, to provide due representation to women folk in the Sabha, to construct Sabha Bhavan at district level and also establish marriage bureau and to raise and create funds for effective and accountable functioning of the Sabha. Mr Manhas said the present incumbents who are in the one to one in the election have resorted to unhealthy criticism and were levelling baseless charges against the candidates in their panel. He said while the present incumbent was too old to handle the affairs of Sabha, the candidate for the post of senior vice president was took young and immature to tackle the Sabha affair and the candidate for the post of vice president was based in Mukerian and has come to J&K a few years back and was not well versed with the functioning of Sabha. Mr Manhas also criticised the issuance of Identity Card to voters and appealed the Returning Officer Mr R P Jamwal advocate to simplify the I-Card procedure and that the identity of the voters could also be established through their driving licenses, pass ports or other identity cards in their possession and not merely those which are being issued by the present incumbent. He also alleged misuse of office of the Sabha and other facilities by the present incumbent who are also in the fray. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Mr A K Wadhera was elected president of Association of Small Scale Industries Gangyal the elections of which were held today. He defeated his nearest rival Mr J K Mengi by a margin of 168 votes. Out of total 435 votes polled Mr Wadhera got 301 while Mr Mengi bagged 133 votes only. One vote was declared invalid by the Election Committee. Mr Balram Gupta was elected treasurer. He defeated Mr Rakesh Gupta by a margin of 83 votes. Out of total 435 votes polled Balram Gupta got 250 votes while Rakesh Gupta got 167. Eighteen votes have been declared invalid. Earlier Messrs Ganesh Koul, Bansi Lal Gupta, B B Talwar and Sanjay Aggarwal were declared unopposed elected as senior vice president, vice president, general secretary and secretary respectively. The elections were held in a peaceful atmosphere under the supervision of Election Committee which was headed by Mr S S Jamwal. Its other members were Vipin Sharma, Sunil Khanna, Ravish Kohli, Jatinder Koul and Vijay Sharma. |
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DPS hosts Skit,
Rangoli competitions Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: New Era Environmental School bagged the first position in skit, whereas Rangoli trophy went in favour of JK Public School in the Inter-school Skit and Rangoli competitions which were held at J K Public School, here today. Second position in both the competitions won by Shastri Memorial High School. J K Public School bagged third place in skit, whileas, third position in Rangoli was shared by Presentation Convent and New Era Environmental School. Alexander Memorial School was given consolation prize in Skit. The competitions were held under the aegis of the Youth Talent Search Forum at Delhi Public School. The skits on the themes ranging from social messages to the vision of our country were presented by the various schools. The Rangoli designs were composed to convey the message of peace, prosperity and harmony. Dr Ashok Jerath, Station Director, All India Radio, Jammu was the chief guest. In his address, Dr Jerath appreciated the efforts of the school to provide such a forum to the children to exhibit their talent. Earlier, Principal, DPS, Mr Ashok K Pandey welcomed the guests and introduced the chief guest with the coordinator of the Forum, Mrs Esther Williams, who is Principal of the Alexender Memorial School. The participant schools included Shastri Memorial High School, Ashoka High School, New Era Environmental School, Alexander Memorial School, J K Public School, Presentation Convent and Bikram Memorial School. In the skit competitions Mr Shanti Kaul, Mr Mohan Singh and Mr Sudhir Jamwal were judges in skit, while, Mrs Aradhana Sharma, Ms Revati Roy and Mrs Pankaj Manhas were judges in the rangoli competition. Mrs Sunita Babu was the overall incharge of the competitions, while vote of thanks was presented by Mrs Prabha Jain, secretary of the Forum. |
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Koul advocates for Homeland demand Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 4: Advocating strongly for creation of a separate "Homeland"for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, All India Kashmiri Samaj chief Padmashere J N Koul here today said this is the only viable solution to all the problems being faced by the community at present. Mr Koul who was addressing a gathering of Kashmiri Pandits at the Jyotshi Karyalya Gole Gujral near here said in view of the trifurcation demand gaining ground in Jammu and Ladakh regions the KPs should also project their demand before the Government. The KP leader visited Jyotshi Karyalya to pay obeisance to the late Pt. Prem Nath Shastri a renowned religious luminary of Kashmir. He said in the changing situation in Jammu and Kashmir it is the ripe time that the community leadership belonging to different shades of opinion should put forth this demand before the Government vigorously. He said in view of the trifurcation demand gaining momentum in Jammu and Ladakh regions the KPs being the aborginals of the Kashmir should not feel shy in demanding a separate piece of land in the Valley. He said it is the hightime when the community should hold debates on the issue and mobilise the opinion in its favour. Mr Koul said KPs who are the aborginals of the Kashmir have continuously suffered a trauma for over last 600 years and history is a witness to it. Earlier paying rich tributes to late Pt. Shastri he described him a great visionary who was an institution in himself. He said the community can not ignore the contribution made by the Shastri Ji for upholding the dharma and reforming the society during his life time. Those who were present in the meeting include Jyotshi Omkar Nath Shastri, chief editor Vijeshwar Panchang, Ramesh Kumar, president Peer Panchal, K K Raina its general secretary. |
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