Retd policemen discuss problems with Khajuria

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: A deputation of retired police personnel from district Udhampur called on the chairman, J&K Ex-Servicemen League and the vice-chairman of J&K Retired Police Personnel Welfare Board here today and discussed the issues pertaining to the welfare of the retired cops.

As per a release, the members apprised the chairman that several retired policemen residing in far-flung areas of the district are facing security threat in parts of Dudu-Basantgarh, Mahore and parts of Ramnagar and Chenani. They also expressed anguish over the delay in finalisation of the GP Fund cases of many retired personnel pending with the funds organisation / AG Office for the last many years.

The chairman gave patient hearing and assured the members of the deputation to take up their case with the concerned agencies. Members of the deputation included DySP Baldev Singh Slathia, Nazim Din (ASI) Mohd Muktiar, Abdul Rashid, Kaka Ram, Asha Nand ( HC) and others. Mr Parkash Sharma, SP Retd, secretary general and Mr Anoop Singh, DySP secretary, of the League were also present.

Hunger strike enters 24th day
Merger of camp colleges beneficial for students:CM

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Bhushan Lal Bhat, MLC and general secretary National Conference Minority Cell today called on Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and apprised him of the problems of the migrant college students who are on the strike for the last many days in support of their demands.

Mr Bhat in a statement here said that while making the Chief Minister aware of the problems of the migrant students, was told that the merger of the camp colleges with Jammu University was infact beneficial for the migrant students, who were otherwise facing lot of hardships and delay in conducting the examination and declaring of results etc by the Kashmir University authorities at Srinagar. The Chief Minister reminded that how the migrant students had to wait for years together in completing their Graduation and other degrees, because the delay on part of the Kashmir University authorities.

He said that for getting the education there should be no bar for any student whether he resides temporary or permanently at any place. The students can study in either of Universities of Jammu and Kashmir or even at any other University of the country, Dr Abdullah told the MLC. The Chief Minister, however, assured Mr Bhat that he will take up all the problems concerning the migrant students with the Jammu University authorities, which include seats at PG level.

Meanwhile, the hunger strike launched by the camp student entered the 24th day today.

Jatinder Rishi, Opinder, Basant Kumar, Shakti Sagar and Yougraj Wangoo were among others who addressed the striking camp college students.

NDA Govt appeasing Kashmiri leadership: Shiv Charan

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 6: Senior BJP leader and Member Legislative Assembly from Udhampur constituency, Mr Shiv Charan Gupta has alleged that BJP led NDA Government at the Centre was adopting appeasement policy towards Kashmiri leadership.

Mr Gupta held both the State and the Central Governments responsible for the present day woes of the people of Jammu region in respect of development and their share in Government services. Expressing resentment over the functioning of the present Central Government, he said "it was also appeasing the Kashmiri leadership by playing with the sentiments of Jammu people."

In a press statement issued here today, Mr Gupta said that it was imperative to get new political and administrative dispensation for the Jammu region to alleviate their sufferings which is only possible through the attainment of separate statehood for Jammu.

Addressing a workers meeting here today he said the past Governments in the Centre as well as in the State did nothing to protect the interests of the people of Jammu region despite their liberal funding to the J&K state. Even the region was not accorded the due share in the State Assembly. They remained mute spectators and went on appeasing the Kashmiri leadership which always acted the other way with this region.

Mr Gupta said that major share to the state Revenue goes from Jammu by way of Sales tax, electricity tariff, Excise, Income tax and drinking water but it is ironical that despite the major contribution of Jammu people, they are ignored in various fields. The region’s share of development and jobs has been reduced from 50 % to 10 % presently which reflects the anti-Jammu policy of the state.

The BJP MLA said that mitigating the woes of people and attainment of statehood is not merely the task of one political party of Jammu. All the parties, organisations, groups and individuals irrespective of their religion and faith should come out on a common platform to achieve this goal.

Mr Gupta who is also the leader of BJP Legislature Party in J&K resented the functioning of BJP led NDA Government at the Centre and charged that it was also following the same policy of appeasement of Kashmiri leadership and caring least for the miseries of Jammu people.

Varinder Gupta again becomes JUTA chief

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Prof Varinder Gupta of the Department of Physics and Electronics has again became president of the Jammu University of Teachers Association (JUTA) unopposed.

Announcement in this regard was made by the election commissioner, Dr Sham Lal of the Department of Law after withdrawal by another candidate, Dr Lokesh Verma in Prof Gupta’s favour this morning.

Three more candidates were declared elected unopposed by the election commissioner. They are Vibhakar Mansotra of Department of Computer Sciences for the post of secretary, Romesh Sharma of Department of Mathematics as joint secretary and Satinder Kumar of Department of Law as treasurer. For all the three posts, single nominations were received by the election commissioner.

Whereas, for the post of vice-president two candidates had filed the nominations and their fate will be decided on November 15 elections. They are Anita Biloria of Department of History and D N Sahi of Department of Zoology. The election for the post of vice-president will be held between 9 am to 1 pm, which will be followed by the counting and declaration of results in the evening, said Dr Sham Lal.

Later, talking to EXCELSIOR on telephone, Prof Gupta listed his priorities and other issues which will be taken by him during his one-year tenure.

He said, "the most important issue at present is the administrative crisis and I will try and impress upon the authorities to streamline the administration in the interest of the University". Secondly, the statues and regulations are not being followed in letter and spirit, so the new JUTA team will fight and ensure that the rules are not violated any more, he added.

Prof Gupta, who has attained this position for the fourth time after his first term as president in 1987-88, alleged that from the past some time, present Vice-Chancellor has totally centralised the powers, so "I will take up the issue for the decentralisation of powers within the University".

The new JUTA body will stress upon the improvement in the academic standard. "In this regard we will impress upon the Vice-Chancellor to issue the calendar of the academic session, so that teachers adjust themselves accordingly for holding of examinations in time", Prof Gupta continued.

Bharat Vikas Parishad organises Personality
Development Prog

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: To inculcate the spirit of traditional values a personality Development Programme was organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP) here today in which 61 students form different schools participated.

As per a release, the programme started with the garlanding of "Bharat Mata’s" portrait and lighting of the traditional lamp by Mr S C Anand, general secretary, Bharat Vikas Parishad and J B Suri president of Trikuta Nagar Branch, Ms Pushpa Chawla, Principal J K Public School and Mr S N Sharma, secretary Gandhi Nagar Branch of Vikas Parishad. It was followed by singing of "Bandematram".

Prof. S C Anand briefed the students about the objectives of Personality Development Camp and activities of the Parishad.

Messrs Mahavir Gupta president and S K Jain secretary of Bharat Yog Sanstha gave discourses on the importance of yoga and its adoption as a way of life for development of a healthy body and mind.

They said it helps in character building and brings discipline in students besides improving their power of concentration, intelligence and retention of memory. Mr Pramod Jain acted as a model and students participated in the Yog Asanas conducted by Mr Mahavir Gupta.

Miss Inderjit Kour highlighted the need for awareness about health, hygiene diet, precautions for prevention of infection and diseases.

A Quiz contest on the subject was also held and Prof Sharma delivered a lecture on the life, philosophy and works of Swami Vivekananda whose birth centenary falls this year.

In the after lunch session, group of students from Mahavir Jain School, Environment Education Public School and Blue Birds Public School recited patriotic songs. The participants in this programme include Miss Ankita, Tanya, Richi Kadambari, Swati and Mandita Gupta. S Balak Sing recited a Punjabi Kavita which was highly appreciated, Miss Ruchi Mehta spoke on the need for time planning.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr J B Puri president BVP Trikuta Nagar Branch.

MCA freshers accorded warm welcome at JU

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: The Information Technology (IT) offers ideal opportunities for rapid advancement and it is a matter of pride that India is already forging ahead in this technology. The University of Jammu is also making endeavours to make a name in this sector.

This was stated by Prof Lalit Magotra, Head, Department of Computer Sciences, University of Jammu, while speaking at an impressive function held to welcome the freshers to the MCA course, here this evening.

Prof Magotra said that IT has now afforded opportunities to developing nations too to become information-rich and make swift progress like developed countries. He called upon the students to make best efforts to achieve excellence in the highly competitive computer field.

He stated that the Computer Sciences Department has best infrastructure for the MCA and other courses and asked the students to work hard. Commenting on the colourful cultural programme presented by the students, Prof Magotra said " well done" and praised their talent.

The function: Freshers 2K.Com, a colourful cultural programme, was organised by the senior students of Third Semester of MCA for the freshers in the MCA course. After introduction, each student was asked some questions and had to display his or her talent.

Prof M R Puri, former Vice Chancellor, who was the chief guest, in his speech stressed the importance of computers in every day life and IT has shrunk the world into a global village. He appreciated the talent of the students.

Mr Manzoor-ul-Haq, Director, Doordarshan Kendra, Jammu was the guest of honour at the function. Mrs R R Sharma was also present and was given a memento.

Mr Amit Jamwal was adjudged as Mr Fresher while Ms Shefali Sharma was declared as Miss Fresher. Best Dancer was Miss Namita Singh while Mr Ashraf Parvez was selected as Best Singer. Best item of the programme was Bhangara. Mr Abhishek Bhatia and Miss Namita Singh were adjudged Best Dressed male and female respectively.

The panel of judges comprised of Dr Dev Anand, Pawanesh Abrol, Amit Khajuria, Ms Jyotsana, Manit Gupta, Shivani and Shafla Parihar.

A girl child artist Mrinalani won appreciation with her dance performance on a Dogri song.

The programme was compared by Miss Jyotsana Sharma , Mr Pankaj Sharma and Miss Priya Kesar. The students and staff of the varsity attended and appreciated the programme organised by the Computer Sciences Department.

Excelsior Correspondent

BARAMULLA, Nov 6: Asserting that gun is no solution to the Kashmir imbroglio the former Union Home Minister and president Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammed Syeed said that meaningful dialogue can only be a way out to this vexed problem.

He said the people were fed up with militants as well as security forces and were grasping for the peace. "Gun is no solution to the Kashmir issue but logical and meaningful dialogue is to be initiated as it is the only way out", he said, adding Syeed Salluhdin speaks in the same tone now".

Mufti Mohammed Syeed who was addressing a public meeting at Kachho Muqam in Sangrama Assembly Constituency near here today, Without naming any body said that certain elements for obvious reasons never wanted that Kashmir problem should be resolved.

He said the Delhi Darbar can not come out with solution to the Kashmir problem and only " people of the State can bring peace and prosperity back". While lambasting at the National Conference (NC) Government for increasing the misiries of the common people, he said that non productive policies, rampant corruption, repressive policies and nepotism had alienated the people to an extent that "they have lost faith in democratic process".

"Thousands of crores come from the Centre, where are they spent?" he asked adding "even Centre now acknowledges that the State Government is corrupt". Voicing his concern over the bloodshed in the Valley, he appealed to the Central Government to initiate dialogue with different sections of the people including militant groups so that peace could prevail in the state.

Mr Mufti while referring to the fruit industry said that it was in shambles because of the wrong policies of the State Government. "It is the only industry which has sustained the economy of the state during the past more than a decade of turmoil but the State Government has done nothing to revive it", he said adding that necessary steps should be taken for its development to compete in the international market. He expressed grave concern over the dilapidated condition of roads, erratic water supply and power facilities in the rural areas.

Leading advocate and vice president PDP, Muzaffar Hussain Beg who made a strong dig at the State Government alleged funds do pour from the Centre but instead of development projects are utilised on golf fields as 45 crore have been spent on the Srinagar Golf Course alone.

While terming the assassination of Aga Syeed Mehdi as heinous crime, he said that whosoever carried the killing, the PDP condemned it. "It is a nefarious design to divide Shia and Sunni Muslims and PDP condemns such acts. He termed Aga Mehdi was an honest, exasperating and indefatigable political leader.

He further said that peace , prosperity and progress would again see its dawn in the state and PDP was fighting for it tooth and nail.

Senior Party leader Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir in his speech said that whosoever was heading any militant outfit in the state had been victim of political blunders. "It is need of the hour that people of the state should fight against the antidemocratic practices of the ruling Party", he said.

The meeting was organised by Sheikh Sadiq, PDP secretary. Other Party leaders who spoke on the occasion include Messrs Bilal Lodhi, general secretary PDP and Nazir Hussain, president District Baramulla.

Sant Sammelan held at Guru Ravi Dass Temple

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 6: A Virat Sant Sammelan was held at Guru Ravi Dass Ji Maharaj Temple here, which was organised by Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Udhampur.

The programme started with Bhajans, which was followed by spiritual sermons by Swami Gurdeep Girji Maharaj.

Addressing the devotees, he stressed the need to follow the spiritual path shown by Guru Ravi Dass Maharaj and other saints. The Swami Ji impressed upon the people to shun the path of violence and instead develop tolerance even in the family life. He said that the path of the truth and Prabhu Bhagti should be held at all costs and there should be good relation based on love and devotion between Guru and his disciples.

The Swami Ji advised people not to be after monetary gains and instead devote time to remember God after obtaining " Naamdan".

A free langer was also served to all the devotees present on the occasion.

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