DD’s DG launches programme for 50 Dard viewers
Prasar Bharati forgets language, turns to dialects

From Ahmed Ali Fayaz

SRINAGAR, Nov 7: Even as the main station of Doordarshan in Jammu as well as the much-hyped ‘DD Kashir’, have been a bizarre failure for want of competent leadership-and in the process Kashmiri as well as Dogri languages have become a casualty-Prasar Bharati has suddenly developed the fullsome of love for "the state’s neglected dialects". Much more than a legitimate urge of targetting viewership in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, it is the prose and poetry of Sushma Swaraj’s "Kashmir heroes" that is actually behind Prasar Bharati’s latest mission Kashmir.

First time in the official electronic media’s history, the major station of Radio Kashmir here have fallen in the hands of the people who have no love lost for the prime language-Kashmiri. Even as the senior positions of Director and Chief Producer continue to be vacanat at both the stations, Deputy Director Programmes (DDP) Mohammad Ashraf Lone Sahil and an equivalent, Chowdhary Ghulam Hussain Zia, have been functioning as heads of Doordarshan Kendra (DDK) Srinagar and Radio Kashmir Srinagar (RKS) respectively.

Zia’s obsession for Sheena and Gojri dialects is understandable as the former happens to be a Dard and the latter a Gujjar. Normally nobody here does object to DD’s and AIR’s expansion to remote corners and neglected dialects. But, the way Valley’s main language has been relegated to the oblivion by DD as wella as AIR, in recent past, Kashmir’s intelligentsia is more than restive.

Outstanding private producers like Zameer Ashai, Tariq Javed, Ayash Arif, Parvez Masoodi, Muddasar Nehvi, Nazir Josh, Mushtaq Wani, Mushtaq Ali Ahmed and all others were absent-either uninvited or on protest at Zero Bridge. Similar was the case with ace writers, artists and cultural activists. "We were not invited deliberately. They feared we would expose them all publicly", said Tariq Javed, DDK’s seniormost actor and producer-director.

Another prominant actor and producer, Zameer Ashai, who has been associated with DDK Srinagar from its day one in 1972, said that such functions were now restricted to DD and state government employees and there was no point in attending the same.

"Mission Kashmir hits Bumbro Bumbro, Rinda Poshmaal and a group of pretty young girls in Kashmiri costumes are the keys to success in DD today. What’s the business of bona fide artists, writers and producers at such functions", remarked a noted cultural activist and private producer.

Others, point out other bizarre angles. According to a study, DD Kashir has commissioned and telecast just 30% programmes in Kashmiri. Most of these, including the multi-crore morning show have been allotted to non-Kashmiri producers who have no knowledge of Kashmir’s language, literatrure or culture. Initially, DD had declared to put over 50% of the DD Kashir programmes in Kashmiri.

A New Delhi-based journalist-producer has bagged Rs 4.00 Crore during the last ten months from DD Kashmir for producing a Kashmiri language programmes which he himself has never seen. He even did not bother to visit Kashmir once as his net profit is Rs one Lakh every day.

"A few Kashmiri producers have been silenced with just four or eight episodes. All the files not recommended by brokers are being returned", says a producer whose 12 proposals have been returned without assessing the merits of the proposals.

On the other hand, DD’s Director General Channel Development Harish Awasthi came all the way from Delhi to launch a weekly programme in Sheena__incharge Director DDK Mr Sahil’s dialect. That inspite of the fact that in the mainland here, there are a total of 50 Dard listeners. The official explanation is that there are 200,000 Sheena knowing individuals in Kashmir. Hundreds of thousands more in Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and other Pakistan-held territories. To the Kashmir-blind Delhites, Balti is being projected another dialect of Lakhs of listeners.

As a matter of fact, only 30,000 people in Gurez and Tulel speak the broken form of Sheena. At the moment, the people in Gurez can watch neither DDK Srinagar programmes nor those of DD Kashir. The real and standard form of Sheena is spoken in Gilgit state’s capital district of Nagar, Hunza and Astor.

As for Balti, its only a broken form of the dialect which is spoken here in Kargil, Pushkim, Panikhar and some other places. The standard form of the dialect exists in Pakistan-held Baltistan state’s Skardu, Shigar, Kharmang and Khaplu distrcts.

It is being hyped as I&B Ministry’s psychological operation to send programmes across the LoC "so that there is no effective indoctrination of Jehad". Officials even highlight that a large number of "hardcore mercenaries" do come from Baltistan and Gilgit. The fact is that only one "foreign militant" from that area has been killed in Jammu & Kashmir till date and the same area, unlike NWFP and Muzaffarabad, is extremely cool to militancy and Jehad.

Besides, experts believe that nobody in those states would like to listen to programmes in the broken form of Shina or Balti.

SSB launches publicity campaign

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Nov 7: The four day long publicity campaign launched by SSB started from Darhal yesterday.

On the occasion a symposium, inter school quiz competition, a cultural programme and a volleyball tournament was held.

Six teams participated in the Volleyball tournament which was won by Dodaj School and Panthal School was runner up.

The cultural programme was presented by Higher Secondary School Darhal and Girls High School. Besides these two institutions, various academies participated in cultural programme.

In Inter School Quiz competition MET bagged the first position while the second position went to Higher Secondary School Darhal.

Col V P S Bhakuni of Dogra Regiment was the chief guest on the occasion who hailed the SSB for organising such programmes in remote and farflug areas.

He asked the people to remain vigilant against the nefarious designs of the anti national elements and the enemy agents who are bent upon creating a wedge between the different communities.

He hailed the people of border belt for fighting the militancy with shoulder to shoulder with security forces.

The function was organised by Mr H K Rawat area organisor SSB.

GM Shah seeks journalists’ views on Kashmir issue

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 7: Former Chief Minister and president of Awami National Conference (ANC), Mr G M Shah has sought the views of the prominent journalists of Jammu and Kashmir in finding a solution to vexed Kashmir problem.

The time has come when everyone of us has to think seriously in finding an ever-lasting solution to Kashmir problem, Mr Shah said in a letter written to Mr S D Rohmetra, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Excelsior.

The letter said that every one is aware of the ground realities prevailing in the State. If the present generation cannot think positively to find a solution, then the existence of the coming generations will be in danger, the letter written in Urdu said.

Maintaining that Kashmir was a disputed issue, the former Chief Minister said that the time has proved that to think that the State’s fate has been decided, was simply keeping ones own self in total dark. It, however, asserted that every person, either from majority or minority community, has a right to put forth his or her view in finding a solution to this vexed issue.

The ANC president said that while some want that the fate of Kashmir was with India, few hold the view that it should go with Pakistan, while’s some subscribe to the view that it should be an independent territory. One thing is clear that Kashmir is a disputed issue and needs a solution, the letter further said.

Mr Shah said that it was in this context that he has been writing letters to all political leaders, individuals and journalists so as to seek their views and bring home the point that Kashmir needs a solution and that too at the earliest. He said that the solution should be based on keeping in view the aspirations of the people of the entire State.

He opined that all individuals, be those belonging to majority or minority community, or having affiliation with ruling party or with opposition, should sit together in order to find a peaceful solution to this grave issue.

Mr Shah maintained that his effort in this direction was "realistic" and he would continue his efforts for building up strong public opinion in order to find a peaceful solution to this issue.

The letter further said that he (Mr Shah) would be meeting the prominent journalists of the State so as to discuss the issue and seek their views for "further guidance".

Chowkidars, Numberdars demand Class IV grade

Excelsior Correspondent

AKHNOOR, Nov 7: Chowkidars and Numberdars union of tehsil Akhnoor has criticised the state government for its alleged discriminatory attitude towards them.

According to a release, a meeting of the members of the union was held today under the chairmanship of Bodh Raj president LPEF Akhnoor unit. About 500 members of the union participated in this meeting. They were protesting against the anti-people and anti-chowkidars policies of the Government.

Addressing the gathering, the unit chief expressed that since independence the chowkidars and numberdars are doing their job for the Revenue department and is getting very low remuneration.The discriminatory attitude of the Government has caused strong resentment among them. He demanded that members of this group be given the IV class status and grade.

He condemned the Government for ignoring the genuine demands of the chowkidars and maintained that not only with the Revenue but he has to perform his duty with the Forest, Police, Judiciary,health and other Govt agencies. Expressing serious concern over the recent price hike of essential commodities, he said village guards are getting Rs 7 per day and the chowkidars are the lowest.

Others who spoke on the occasion included—Thakur Dass Bhagat, provincial president Village Guards and Sardari Lal, general secretary.

Aima gets ‘Man of the Year’ title from US Institute

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: American Biographical Institute, INC, North Carolina, USA has announced the nomination for the title " Man of the Year " to Prof Ashok Aima, Dean Faculty of Management Studies University of Jammu for his over all accomplishment and contribution to society.

A communication dated Sept 8, 2000 has been received by Prof Aima from the USA in this connection. Earlier also, the same organisation on the number of occasions nominated Prof Aima to various prestigious titles —Distinguished leadership, May 1994, Life Fellow—March 1995, Man of the year—June 1995, Nomination to International book of Honour-Aug 1995, Nomination for Distinguished Leadership Aug 1995 and Life Time Achievement Award—Aug 1997.

Raj Kumar Dogra to head Brahman Sabha Samba

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Mr Raj Kumar Dogra was elected as president of the Brahman Sabha, Samba the elections for which were held today.

As per a release, Mr Madhu Sudhan Khajuria was elected as senior vice president while Messrs Ashwani Misra and Kamal Kishore Badyal were elected as vice presidents.

Anuraj Sharma was elected as general secretary, Yugal Sharma as cashier and Bheem Sen Sharma as store keeper.

The elections were conducted in the Sabha meeting today which was conducted under the chairmanship of Mr J P Thappa a social activist.

Over 100 delegates took part in the elections. Earlier Mr Madhu Sudan Khajuria, the outgoing president dissolved the old body.

Later addressing the members Mr Hans Raj Dividi stressed on unity among the community members. He also stressed on observance of the customs and rituals of the Brahman Biradri.

The newly elected president assured the gathering that he will work for the betterment of the community.

Chain hunger strike into 25th day
KPs warn to take students struggle to streets

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Leaders of different Kashmiri Pandit factions today warned the Government that entire community will come on streets in support of the struggle launched by the camp college students demanding revocation of order regarding their merger with evening colleges in case the Government sticks to its present stand on the issue.

These Kashmiri Pandit leaders who on 25th day of chain hunger strike of camp college students today joined the dharna to show their solidarity with them resolved that the entire community will fight tooth and nail against the policies of the State Government which they alleged are prejudicial to the cause of the KPs.

"We will not let the struggle of the students to go waste and take the present agitation to its logical end", said Dr Ajay Chrangoo, chairman Panun Kashmir while addressing the agitating students today.

Terming it a black order he said it has long term ramifications and warned that any onslaught on the rights of the community will be resisted with full might.

Dr Chrangoo said no doubt the community has been demanding that an autonomous institution be created here under Jammu University but after the normal functioning of the Kashmir University for last two years we modified our stand.

He while criticising the Government questioned its authenticity of merging the camp colleges with evening colleges and said when the KU has been functioning normally for last two years what was the need of this decision.

Terming it a big conspiracy he alleged that after succeeding in hounding out the KPs from the Valley the forces who want the total Islamisation of Valley are trying to snap the community’s last links with Kashmir.

He while taking the State Government to task alleged that the security of KP employees posted in Valley has been removed and they have been asked to defend themselves.

He said in another example of anti Kashmiri Pandit policies the migrant students have been thrown out of the Camp Engineering College and asked to study in Jammu College of Engineering.

He said this all is being done by the NC Government to trouble the displaced community and create an instability among them. He warned that the community will not be cowed down by such machinations of the Government but will intensify the struggle to give a befitting reply to it.

Mr Amarnath Vaishnavi president All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) said that displaced student community was unnecessarily being harassed by the Government.

He said the Government’s negative and discriminative attitude towards the hapless students has resulted into their sufferings.

Terming the merger decision a "black order" he demanded its immediate withdrawal failing which the community will intensify the struggle, he warned.

Mr O N Trisal, president All Kashmiri Pandit Solidarity Conference (AKPSC) while taking a strong exception of the Government’s decision alleged that Kashmiri Pandit community will frustrate all designs of converting Kashmir into an Islamic State.

He said the Government’s decision is aimed at cutting the roots of the KPs who are aborigines of the Valley.

He urged the student community to maintain the unity at all levels so that the designs of the Government are thwarted with full might.

Among the students who participated in today’s chain hunger strike include Messrs Rahul Dhar, Amit Raina, Vinod Pandita and Sujit Matoo.

Meanwhile, the Kashmiri Pandit Sabha Ambphalla, Jammu in a statement has expressed serious concern over the silence maintained by the State Government on the issue.

The Sabha in a handout issued here today urged the Government to redress the grievances of the camp college students who have already lost three precious months of the academic year.

Vigilance Awareness Week observed in KV Akhnoor

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: To fight deep rooted corruption from the country, Vigilance Awareness Week was observed from October 31 to November 4 in Kendriya Vidyalya No 2 Akhnoor 27 kilometers from here.

As per a release, the students and staff members of the School organised seminars and debate on the issue. They also discussed various facets of corruption prevalent in the society.

The corruption is the root cause of all evils which is harming the values of our life as it debases social, economic and political life of the nation, said Mrs Neeta Nargotra.

The students who participated in the seminar were of the view that factors like poverty, rising prices, lavish expenditure on social customs, vast powers in the hands of the officers have helped corruption to gain the ground in the country.

In his address the Principal of the Vidyalya, Mr S C Khajuria said the corruption is anti national, anti poor and anti economic development.

He while stressing on the development of work culture said dereliction of duty also amounts to corruption.

He said the India ranked 69 in the list of 99 most corrupt nations as per the corruption perception index prepared by "Transparency International" Berlin based non Government organisation.

Master Jatinder Kumar a student said GDP will grow by 1.5 percent and foreign direct investment in India will grow by 12 percent if the corruption level goes down.

All the employees of the Vidyalya took a solemn pledge to fight corruption from the society as per CVC directives. On the occasion a detailed letter from Mr N Vital, Central Vigilance Commissioner was read to the children and the staff.

GCET organises quiz on Technofest-2K

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: The Government College of Engineering and Technology organised inter-college quiz ‘Technofest-2K’ in the college campus.

According to a press release, students from Model Institute of Engineering and Technology Jammu also participated in the contest. Messrs Amit, Varun and Varun of 6th semester of GCET were winners in order of merit while Parminder Singh, Deepak Kumar and Raj Verma of second semester of GCET were runners up.

Neeraj Bhati, Deepali Mahajan, Randeep Singh Bhau, Pardeep Suri, Priyanka Kudyar, Pahul Gupta, students of the BE first semester of MIET participated in the contest.

Ms Nancy Handoo was quiz contest incharge while Mr Sanjay Tiku and and Ms Vishaka Munshi were quiz masters. Mr Chetan Verma was organiser.

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