Jullaka Mohalla residents donate Rs 7000 for Gujarat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 11: Residents of Jullaka Mohalla have donated Rs 7000 for Gujarat earthquake victims.

As per a release the collection was also made from the residents of Pacci Dhakki. The draft of the same amount was sent to the Prime Minister Earthquake Relief Fund.

Those who actively participated in the collection of donations from the inhabitants of the area included Anju Aggarwal, Rohit Khan (Rinku), Sagar Tiku, Sheen Tiku, Neeraj Aggarwal, Gourav Aggarwal, Anu and Sumeet Aggarwal, al residents of Ward No 2.

Ghar villagers without water for over three months

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 11: The inhabitants of Ghar village in Akhnoor tehsil have complained that they were without drinking water for the past over three and a half month.

As per a release the inhabitants said despite verbal requests to the Chief Engineer and other fora of the department and assurances extended to them, the water supply to their village has not been restored. The inhabitants of Ghar have also contacted the Deputy Commissioner Jammu on phone in this regard.

Violent incidents may mar Jammu bandh, hints ABVP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 11: Tomorrow’s bandh may witness untoward incidents and unruly scenes as the pent up anger of agitating students, who are protesting against alleged illegal admission of unrecognised PRIME medicos in Government Medical Colleges, can force them to resort to some violent action.

This was hinted out by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad which is spearheading ongoing students’ stir against erratic power supply and the alleged illegal admissions of PRIME medicos and has given call for Jammu bandh on February 12.

"State Government will be entirely responsible for any untoward incident on tomorrow during the bandh as ABVP can not control the pent up anger of agitating students any more," said Mr Ramesh Pappa, national secretary of ABVP, while talking to mediapersons, here today.

He alleged that the Government was forcing students to continue the ongoing stir and resort to aggressive means by not cancelling the illegal admissions. "The brutal use of force on ABVP activists on February 8 at the Jammu Club has added fuel to the fire and now the National Conference Government and its ‘agents’ should be ready to face the wrath of students," he threatened.

The ABVP leader also dismissed the statement of Chief Secretary J&K according to which the State Government has recommended to the Centre for cancellation of PRIME medicos’ admissions in Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar.

Terming the statement as mere eye-wash aimed to befool the general public and student community, particularly, Mr Pappa said," had the State Government concerned about students’ stir, it would have withdrawan the controversial order regarding the adjustment of PRIME medicos instead of making recommendation to the Union Government for the same."

The ABVP leader reiterated that students would continue the ongoing stir till a logical conclusion and sought co-operation of all people of the State in this connection. He appealed people not to ply even their private vehicles on tomorrow to make the Jammu bandh a complete success and observe civil curfew from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Replying to a query, Mr Pappa lamented that no reply has been received from the Union Health Ministry which had assured an early clarification to ABVP delegation regarding the illegal admissions. He said that the elected representatives of the State will get the treatment as per their action in Assembly session which is going to start from tomorrow.

Demanding legal action against trustees of PRIME for running an unauthorised medical college, ABVP State president Mr Narinder Singh alleged that the State Government was shielding the guilty persons as they are affiliated to ruling National Conference.

On the occasion, Mr Ramesh Pappa disclosed that ABVP has also decided to hold a mass rally on February 23 against the erratic power supply and illegal admissions.

ABVP vice-president Mr Naresh Padha, state secretary Vivek Sharma and state joint secretary Adarsh Kumar were also present in the press conference.

Guru Ravi Dass anniversary celebrated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 11: Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha celebrated with religious fervour 624th birth anniversary of Guru Ravi Dass near Bahu Fort here today.

A large number of people were present. Ch Piara Singh, MLA was the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, the legislator said Guru Ravi Dassji’s teachings have shown the true path to humanity. The people should follow the path of peace, harmony and moral values, he added.

Mr Mulkh Raj, president, Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Bahu Fort spoke and threw light on the life and teachings of Guru Ravi Dass.

Mr Ramam Bhalla also addressed the gathering.

A satsang was also organised in which a large number of devotees participated.

Dogri Writers’ Conference Concludes Call for promotion of Dogri & giving it due status

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 11: The 4th All India Dogri Writers conference concluded here today with a call for taking concrete measures for providing due status to Dogri language and also preservation of Dogra arts and cultural heritage.

A major resolution was passed impressing upon the State and the Central Government for inclusion of Dogri in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution as this language fulfills all the norms and criteria fixed for the purpose.

While welcoming introduction of Dogri in the primary classes from coming academic session, another resolution stressed that Dogri subject be taught at the school and college level in the Jammu region.

A Department of Folk Studies and Archaeology should be opened in the Jammu University for conservation and research work on this rich cultural heritage of the Dogras. And also to set up Post-Graduate Department of Fine Arts in the University of Jammu so that student graduating from Institute of Music and Fine Arts could pursue their further studies.

The need for creating a publication cell in the P-G Dogri Department was stressed for publishing text books and research material pertaining to various courses at school, college and university levels as per pattern of Kashmir University for Kashmiri language. This is an important resolution.

A unanimous resolution urged the Government for setting up of a Dogri Academy for promotion and development of Dogri language and literature as well as Dogra arts and culture.

The delegates attending the conference also passed resolution demanding upgradation of Doordarshan Kendra, Jammu to full-fledged station with programmes production and presentation. A Dogri Channel on the pattern of Kashur channel be started in Jammu region to project the cultural heritage of the Dogras.

Another resolution urged the Minister for Information and Broadcasting that nomenclature of Jammu Radio Station should be Akashvani Kendra, Jammu instead of present name: Radio Kashmir, Jammu. A Radio station must be set up in Udhampur. Kathua and Jammu should be Dogri

language stations and in News Section the staff especially the head of the unit should be Dogri knowing, a resolution said.

The delegates on the third day actively participated in the panel discussions and pinpointed the areas of promotion of Dogri language and preservation of arts and culture of the Dogras. A number of important resolutions were passed in the presence of the Education Minister, Mr Mohammed Shafi.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shafi said the state Government have supporting from time to time the cause of inclusion of Dogri in the 8th Schedule and reiterated the firm commitment of Dr Farooq Abdullah Government in this regard. He was, however, interrupted by Dhanraj Bhagotra, ex-MLC who pointed out that his move in the Legislative Council was not fully backed by the Government.

The Minister stated that the Government has decided to introduce Dogri at the primary level from the ensuing academic session. He praised the State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for organising such a successful conference where writers had interaction.

While Dr Lalit Magotra was moderator, other panelists were Dr Veena Gupta, Dr Champa Sharma, Prof Shiv Nirmohi, Mr Darshan Darshi and Mr Hemant Sathe. Others who has interventions in the discussion and made their observations and suggestions were N D Sharma, N D Jamwal, Padma Sachdev, Mohan Singh, Romail Singh Padwal, Shiv Dev Singh, Vijay Verma, Shakti Singh, Prakash Premi, Deshbandu Nutan. Mr Om Goswami, Additional Secretary, Cultural Academy presented vote of thanks.

The 3-day conference has come out with specific recommendations which need to be followed up for promotion and development of Dogri language.

Power employees hold meeting

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 11: A meeting of the Power Workers Association was held here today under the presidentship of Ashok Kumar, wherein the problems being faced by the employees were discussed in detail.

The meeting appealed to the employees to be cautious of the misleading pamphlets wherein it has been mentioned to hold a conference of PDD employees. Reacting to these pamphlets, Mr Ashok Kumar said that these pamphlets issued under the name of J&K PDD Employees Federation, were nothing but a ploy to cause rift among the employees, as no such Federation exists.

Mr Ashok Kumar said that some individuals with vested interests were trying to confuse the employees by such ploys. Among others who attended the meeting included Surinder Kumar, Kabla Singh, Krishan Singh, Satish Padha, Jagjit Singh, Surinder Singh and Kuldeep Sharma.

Massacre of 15 members of nomad families widely condemned

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 11: Various political and social organisations have widely condemned the brutal massacre of 15 members of 3 nomad families at village Morha Salui in Kot Chadwal area of Rajouri district.

The Jammu and Kashmir Gujjars United Front expressed shock and grief over the brutal killings of 15 persons belonging to Gujjar Bakerwal community. In a meeting of Front, Gujjars expressed anguish over the selective killings and furiously commented that on the killing of other people whole of the State and even New Delhi gets shaken but on the killing of innocent and poor Bakerwals both the Governments have maintained criminal silence.

The Front appealed the Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and Home Minister Mr L K Advani to make some policy for the safety of Gujjars of the State. The Front leaders have also decided to take out a procession on February 13 in Jammu to protest against the selective killings of Gujjars.

Gujjar Islahi Committee in a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Choudhary Ghulam Rasool Asghar condemned the killing of 15 Gujjars including women and children. The meeting alleged that Farooq Abdullah Government has totally failed to protect the lives of innocent people of the State and their properties. The Committee appealed the Central Government to provide adequate relief to the survivors of the victims and immediately dismiss the State Government.

Mr Javaid Hussain Shah, MLC, Chairman Muttahidah Quami Mahaz condemned the brutal carnage of 15 members of 3 Nomad families by the Pakistan sponsored militants. He expressed his concern over the gruesome killing of innocent and described it as dastardly act.

Mr Amrit Malhotra, spokesman of J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC-I) and several other party leaders have strongly condemned the brutal killing of 15 members of three nomad families including seven children and three women at village Morha Saluhi in Rajouri district. Mr Malhotra, expressing shock and grief over the carnage, described the killing as most naked and brutal form of terrorism.

Serious shock and grief has been expressed by Mr Ashok Kumar Sharma, MLA Kalakote over the burning and killing of 15 persons in remotest village of Morha Salui. Reiterating his demand for restoration of 100 lifted security pickets, Mr Sharma said that it was only due to the failure of State as well as Central Government that the innocent people have been becoming canon fodder of militants’ gun.

In a meeting of various Sikh organisations held here today, Mr Gurdev Singh, president Shiromani Akali Dal, J&K condemned the gruesome massacre of 15 Bakerwals by the Pakistan sponsored militants. He said that burning alive the innocent people is not only a barbaric act and against humanity but it is also anti-Islam and added that God and Prophet of Islam will never forgive such persons and their mentors across the border.

Nami Dogri Sanstha, Sunderbani in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr Amarjeet Sharma condemned the massacre of 15 innocent people including women and children in Budhal tehsil of Rajouri district. The members of the Sanstha expressed grief and sorrow over the incident and termed it as inhuman and cowardly.

The Sanstha expressed heart-felt sympathies with the family members of the victims and appealed all the people of the area to maintain peace at this juncture.

J&K National Panthers Party strongly condemned barbaric and inhuman act of militants in roasting alive 15 innocent persons including women and children at village Kot Chirwala under Bhudal Police station and expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families.

The party urged the Prime Minister to provide security to innocent masses particularly those living in border villages and have been facing brunt of Pak sponsored militants for the last 12 years.

Describing the brutal carnage of three nomad families in Rajouri district as barbaric and inhuman, Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Awami League Mr Kukka Parray expressed shock and grief over the killings and said that international community and the entire civilised world should stand up to take the congizance of the atrocities being committed by the terrorists.

He said that it was the moral responsibility of the entire civilised world to fight all forms of terrorism as it posed the greatest threat to humanity.

Pradesh Janata Dal (United) general secretary Mr Sanjesh Gupta strongly condemned the brutal killing of innocent persons of 3 nomad families by the Pakistan sponsored militants. He urged the Central Government to review its policy especially with regard to the activities of the militant outfits which openly refused to respond favourably to unilateral cease-fire.

He further said that more leniency towards such elements would only create a sense of insecurity amongst the common masses and strengthen those militants who want to establish their domination through gun and bloodshed.

Meanwhile senior leader of Janata Dal (United) from Udhampur Mrs Mohini Mohan has also condemned the killing of innocent nomads in a Rajouri village and urged the Central Government to awake from the deep slumber and give due consideration to the ground realities prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir and gear up all security measures to ensure that such gruesome killings do not recur.

Mr Bhushan Lal Bhat, MLC and general secretary National Conference Minority Cell expressed shock over the killing of 15 members of 3 nomad families.

J&K Panthers Party strongly condemned the brutal killings of 15 members of Bakerwal families and described it as most heinous crime. The party has also decided to join the Bandh call given in support of separate Jammu state and protest against illegal admissions in Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Srinagar and faulty electric supply.

The party in a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Uday Chand appealed the people to make the Bandh a complete success.

BJP leader and Member Parliament Vaid Vaishnu Dutt expressed grief and sorrow over the killing of 15 members of 3 nomad families at village Morha Salui in Kot Chadwal area of Budhal tehsil. Describing the act of militants as inhuman and cowardice, he said that these incidents reflect that the merchants of death and destruction have no religion and deserves severe punishment.

He also criticised the National Conference Government for its failure in providing security to peace loving people. Mr Satish Kumar Sharma, BJYM president also expressed deep shock over the killings.

Choudhary Mohammad Sardar Khatana, BJP ST Morcha president also condemned the killings of 15 members of 3 nomad families and criticised the State Government for its failure on all fronts.

Former Minister and State NCP chief Thakur Randhir Singh condemned the killings of Bakerwal community. He also condemned the killings of policemen in Police HQ, Srinagar and demanded compensation for the families of deceased.

Our Rajouri Correspondent adds:

Mr Kuldeep Raj Gupta, state BJP senior vice-president strongly condemned the brutal carnage by the Pakistan sponsored militants. He said that neither Islam nor Jehad teach such brutal mass killings and added that Human Right Commission should see how the human rights violation is being made by the Pakistan sponsored militants in J&K.

He appealed the State Government to take immediate steps to provide security to the people living in border areas and demanded cash relief and Government service to the next kith and kin of victims.

Gujjar and Bakerwal Association condemned the roasting alive of 15 members of community by the militants and expressed sympathies with the survivors of victims’ families. The president of the Association Mr Liaqat Ali met District Development Commissioner Mr K A Khan and requested him to visit the spot to enquire about the ground realities.

"Bhagwan Gopinath Ji Birth Centenary Volume’’ released

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 11: "Bhagwaan Gopinathji Birth Centenary Volume: Our Spiritual Heritage", a monumental book related to Bhagwan Ji was released at his Udaiwala Bohri Ashram near here today.

On the occasion a grand function was organised by the Bhagwan Gopinathji Trust in the Ashram premises which was presided over by Lt. Col (Rtd) R K Langer.

The book was released by Padam Shri Prof. Ram Nath Shastri who also inaugurated the function which was attended by a large number of devotees of "Bhagwan".

Speaking on the occasion he urged the Kasmiri Pandit Community to preserve its rich cultural heritage and stressed on giving due attention to the Sanskrit and Hindi languages.

He regretted that the Sanskrit and Hindi being a link to our ancient culture is not being given proper attention now and asked the community members to setup a library of books on Kashmiri culture and Philosophy of Shaivism here.

Paying his obeisance to Bhagwaan Gopinath he said Bhagwan Ji was a "Sidh Pursh"(saintly person) who had attained heights in spiritualism. He said on the soil of Jammu also some saintly persons like Babba Jitoo and Mian Dedo had taken birth. Both of them were the Karm Yogis who made many sacrifices for the betterment of the people. But Bhagwan Ji was a silent saint.

The function started with the lighting of traditional lamp by the chief guest.

The welcome address was made by Prof. A N Dhar. Mr Jai Krishan Koul gave a brief resume of Birth Centenary Volume.

It was followed by the Bhakti songs recited by Ravi Bhan, Ms Naina Saproo, Surpal Ji and Vijay Malla.

A lecture on Bhagwaan consciousness was given by Prof B L Koul, a renowned scholar of Kashmir. On the occasion "Swamana Puza" a Cassette was released by Mr Jagan Nath Shivpuri while annual report was read by vice president of the Trust.

Miss Jaikishori Patwari, president of the Trust presented the vote of thanks, she also announced a sum of Rs 11,000 toward Prime Ministers relief fund for earthquake victims of Gujarat State and the function concluded with the presidential address of Lt. Col (rtd) R K Langar.

Mrs Sexana inaugurates Police Welfare Mela

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 11: The first lady of the State, Mrs Rajni Saxena inaugurated a Police Welfare Mela in the lawns of the Police Officers Mess at Gulshan Ground today.

The Mela was organised by Jammu and Kashmir Police for the welfare of the families of the martyrs. Mrs Sexena was received by Mrs Neeru Suri, wife of the Director General of Police who is the president of the Police Welfare Association. Small children of police families presented bookies to Mrs Sexana on her arrival.

Variety of goods and crafts items prepared at various Police Welfare Centre and Police Training Academy in different districts in the state were displayed at the stalls for sale. The sale proceeds of the Mela will go towards the welfare of the families of the police martyrs and some parts of the proceeds would go to the Gujarat quake victims. A large number of people from Jammu City thronged the Mela and showed keen interest in purchasing the goods.

Among others the Mela was visited by a large number of dignitaries and prominent citizens. The wives of Police officers evinced keen interest in participating in the Mela and purchasing goods which included Mrs Neeru Suri, Mrs Meena Bakshi, Mrs Gopal Sharma, Mrs Indu Khuda, Mrs Kiran Bhan, Mrs Achhama Rajiv, Mrs Bharti Vaid and Mrs Dolley.

Later, Director General of Police, Mr A K Suri also visited the Mela and appreciated the effort put up by the Welfare Centre to display and sell items. He was told that a sale of Rs 3 lakh was recorded.

Mr Suri announced a reward of Rs 50,000 to the police officials and their wives for organising this show. He said that 50 percent of the profit of the show will be sent for Gujarat relief. Apart from one day salary, the police personnel will contribute further towards Gujarat relief fund, he added.

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