Suitable study material vital for informal education system

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 21: The distance education system is fast gaining momentum as it is cost-effective, has wider reach and an effective informal way of education.

There are nearly 175 distant education institutions, 10 open universities and over 20,000 faculty members across the country. Providing suitable self-learning education material to the students is crucial.

A 3-day workshop on: " Transformation of print material in the self-learning material" has been organised by the Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu in collaboration with Staff Training and Research Institute of Distance Education (STRIDE), New Delhi and Regional office of IGNOU.

Inaugurating the workshop, Prof Zahoor-Ud-Din, Registrar, University of Jammu, emphasised the need for providing suitable self-learning material to the distance education students for optimal results. He appreciated the efforts being made by the Distance Education directorate and the IGNOU.

Prof Zahoor mentioned about the beginning of new era where students are being made self-dependent rather than dependent. The quality of reading material mainly and also methodology will determine the out-come of this education system.

Welcoming the chief guest and the participants, Prof Santokh Ram, Director, Distance Education, University of Jammu outlined the aim and objective of the workshop. He expressed the hope that outcome of the deliberations by experts and academicians will yield fruitful results in evolving more suitable self-learning material material for students undergoing studies under this informal system.

Dr C R K Murthy, an expert from the STRIDE, spoke about the importance of workshop and underlined the vital need for improving the learning material for effectiveness of the system.

Later, in the working session presided over by Prof Santokh Ram, he discussed the subject with his lecture illustrated with slides.

Mrs Anupama Vohra from IGNOU also presented her expert views on the topic. Prof B D Gupta underscored need for quality.

Regional Director, IGNOU, Dr Narsinharao stated that the main objective is to spread education through this informal system among the masses especially the deprived sections of society. He underscored that DDE and IGNOU must co-ordinate and co-operate in this field. Prof A N Sadhu, Dean Academic Affair, in his presidential address spoke about the distance education system being relevant in view of growing strain on infrastructure of formal education system. He said that the workshop will lead to improvement in preparing reading material for the students.

The participants drawn from various disciplines of education and experts are holding deliberations in working sessions.

The 3-day workshop has been arranged to develop the trained human resource in transforming the print materials into self-learning study material for students of distance education.

5-day Drama Festival begins
Play depicts social ills which weaken our society

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 21: The 5-day Drama Festival organised by the State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages commenced with the presentation of "Mahabrahman" at Abhinav Theatre here today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary, Cutlural Academy, Mr Balwant Thakur stated that the drama festival will give a boost to the theatre movement in the State.

The Samooh Theatre staged the drama " Mahabrahman" written by Premanand Gazvi and directed by Mr Sudhir Mahajan, who is also a gifted artist himself played a role. Background music was arranged by Gurmeet Jamwal.

The drama revolves round the theme of social ills in our society that cast dark shadow on our caste-ridden system. There are castes and sub-castes which divide the society and weaken it. The story is well written.

The artists played their role so creditably that it drew repeated applaud from the audience present in the hall. Notably, Dhanesh Dogra performed well as Dhabu Pandit, Sudhir Mahajan as Digamber Shastri, Ms Varsha Dogra as Rewati, Raj Kumar Bhar as Vasudev, Rajesh Kotru’s part as Sideshwar and Swantantra Bharat’s role as Vedant Shastri. Child actor Repal Sharma’s performance as Madhu was appreciated.

In making the play successful, those who worked off stage also contributed a lot.

Balbir visits Billawar areas

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 21: Thakur Balbir Singh, MLA Billawar constituency conducted a two day tour of the area to assess the various problems being faced by the villagers.

As per a release, the newly elected Sarpanches and Panches of Seri Mooni Panchayat organised a function where MLA presided over. During the deliberations, the Sarpanches and Panches expressed their concern over the frequent interruption in power supply and shortage of drinking water etc.

They were critical over the failure of Rural Development Department in taking up development activities in the area. They alleged that the progress of Road and Building Department in Billawar area is very slow especially works allotted to the A-class contractors under NABARD scheme has not shown any progress both physically and quality wise.

Addressing the gathering, Thakur Balbir Singh urged the newly elected Panches and Sarpanches to work sincerely and honestly in uplifting the poor masses of hilly, remote and backward area of Billawar. He also urged the administration to immediately improve the power supply system including replacement of damaged transformers at Mandali, Parnallah and Bathar.

He criticised the Government for not announcing any contigency plan to help the poor farmers whose crop has been damaged without winter rains. He assured the people that matter regarding failure of A class contractors in executing the works in PWD will be taken up with Principal Secretary, PWD where stress will be laid to frame the grouping in such a way that D, C and B class contractors are able to execute the work at much faster speed and with a good quality.

The MLA further urged the administration to immediately press water tankers into service at Billawar and also in Kandi belt of Hiranagar tehsil. He warned that if the Government fails to pay its attention towards the problems of the people, the people will come on the roads to press their genuine demands.

He appealed the Chief Minister to immediately constitute a committee which will assess the total loss of crop in Jammu province so that necessary relief was distributed to the sufferers.

Legal awareness camp, Lok Adalat organised

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Feb 21: A legal awareness camp and Lok Adalat was organised by Tehsil Service Committee, Kalakote in the court Complex here.

As per a release, the camp was presided over by Mr V K Phull, Chairman, District Legal Services and Awareness and District and Session Judge, Rajouri and the bench comprised of Messrs Mohinder Kumar Sharma, District Judicial Mobile Magistrate, Rajouri and Ritesh Kumar Dubey, Munsiff JMIC, Kalakote.

A large number of people attended the function. The most striking feature of the camp was the participation of majority of the Sarpanches and Panches of Kalakote tehsil, who played major role in the settlement of dispute between the litigants.

The function was also attended by Tehsildar and SDO, Agriculture, Kalakote tehsil. In the Lok Adalat, 9 criminal and 11 civil cases were disposed off after settlement between the parties.

Earlier, while inaugurating and presiding over the function, Mr V K Phull highlighted the provision of Legal Aid made for the benefits of poor and deserving people. He also detailed the public about the procedure followed while granting legal aid to the beneficiaries and told them about their legal and fundamental rights.

BSP alleged corrupt practices by NC Govt
in Panchayat polls

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 21: A meeting of Bahujan Samaj Party was held under the presidentship of Sheikh Abdul Rehman, MLA.

As per a release while discussing the Panchayat polls, the BSP strongly condemned the ruling National Conference for using muscle power, Government machinery and for adopting corrupt practice of distribution of shawls and blankets to the voters to induce them to vote in favour of State Government/NC sponsored and supported candidates.

The BSP said though the elections are being held on non-political party basis yet the ruling NC violated the provisions of Panchayat Raj Act. The BSP appealed the Chief Electoral Officer J&K State to hold an inquiry in whole matter, particularly in case of Jangi Ram, Sarpanch, candidate Halqa Badiyal Qazian (R S Pura block) who was declared elected as Sarpanch after three time counting of votes at the request of opponent candidate on February 4, but the election Authority in violation of Rules and at the behest of N C Leader again recounted the votes on February 7 without the knowledge and notice of to already announced successful candidate Jangi Ram and illegally favoured the result in favour of defeated candidate Janak Singh. The BSP also condemned the same corrupt practice being adopted by BJP in Doda. Despite all this the BSP however expressed satisfaction over the Panchayat Poll results of Jammu, Udhampur and Kathua districts.

The BSP secured Number One position in Jammu district as per number of seats and votes and Number 2 in Kathua and Udhampur districts while result from Doda district is still awaited.

The State BSP has demanded dismissal of NC Government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah and resignation of Union Home Minister Mr L K Advani owning responsibility of the above incidents as State as well as Central Governments have failed to protect the life and properties of innocent people and the situation has gone from bad to worse.

Others present in the meeting were Messrs Girdhari Lal Bhagat, Hans Raj Chargotra, Roop Lal Advocate, Som Nath (MLA) Pawan Kumar Manni Advocate, S Makhan Singh, S Goverdhan Singh Mehta and Ramesh Chander.

JJSF strike supported

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 21: The Rashterwadi Morcha in a meeting under the presidentship of Mr Jiwa Nand Purohit has supported the bandh call given by Jammu Joint Students Federation demanding immediate dismissal of Farooq Government and re-organisation of Jammu and Kashmir with statehood to Jammu.

As per a release the meeting vowed to support JJSF in its fight for getting due share for Jammu. Mr Raghunath Lakhanpal, general secretary flayed the police for failing to trace abducted girl from Udhampur and called upon Jammuites to unite for dislodging the corrupt Udhampur district administration. Messrs Raj Kumar Gupta and Ashok Bhatia expressed anguish over harassment to peace loving Jammuites by setting up PRC Commission to investigate the subjects of the State residing since long and smelled a foul play by the political elite of Kashmir to terrorise the general masses. Ch Jeet Ram Chauhan and Harish Jain also expressed their views on similar lines.

Decision to cover politicians, bureaucrats
JAKFED employees term Govt action unjust, arbitrary

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 21: Expressing their shock and surprise over the Government decision attaching 15 officers of the JAKFED with the Divisional Commissioner’s Office Jammu as a follow up action of the recommendations made by Pillai Commission of Inquiry, the JAKFED Employees Union has termed the decision totally unjust and arbitrary.

In a statement issued here today, the Union alleged that these officers and officials have been made scape-goats to shield over a dozen politicians, bureaucrats and Finance Department personnel who were part of the JAKFED management from time to time.

The Union Executive Body which held an emergency meeting here today while discussing the issue at length in an appeal to Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Minister of Agriculture, Cooperatives and Animal Husbandry, Ch. Mohammed Ramzan has demanded to review the decision on the basis of facts so that the "innocent" employees are relieved of unnecessary harassment.

It also urged the Government to depute the then Financial advisors and chief accounts officers for the adjustment of pending accounts of 74 JAKFED employees.

The Union expressed surprise over the manner in which the recommendations of the Fact Finding Inquiry have deviated from the original terms of reference of the Government issued vide Order No 11-GAD (Vig) of 1998 dated 5-2-1998. Through this order Mr S L Sailovia, Additional Chief Secretary was asked to inquire whether various officers were posted as managing directors, chief executive officers and general managers in JAKFED whose particulars have been given in the final investigation report of the Vigilance Organisation. He was also asked to find to what extent these officers were responsible for the failure of the system.

It said as this inquiry was in progress, the bureaucrats who remained at the helm of affairs in the JAKFED sensing their involvement got this order modified with the appointment of Mr K B Pillai, Principal Secretary to Government PDD vide order No 26-GAD (Vig) of 1999 dated 11-3-1999 as Inquiry Officer to scrutinize all concerned officers and officials posted in JAKFED from commencement of fertilizers business, the Union said.

However, this order was again partially modified by another order where in Mr V K Soi, Director Funds Organisation was asked to assist the Inquiry Officer.

The Union said the main intention behind the changing of the terms of reference of the Inquiry was to cover the politicians, bureaucrats and personnel from Finance Department.

The Union while terming the allegations regarding retaining of huge imprest amount as baseless said in instant cases the imprest accounts of about Rs 10 crore in respect of 66 employees of Jammu Division and about five crores in respect of eight employees of Kashmir valley, surprisingly only 15 employees who have submitted their expenditure accounts for adjustment at JAKFED Head Office have been victimised which totally indicates the malafide intentions of one of the inquiry officers who they alleged demanded ransom for hushing up the scandal.

It said the procedure of imprest advance and its adjustment was adopted by the bureaucrats and Financial advisors and chief accounts officers on deputation from time to time and hence the employees of the Organisation were not responsible for the same.

The Union maintained to run the business in JACKFED which is a commercial institution, sanction of imprest in favour of various functionaries is in escapable as it otherwise will halt the transportation of fertilizers and other items from Jammu to about 2000 sale centers in the State.

Expressing shock over the Cabinet decision the Union further said the attachment of 15 officials on the charges of alleged retaining of imprest amount unauthorisedly is totally baseless and incorrect.

It said net outstanding and account rendered on March 31, 1999 clearly indicates that instead of imprest holders the fault lies on the sanctioning and adjusting authorities who have been let scot free.

Giving further details it said among the 15 attached officials there was no outstanding against Messrs B K Bakshi Manager who has provided account for entire amount of Rs 4,28, 06, 170. Similarly there was no outstanding against M R Choudhary, AGM who has also rendered accounts for the imprest amount of Rs 1,48,59,115, two managers S L Sharma and S B Gandotra who have since submitted account of Rs 26,58,105 and 27,43,683 the imprest amount lying outstanding against their names.

The Union said surprisingly one AGM, G L Abrol and one Manager, O M Parkash who too have been attached to Divisional Commissioner’s office have not taken even a single peny as imprest from the organisation.

Regarding other officials it said there is no outstanding against S K Sharma , Manager, J D Dar Ch. Accountant, Janak Singh, F O and Mukesh Damral who have since submitted their accounts to the organisation.

Among the other officials the Union said Raman Uppal F O is the only exceptional case who has not furnished the account for imprest amount of Rs 4,00,470 while S L Sharma Manager, Ghulam Mohi-u-Din Wani and Karan Singh senior assistant have a balance of Rs 8,09,530, 2,00,000 and 3632 respectively against their names. Besides one official R C Gupta has since resigned from JAKFED services.

Terming the Inquiry Commission action totally vindictive the Union said even Mr G L Abrol, AGM who has been given clearance certificate by Accounts Wing has also been implicated.

Culture Corner
One step forward in preserving folk dances

By O P SHARMA

The Dogras have a rich cultural heritage. Their folk music is very sweet, the folk-lore quite fascinating while arts and crafts are unique. Among other things, the folk dances of Jammu region are significant component of our culture. These dance items are performed by the people on different occasions like religious festivals, harvest season and all types of social customs throughout Jammu region and parts of Himachal Pradesh.

The main folk dances popular among the people are : Kud, Phummnani, Chowki, Kikkali, Dhammachada, Dandras, Chhajja, Sohadi folk dance, Ghuraie , Dholak dance, Bhanga, Gidda.

These dances, when performed by artists attired in colourful costumes and to the accompaniment of melodious tunes of flute, drums and other musical instruments, in the beautiful natural setting in this mountainous part of the country, are very attractive and charming.

Rich Treasure

This art tradition is really a treasure which need to be preserved and popularised. Though these folk dances are being encouraged by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, yet much more remain to be done. It is really the people themselves who can protect and promote their cultural heritage. Some voluntary cultural and other organisations are also lending a helping hand in this sphere.

It is high that this invaluable wealth is scientifically studied, suitable strategy evolved for their proper preservation and popularisation among the people both within and outside the country.

A redeeming feature is that the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi has undertaken to make a detailed study of the folk dances of Jammu region. This work has appropriately been entrusted to Dr S P Srivatsa, a renowned scholar and one deeply interested in art and culture.

Detailed Study

The entire community has now pinned high hopes on Dr Srivatsa that he will make a detailed study of folk dances of Jammu region and suitably project them. An onerous task has been assigned to him and it is expected his in-depth study will definitely go a long way in preserving out this fold art for the future generations.

It is essential that the distinguishing characteristics of the Duggar’s dances are studied. The particular features of various folk dances, the areas identified where these are pre-dominantly performed and the folk artists who are mainly engaged in these items are to be chronicled. This task will be mainly taken up by Dr Srivatsa.

Vast Experience

Besides writing down the details of movements and music of these dances, it would be worthwhile to have these video-taped for both audio and visual effects. Needless to state that these arts are slowly fading away under the heavy onslaught of western culture through various satellite channels.

Dr Srivatsa is quite qualified to undertake the assignment of Sahitya Akademi. A retired college professor of Sanskrit, he has made critical comparative study of various regional languages for his doctorate thesis which he completed from Poona University under Faculty Improvement Programme of the Education department.

Pivotal Study

After his retirement in June, 1990, he has been contributing a lot towards culture and literature of the Jammu region. Dr Srivatsa has remained for sometime president, Hindi Sahitya Mandal; member, Dogri Research Institute and president, Dogri Writers’ Co-operative Society. He is also life member of Oriental Research Institute.

He has authored some books and done translation work too. His translation of Shakespear’s Macbeth into Dogri is a literary piece. Also Kathasarit Sagar from Sanskrit to Dogri is meritorious work. He has translated tareekh-i-Hind from Urdu to Hindi.

It is expected that the comprehensive study of folk dances by a well experience person will prove instrumental in preservation and promotion of this important component of our cultural heritage.

Mahashivratri celebrates with religious fervor, gaiety

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 21: The Mahashivratri was celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety amidst Bhajans Kirtans all over the State. Thousands and thousands of devotees thronged the Lord Shiva temples to offer Jal-Abisheek on the holy Lingams. The temples were specially decorated on this auspicious occasion. Religious fervor virtually gripped the City of Temples which wore a festive look.

Before dawn devotees were seen lined up in the famous Shiva temples like Aap Shambu Temple at Roop Nagar, Peer Kho Temple at Circular Road, Shiva Temple at Panjbakhtar Road and Shri Ranbireshwar Temple where a special function was held on this occasion.

Chanting Om Namo Shivay and Har Har Mahadev, thousands and thousands of devotees were seen standing in the lines waiting for their turn at Aap Shambu Temple, Roop Nagar to offer Jal-Absheek and to have darshan of Lord Shiva. Om Namo Shivay repeatedly rented in the air while devotees offering Jal on Shiv Lingam.

Similar was the situation in Shri Ranbireshwar Temple where a mela was held on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri. The historical Ranbireshwar Temple popularly called as Shivalay Mandir was specially decorated for this occasion. Thousands and thousands of devotees visited this temple known for its huge Shiv Lingam.

On this auspicious occasion, the city gripped with religious fervor. Loud speakers airing Bhajans and Shaloks in praise of Lord Shiva, who is symbol of the balance which exists among the diverse forces of nature and creation, were seen installed at every chowks which surcharged the atmosphere with religious fervor. Langers and Bhandaras were organised by various social and religious organisations on this occasion where Parshad was distributed among every passers-by.

Seva Sadan Netar Kotian organised function on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri in which a large number of devotees participated.

Shivratri was also celebrated in the traditional manner by the Kashmiri Pandits who held night long prayers and worshiped the Lord Shiva.

The Shastri Nagar unit of the Shiv Sena (Bal Thakeray) organised a langer at Ram Mandir Shastri Nagar under the leadership of Mr Sanjeev Sharma newly elected unit chief. Before Langer a Shoba Yatra was taken out in the Shatri Nagar locality.

The employees of Indian Oil Corp. organised a langar at Rail head on this holy occasion.

Shopkeepers & Traders of Bakshi Nagar also organised a langar on this occasion under the leadership of Mr Ramesh Sharma, Gen. Secty. & Sanam Dhamir.

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