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Girls school needs Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: A meeting of the Welfare Development Action Committee of Shastri Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Nanak Nagar was held to discuss the improvements of basic amenities in the Government ....more Co-operators
conduct Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: In order to assess the functioning of the co-operative movement, Mr Mohammed Ayub Khan, presidenti...more Acting CM lays foundation stone of shopping complex at Baghi Nand Singh Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 28: Acting Chief Minister, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah has said that the State government is taking all possible steps to keep up ..more Metadar Bus Service from Amdah Kadal launched Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 28: The Transport and Information Minister, Mr. Ajatshatru Singh today ordered plying ....more Functioning in HC, sub-ordinate courts affected due to strike Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 27: Normal functioning of the High Court as well as .....more |
Restoration
of Autonomy Excelsior Correspondent Budgam, June 28: The Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar has said the only way to pull Jammu and Kashmir....more Lions
Club Samba Excelsior Correspondent Lt Col Mohan Singh (Retd), a social worker and president of Lions Club Samba has appreciated Army authorities and local Garrison Commander for ........more Kotwal lambasts Govt for killings in Doda town Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: The State president of Bhartiya Janata Party, Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal while reacting sharply to Doda shoot out, has lambasted the authorities for becoming ......more Ramzan
inspects site in Udhampur Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, June 28: A modern Satellite vegetable and fruit market is being established at Dhar Road in Udhampur. The market spread over 30 kanals with 80 ........more |
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Girls school needs basic amenities Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: A meeting of the Welfare Development Action Committee of Shastri Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Nanak Nagar was held to discuss the improvements of basic amenities in the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, here today. It was stated that in view of large number of girl students in the school, urgent steps need to be taken early for upgradation of facilities to the students. It was stressed that construction of urinal, bathroom must be undertaken without loss of time. The Principal of the school has been instructed by the Education authorities to constitute development committee for improvements in the institution. The meeting was attended by Mr Sewa Ram, president, Welfare Committee and other prominent citizens of the locality.. |
Co-operators conduct 2-day extensive tour of Rajouri Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: In order to assess the functioning of the co-operative movement, Mr Mohammed Ayub Khan, president, J&K State Co-Cooperative Union conducted two-day extensive tour of the Rajouri district. He was accompanied by Mr Jatinder Dev, general secretary of the union. Mr Khan reviewed with the co-operators, the working of the co-operative societies and Self Help Groups (SHG) in the district. During the visit, a number of Self Help Groups were set up in far-flung areas of the Rajouri district. The small groups under SHGs are engaged in mobilising resources and generating economic activity within their means. So far, 150 SHGs are there in the district. A release said Mr Khan visited Potha, Dangri, Dassal and Moradpur in Rajouri district and informed that these SHGs are being developed on the pattern as elsewhere in the country. Those associated with SHG are to be imparted HRD development with accounts, co-operative trainings so that they work better. Bakshi Ganesh Dass, recipient of Krishi Pandit and also Director of the union is engaged in promotion of SHGs in the district. Speaking at various meetings in the border district, Mr Khan said that role and responsibilities of the co-operators has increased for serving the people. The co-operative institutions must be strengthened to make them more effective and efficient instrument of socio-economic transformation of the society, he added. While addressing a meeting, Mr Jatinder Dev explained the main features of the co-operative movement and its overall importance even in the present context. |
Acting
CM lays foundation stone of shopping Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 28: Acting Chief Minister, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah has said that the State government is taking all possible steps to keep up its commitment of rebuilding the economy of the State and generate more and more employment for educated youth through self employment programmes. Addressing a function after laying the foundation stone of a shopping complex at Baghi Nand Singh here today. Mr. Shah said that problem of unemployment has taken alarming proportion so there is a need to promote the indigenous small scale industries by utilizing the available natural resources in the State. He appealed the unemployed educated youths to come forward in a big way to start their own employment generating units. He said during last four years various welfare and rehabilitation programmes have been launched in the State by the Government for the purpose. He said that the construction of shopping complex at Baghi Nand Singh aims at accommodating more than 300 displaced vegetable vendors on self financing basis under rehabilitation scheme. The two-storey shopping complex being constructed at a cost of Rs 4.31 crore at Baghi Nand Singh will have 10 blocks with a plinth area of 70400 sft. The complex will have a total number of 312 shops in ground and Ist floor each shop with a size of 12' x 22 '. The complex will be completed in two phases with parking sheds canteen and lavatory blocks in Ist phase whereas the development of roads and lanes will be taken in phase-II. The Acting Chief Minister urged the Srinagar Municipality and Srinagar Development Authority to go for more such commercial complexes after conducting proper feasibility, socio economic and land use surveys to provide employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth besides raising remunerative commercial assets and promoting commercial activities in Srinagar city. Mr. Shah said that during a decade long militancy the States economy was worstly affected which resulted in poverty and unemployment. He appealed the people to remain united and maintain peace and harmony for ensuing the overall development of the State. Referring to Indo-Pak talks, Mr. Shah expressed the hope that the summit will prove a milestone in restoring peace and normalcy in the sub-continent particularly in our State and added that both the neighbouring nations have understood that confrontation is no solution to the problems. He said it is the dialogue which can solve the problems and create an atmosphere of good-will between the people of both the countries. |
Metadar Bus Service from Amdah Kadal launched Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 28: The Transport and Information Minister, Mr. Ajatshatru Singh today ordered plying of bus service from Lal Chowk to Amdah Kadal via Sangin Darwaza. The bus service shall start from tomorrow. This facility would provide relief to about 50,000 population of the interior area of down town Srinagar city. Meanwhile, the MLA, Zadibal, Mr Sadiq Ali toady called on the Transport Minister and extended his thanks for conceding to this long pending demand of the people of this area. The Works Minister, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar too had pleaded for plying of this bus service. While accepting the demand, the Transport Minister said that the Government was committed to provide better transport facilities to the commuters, as better transport system was imperative for socio-economic upliftment of the people. He said efforts are being made to press into service the latest models of busses for the commuters particularly to the tourists visiting the State. |
54 % increase in Sales Tax collections in Kashmir Division Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 28: Sales Tax collections have registered an appreciable increase of 54.14 percent in Kashmir division during 2000-01 over the collections of 1999-2000. Stating this the Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather said here today that sales tax collections in the division were to the tune of Rs. 83.57 crores in 2000-01 as against Rs. 54.22 crores in 1999-2000, registering an increase of Rs. 29.35 crores. This is the highest ever increase registered in the division in a single year so far, he added. The Minister was addressing the review meeting of the Sales Tax Department, Kashmir division, here today. The Financial Commissioner, Finance, Mr Jalil Ahmed Khan, Sales Tax Commissioner, Mr A. R. Mubaraki, Special Secretary, Finance, Mr K. M. Wani, Senior functionaries of the division attended the meeting. The Finance Minister said that the overall revenue increase of the department in the Kashmir division was Rs. 29.75 crores in 2000-01 against 1999-2000, reflecting an increase of 53.37per cent. Mr Rather said that the Sales Tax department surpassed all the previous records of revenue collections in 2000-01 in the State. Growth rate was even higher than some of advanced states of the country inspite of fact that the tax rates are almost identical after switching over to uniform floor rate system. He said that no new tax was levied in 2000-01. Better tax compliance, able guidance, greater determination and dedication of the tax collecting functionaries was the primary cause of this quantum jump, he added. Mr Rather said that the Sales Tax Department has now the privilege of being the highest tax collecting agency in the State. They have a very crucial role and have to give a lead to other revenue earning institutions. The Finance Minister referred to the first meeting he had with the functionaries of the Department after assuming the charge of Finance Minister and said that at that time he had set two important goals for functionaries. One was to increase the revenues and the other was to restore the lost credibility of the Department. He said, it is a matter of great satisfaction that the lost credibility has been restored and unparalleled increase has been made in State tax revenues. Mr. Rather, however, cautioned the functionaries against any complacency. He said greater stress has to be laid on transparency and accountability. Measures have to be taken not only to achieve the revenue collecting targets but also to be exceeded them. The good performance of the functionaries, he said would receive due appreciations. Referring to recovery of sales tax arrears, the Finance Minister said that though recoveries have picked as is evident from the available collection datas, yet we have to go a long way to recover all the taxes collected by the traders during the previous years. The vigorous drive of tax recovery has laid deep imprints and traders are now voluntarily coming to pay the arrears. He said clear and loud message should go to tax evaders that we will not rest till the last penny is collected and no compromise will be made. The traders have to be told that retaining of taxes already collected from the people is not only illegal but against all the cannons of the morality. Persuations he said, should be the first priority but if it fails other legal measures should be resorted to. The revenue has to be realised at the earliest as it is to spent on the execution of schemes and programmes aimed at the betterment of the people and speeding up the developmental programmes in the State, especially in far flung, backward areas. The Finance Minister said that the functionaries should be fair and truthful. All their actions should be transparent. The functionaries have to bear in mind that any laxity on their part will adversely affect State's revenues and as such they should be extra-ordinarily cautious and take all the measures for mopping up more resources for the State. The Finance Minister said that stress has to be laid on creating greater awareness about the Value Added Tax System-VAT. All the machinery of the Department has to be geared up for the purpose. Through trainings, seminars, group meetings etc. the functionaries have to be trained and make fully abreast with the new concept. The Vigilance and Inspection Wing of the Department, the meeting was told conducted numerous raids and frequent inspections during the period and realized Rs.28.55 lakh through penalties/securities. The Appeals Wing of the Department decided 479 cases during the period. Recovery Wing of the Department in the division, the meeting was told continued its recovery drive and greater success was achieved. |
Restoration of Autonomy only solution: Sagar Excelsior Correspondent Budgam, June 28: The Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar has said the only way to pull Jammu and Kashmir out of the present turmoil was that autonomy should be restored to the State at the earliest. Addressing a public meeting at Chak Pohru in Chadoora area of district Budgam yesterday, Mr. Sagar said although Centre rejected the autonomy resolution passed by the State Assembly, it will have to rethink over the issue as autonomy was the only solution in the prevailing circumstances. "Let Government of India give autonomy to anybody it wants, but it has to be restored to uphold the honour and dignity of the State's people," he said and added that J&K is not like any other State of the country as it has acceded to India on certain conditions and enjoys a special status. He accused the Centre of reneging on its assurance of restoring autonomy to the State. "When Dr. Farooq Abdullah refused to participate in 1995 parliamentary elections unless autonomy was restored to the State, he was assured by the then Prime Minister, Mr. Narasimha Rao that sky is the limit for Kashmiris, "Mr. Sagar said and added that, however, the Centre never kept its word. "We have putforth the autonomy proposal before the Centre let them decide about it if peace is to be restored in the State," he said and added that a solution is likely to be worked out on the same lines during the forthcoming Vajpayee-Musharraf summit talks. Mr Sagar said even some separatist groups were now ready to settle for the autonomy, who earlier vowed of State's merger with Pakistan. "The people who once rejected talks are now pleading for an appointment with the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee," he said and added that these are the people who got thousands of Kashmiris killed during the past decade. Mr Sagar said the present Government has pulled the State out of the political and economic mess and despite all odds has put in lot of efforts to reconstruct the infrastructure destroyed during militancy. He said besides reconstructing hundreds of school buildings, bridges and hospitals, several villages were provided road connectivity and safe potable water during the last four years. Responding to the pressing demand of the residents of Chak Pohru for potable water and better road connectivity, the Minister announced release of Rs. 54 lakh for water supply scheme, Khadarmoh and Rs.17 lakh for Pohru-Chak road. He said the Khadarmoh water supply scheme would be commissioned by November this year. The Minister during his visit inspected developmental works at Natipora, Chanapora, Nowgam, Rakh Soothu and Chadoora. People at several placed apprised the Minister of their problems relating to scarcity of water supply and upgradation of roads. The Minister was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, MLA Chadoora, Mr. Ali Mohammad Dar besides the senior officers of various engineering departments. |
Lions Club Samba hails Army authorities Excelsior Correspondent Lt Col Mohan Singh (Retd), a social worker and president of Lions Club Samba has appreciated Army authorities and local Garrison Commander for conceding the request of Mandi Kehli village in a sympathetic manner. As per a release during the year 2000-2001 Kandi area of Samba has been worst affected due to long spell of drought, with all natural water resources and ponds getting dried down and the farmers could not recover even the cost of initial expenditure incurred by them on the crop. A 120 years old pond in Kehli Mandi also dried, which was a cause of concern for more than 400 families to feed their cattle heads. The water supply to the village was not sufficient enough to cater to the needs of the inhabitants. The local Garrison and all concerned officers assured all possible help. The work was taken in hand for desilting and making a water channel. The Kamer Singh sarpanch and all villagers of Kehli Mandi expressed gratitude to the Army authorities for the kind gesture. |
Kotwal lambasts Govt for killings in Doda town Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: The State president of Bhartiya Janata Party, Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal while reacting sharply to Doda shoot out, has lambasted the authorities for becoming complacent in Doda district, where militants have again resorted to attacks on minority community in a bid to force their migration. While condemning the shoot out at Tondua village in Doda town by militants killing a bride-groom, Om Parkash and the body guard of a local BJP leader as also injuries many more, Mr Kotwal criticised the authorities for their failure to visualize the gravity of the situation and not making arrangements to act fast to prevent any untoward happening. Mr Kotwal said on all important occasions like Yatras, festivals and National Days the militants have struck in a big way to make a news and every time their targets have been the members of minority community. By attacking the marriage functions the militants have now added a new chapter into their nefarious activities, which may have far reaching consequences. He added that Vajpayee-Musharraf summit is also an important event and not speculating spurt in violence at the hands of militants by the authorities itself speaks of only one thing that they are both complacent and irresponsible. Mr Kotwal reminded that Tondua is a minority pocket in majority dominated Doda town and it is the same place where years ago, the young BJP leader Santosh Thakur was killed by militants in broad day light. And this time their target was Thakur Bhagat Ram, said Mr Kotwal adding that militants have chosen the same place and same people. Expressing dissatisfaction over the functioning of the authorities, Mr Kotwal said if they cant provide security to the people in the heart of district headquarters, how could it be expected of them to provide security to those living in far flung areas? While terming the authorities as a total failure, the BJP president exhorted the people to organise themselves to defend against any such attack in future, instead of depending solely on authorities. The BJP president, at the same time, was all praise for the people of all sections of society, who in protest against these killings downed their shutters and observed complete bandh in Doda. Mr Kotwal is also scheduled to meet IG Jammu Range to press for further strengthening of security measures to prevent the recurrence of any such like incident in future. |
Ramzan inspects
site in Udhampur Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, June 28: A modern Satellite vegetable and fruit market is being established at Dhar Road in Udhampur. The market spread over 30 kanals with 80 shop sites will have common facilities like bank, post office, sarai, multi purpose auction sheds and cold storage. The Mandi is being developed at a cost of Rs. 1.70 crore. The land for the purpose has been acquired at a cost of Rs. 78.50 lakh. This was stated by the Minister for Agriculture, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan during his inspection to the proposed Mandi site today. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the government has formulated an ambitious Rs. 44.26 crore project for establishment of fruit mandies in the State. He said, besides Udhampur 16 Satellite vegetable-cum-fruit markets are being set up at different places in the State. In addition, one terminal market and one grain mandi is also being established at Qazigund in Kashmir and Bari-Brahmana in Jammu respectively. Ch. Ramzan said these satellite markets are being set up under Rural Infrastructural Development Fund from NABARD which has already advanced Rs. 10 crore to the State for the purpose. Financial assistance from National Horticulture Board and Macro Management has also been sought. The mandies are being developed by the Horticulture, Planning and Marketting departments as a part of its programme to provide better marketing cover to the vegetable and fruit growers of the State at their door steps. The Minister hoped that with the availability of these readymade markets, the Horticulture and Vegetable cultivation would get a new boost and people would take up cultivation of these commodities in a big way. He said the State has a great potential for production of high variety of fruit and vegetables and the need was to tap these resources to the optimum level. The Minister said that the annual fruit production in Udhampur and Doda districts has been recorded nearly 21,000 metric tonnes while the vegetable production is around 2.32 lakh metric tonnes. Earlier, the Director Horticulture (P&M), Mr. B.L. Bhat explained the sailent features of the Udhampur Mandi. He said the department has also taken up development of three major fruit markets at Sopore and Parimpora in Kashmir and Narwal in Jammu. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: A recruitment team sponsored by the Dogra Regimental Centre will be visiting Jammu from July 9 to July 16 to recruit Dogra candidates hailing from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and J&K for soldier (GD) category as per standards prescribed for Army recruitment, at Sunjwan Zorawar Stadium, here. According to a defence handout issued here today, the aspirants within the age group of 18 to 21 years should be in possession of qualification certificates along with passport size photograph. Registration of candidates belonging to Punjab and J&K will be carried out on July 9 and of Himachal on July 10 respectively. It will be followed by physical tests on July 11 and 12. Documentation of Punjab and J&K candidates will be done on July 13 and 14 followed by Himachal and remaining candidates on July 14 and 15. Medical test will commence from July 16 and subsequent days. Written examination for all categories is scheduled to be held on July 29, 2001, the handout added. |
Altaf pay visit health institutions in Ganderbal tehsil Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 28: The Health and Medical Education Minister, Mian. Altaf Ahmad accompanied by Director Health Services, Kashmir and Principal Government Medical College, Srinagar today paid surprise visit to Sub-District Hospital Ganderbal, Community health Centre, Manigam and Primary Health centre, Lar in Ganderbal tehsil and took stock of the functioning of these institutions. The Minister while interacting with the doctors and para-medical staff at these institutions urged them to work with dedication and missionary zeal and provide best possible treatment to the people. He said that the hospital should remain functional during night hours so that the people may not feel any difficulty in case of any eventuality. During day long extensive tour to Ganderbal tehsil, the Minister also addressed a series of public meetings at various places and said that the Government is already seized with the problems of people and as such is making its endeavour to upgrade the medicare services at all the health institutions in the State. He said adequate number of doctors and para-medical staff is being provided to health institutions in rural areas to enable to provide medicare facilities to the people. He said that to overcome the shortage of doctors and para-medical staff in the health institutions of the rural areas, a comprehensive scheme on the pattern of Rehabar-i-Taleem scheme has been launched in the State and added that under the scheme, local educated youth will be considered for appointment as multipurpose workers. Mian Altaf said that Government is appointing adequate number of doctors very shortly through Public Service Commission to overcome the shortage of doctors. He said most of these doctors will be posted in rural health institution so that long pending and genuine grievances of people is redressed. |
Parents of J&K Sikh students flay Talwandi Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: A large gathering of Sikh students and their parents attended the meeting at Gurdwara Baba Farteh Singh Ji, Gole Market, Gandhinagar Jammu today to discuss the future course of action in view of the refusal of the SGPC president Jagdev Singh Talwandi to extend/change the date of All India Entrance test of MBBS/BDS of Shri Guru Ram Dass Charitable Hospital Trust Sri Amritsar from July 22 to any other date. The date of J&K Government Entrance test also falls on July 21 and July 22 and it is impossible for the Sikh students of J&K to appear at both J&K and Amritsar simultaneously. The Sikh Sangat was informed that fax messages from all political parties of J&K, District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, President State Gurdwara Board and many other different individuals were also sent to SGPC Office at Amritsar, besides personal request to Mr Talwandi to change the date which was clashing with the entrance examination here. Massages were also flashed to Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhinsa, MP and central Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Jathedar Kesgarh Sahab, Manjit Singh Ji, Jathedar Shri Ajkal Takath Sahab and Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal besides SGPC members like Bibi Kiranjot Kour, Harbaint Singh and Dilbagh Singh, but due to the adamant attitude of Mr Talwandi, nothing positive came, parents Association in a statement issued here said, adding that the message for personal intervention were also sent to President, Prime Minister, Mr K C Pant, Punjab and Haryana Governors. The Association has decided to hold dharna outside the office of SGPC Amritsar for which Sikh Sangat was decided to be prepared for the next call. It was decided that no spokesman/authority of SGPC including its president Mr Talwandi be allowed to speak on any stage of J&K State and Sikh Sangat shall be requested to boycott such functions. It was decided that the matter be persuaded with concerned Government authorities to prevent SGPC to conduct examination without the participation of Sikh students of J&K. |
JMM flays those opposing trifurcation of J&K Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: Jammu Mukti Morcha (JMM) in a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Prof Virender Gupta, condemned the recent utterances of some leaders, wherein they had termed the demand of trifurcation of the State as "anti-national, communal and an attempt to create the situation of 1947". This is a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the demand of trifurcation , the Morcha release issued here said, while referring to the recent statements of two National Conference Ministers Ali Mohd Sagar and Ajay Sadhotra, besides Democratic Freedom Party President Shabir Shah, who had opposed this demand . The statement said that " we have not to learn secularism from the Kashmiri leaders who have been propagating and practicing communalism through and through all along". " The leaders whose actions have compelled minorities to leave the Valley and who are still pursuing the policy to make heir return quite impossible, have no moral right to preach secularism and nationalism", the statement asserted. It emphasized that the demand for trifurcation is purely regional. The Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs of Jammu region share the common culture and historic heritage and all have been equally discriminated by Kashmiri leadership, the statement further said. |
Som Nath installs transformer in Greater Kailash Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: A 250 KVA transformer presented by Mr Som Nath, MLA Samba constituency, from his constituency development funds, was inaugurated in Greater Kailash, Jammu. Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest Mr Som Nath reminded the gathering the duties of a good citizen and stressed on the need for a regular legal electric connection by all the residents. He advised the residents to use electricity very judiciously and avoid misuse. Jagjit Singh while speaking on the occasion highlighted the demands of the residents of Greater Kailash like scarcity of water supply. He said that west half of the colony is getting regular water supply through PHE Department but East half of the locality is purchasing water through private water tankers. The MLA assured the people that he will project the demand before the higher authorities of PHE Department for speedy action. Messrs Tara Mani Sharma, Surinder Singh, Surinder Kapahi, Nishi Sharma, S P Sharma, Makhan Singh and Kulwant Singh also spoke on the occasion. |
ASKPC flays Govts
move Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 28: Close on the heels of preparing the plan for the "migrants return" to Valley, the Government in the first move has decided to withdraw House Rent Allowance (HRA) and City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) in favour of the migrant employees. All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) has, however, opposed this move and termed the order as "draconian". In a meeting held here under the chairmanship of A N Vaishnavi, the ASKPC activists expressed concern over the withdrawal these allowances. "The draconian order speaks of the policy of the present Government to torture Kashmiri Pandits in whatever capacity they are, the meeting alleged, while warning the Chief Secretary for this callous attitude towards the migrant employees. Speaking in the meeting, ASKPC leader, H L Chatta lambasted the Government for " return package" of KP migrants and described it as an eye wash to grab money from the Government. He described the return package an exercise in futility . P K Raina urged upon the community members to remain united at this crucial hour and not to come under the influence of " Jai Chands". Among others who spoke on the occasion included Vijay Bindroo, Ram Krishan, Laxman Jee, P N Bhat, Satish Lala and Shiban Krishan Pandita. |
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