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| Administration feigns ignorance No clue of migrant Sikh family from Afghanistan Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: There is no clue of a Sikh family, which had migrated from Afghanistan and took refuge......more Police
organises 3 days Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, May 15: Mr Gopal Sharma, Additional Director General of Police today inaugurated....more Muslim
Federation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: The senior leaders of Jammu Muslim Federation under the leadership of its president of Jammu district Mr Talat Niaz Qazi.......more Balwant
Thakur Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: Mr Balwant Thakur, Secretary Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was conferred....more Shiv Sena
(Thakre) Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: A meeting of Shiv Sena (Bala Sahib Thakre) was held under the chairmanship of its Jammu city Parmukh Mr Sanjay Mahey here.....more |
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Excise
Deptt generates Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: The Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, has stressed for better tax planning, firm resolve.....more Relief
package of Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, May 15: A relief package of Rs 1850 crores for drought effective areas of the State has been submitted to the Centre Government..........more DC Jammu
visits Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: The Deputy Commissioner Jammu Mr R K Goyal today visited the border migrant camps at Devipur and Naiwala to take stock of...........more GCW
Prade celebrates annual day Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: The academic syllabus for educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir State is .....more |
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Administration feigns ignorance Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: There is no clue of a Sikh family, which had migrated from Afghanistan and took refuge here last week. While the Sikh community leaders confirmed that one family belonging to their community had migrated to Jammu last week, the district administration feigned ignorance about the same saying that it has no knowledge. According to sources, the Sikh family had visited various Gurdwaras in the City here and met different community members and leaders to seek financial assistance for their rehabilitation. The sources said that four member Sikh family of Mohinder Singh, his wife and two children had migrated from Kabul to Pakistan and later from Pakistan to India via Atari border. But instead of going to other parts of country the family choose to take refuge in Jammu as it has old relations here. They were speaking fluent "Pustu" and while narrating their woes to Sikh leaders, the family head Mohinder Singh told them that they are facing persecution in Afghanistan since the demolition of Bamyan Buddha statues by Taliban militia. Our religious freedom was in danger, they said. The migrant Sikh family had also maintained that they were the aborigines of the Afghanistan and there ancestors were living in that country for hundreds of years. But after Taliban took over the control of the Afghan regime their religious freedom was in danger and to protect their life and limb they had no alternative except to bade good by to their soil. Confirming that one person had visited Digiana Ashram some days back claiming that he along with other members of his family had migrated from Afghanistan, Aashram Mahant Manjeet Singh said, he sought some financial assistance from the Ashram for sustenance. Mahant also disclosed that the migrant Sikh was paid Rs 1000 by him and later he did not turn up. He said Mohinder Singh had also visited some other Gurdwaras of the City to seek financial assistance from there. Confirming this, Surinder Singh , president District Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (DGPC) said that he also got the reports that one Sikh family had taken refuge in Jammu after migrating from Afghanistan last week. He said Mohinder Singh visited the Gurdwara Singh Sabha and other Gurdwaras in the City to seek financial assistance for sustenance. However, he said that there was no clue whether the family is still in Jammu or has left for Punjab. The chairman State Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) Sudharshan Singh Wazir when contacted said that he has also come to know about the migration of a Sikh family from Afghanistan last week from some community members. But it is not known where the family had gone afterwards. But surprisingly the administration was feigning ignorance about the matter. When a senior officer in the district administration was contacted today he said his office has no information about the same. However, the sources expressed doubt that how the Sikh family managed to migrate from Afghanistan and crossed the borders of two countries to reach India. The sources said there is also possibility that the Sikh family may be among those Afghan refugees who are putting up in Union Capital for last some years and taking the advantage of present turmoil in their country particularly after the demolition of Bamyan Budhas the family might have visited Jammu to gain the sympathies of their community men here. |
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Police organises 3 days seminar at Udhampur Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, May 15: Mr Gopal Sharma, Additional Director General of Police today inaugurated a three day seminar on Vertical Interaction Course on Policing in Militancy and Terrorism here. In his speech on Police, Militancy and Terrorism he said the Police is an instrument of law. He said the Pakistan is providing all support to continue militancy in J&K besides sending the mercenaries it supplies them sophisticated weapons. He said the militancy in J&K is the brain child of ISI which has opened camps in different parts of Pakistan and PoK to train the militants for creating large scale destruction in J&K. He said to combat militancy with iron hands the state Police has also now geared up fully and many steps have been taken in this regard. He said the police has also opened the new training schools in Kathua, Sheri, Manigam, Reasi and Vijaypur. He said the police is providing new and latest training to their officers and jawans like intelligence and security duties, communications, participating in anti militancy operations, handling of sophisticated weapons, transport, computerisation and telecommunication. The Inspector General of Police, Mr P S Gill who is presently functioning as Director Police Academy Udhampur also addressed the seminar which will conclude on May 17. |
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Muslim Federation flays PHE, PDD Departments Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: The senior leaders of Jammu Muslim Federation under the leadership of its president of Jammu district Mr Talat Niaz Qazi visited the Kandi belt of Jammu district and noticed the grievances and problems being faced by the people. As per a release, Mr Qazi observed that there was acute shortage of drinking water in these areas as a result of which people and their cattle have been facing many problems. He visited the villages like Sandhi, Sumbli, Kani Khetar, Majorah, Dhoon, Rati Sarari, Purmandal, Sanyal, Geelana and Khara Madana. He alleged that on one side the people have been suffering for want of electricity and water and on the other side the senior officers of concerned departments are enjoying alongwith their families outside the state. Messrs Mohd Iqbal Salaria, Shoukar Qureshi, Shoukat Manhas, Javed Malik, Mohd Hussain Sofi and Abdul Qayoom Malik also spoke on the occasion. |
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Balwant
Thakur conferred with Sangeet Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: Mr Balwant Thakur, Secretary Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was conferred with Sangeet Natak Academy Award 1999-2000 by Vice-President of India Mr Krishan Kant at Delhi. Mr Thakur received the coveted and the highest award in performing arts for his excellence in contribution to Indian theatre as a director. He is the second man from Jammu to achieve this distinction. The first award to Jammu was received by Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, the great Santoor player. The award ceremony was held amidst the artistic aura and thunderous applause from art connoisseurs who had been specially invited to grace the occasion. The award included citation, cash and a shawl. Mr Balwant Thakur had already received several awards for his work including the "Sanskriti Award", J&K Academy Awards for best productions, "Abhinayak Samman", "Gurushree Samman", "Sapat Rishi Samman", "All India Citizen Award and National Senior Fellowship from Department of Culture and the Ford Foundation (USA) Fellowship. Balwant initiated theatre during his school days. He pursued his vocation through his academic studies in Law and Mass Communication and established his own theatre group Natrang in Jammu which has won acclaim for is productions at national level as well. With his early plays Balwant Thakur got recognition as a promising young director. His plays "Bawa Jitto" and "Ghumayee" which he also authored brought the Dogri theatre to large audience. Several of his productions like "Mahabhoj", "Bhoma", "Poster" and "Holi" have been widely acclaimed all over the country. Among the prominent other recipients of Sangeet Natak Award included Ajoy Chakrabarty, Kalyan Sundram, Kuppiah Pillai, Shovana Narayan, Swapna Sundari, Mallika Sarabhai, Seema Biswas, Nadira Zaheer Babbar, Nemi Chandra Jain and Kajal Ghosh. The award ceremony was marked by welcome address by Mr Bhupen Hazarika, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Academy and concluded with Jugalbandi by Ajoy Chakrabarty, T N Sheshagopalan and V Kamalakar Rao. |
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Shiv Sena (Thakre) flays State Govt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: A meeting of Shiv Sena (Bala Sahib Thakre) was held under the chairmanship of its Jammu city Parmukh Mr Sanjay Mahey here today. As per a release, in the meeting serious concern was expressed regarding the false and hollow claims of the State Government that the graph of militancy in the State is declining gradually. The meeting was of the view that contraray to the Government’s claims, militants are coming closer to the senstive areas like Jammu city. Mr Sanjay Mahey suggested that instead of misleading the people, the Government should deal firmly with the militants so that the deep rooted cancer of militancy comes to an end once for all. He cautioned all the ward Parmukhs that stern action will be taken against any such ward Parmukh who failed to display Saffron flags in his ward at every nook and corner as directed by Shiv Sena supremo Bala Sahib Thakre. Others who addressed the meeting included Messrs Ashwani Gandotra, Raj Kumar, Vikrant Sharma, Sita Ram, Ramesh Kumar and Ashwani Gupta. |
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| Excise Deptt generates revenue of Rs
304.86 cr in 2000-01 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: The Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, has stressed for better tax planning, firm resolve, proper approach, strenuous and sincere efforts by the revenue realizing agencies to boost the State's resources. Speaking at the annual review meeting of Excise department here today the Finance Minster said that steady increase in the State's revenues is imperative for boosting the overall economic development of the State and taking the state to new heights of progress and prosperity. The Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development Mr KB Pilli, Special Seretary Finance, Mr K M Wani, Excise Commissioner, Mr M M Bhat and senior functionaries of Excise department attended the meeting. The Finance Minister said that economy of the State had adversely been affected due to turmoil in the state in early 90's and infrastructural facilities that had been build up over the years with large amounts had been destroyed. Reconstruction of these infrastructural facilities needs lot of money and as such all of us have to work with a missionary zeal to increase the state's revenues to restore all these facilities. Though last four years of the present Government witnessed restoration of many of these facilities yet a lot remains to be done. This is a challenge which ever one of us to meet with firm determination. The Finance Minister said that the last year has witnessed considerable increase in the tax revenue of the State. He made a special mention of Sales Tax department which had increased its revenues in 2000-01 by 41.59 %. He expressed the hope that other revenue collection agencies of the State will follow them and help in mopping up more resources for the State. Mr Rather said transparency and accountability has to be ensured to rejunivate and reactivise the revenue earning departments He expressed the hope that this aspect will receive the utmost attention by all the concerned. Review of the performance of the Excise Department revealed that the revenue generated by the department during 2000-01 was Rs 304.86 crores registering an increase of Rs 91.09 crores over the collections made in 1998-99. The Minister called upon the functionaries of the department to work fairly and fearlessly. He said though there is increase in the revenues of the Excise Department yet there is a lot of scope for further improvements. The functionaries of the department have to keep in their mind that any slackness on their part will jeopardize the financial interests of the State. The Finance Minister made it very clear that each and every functionary will be judged only by his performance. Performance, he said will be the sole criteria for his postings, promotions in the department. Any slackness on the part of any functionary the Finance Minister said will be viewed seriously. The Minister referred to the changes in the tax laws in the last session of the State Legislature and said that stringent punishments have now been prescribed for economic offenders. There will be no leniency to offenders and they will be dealt with severely. Mr Rather called for frequent raids and greater vigil to eliminate the menace of illicit distillation. The Minister was told that 1311 raids were conducted during 2000-01 as against 1069 in 1999-2000. During the year 2000-01 366 cases were lodged. The number of cases decided was 302. 125752 kilograms of lahan was destroyed. 1828 bottles of liquor was seized and a fine of Rs 1.50 lakhs was imposed. |
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Relief package of Rs 1850
cr submitted Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, May 15: A relief package of Rs 1850 crores for drought effective areas of the State has been submitted to the Centre Government. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr Ajay Sadhotra while addressing one-day orientation programme of newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs of block Sunderbani of Rajouri district yesterday. The Minister said that the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah is committed to provide equal opportunities of progress and development to every area of the State. This can be possible if the people extend their whole-hearted cooperation to the Government, he added. He said that the implementation of Panchayati Raj system will start a new era of development through democratic way at grass root level. He said to ensure maximum public participation, formulation of the current year plan at Panchayat level will be started for considering of local priorities. The Minister underlined the need for utilization of funds in such a way that its benefits reach to needy and poor persons. Referring to further strengthening of Panchayats functioning, Mr Sadhotra said that elected representatives will be sent to other states like Himachal and Andhra Pradesh to acquaint them with the latest technology for smooth functioning of Panchayat system. He said that the State Government was determined to decentralize the powers in larger interest of people in rural and far-flung areas. He said that every panchayat will be provided Panchayat-ghar fully equipped with modern infrastructural facilities. He urged the members to perform their duties with honesty and dedication to raise the socio-economic condition of their respective areas. He re-iterated the resolve of the State Government to involve the people from SC/ST and the women folk in implementation of development plan. The orientation-cum-training camp was organised by the Rural Development Department for face to face interaction and to ascertain the basic problems of the people to ensure its follow up action. While addressing Sarpanchs and Panchs at Kalakote, the Minister said that a team of experts has been asked to conduct a detailed survey for Tatapani tourist resort where thousands of people reach every year to have a dip in historic sulpher springs. Referring to the improvement of school buildings, the Minister said that a loan of Rs 100 crore has been agreed to by NABARD for the development of school buildings in the State. The Minister issued instructions to the concerned Block Development Officer to prepare a Watershed Development Programme for Kalakote block and submit the detailed report for approval. He asked the un-employed youths to take maximum benefits from self employment schemes launched by the government. A cash award of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the Panchayat for best performance announced by the Chief Minister, the Minister said. Earlier, the Director Rural Development, Mr Mohd Aslam Qureshi in his address impressed upon the elected female members to work for fighting for social evil and providing justice to the children and women folk. The Additional Dy. Commissioner, Mr S P Bhardwaj and Assistant Commissioner (Development), Mr R K Gupta also accompanied the Minister during the tour. |
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DC Jammu visits border
migrant camps Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: The Deputy Commissioner Jammu Mr R K Goyal today visited the border migrant camps at Devipur and Naiwala to take stock of the situation and the conditions of the migrants of sector Pallanwala. As per a release during his tour he was accompanied by Mr Baldev Singh Bhau, chairman Border Migrants Welfare Committee, Sector Pallanwala block Khour. The Deputy Commissioner visited the interiors of the camps to assess the difficulties being faced by camp dwellers, who in turn made known the Deputy Commissioner about the problems being faced by them. Mr Baldev Singh Bhau explained in details to the deputy Commissioner about the problems facing the migrants particularly torn tents, insufficient water and erratic power supply, lack of accommodation for schools and stressed on the district administration to to accelerate the distribution system and medicare facilities. Mr R K Goyal listened to the problems of border migrants and assured that administration will take immediate and necessary measures to streamline the water and power supply as also replacement of torn out tents. He also assured the migrants that adequate and proper measures would be taken for their safety and security in view of recent militants activities in Akhnoor. After visiting the migrant camps the Deputy Commissioner also visited Sungal Samah, the site of yesterday’s encounter of security forces with militants and thanked the people of the area for their cooperation and courage shown during the said operation. |
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GCW Prade celebrates
annual day Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: The academic syllabus for educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir State is being revised and updated keeping in view the changing times and fast advances in knowledge especially in science and technology. This was stated by the Minister for Education, Mr Mohammed Shafi, while addressing the annual day function of the Government College for Women, Prade, here today. He emphasised that the revision of academic syllabus should be based on the emerging requirements of the 21st century. Underlining the need for upgrading the educational standards at the college level, he said this would improve the overall education system in the State. For the all round development, it is essential that the educational standards should be upgraded. The Minister announced that a spacious and modern auditorium will be constructed in this premier institution shortly. This will provide the girl students opportunity for carrying on cultural and other activities. He also stated that five more computers would be provided to the college shortly to augment the computer education. BCA course would be introduced after sometime, he added. Referring to problems facing the student community, Mr Shafi pleaded that the students, teachers and principals should tackle them through dialogue and discussions. He appreciated the student leaders for resolving the issue of recent strike amicably as minimum days of teaching and completion of syllabus is essential under the new University Grants Commission. The Minister cautioned the student community not to be misguided by any political party who may have their own axes to grind. The Government was anxious for welfare of the students and attainment of objective of excellence in education. Mr Shafi complimented the Principal, staff and the students for achievements in academic, sports, literary, cultural spheres and other extra-curricular activities and making their distinct mark. He also had a word of praise for the presentation of colourful cultural programme. The performance of Dr Padmini Tikoo, a faculty member of the college, who made presentation of classical sitar recital, was lauded by the Minister. Mr Shafi stressed that Indian classical music is our rich cultural heritage which need to be preserved and promoted. He distributed mementos and awards among the students for their distinguished achievements in different spheres. The Principal Secretary, Education, Mr Vijay Bakaya, while speaking on the occasion, stressed that the objective of education is to ensure full development of the mental faculties and overall personality of the students and concerted endeavours are being made in this direction. Earlier, the Principal, Prof Kiran Bakshi, in her welcome address, highlighted the activities and achievements of the college. She listed the proud distinguished performance of the students in academic, sports, literary and other activities. The girl students of this college obtained first and fourth position in faculty of Arts were secured by Meenakshi Tickoo and Reena Rani respectively while in the Commerce faculty they bagged seven out of top ten positions with Pooja Arora and Nagina Malhan getting first and second position. In sports, Ranu Rattan of BA Part III won gold medal in second Handball Champion at Dhaka and Shalla Gupta will represent India in International Football championship in the USA and Congo next month. In NCC, Naval Cadet Archana Koul obtained second position in the shooting competition. Anamika Chopra, Tarvinder Kour, Vineeta Suri, Suman Sharma, Neena Narain and Mamta Sharma have made mark in various sports events. Girl students also made outstanding performance in NCC , NSS and other fields like literary activities. They also made mark in Display Your Talent organised by the University of Jammu. Mr Gulchain Singh Charak, MLC, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, former Minister, Mr Randhir Singh, former Minister were present.The galaxy of educationists, academicians, administrators and parents attended the function. |
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Cong leaders congratulate Sonia for party victory Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: Senior Congress leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have congratulated Mrs Sonia Gandhi on the resounding victory of the party in the recently concluded Assembly elections in five states. In a statement that said that under the able and dynamic leadership of Mrs Sonia Gandhi, AICC president, the party has been regaining its lost glory and people in recent elections have again reposed faith and trust in the Congress party. They also congratulated voters of these states, who have voted for the Congress Party and defeated those who have developed vested interests. They said that it is Congress all the way in Kerala, Assam, Pondicherry and its allies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The Congress leaders said the people have voted against the anti-people policies of NDA Government led by BJP. They appealed the rank and file of the party in the State to close their ranks and be united to defeat those parties democratically, which pursue the anti-people policies and whose actions and styles of working are very dangerous for the national security. Those who signed the joint statement included Messrs Mangat Ram Sharma, Mohd Ayub Khan, G M Mir Poonchi, Moti Lal Koul, Divakar Singh, Yash Paul Khajuria, Shiv Dev Singh Peerzada Mohd Syed, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Ashok Sharma, Balbir Singh MLAs, Raman Bhalla, Chuni Lal Bhat, Garoo Ram, Capt Jagan Nath, Balak Ram, Kuldeep Sharma, Rani Gargi Blowria, Nirmal Kamal, Ramesh Motton, Sardari Lal Dubey, Vinod Mishra, Ashwani Sharma, Sheikh Ghulam Mohd, Lalita Sharma, Raj Bakshi, Kanta Bhan, Sewa Ram Sharma and Vijay Sharma. |
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Bar Asso resents Aggarwala’s statement on Fast court Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: The members of Bar Association Jammu have expressed great shock and sorrow over the statement of Mr Adish V Aggarwala, member Bar Council of India, who without going through the merits and demerits of the so-called "Fast track courts" scheme launched by Chief justice of Jammu and Kashmir. As per a release the members said that neither he was authorised by the Bar Council of India nor he can make such type of irresponsible statements. Secretary of the Bar Association Ajit Badyal said in a statement that the members condemned the statement given by Adish V Aggarwala, member Bar Council of India and resolved that Bar Council of India be apprised of the Statement given by its member without being authorised and demanded his suspension from the membership. Members further sought clarification from the Bar Council of India to the extent that whether such statement was on behalf of the Bar Council of India. Members criticised Mr Aggarwala who has not shown any courtesy not even tried to meet the agitating lawyers. It was further cleared that Jammu Bar Association is not against opening of the 43 permanent courts of Munsiff in Jammu and Kashmir and this step was even welcomed by Jammu lawyers in writing. Bar Association further appealed the Bar Council of India to restrain their members from making such vested statements against lawyers community. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: J&K Sikh United Forum, with a view to discuss and deliberate on the problems of factionalism and disunity amongst Sikh community, organised a seminar at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Nanak Nagar here, which was presided over by S Avtar Singh, senior advocate. S Mohan Singh, general secretary conducted the seminar. As per a release he seminar was attended by prominent Sikhs, scholars, writers, educationist, reformist and representatives of political parties namely Akali Dal (B), Akali Dal (Amritsar), Kashmir Sikh Sangat, BSP and National Conference as also missionaries. Various speakers expressed their views on the causes and remedial measures to be adopted for forging understanding to work for welfare of the community and to form a cohesive group to work for the unity of the Sikhs. S Makhan Singh (BSP) stressed the need to come together with the purpose and shed misunderstanding created by vested interests. Service should be the motto and not the leadership. Bhai Gurdev Singh, president Akali Dal (Amritsar) stated that there was need of Prachar of Gurbani among the youth,which teaches about brotherhood of man. he also called for amendments in the present Gurdwara Act, which is one of the causes of disunity among the Sikhs. S Surinder Singh, president District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Jammu, dealt at length about the causes of disunity and suggested measures to bring the community on one platform. He pointed out that amendment in the Gurdwara Act should be made after thorough discussion and deliberations by all sections of the community to make it workable. Prof J B Singh stressed the need for upliftment of the community by setting up a development fund and employment cell for starting business, industries and providing employment to the unemployed youth, which would pave the way for unity of Sikh community. Bhai Manmohan Singh of Poonch deliberated on the need of including Sikh spirit among community youth, eradication of social evils and making people aware of the teachings of Sikh Gurus regarding unity of human beings, brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God. Sikh religion teaches unity among people and not disunity. He appealed Sikhs to follow teachings of Sikhism and come together to work for welfare of the community. S Surjit Singh, general secretary DGPC, Rashpal Singh Missionary, Prof K C Singh and Joginder Singh Inquilabi Akali Dal (Badal), J S Mangal, Akali Dal (Amritsar) also spoke on the occasion. Prominent among those who attended the seminar included Messrs S Surinder Singh, Suchwant Singh, Avtar Singh, Prof Tirath Singh, S Moti Singh Mehta, S Gurbax Singh Kala, convenor Akali Dal (B), Trilok Singh and Jagmohan Singh Raina. S Avtar Singh Advocate concluded the seminar with the appeal to factions of Sikhs to unite and work in the interest of the Sikh community. |
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Hotel, Lodges Association hail Govt decision Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: Mr Inderjeet Khajuria, president All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association has welcomed the Government decision to defer shifting of base camp for Amar Nath yatra from Jammu city to Nagrota for this year. As per a release in this regard Mr Khajuria has lauded the efforts of Mr Ravi Mahajan, a hotelier, who prevailed upon the things and made the Government defer the move. Mr Khajuria however said the sword was still hanging on the heads of hoteliers and demanded that keeping in view the concern of hoteliers and other traders, the Government should drop the idea of shifting the base camp from Jammu for all times to come. Mr Khajuria who was speaking in a meeting of Jammu Paryatan Mandal further demanded that Chhari Mubarak bound for Amarnath shrine, which starts from Parade Ground should start a day earlier from Dogra Chowk to enable the people of the city to have Darshan of Chhari Mubarak. He also demanded that duration of Yatra should be extended to three months from June to August and that a permanent spacious place be earmarked for base camp of the yatra. He also demanded arrangements for registration of Yatris at Jammu city to continue. He suggested that a 30 feet area should be enclosed around the shrine beyond which no pilgrim could be allowed to enter. He called for widening the space at the shrine for more people to have Darshan at a time the Ice Lingam of should be preserved through artificial devices like air conditioner and glass house. Mr Khajuria demanded that representatives of Hotel and Lodges Association and travel agents should be included in the advisory committee for yatra. While emphasizing the importance of Bal Tal route Mr Khajuria demanded that during peak Yatra season, there should be one way traffic of Yatris for four days in a week viz Yatris should go via Pahalgam and return via Bal Tal. In order to promote tourism in Jammu region, tourists and pilgrim spots in Jammu region should be publicised and propagated through media. Others who spoke in the meeting included Messrs Sanjesh Gupta, Vikram Singh, Capt Gour and Mr Goswami. |
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Hindi should be developed as
language Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 15: Stressing on the need of changing Hindi into a language of science and information technology, prominent Hindi writer Dr. Koushal Nath Upadhaya of Jodhpur University has expressed concern over dischentment of younger generation towards this national language. "It is shocking that younger generation has been distancing itself from Hindi", he said and added that it was necessary to involve youth in the development of Hindi language. Dr Upadhaya, who came all way from Jodhpur to participate in a seminar organised by the Post Graduate Department of Hindi, said that Hindi has been dubbed as language of literature and it was need of the hour to develop this language in such a way that it can meet the challenge of the present era of science and technology. He said that language of literature should be changed into a language of science. He emphasised on the need of developing a science dictionary in Hindi. "We have to develop a Hindi dictionary on Information Technology to compete with english language", he said. Present era is the age of information technology, he said and added that this books on information technology and computer technology should be published in Hindi language. Dr Upadhaya, however, expressed satisfaction that Hindi as communication language has been spreading among masses of South India. "Those who were opposing, what they alleged, imposing of Hindi have realised that it is the only language which can provide them opportunity to communicate with people of other parts of the country", he said and added that opposition of Hindi was only a political stunt. "Even those who were opposing Hindi for political reasons had been taught Hindi to their children in private", he said. Reacting to the statements that literature has been degrading, Dr Upadhaya was of the view that it was impact of society. "Society has been witnessing degradation in every sphere of life so literature is also degrading", he said. He stressed on the need of simplification of literature to involve problems of the masses. |
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Govt bans use of polythene bags: CS Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, May 15: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to ban import, manufacture and use of polythene bags in the State in a phased manner. A comprehensive legislation will be enacted for the purpose. This was decided at a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, Mr. Ashok Jaitly, here today. It was decided that import of polythene bags and use of recycled coloured polythene bags, which are highly toxic and environment un-friendly, will be banned immediately. A complete ban on manufacture and use of all types of polythene bags will be imposed from January 1, 2002. A comprehensive campaign will be launched across the State to create awareness among the people against use of polythene bags and other such plastic material. Seminars and group discussions will be organised, special programmes put out on the electronic media and advertisements issued in newspapers highlighting the ill effects of polythene bags. The Planning and Development Department will provide Rs 10 lakh for organising the awareness campaign. Of these, Rs 5 lakh will be made available to the State Pollution Control Board and Rs 2.50 lakh each to the municipalities of Srinagar and Jammu. The Chief Secretary directed that the awareness campaign should be launched on a sustained basis. Student community and women in particular should be associated with the campaign for better and effective results. Mr. Jaitly emphasised that use of polythene bags should be discouraged at all tourist places to keep these neat and clean. The Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Mr.M.S.Pandit, Commissioner/Secretary, Forests, Mr. B.S.Jaswal, Commissioner/Secretary, Law, Mr. K.A.Bhat, Administrator, Srinagar Municipality, Mr. Asghar Samoon and Chairman, State Pollution Control Board were among those who participated in the meeting. |
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