Will
‘BUB’be commercial hub?
Vandahama tragedy leads film
director to shoot
By B L Kak
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
The plot for the Srinagar-born film-maker for his
latest big-screen ‘baby’ would possibly
have been different altogether, if the
none-too-old horror-filled massacre of innocents
at Vandahama in Kashmir Valley had not formed an
important chapter of the Himalayan State’s
turbulent history.
The film-maker is
none other than Mr Jyoti Sarup. The 50-year-old
Kashmiri, based in Mumbai, the home of Bollywood,
is in Jammu presently, with the dream of seeing
his new venture as a box-office hit.
His venture:
"BUB", a film in Kashmiri subtitled in
English. The film was formally released at the
city’s Indira Theatre on Friday. "I
chose Jammu for screening the film. And Jammu
will not be my last destination", Mr Jyoti
Sarup told EXCELSIOR in an informal chat.
That Mr
Sarup’s film has theatres, one after
another, to reach in the coming weeks and months
is borne out by the list of places he has
prepared for the forward journey. These places
inter alia include Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar,
Sopore and Baramulla in J&K.
Even as Mr Sarup
organised "special shows" in Delhi and
Mumbai earlier, he feels that his film
"BUB" can attract viewership not only
in the two metropolitan cities but also elsewhere
in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, UP and Haryana.
The film, which
involved a 29-day shooting, egged its Director
(Mr Jyoti Sarup) on to engage a 56-member cast
and a crew of 110 persons. Srinagar, Ramban,
Batote, Jammu and Himachal Pradesh were the
principal locations Mr Sarup chose for the
film-shooting
Sterner sex of the
cast: KK Raina, Virendra Razdan, Raju Kher,
Yogesh Kilam, Ramesh Kaul and Kapil Dhar. Softer
sex: Meenakshi Kaul,Asha Zaroo and Bharati Zaroo.
Hero: Mumbai-based Yogesh Kilam. Heroin:
Delhi-based Meenakshi Kaul. Pivotal role of child
is played by the Director’s own son, Master
Kuber Sarup.
While music for
the film has been rendered by Pandit Bhajan
Sopori, lyrics are from Bashir Arif. Singers:
Vijay Malla, Kailash Mehra, Shamima Dev (wife of
Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, chief of the J&K PCC)
and Gul Akhtar.
Money which Mr
Jyoti Sarup invested on "BUB" film was
of the order of about Rs 40 lakhs. Of this, Rs 35
lakhs were loaned by the National Film
Development Corporation (NFDC).
Mr Sarup first
shot into prominence in 1985-86, after his
phenomenal success in giving the country the most
popular TV serial, "Buniyaad" by name.
The 208-part serial marked Mr Sarup’s place
of importance in film-making.
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Custodial death raises
hackles
CM favours stern action against
guilty
Excelsior Special
Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, has
disclosed his Government’s decision to come
down heavily upon the culprit or culprits behind
the alleged custodial killing at the Nowgam
police station on the outskirts of Srinagar.
The police station
is located near the private residence of Mufti
Sayeed at Nowgam. The victim was a mason, Abdul
Hamid Wani by name.
Violent public
protests took place at Manchua on the outskirts
of Srinagar on December 2, after the news about
the alleged custodial killing spread like a wild
fire.
As hundreds of
people descended on the streets and protested
against the killing, the State administration was
left with no alternative but to order a
magisterial inquiry.
Even as Mr Javed
Mustafa Mir, MLA belonging to the ruling
People’s Democratic party (PDP) undertook
crisis-management operations, the party’s
vice-president, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, had to rush
from Jammu to Srinagar to provide the much-needed
‘healing touch’ to the bereaved family.
While condoling the death of Hamid Wani, she
reportedly assured his family that the Government
would look into the matter, culminating in the
death of the mason.
The situation
underwent a change, after a team of doctors
conducted the autopsy test on the body of Hamid
Wani.
Mufti
Sayeed’s disclosure that his Government
would take "strong action"came after
his attention was drawn to the news story,
carried on Friday by Daily Excelsior, which had a
sensational revelation: Autopsy test conducted by
a team of doctors has established that the
45-year-old mason had been tortured to death in
police custody.
The Chief Minister
did make use of the expression "strong
action", but he declined to elaborate on it.
Neither did Ms Mehbooba Mufti, when, in the
presence of her father, she said: "This is a
test case".
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Viraj Kala Kendra organises
clay-modeling contest
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
In connection with the birth anniversary a series
of function have been organised by Viraj Kala
Kendra. A clay modeling competition was held on
December 5, in which about 300 students
participated. Later the works were adjudged for
various position/prizes by the eminent sculptors
of the State namely Mr Amrik Singh Namdhari, Mr N
D Jamwal and Mr Opendra Sharma.
According to a
press release, in Group -A first prize was won by
Prabhjot Kour of DBN Vidya Mandir, second by Neha
Slathia of same school, third by Kamal Deep of
Guru Harikrishan Public School and consolation
prize by Hema of DBN Vidya Mandir.
In Group B, first
prize was won by Nitish Kumar of Viraj Bal
Bhawan, Nagrota, second by Vishal Abrol of Sun
Shine School, third by Kanu Priya of J K Public
School and consolation prize by Aviral of DPS. In
Group C, first prize was won by Arjun Manhas of
DPS, second by Rahul Chib of Sangrila High
School, third by Aditya Paul Sharma of DPS and
consolation prizes for Kanwal Iqbal of JKP
School, Kusum Sharma of Cooperative Public School
and Aman Deep Kour of Tiny Tots Public School.
A painting
competition for school teachers was also
conducted in which Mrs Santosh Pandoh of DBN
Vidya Mandir got first prize, Miss Vandana Dutta
of Sangrila Public School second and Mrs Sunita
Bangotra of DBN Amarvilla Guest House.
Consolation prizes were went in favour of Ms
Romil Sood of DBN Amarvilla, Mrs Gaytri Kotwal of
DPS and Rita Abrol of Environment Education
Institution. Mrs Raj Bharti and Mr Jang S Verman
were the judges for this competition. The J&K
Fine Arts Society (JAKFAS) has sponsored prizes
for this competition.
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Deputation of consolidated
lecturers calls on Harsh Dev
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
A deputation of the consolidated lecturers of
10+2 institutions called on Minister of
Education, Mr Harsh Dev Singh and discussed
hardship being faced by them.
According to a
press release, the deputation informed the
Minister of Education that most of the
consolidated lecturers engaged in 10+2
institutions for years together have become
over-aged.
The deputation
told the Minister that they have put their whole
future without trying anywhere else for the job
they have spent their precious years and become
over-aged by serving as consolidated lecturers.
Listing their
hardships, deputation further informed the
Minister that they have been getting only a
nominal package of Rs 4500 PM that too for the
period of 8 or 9 months in a year whereas the
regular lecturers have been getting Rs 13000 PM
for whole year along with other benefits.
Deputation further
said that people who are engaged in the Health
Department on the consolidated package, they will
be regularised after completion of five/seven
years, similarly Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers will
also be regularised after the completion of five
years but the engaged lecturers will be shunt out
after getting over-aged.
The deputation
demanded that consolidated lecturers should be
given the shape of Rehbar-e-Taleem instead of
academic arrangement scheme in 10+2 institutions
so that over-aged/ going to be over-aged
candidates may adjust in the public sector after
the completion of few years.
The Minister gave
a patient hearing to the deputation and assured
them that he will take up their matter with the
concerned authorities.
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Tributes
paid to Dr Ambedkar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
Various organisations today organised programmes
and special meetings to pay tributes to Bharat
Ratna Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 46th death
anniversary.
Bahujan Samaj
Party (BSP) today organised a Prabhat Pheri in
connection with the 46th death anniversary of Dr
Ambedkar with large number of workers of the
party assembling at Kacha Talab Bahu Fort to join
the Prabhat Pheri.
Raising slogans
like ‘Baba Saheb Amar Rahe’, the
participants passed through various areas before
reaching at Press Moreh, Bahu Fort where workers
paid rich tributes to Dr Ambedkar.
Those who spoke on
the occasion included PC Pagethia, Banarsi Lal
Pajgotra, president Saryara Sudhar Sabha, Subash
Raj, president BSP Bahu Fort, Vikas Poonia, GL
Swalia, Anil Dalotra, Ganga Ram and Ashwani
Kamal.
All India
Confederation of SC/ST Organisations, J&K
Unit organised a function at Ambedkar Chowk here
to commemorate the 46th death anniversary of Dr B
R Ambedkar. Large number of people from all walks
of life gathered there on the occasion to offer
floral tributes at the statue of great leader,
visionary and the architect of the Indian
Constitution.
The participants
remembered Dr Ambedkar’s great contributions
towards reformation of Indian socio-political
set-up. His tire-less efforts throughout his life
to usher-in an era of equality, justice and
fraternity were extolled by one and all.
State unit
president of the Confederation, R K Kalsotra
spoke on the occasion and impressed upon the
authorities to redress the grievances of the
weaker sections of the society.
All Jammu and
Kashmir Mahasha Sadar held a special meeting of
the Sabha under the presidentship of Mr SD Manyal
to pay tributes to Dr Ambedkar on his 46th death
anniversary today.
All the speakers
stressed upon the community to get united and
struggle for the upliftment of the weaker
sections of the society, as the path shown by
Baba Saheb, so that his dreams could be fulfilled
and poor be liberated from the political,
economic and social exploitation from the hands
of the vested interests.
Among others who
spoke on the occasion included Vijay Kalotra,
Bansi Lal, Maheshwar Dardi, Gian Chand Lalotra,
ND Rajwal, Raj Kumar, Rajesh Bajwal and Dhiv
Dass.
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Akhnoor
MLA visits far-flung areas
Excelsior Correspondent
AKHNOOR,
Dec 6:
Mr Madan Lal Sharma, MLA Akhnoor, alongwith block
president Cong -I, Kamal Singh, AK Mishra and
Bansi Lal visited far-flung areas of Ghar,
Mazoor, Sandal, Ambo, Shahi hena Dhanu and Jalara
to get themselves acquainted with the problems
being faced by the people of these areas.
Addressing series
of public meetings, Mr Sharma said that new
coalition Government in the State is committed to
work for the upliftment of the general masses. He
assured the people that he will will take up
their issues with the concerned sections.
The MLA inspected
various developmental works currently underway in
the area. He also inaugurated the upgradation of
road from Jalara to Sandal and works of which
will be executed by BDO Akhnoor.
Mr Sharma also
inaugurated water supply scheme at Mansoo (Ghar,
Mazoor) and Chowki Choura.
He was accompanied
by officials of different departments who briefed
the MLA about the developmental works in the
area.
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Hospital’s
own website round the corner
GMC’s citizen charter to be
available on GOI website
By Mohinder Verma
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
Region’s premier medical
institution—Government Medical College
Hospital— is all set to go hi-tech. Its
citizen’s charter will be available on the
website of Department of Administrative Reforms
and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel,
Government of India, within the next few days.
More importantly,
the hospital will soon have its own website
mentioning all the details about its services and
those of hospitals associated with it. The
proposal has already been cleared by Purchase
Committee of the hospital and efforts are on to
start it at an earliest.
Sources in
hospital told EXCELSIOR that Government Medical
College Hospital and its associated hospitals
will not only become the first Government
department or institution of the Jammu and
Kashmir State whose citizen’s charter will
be available on the website of Government of
India but also become first centre throughout the
country among Government-run hospitals.
"The
citizen’s charter will represents the
commitment of organisation towards standard,
quality and time frame of service delivery,
grievance redresssal mechanism, transparency and
accountability", the sources said.
The
citizen’s charter on Government of
India’s website aims to make aware the
people as to how they can get in touch with its
officials, what to expect by way of services and
how to seek a remedy if something goes wrong.
This website
already providing the details of citizen’s
charter of various ministries, departments and
organisations of Government of India and it was
only due to its importance in the northern India
that Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu,
was invited by Ministry of Personnel, Public
Grievances and Pensions, for making available its
citizen’s charter on its website.
The citizen’s
charter of GMC Hospital contains the information
regarding various services available in different
departments, hospitals, the quality of services
the patients are entitled to and the means
through which complaints regarding denial or poor
quality of services will be redressed.
The Out Patient
Department (OPD) schedules, days of various
consultants, services available in the emergency
wing of the hospital, visiting hours for
attendants, details about the laboratories, blood
bank, helpline and other support and utility
services in the hospital have also been mentioned
in the charter, the sources disclosed. They said
that the appeals regarding reducing number of
attendants per patient, keeping the hospital
clean, using different coloured bins and for
giving constructive feedback to improve the
services have also been made.
Safdargang
Hospital, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Smt
Sucheta Kriplani Hospitals are some of the
medical institutions which have their
citizen’s charter on the website
http://www.goicharters.nic.in. The Government
Medical College Hospital has appointed Dr Yashpal
Sharma, Deputy Medical Superintendent as nodal
officer, who has been assigned the job of
redressing public grievances online.
It is worthwhile
to mention here that Department of Administrative
Reforms and Public Grievances started this
website for improvement in Government structures
and processes, citizen-friendly initiatives
including redresssal of public grievances,
documentation, incubation and dissemination of
best practices and networking with various
agencies.
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6
injured in mishaps
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
Six persons were injured in separate road
accidents while as a youth allegedly made
abortive attempt to end his life.
According to
police, three persons were injured in road
accident at Vijaypur. Identified as Mohinder
Kour, wife of Daleep Singh of R S Pura, Surinder
Kumar of Swankha Morh and Dameshwar Singh, son of
Baro Mazi of Vijaypur, they were travelling in a
mini-bus which skidded off the road and rolled
down.
All the three
injured were immediately rushed to Government
Medical College Hospital and their condition was
stated to be out of danger when reports last came
in.
In another road
accident, two persons identified as Tirath Singh,
son of Sant Ram of Ramban and Daljeet Singh, son
of Hardev Singh of Beli Charana received severe
injuries after they were hit by speeding scooters
at Shahidi Chowk and Vikram Chowk respectively.
They were rushed
to hospital and their condition was stated to be
serious when reports last came in.
In yet another
road accident, one Ram Bai, wife of Bhagwan Dass
of Sainik Colony sustained critical injuries
after she was hit by a Esteem car at Sainik
Colony. She has been hospitalised.
Meanwhile, one
Kuldeep Singh, son of Kartar Singh of Mishriwala
allegedly made attempt to end his life by
consuming some poisonous substance at his
residence.
He was rushed to
hospital when spotted unconscious by family
members and doctors attending on him immediately
provided him stomach wash treatment followed by
other medicare.
His condition was
stated to be out of danger when reports last came
in. The cause behind this extreme step was not
immediately known.
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Family
of blast victim not provided Govt relief
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
Even after eight days of his death, family of
driver Satnam Singh, who was killed in an IED
blast in Lower Munda, has not yet been provided
any relief by the Government.
Survived by his
wife, two sons and a daughter, Satnam Singh of
Shiv Nagar in R S Pura, was critically injured
when a bus, being driven by him and carrying army
jawans, blew off in a powerful IED blast at Lower
Munda on November 23. Nineteen people were killed
and 34 got injured in the blast.
Injured Satnam
Singh succumbed to his injuries on November 28 in
a hospital in Kashmir Valley and was cremated in
R S Pura on November 30.
Meanwhile
volunteers of Navyuvak Sabha, a local
non-governmental organisation, and people of Shiv
Nagar area have threatened to hold protest
demonstrations if immediate relief was not
provided to family of the victim.
They alleged that
even after eight days of Satnam Singh’s
death, no Government official visited
victim’s family and provided the relief.
They also demanded Government job to widow of
Satnam Singh since the deceased was only bread
earner in the family.
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Migrant
leader flays Farooq
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
CPI(M) Migrant Cell president Mr Makhan Lal Bhat
has disapproved former Chief Minister Farooq
Abdullah’s claim that NC Government did its
best for return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir
Valley.
In a press
statement, Makhan Lal alleged that NC Government
did nothing concrete except making hollow
promises for return of Kashmiri migrants. Farooq
Abdullah only delivered dramatic statements for
rehabilitation of KPs but never cared about the
community, he added.
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Demands
of 1947 refugees projected
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
A deputation of Jammu and Kashmir Sarnarthi
Action Committee called on the Chief Minister,
Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and presented him a
memorandum of demands concerning settlement of
the refugees of 1947.
As per release,
the deputationists discussed various problems
facing the refugees and also urged him to take up
their demands with the Central Government.
The deputation was
led by Mr Hardit Singh Panchi and also included:
Munshi Harman Singh, Amar Singh, Khazan Singh, Ms
Daljeet Kour, Lekh Raj Khajuria, Kirpal Singh,
Iqbal Singh and Bhagat Singh.
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Deputation
of consolidated lecturers calls on Harsh Dev
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
A deputation of the consolidated lecturers of
10+2 institutions called on Minister of
Education, Mr Harsh Dev Singh and discussed
hardship being faced by them.
According to a
press release, the deputation informed the
Minister of Education that most of the
consolidated lecturers engaged in 10+2
institutions for years together have become
over-aged. The deputation told the Minister that
they have put their whole future without trying
anywhere else for the job they have spent their
precious years and become over-aged by serving as
consolidated lecturers.
Listing their
hardships, deputation further informed the
Minister that they have been getting only a
nominal package of Rs 4500 PM that too for the
period of 8 or 9 months in a year whereas the
regular lecturers have been getting Rs 13000 PM
for whole year along with other benefits.
Deputation further
said that people who are engaged in the Health
Department on the consolidated package, they will
be regularised after completion of five/seven
years, similarly Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers will
also be regularised after the completion of five
years but the engaged lecturers will be shunt out
after getting over-aged.
The deputation
demanded that consolidated lecturers should be
given the shape of Rehbar-e-Taleem instead of
academic arrangement scheme in 10+2 institutions
so that over-aged/ going to be over-aged
candidates may adjust in the public sector after
the completion of few years.
The Minister gave
a patient hearing to the deputation and assured
them that he will take up their matter with the
concerned authorities.
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 |
Natrang
stages ‘Ghumayee’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6:
Two shows of the highly acclaimed Dogri play
‘Ghumayee’ completed here today at
Abhinav Theatre, Jammu with its successful
presentation the play written and directed by Mr
Balwant Thakur was sponsored by The Jammu and
Kashmir Bank Limited. It may be recalled that the
play is being featured among the best of the
Century’s Best Production at Mumbai at TATA
Theatre on December 9, 2002.
The first show of
the play was witnessed among others by Pandit
Mangat Ram Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister who
after witnessing the play lauded the role of
Natrang in bringing a new revolution of theatre
in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. He
complemented writer and director, Mr Balwant
Thakur for his highly innovative direction and
bringing laurels to the State of Jammu and
Kashmir. He further said that during his entire
political carrier he had the occasion to witness
many theatre productions within India and abroad
but never saw a performance of such an excellence
and assured all possible help for further boost
of such kind of activities in the State.
During both
performances at Jammu the Abhinav Theatre was
jam-packed to its capacity and the audience gave
repeated applauds and standing ovation to the
performances and technical team of the play. The
music of the play rendered by Mr Suraj Singh was
highly appreciated and the singing of Ms Sunita
Babu was highly professional.
Among performers
Vikrant Sharma as the man who brings water gave
commendable performance. In the role of Dulhan,
Ms Jaldeep Kour was highly effective and
impressive. Anil Tickoo as Dulha and Suresh Kumar
as Baap were also appreciated. Others who gave
notable performances included Supriya Kohli,
Neera Jamwal, Pankaj Sharma, Sat Salarbi, Neeraj
Kant and Sumit Sharma.
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"Mati
Kahe Kumhar Sey, Too Kaya Rondey Muhay:Brig.
Tiwari
Computer interaction session,
clay modelling
in Army School Jammu Cantt
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu,
Dec 6:
To upgrade the teaching skills through computer,
an interaction session with the students was
organised in the Army School, Jammu Cantt.
M/s Logic
Computers conducted this session with a view to
provide students curriculum based software with
CBSE and NCERT syllabus for 9th to 12th classes.
The software covers the entire CBSE syllabus in
animated and detailed manner.
In the school,
students are being encouraged to take the help of
computers for updating their capabilities with
thrust on prescribed syllabus.
The students
evinced keen interest in the programme. They were
provided access to the lectures of best teachers
available in the software.
Brig. S. Tiwari,
Chairman, Army School, Jammu Cantt. was present
to oversee the programme. Col. Ramaniah, SO1
(Education), was also present.
Brig. Tiwari also
saw a special workshop organised for training
students in clay modelling and pottery as part of
extra curricular programme. There was encouraging
participation of students in this activity.
On seeing students
making pottery with clay, Brig. Tiwari recited
"Mati Kahe Kumhar Sey, Too Kaya Rondey
Muhay-Ik Din Aisa Aye Ga Main Rondun gee
tohay"
The Principal of
the School, Mrs. Anu Jandial apprised the
Chairman about providing the students broad based
education so that the student is prepared for
life, without losing their areas of
specialization or competence.
Brig. Tiwari also
interacted with students of class 12th and asked
about the grey areas in CBSE syllabus where more
thrust is required to prepare them for Board
examination. He assured them of full cooperation
from the management, principal and staff for the
purpose.
He also inspected
the construction work of the new building and
discussed the renovation required in the old
building.
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