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Peace is imperative for Excelsior Correspondent Billawar, Oct 5: Expressing that peace is imperative for the socio economic development of State, Minister for Forests and .....more Bring KPs living in Kashmir at par with migrated Pandits : HWS SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Hindu Welfare Society, an outfit representing Kashmiri Pandits who have not migrated, today demanded that they .......more Kak
invited to Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Well known theatre director of State and Artistic Director of Shri Ram Centre of Performing Arts, Mushtaq Kak, has ...........more Police-public
meet held Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: To strengthen the cordial relations between civilians and police, a police-public meet was held at Toph.......more Pradesh Youth Congress launches ‘Dharmnirpeksh Vichardhara Abhiyan’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: On the occasion of Dussehra, Pradesh Youth Congress today launched State wide ‘Dharmnirpeksh Vichardhara Abhiyan’ (secular ........more |
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Cocoon
production Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Cocoon production in Kashmir division has increased to about 2.45 lakh kgs as against just 1.19 lakh kgs in 1995-96.........more ABJ seeks supportfor abrogation of Art 370 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Akhil Bhartiya Jansangh, All India general secretary Poonam Rajpurohit "Manavdharmi", before his departure from here held a meeting with various political parties and social organizations in seeking...........more Sainik Colony Sangarsh Samiti warns agitation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Reiterating its demand for inclusion of Sainik Colony in the jurisdiction of Jammu Municipal Corporation, the newly constituted Sainik Colony Sangarsh Samiti today warned to launch agitation if its demand was not conceded immediately..........more One killed, 4 injured in accident Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: One person was killed and four others received injuries in separate road accidents while as two bodies were recovered. Police spokesman said that one person was killed and four others.........more |
Peace is imperative for
socio-economic development: Sofi Excelsior Correspondent Billawar, Oct 5: Expressing that peace is imperative for the socio economic development of State, Minister for Forests and Environment, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi, who is also the chairman of People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) called upon the Prime Minister’s of this sub-continent, do not derail from the peace process, which otherwise become disastrous for the people of J&K. He said a ray of hope have come in the minds of people especially in people of J&K when these two nations started peace process recently. Mr Sofi was accompanied by Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation, Hakim Mohammad Yasin, Minister of State for Industries, Raman Mattoo and Minister of State for Forests, Th. Puran Singh, MLAs, Babu Singh, Molvi Abdul Rashid and Dr Monhar Lal and other senior members of PDF. Addressing a public gathering at Billawar, 130 kms from Jammu yesterday, Mr Sofi said that the people the State are yearning for peace with dignity and honour and are having high expectations from the leaders of two nations that they would involve all the people of thought to find a respectable solution to the vexed issue, which fulfills the aspirations of all the three regions. He said, the people of the State are paying badly due hostile attitude of two nations for last 3 decades, "now the time has come that the two nations would start meaningful dialogue with sincerity to lay a foundation of era of peace". Adding that our people have suffered a lot from last 13 years and it is the duty of political representatives, intellectuals, and journalists to stop this blood shed once for all to forward the peace process towards logical destination. Referring about floating of new party viz PDF, Mr Sofi said that the idea of Forum has emerged before making the coalition Government, as we the legislators of the Forum have conscious to put forward their demands jointly to come on the expectations of the people. He said, "we are from the people, for the people" and added that "we become Ministers with your support and when you withdraw your support we are no more". He admitted that we are still far away from your expectation and said it is our duty to provide an opportunity to youth to work so that they can earn bread with dignity. Expressing that the members of the PDF belongs to different areas, but our problems are same, so we have taken a stand to make the voice of people voice of PDF. Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation, Hakim Mohammad Yassen said that the people of the State wants to live with peace. He urged India and Pakistan to for sincere efforts for the meaningful dialogue, so that peace will come in this trouble torn State. Hakeem exhorted that the people have voted us for the change in situation and governance, of this change is not come true at the grass root level, we have no right to remain in the power. He said PDF would continue to support coalition Government until they will work for the welfare of the people. He said that our party has given top priority for the socio-economic development in all the three regions of the State and for peace and normalcy is imperative. While explaining that the J&K State has huge potential for hydro electricity, he lamented that due to signing of Indus Water Treaty, this vital economic potential could not be exploited. He urged centre for compensating the State on this count. Regarding the complaints by local population, Hakeem also directed the district administration if any official involved in the malpractices; a stern action would be taken place against him. He also directed the administration to cooperate the local MLA for their sincere efforts for the development of this remote area. Regarding the demand opening of Government Degree College at Billawar, Hakeem said that the all the members of the PDF would take the matter with concerned authorities. Minister of State for Forests, Th. Puran Singh said that an amusement park would be set up at the Mata Sukrala Devi. He said that the demands put forth would be redressed in a phased manner. Minister of Industries and Commerce, Raman Mattoo have called upon the youths to come forward to take the benefit of various schemes launched by the Government for unemployed youths. He said two cooperative societies will be provided to Billawar, and steps would taken for the revival of Pashmina industry at Basohli. He said that Kathua would be covered under District Rural Industry Policy (DRIP) thought Rs. 75 crore will be spent for the establishment of small cottage industry to provide jobs to youths. The others who also spoke on the occasion were Dr Monhar Lal, Mr Babu Singh and other senior workers of PDF who highlighted demands of their area. |
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Bring KPs living in Kashmir at par with migrated Pandits : HWS SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Hindu Welfare Society, an outfit representing Kashmiri Pandits who have not migrated, today demanded that they be treated at par with members of the community who migrated after the start of militancy in the Valley and be given the same benefits. "We have told the central leaders that we should be treated at par with migrants and given same benefits as the migrants are enjoying," HWS spokesman Chuni Lal Bhat told reporters here after a havan organised by the outfit on the occasion of Mahanavmi and for peace in Kashmir. Elaborating on the details of the discussion an HWS delegation had with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani recently, he said we told Advani that unless you rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits staying back home you cannot instil security among the migrant Pandits. He also said that their demand for clusterization of the members of minority community staying back home was not conceded by the Government yet. "We want that the Pandits living in Kashmir should be shifted to safe clusters in district headquarters. But this does not mean that the Government will isolate us in safe clusters. We want clusters at a place where Muslims are also living," HWS general secretary S K Tiku said. Nearly 5000 Pandits, mostly those who are living in Kashmir, attended the havan for peace, which was held by the Pandits for the first time. Keeping with age-old tradition, Muslims also thronged the Temple and helped their Hindu brethren to organise the havan at the Ram Mandir Barbar Shah Temple. "We are overwhelmed by the support we have received from Muslims in organizing this havan. We have prayed for the peace and prosperity of Kashmir. Hindu-Muslim brotherhood is a key to peace and we have prayed for strengthening this age old bond between the two communities," Bhat said. It was for the first time that Pandits have organized a havan in Kashmir. The Pandits had decided to organize such havan on the occasion of Ramnamvi but it was postponed because of the massacre of 24 Pandits at Nadimarg in Pulwama district of south Kashmir in March this year. Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims once again proved today that Kashmiriayat is alive here, a Pandit devotee said. (PTI) |
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Kak invited to participate in National Theatre Festival Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Well known theatre director of State and Artistic Director of Shri Ram Centre of Performing Arts, Mushtaq Kak, has been invited to participate in the prestigious National Theatre Festival "Rang Swarn" being organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi from October 9 to 22. Festival is being organised in connection with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sangeet Natak Akademi and will showcase the best theatre productions of the past 50 years of Indian theatre. Mushtaq Kak is the only theatre director belonging to Jammu and Kashmir State who has been invited to attend the festival. Kak will be presenting his play Mahabrahman written by Premanand Gajvi in Marathi and translated into Hindi by Vasant Dev, in the festival on October 17 with the artists of Shri Ram Centre Repertory. Music for the play has been composed by Bhupinder Singh Jamwal, a promising young music director of the State. The festival will feature great names of Indian Theatre including Girish Karnad, Habib Tanvir, Vijay Tendulkar, K N Panicker, Shreeram Lagoo, Naseeruddin Shah, Amrish Puri, Satya Dev Dubey, Alyque Padamsee and Anupam Kher. Festival will be performed at different venues in Delhi like Kamani Auditorium, Meghdoot Theatre, Shri Ram Centre and FICCI Auditorium. Mushtaq Kak has been working as Artistic Director at Shri Ram Centre for the past five years and his productions ‘Nagar Udas’, ‘Mahabrahman’ and ‘Kamloos Ki Macchillian’ have received rave reviews in the national press and won a number of awards. |
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Police-public meet held at Toph Sherkhanian Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: To strengthen the cordial relations between civilians and police, a police-public meet was held at Toph Sherkhanian by Toph Welfare Association. Inspector Surinder Sharma, new appointed SHO Bakshi Nagar Police Station was the chief guest and incharge PP Sarwal SI Kamal Sangra presided over. Many prominent residents of the area participated in the meeting and put forward their suggestions as also highlighted the main problems being faced by the residents. While speaking on the occasion Mr Prabhat Singh, a senior Bank Manager and a Civil Defence Warden demanded that special consideration should be given to those which stands recommended by the concerned SHOs in the matter of recruitment of youths in Police. Another local resident Rakesh Singh complained that when ever some crime is committed in adjoining areas, the name of the Toph Sherkhanian locality is dragged thereby bring it a bad name. Various other suggestions were made in the meet by local residents. SHO Bakshi Nagar while speaking requested the local residents to remain extra-vigilant in the present scenario. |
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Pradesh Youth Congress launches ‘Dharmnirpeksh Vichardhara Abhiyan’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: On the occasion of Dussehra, Pradesh Youth Congress today launched State wide ‘Dharmnirpeksh Vichardhara Abhiyan’ (secular ideology campaign). The campaign was announced formally launched by Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Jugal Kishore Sharma in a well attended gathering of Youth Congress activists at the Congress Bhawan in Shahidi Chowk. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jugal Kishore, exhorted Youth Congress activists to strengthen secular forces in the country and effectively fight communalism which poses biggest threat to unity and integrity of India. He stressed that Congress was committed to the ideology of secularism and the party would not allow communal forces to create division among people on the name of religion. Youth Congress activists should reach at the village level and rope in all secular minded people to give a united and forceful fight to communal forces which are dividing people on the name of religion, he added. Earlier, Mr Narinder Sharma, general secretary of Pradesh Youth Congress, briefed the gathering about secular ideology campaign in Jammu and Kashmir. He announced that the State wide campaign would be extended to tehsil level during which Youth Congress activists will aware masses about dangers of communalism. The Youth Congress leader stressed that the campaign has been launched particularly on the occasion of Dussehra as the festival is a symbol of victory of truth over evil. Some other Youth Congress leaders also addressed the gathering and vowed to fight communal forces who were dividing people on the name of temple and mosque. On the occasion, several youth, including three Sarpanchs, 7 Panchs and some leaders of JK National Panthers Party and Bhartiya Janta Party, joined the Youth Congress. The Minister garlanded the new entrants and welcomed them in the party fold. |
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Cocoon production on rise in Valley Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Cocoon production in Kashmir division has increased to about 2.45 lakh kgs as against just 1.19 lakh kgs in 1995-96. This was revealed during the inspection of Basic Seed Station, Mirgund about 22 kilometers from here by the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Abdul Aziz Zargar. The Minister inspected various sections of the silkworm seed station and mulberry farm. He said Central Silk Board is providing Rs 3 crore during the current year for promotion of cocoon rearing in the State. He said cocoon rearers would be provided an incentive of Rs 35 lakh for mulberry cultivation this year against Rs 27 lakh during the previous year. About 14000 farmers will be benefitted under the scheme. The Minister asked the concerned officers to ensure that genuine cocoon rearers get incentive. He suggested to associate local public representatives in the distribution system of incentives to cocoon rears. The Minister also called for exploring possibilities for integrated farming by the sericulture department for promotion of floriculture, which has a tremendous market potential. The Minister was apprised that 90 percent of the disease free silk worm seed required by the rearers in the valley is produced in this basic seed station which is spread over an area of about 860 kanals of land including about 300 kanals under mulberry cultivation. It was told that 780 kanals of land in Baramulla district has been brought under mulberry plantation this year by planting 1.17 lakh mulberry saplings. The cocoon production in the district during last year was of the order of 43000 kgs valuing about Rs 37 lakh. The Minister asked the officers to provide disease free seeds to the cocoon rearers and extend further the cocoon bank facilities so that they could fetch better remuneration of their produce. He called upon the concerned officers and field agencies to gear up men and machinery to revive the pristine glory of the traditional Silk Indusry in the State |
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ABJ seeks supportfor abrogation of Art 370 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Akhil Bhartiya Jansangh, All India general secretary Poonam Rajpurohit "Manavdharmi", before his departure from here held a meeting with various political parties and social organizations in seeking their support for abolition of Article 370 for which Jansangh president Balraj Madhok has filed a writ in the Supreme Court. The leaders in the meeting passed a resolution supporting abrogation of Article 370 and described the same as irrelevant and unnecessary and appealed the Union Government to take immediate measures for its abrogation. Those who participated in the meeting included Messrs Prof Verinder Gupta, D C Parshant (Ex-MP), Uday Chand, Dr Dhani Ram Shastri, Dr Agnishekhar, Sardar Balbinder Singh, Advocate Mohinder Singh Thakur, Mohan Singh, Rajeev Chuni, Ravi Sethi and Jagdish Dogra. |
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Sainik Colony Sangarsh Samiti warns agitation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Reiterating its demand for inclusion of Sainik Colony in the jurisdiction of Jammu Municipal Corporation, the newly constituted Sainik Colony Sangarsh Samiti today warned to launch agitation if its demand was not conceded immediately. The Samiti, chairman Rajiv Sharma today criticized the Government for dodging the people of the Colony on this vital issue. He said by not including the area into the limits of Municipal Corporation the Government was playing with the sentiments of the people of the Colony which mostly consists of war veterans, ex soldiers and inservice army personnel. Mr Sharma said people have been shocked to learn about the decision of non inclusion of the area into the jurisdiction of the Corporation as Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had himself given an assurance to them in this regard when a delegation of the residents of the area called on him over two months back. He said Government has no logic in not bringing the Sainik Colony under the Municipal limits as the area has proximity to the City than the other areas which have been included in the Corporation through a recent notification. He said colony which ought to be given maximum attention for the development has been deprived by the Government over the years for unknown reasons. Terming the demand genuine and justified he said the Samiti will fight it in each and every fora and continue the struggle till its logical conclusion. |
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One killed, 4 injured in accident Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: One person was killed and four others received injuries in separate road accidents while as two bodies were recovered. Police spokesman said that one person was killed and four others received severe injuries when a Tata Sumo, they were travelling in, skidded off the road and rolled down at Panama Morh under the jurisdiction of Kud Police Station. The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK04-3491 was on its way from Srinagar to Jammu when met with accident. All the injured have been identified. The deceased has been identified as Gohar Prabhu. The injured have been identified as Mohd Shafi, Mushtaq Ahmed, Ghulam Ahmed and Nazir Ahmed. Meanwhile, an unidentified body of a Sadhu was recovered from near Narwal Mandi. The body has been laying in the mortuary of the hospital for identification. Police has taken the cognizance of the incident. Yet another body was recovered under mysterious circimstances. The body has been identified as that of Gurdyal Singh, son of Ladha Singh of Digiana. |
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Excelsior Correspondent PAHALGAM, Oct 5: The State Government will develop tourist villages adjoining famous resorts in a big way to extend economic benefits of tourist activity to the people in rural areas. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said this while addressing a function after inaugurating Lidder Valley Amusement Park developed by Jammu and Kashmir Bank here this afternoon. He said all possible support would be extended to the people for renovation and construction of their houses nearer to the resorts for use by tourists as paying guests. Mufti Sayeed said that Pahalgam is known for its serene climate and breath taking beauty the world over and the place would be further developed as an international tourist destination by expanding and upgrading infrastructure facilities. He said Laripora and several other villages in and around Pahalgam would be developed as tourist villages and Pahalgam Development Authority would extend all possible support for the purpose. Lanes, drains and other civic amenities would be improved in the entire belt, he added. The Chief Minister announced that a cable car would be laid at Baisaran near Pahalgam on the pattern of Gulmarg Gondola to provide added attraction to the locals and tourists at the famous resort. Referring to the Lidder valley Amusement Park, Mufti Sayeed appreciated the bank authorities for setting up the park in a record period of four months. He expressed his concern that the time schedule for various development projects is generally not adhered to resulting in cost and time over runs. In this connection, he cited the example of Pahalgam mini-hydel project which was initially estimated to cost Rs. 5 crore but even after spending Rs. 42 crore, the project is still incomplete. The Chief Minister said that Pahalgam was kept open for locals and tourists during Amarnath yatra this year after many years that helped the hoteliers, shopkeepers, ponywalas and others connected with travel trade to earn their livelihood. He said the tourist traffic to Pahalgam and other resorts in Kashmir was good this year and hoped that from next summer the flow of tourists to the valley would gain further momentum The Chief Minister said that since people would be paying for availing of the facilities at the park, it should be further expanded. He asked the J&K Bank management to include some more adjoining land into the park for the purpose. The Chief Minister stated that some portion of the amount collected out of entry fee of the Amusement Park would be spent on the welfare of the registered local ponywalas. Mufti Sayeed asked the bank to set up a beautiful park at Badamwari in Srinagar expeditiously and restore its pristine glory to provide recreational facilities to the people. He said the work on Rajinder Park in Jammu should also be speeded up. Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma said that the coalition Government has taken a pledge to restore peace in the state and alleviate the sufferings of the people to usher Jammu and Kashmir into a new era of socio-economic development. He assured the people of Pahalgam area that everything possible would be done so that the locals are largely benefited PDP Chief and local MLA, Ms. Mehbooba Mufti described Pahalgam as the heart of the state for its scenic splendour. She, however, said that despite it being a famous tourist resort, the area has not been given much attention in the past for its development. Ms. Mehbooba urged for giving employment to local unemployed youth in the amusement Park as well as other projects that have been taken up in Pahalgam constituency. She stressed that Aru, Chandanwari and other beautiful sites in the area be also promoted as tourist destinations. Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, M. Y. Khan in his welcome address said that out of total area of 42 kanals, only 31/2 kanals of land has been utilised for setting up the Amusement Park while landscaping would be done on the remaining portion. He said the park is ecology and environment friendly. He said massive plantation would also be done and benches installed on Lidder side so that the visitors could enjoy the beauty of the gushing stream. He said the bank would set up parks at Baramulla, Leh, Jammu and several other places in the state in near future. |
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600 migrant families deprived of relief Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Running from pillar to post for over last three years, 600 migrant families in an appeal to Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed have sought his intervention in releasing the cash assistance in their favour. According to aggrieved persons out of 600 families, the ration cards of 300 were birfurcated three years back by the Relief Organization while the rest are under process. But the Organization has failed to release the cash assistance in favour of those families also whose ration cards were bifurcated. Terming the bifurcation a mere mockery, Rajinder Sharma a migrant from Udhampur said this way the Relief authorities have cheated us as the bifurcation process totally proved a futile exercise. "I have no source of income and how can I feed a family of four members in these economically tough and hard days", he said, adding we have been running from pillar to post for justice over these years but now body is ready to settle our problem. "Every time we visit the Relief Commissioner’s Office we are told that your cases are under process," said Sanjay Raina another migrant who has to run a family of three members. He said despite our repeated pleas no action has been taken by the authorities to settle the cases and release cash assistance in our favour. He also blamed the community leadership for their failure in pleading their case forcefully before the Government and the Relief Organization. He urged them to come forward in settling the cases. |
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PWD officers interact with MLAs Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Public Works Department (PWD) has organised an awareness fortnight from October 2 to 16 and in this connection PWD (R&B) held an interaction programme with MLAs and prominent citizens of Jammu. Interaction was held with MLAs Raman Bhalla and S Manjit Singh, MLC Gulchain Singh Charak, L K Mengi, ex-chief engineer and other prominent citizens of Jammu city. The Chief Engineer PWD, A S Wazir, briefed about the background of celebrating awareness fortnight and said that the PWD was passing through a very critical phase as a gap was developing between the Department and the people. He said it was necessary to discuss the difficulties of the Department with the people vis-a-vis know their problems. The details of the projects to be taken by the Department like Bikram Chowk flyover, Jammu Southern By-Pass, Under-passages of Jammu City and other similar projects were also briefed by the Chief Engineer. Problems like poor maintenance of roads due to shortage of funds were also discussed with MLAs and it was pointed out that as against an annual requirement of Rs 50 crore for maintenance of roads hardly Rs 10 to 11 crore were being made annually. Raman Bhalla appreciating the works done by PWD desired for construction of fly over and under passage for linking Channi Himmat with Trikuta Nagar area. S Manjit Singh hailed the role played by PWD and desired that Department should also concentrate on the improvement of roads in villages which are very old and are of fair weather specifications. Gulchain Singh Charak, MLC, called for increase in allocation of funds for improving conditions of the roads. |
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Navratra festival concludes at Katra Excelsior Correspondent Katra, Oct 5: The luck dawn on one Naveen Punjabi of Ludhiana who clinched the first position in All India devotional/Bhaint song competition held at Katra yesterday. Mrs Deepati Prajawati of Mumbai and Bashir Ahmed Mastana of Rajouri bagged second and third positions respectively in the competition. In all 14 signers from various parts of the country participated in the final, which commenced on first Navratra under the aegis of Tourism Department, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and local organizations of the town. Ganesh C. Jain, MD Venus tapes and records, Vikas Mohan and Preeti Sapru from Mumbai adjudged the best. The Speaker, J&K, Tara Chand who was the chief guest on the occasion distributed first prize of Rs. one Lakh, second prize of Rs.25, 000 and third prize Rs.15,000 for best performance. He also distributed trophies for best decoration to Hotel Asia Katra, R.S.Kotwal, Dry Fruit Shop of M/S Subash dry fruit to Surinder Khajuria and best shawl emporium to Amit Mangotra of Katra town. Trophies were also distributed to Navratra Committee members, local officers and Gipsy Badial who performed Kathak dance on this occasion. Earlier, the Speaker, Mr Tara Chand thanked the Minister of State for PHE and Flood Control, Jugal Kishore Sharma who is also Chairman of Navratra Festival Committee, and Minister of State for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmed Mir for giving him the invitation on the concluding day of Navratra. He said that during this year so for 42 lakh pilgrims visited holy cave shrine. Like other parts of the country J&K is quite safe and we all should pray for prosperity of the country. He appreciated the shrine board for taking keen interest for development and facilities for the visiting pilgrims. He further said that J&K is the crown of India and the Katra is the "Tilak" on its forehead. He appreciated the Jhankies which represented cultural heritage of the state. He prayed and hoped that next holy Navratra would come with normal situation in the state. Addressing the audience, Mir said that Government would make efforts to make this festival at an international level. He appreciated the local organizations for arranging such type of programmes during Navratras. He further said that a delegation led by Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had invited the film industry and as a result of it, the Actor, Producer and Director Mrs Preeti Sapru launched first shooting of its film from this place. He sought the cooperation of business community for promotion of tourism in the State. Mr Sharma expressed his sincere gratitude to the speakers and others visitors for participating in the festival to make it a success. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) of 16 Corps organised a welfare meet at Usman Auditorium, Nagrota to felicitate the next of kin of ex-soldiers and war widows. Mrs Deepa Bhardwaj, officiating president AWWA 16 Corps honoured the war widows and next of kin of the soldiers who laid down their lives in battle field or have died, while assuring them unstinted support in rehabilitating them. The get-together was organised to listen to their grievances and provide assistance. AWWA came into existence in August 1965. The Association has ever since worked tirelessly for the over all development and well being of the Army wives and their children besides war widows’ rehabilitation. A medical camp for the ex-servicemen and their families was also organised. Lectures were delivered on various benefits applicable to next of kin to educate them. Welcoming on behalf of Mrs Sneh Prabha Singh, president AWWA Mrs Bhardwaj said that families of ex-soldiers are very important to the community. She said such type of meetings will be held after every three months as it may provide opportunity to interact with the families of soldiers and listen to their problems. |
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Lions Club organises eye check up camp Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Lions Club Jammu Royal organised eye check up and dental awareness camp at Bal Viraj Bhawan School, Nagrota. Prominent doctors including Dr Sandeep Gupta, Dr Rajesh Gupta, Dr Preety and Karam Veer Singh conducted the camp. Two hundred and eighty seven patient including students of school were checked at the camp. People hailing from different remote areas like Nai Basti Khan Pura, Jagti, Jajjar Kotli attended the camp. A slide show was organised by Dr Rajesh Gupta and Dr Preety, where the students and the people were made aware of the dental care. They also educated the people about the techniques for keeping health teeth which was well appreciated by the people of that area. A large number of people checked by the doctors and were given free medicine for the eyes and teeth. The medicine were sponsored by the Lions Club Jammu Royal and Jandyal Opticians. In the opening remarks, Rajesh Gupta, president of the Club said that another eye checkup and dental awareness camp will be organised at Samba in the near future. He also sought help from the bigger business houses to provide all possible help to run these camps. He also donated large carpets to the school and distributed fruits and sweets among the students of the school. While presenting vote of thanks, N K Rohmetra thanked the team of doctors and people of the adjoining area to provide full help and support to run the camp. He also thanked the Lions Club members for their active participation in the camp. Prominent among present in the camp were K S Samyal, Partap Mahajan, Davinder Gupta, Rajesh Langer, Davinder Sethi, Neeraj Tandon and Sanjeev Soni. |
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Defence Minister apprised about villagers’ problems Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: President of JK Young Panthers and MLA Udhampur Balwant Singh Mankotia met the Union Minister for Defence George Fernandes at New Delhi and apprised him of the problems being faced by the villagers due to unprecedented security check-ups near Army installations in Udhampur district . In his discussion with the Union Minister, Mr Mankotia pointed out that the people of the villages adjoining Army Head Quarters, Northern Command, were being subjected to un-necessary harassment during security check-up and often denied movement in their own farms. He also listed such villages which included Nagallian, Kothi, Bashori, Pachkaria, Kamati, MI Room Meghani, Sambai, Birmapal and Sui etc and urged the Defence Minister to personally intervene into the matter and resolve the problem of people. During the discussion, the MLA also highlighted the plights of contractual porters from Jammu who were hired by army during the Kargil war. He demanded a special employment package for these 167 porters from Udhampur district. The Young Panther leader also demanded sanctioning of Disturbed Area Allowance to Government employees working in Jammu region also as entire J&K has been declared disturbed by the Government of India. The Defence Minister gave a patient hearing to the MLA and assured him to consider all the issues raised by him. |
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Mula Ram visits Phinder in R S Pura Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Oct 5: Minister for Social Welfare, Mula Ram visited village Phinder in R. S. Pura tehsil today and paid obeisance at the temple of Sant Bhagat Kabir. He prayed for peace and prosperity of the State. He donated Rs. 5000 from his personal pocket for the development of temple and assured for more help for its completion. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that we should follow the footstep of Bhagat Kabir, a social reformer who brought enormous change for the upliftment of especially for the weaker sections and down trodden of the society. He further said that coalition Government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is determined to provide equal opportunity of development in all the three regions of the State. He said that Government is committed to provide clean and accountable administration to the people of the State. Among others, the President, J&K Kabir Sabha and prominent citizens of the area attended the function. |
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MLA Nagrota tours his constituency Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: MLA Nagrota Jugal Kishore Sharma conducted an extensive tour of his constituency to review the development works and apprise himself about the problems of general people. Jugal visited Shwa, Rabta, Agore, Garhi and Ranjan Thati Jandyal and met people of the villages who listed their grievances to the MLA. The problems highlighted by people with their MLA included, scarcity of drinking water at Ranjan, absence of a link road to Shwa Mata and bad condition of entire road network in the area. Jugal Kishore assured the people that he would put their problems before the concerned authorities and make all possible efforts to mitigate their sufferings. Those who accompanied the MLA included Jyoti Prakash, Rakesh Sharma, Mool Raj and Subash. Plunder in J&K forests goes unchecked as Govt lacks will to contain it By Gopal Sharma The hard predictions of renowned environmentalist, Shanker Ranganatha indicate that India will have no forests by the end of this century. In the process of ‘good’, agriculture land will be ruined, as happened in case of what are today the deserts of Sahara, Mesopothamia, Thar and the Indus valley, and millions of people will die of starvation. Some glaring highlights of these facts are being observed even today in various states of our country like Rajasthan, Orissa, Madhya Pardesh and Bihar and the things apparently are becoming more and more vulnerable. The water crisis during summer season is increasing every year and several areas are falling in the grip of famine and thousands of cattle are dying in various parts of the country for want of fodder and water. The vegetative cover is disappearing rapidly and the man is not realising the devastating consequences of these developments. Perhaps the most essential and the natural lifeline of the animal as created by the God is— the forests. Infact, it is the system which ensures co-existence of man with plants, animals, birds, inspects etc. and meets their diverse needs such as fruit, leaves, fodder, fuel, timber and medicines in an integrated way. Forests bring rains and considered as the producers of water. The life-line of the animal and human life on the earth is connected with the forests. With the destruction and suppression of forests, the human life is certain to vanish from the planet- Earth. Hardly 2-3 decades back, one may recall the situation in Bahu forests around Jammu. They were quite thick and inhabited by wild animals. And now most of the jungles have been destroyed due to massive felling of trees by the locals in connivance with the officials of various Government agencies. Land grabbers mafia is operating in connivance with some of the key Forest officials and the forest land is being encroached upon. The timber from the forests is being smuggled and inspite of containing the menace, those assigned the duty of protection of forests are looting the green gold by allegedly indulging in corrupt practices. There are many such areas where the forests have been destroyed and vegetation is disappearing gradually. The middle and lower Shivalik hills in Jammu and Kathua districts have severally turned barren and the remaining vegetation is being spoiled and trees felled mercilessly. Even the forests in Rajouri, Kandi-Budhal, parts of Udhampur, Jindrah-Manwal, Mansar, Ramkot, Billawar, Basohli and Doda are being destroyed at large scale, not realising the necessity to prevent deforestation. Several compartments in Dudu and Billawar Forest Ranges have been badly destroyed. The sources said that during 1996 to 2001, about 40,000 green trees have been illegally felled in these Ranges and at several sites, the left over lower portion of stems of these trees have been burnt to destroy the evidence. Under the cover of felling of sick and dry trees, thousands of green trees were felled by the contractors in connivance with the ‘ custodians’ of the green gold. In Bhaderwah and Doda Forest Divisions too, several such reports poured in, inviting attention of the Minister last year. The inquiries initiated twice by the Department heads were never completed and submitted to the Government. The State Government seems to be non-serious over the matter and no long-term policy has been framed so far, for the protection of forests. The Government is least bothered about announcing a ban on felling of trees even for certain period. The Government in Himachal Pradesh succeeded in protecting their forest wealth by banning the felling of trees for a long period. In J&K even the new Government has yet to decide on the lines to come out with a new Forest policy. Lack of will on the part Government and vested interests at the higher positions in the Administration are the other reasons behind the unabated destruction to forests in J&K. A young IFS cadre official in the Forest department prefering anonymity said that even the God himself if comes to the Earth, can not help out the people here who are sure to face worst situation in the coming years. The concerned ministers have their own interests and they prefer to appease their relatives and friends by allotting big contracts to them. Taking undue benefit of power, the contractors indulge in mass irregularities and cause serious damage to the forests. Those sitting in the Government come to their rescue if some thing wrong is done, thus the culprits go unpunished and the plundering of forests goes unchecked. |
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