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Shuhama Veterinary College to be made centre of excellence: CM Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that Faculty of Veterinary .....more Lobana Sikhs demand OBC status Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Prominent Sikh leader from Sabha Mr Bahadur Singh Lobana.....more Natrang
presents Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Natrang presented here yesterday the premiere .......more JJSF threatens stir against police brutalities on students Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Alleging police harassment of innocent .....more Vijay
re-elected president unopposed Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: A one day convention of All J&K Guru Ravi Dass Sabha ........more |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: After successful opening of 114 branches in India and abroad, Delhi Public School has opened its 115th branch in Leh........more PM
urged to evolve Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: President of National Mazdoor congress, Mr Subash Shastri has urged Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to evolve a national .......more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) held a demonstration here at Geeta Bhavan today in protest against the arrest of senior organizational leaders and Ram Bhakhats by UP Government during its Sankalap ........more India, Pak should start dialogue process: CPA SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association today said India and Pakistan should begin a dialogue process to resolve their differences to end the bloodshed and pave......more |
Shuhama Veterinary College to be made centre of excellence: CM Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry at Shuhama near here would be developed as a centre of excellence on the lines of a deemed veterinary university. Addressing the concluding session of 3-day national symposium on strategies for sustainable livestock development at the faculty campus this afternoon, the Chief Minister said that a detailed project would be prepared for seeking one-time grant from the centre for developing the college on international standards. He said the college would be made a nerve centre of activities so that it comes up as a vibrant institution for training, research and disease management. The Chief Minister said that the economy of the state is agrarian-based which needs livestock development on scientific lines for over all growth of agriculture and allied sectors. He said Jammu and Kashmir has a vast potential for development of dairy, poultry and sheep and goat rearing and this capacity has to be harnessed to the optimum level so that the state not only becomes self-reliant but also produces surplus for exports. He cited instances of several European countries, which though are smaller in size but have progressed tremendously as these developed dairy to earn a major chunk from it. Mufti Sayeed said that strategies have to be evolved for sheep and goat farming on modern lines so that state becomes self-sufficient in production of mutton. He said in sheep farming such breeds should be encouraged which have more mutton content as wool production has not remained that beneficial now. He said quality and not quantity should be the watchword for rearing livestock for better results. Mufti Sayeed said that the state is getting liberal funding from the centre for all its projects as they know that the coalition government is serious in governance and has embarked upon a massive development programme for speedy socio-economic transformation of the people of the state. He said such liberal assistance would enable the government for speeding up-tempo of development across the state. The Chief Minister said that keeping in view vast infrastructure and spacious campus, the intake capacity of the college has been increased from 50 seats to 100 seats this year. Expressing satisfaction over the sufficient improvement made by the institution after his earlier visit to the college in May this year, he asked the authorities to continue this process to make it a model for other states to emulate. Referring to the seminar, the Chief Minister said the recommendations of the deliberations should be concretised for a viable follow up action as livestock development is an important sector of economy that needs focussed attention. He said that medical research has succeeded in making appreciable strides in the field of surgery and disease management in humans, adding that veterinary sciences too could benefit from it. Earlier, the Chief Minister released the annual report of the college and went round museum of the faculty of sciences and animal husbandry. Minister for Agriculture Abdul Aziz Zargar said that the agriculture sector has received a new impetus in the present dispensation. He hoped that these efforts would revolutionize the agriculture sector. He emphasized for making the research more result-oriented to achieve maximum results. He expressed confidence that the deliberations of the seminar would go a long way in achieving better results in the farm sector. Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Qazi Mohammad Afzal urged for providing special grants for development of the faculty to make it serve futuristic needs of agriculture and allied sectors. He expressed happiness that the college has shown commendable improvement in the past six months and holding of such an event would give further momentum to its activities. He said this has become possible with the keen interest shown by Mufti Sayeed in developing this institution, which remained in neglect during the past 19 years. Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir, Dr. Anwar Alam in his welcome address dwelt on various technical sessions of the seminar and said that 69 presentations were made during it. Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production, B. R. Kundal, Commissioner/ Secretary, IT, R. K. Gupta, former Vice Chancellors of SKUAST, scientists, researchers and senior faculty members were among those present on the occasion. |
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Lobana Sikhs demand OBC status Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Prominent Sikh leader from Sabha Mr Bahadur Singh Lobana has urged upon the Mufti Government to grant OBC status to the members of Lobana community. In a meeting of the members of Lobana Biradri held at Samba, Mr Singh said that Lobana Sikhs are economically and educationally backward and suppressed. They have been ignored by the respective governments and deserve Backward Class status. He also demanded introduction of Punjabi in Government schools and opening of Technical Educational Centre at Samba. Mr Singh who is also contesting elections of DGPC from Samba has resolved to fight for the cause of the community and sought their cooperation. |
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Natrang presents ‘Ek Tha Gadha" play in ‘Jashn-e-Bachpan’ Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Natrang presented here yesterday the premiere show of the play ‘Ek Tha Gadha’ (Hindi) under the direction of Sanjeev Gupta in National Theatre Festival for Children—"Jashnebachpan", organised by National School of Drama at Abhimanch in which 11 plays for and by children are being played. The play is a story of a Nawab who is all time on look out for avenues to get popularity among masses. Once his police chief (Kotwal) arrives late in court of Nawab. In his explanation, Kotwal reveals that he was trying to improve the image of the Government and in the process was busy in condoling the death of a poor man Alladad Khan. Nawab in a bid to become all time popular announces to join funeral of Alladad. This follows national broadcast by Nawab appealing public to observe national mourning to pay respect to poor Alladad. While whole nation is drowned in deep mourning of Alladad, Government machinery is on the war footing to make last minute arrangements of a national funeral. Here story takes a turn as Alladad turns out to be a donkey of a washerman who had named it as such. Government plunges into deep crisis and thus in the national emergency a poor man is asked to sacrifice his life to save the image of Nawab and the nation. The participants included Vikrant Sharma, Sajra Qadir, Biblove Gupta, Mohit Sharma, Jaldeep Kour, Sumeet Sharma, Deepak Virdhi, Rahul Chanda, Kanhaiya Sharma, Pawan Verma, Arti Gupta, Mukta Passi, Parul Magotra, Mohd Yasin, Gourav Arora, Arushi Thakur, Roopali Arora, Juhi Singh, Aatish Gupta, Roohi Singh, Kamaljeet Kour and Rohit Verma. Suraj Singh composed the music, lights were designed by Anil Tickoo and rhythm by Satish Lalotra. Suresh Kumar was the stage manager and tour conducted and coordinated by Neeraj Kant. Director Sanjeev Gupta has done Masters Degree in Dramatics from Indian Theatre Department, Chandigarh is regularly working as an actor/ assistant director with Natrang since 1989. |
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JJSF threatens stir against police brutalities on students Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Alleging police harassment of innocent students on the name of anti eve-teasing drive, Jammu Joint Students Federation has threatened stir against brutalities of Khakimen and demanded a white paper on the ongoing drive to reveal the truth. "On the name of catching alleged eve-teasers, cops are harassing innocent students and give them severe beating in full public view for no fault of theirs," alleged JJSF president Pushvinder Singh Manhas while talking to mediapersons, here today. Listing some incidents when innocent students were picked up by cops on their way to tuition and given severe beating without any reason, Mr Pushvinder claimed that at several times, even brothers of female students were thrashed while waiting for their sisters near the education institutions. However, at the same time, he extended full support of JJSF to any drive against eve teasers but maintained that JJSF would not allow police to un-necessary harass the innocent students and commit brutalities on them. Claiming that JJSF has received complaints from various girl students that they were teased by cops on duty near their education institutions, Mr Pushvinder demanded a white paper on the anti eve-teasing drive. He particularly mentioned the names of SHO Pacca Danga and SHO Gandhi Nagar for their alleged brutalities and inhuman behavior towards young students. He also announced to file a case against SHO Pacca Danga for beating up some JJSF activists on October 17 when the latter were on their way to distribute press releases about their martyrs’ day function. The JJSF chairman Mr Kuldeep Singh Chib, extended support to the Polytechnic students’ demands and announced that their organisation would come forward actively if agitating students’ demands are not conceded by the J&K Technical Board. Some other JJSF leaders, including Sonu Sharma, were also present in the press conference. |
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Vijay re-elected
president unopposed Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: A one day convention of All J&K Guru Ravi Dass Sabha was held at the Krishana Nagar Temple complex of the community here today. Besides Sabha members, prominent leaders of the community having affiliation with various political parties, social activists and community members participated in this programme. Various burning issues related to the welfare of the community, which is suppressed and neglected were raised by the speakers. Several resolutions were passed in this one day session of this crucial Sabha meet. It was resolved to fight unitedly for clearance of backlog vacancies of the SC candidates in various Government departments and representation in every field. Other aspects of the welfare of the community at gross root level were also taken up. It was followed by a general body meeting of the Sabha. All the speakers were of the firm opinion that keeping in view the importance of task taken in hand regarding construction of grand temple by the present committee, the sitting president—Vijay Kumar and his men should be given another term for the larger interest of the community. All the candidates aspiring to contest withdrew in favour of Mr Vijay and he was declared as president for the two -year term. Mr S L Basson was also re-elected unanimously as general secretary of the Sabha. The members from all the districts and tehsils of the region, extended their support for the cause of the community and expressed their faith in the leadership of the sitting president. The general house also resolved that a constitutional amendment committee be framed to amend the few sections of the Sabha constitution in the interest of the Biradri. The emergency financial powers were also granted to the president and general secretary up to a limit by the general body. The prominent speakers included— Capt Puran Chand (Retd) from Nowshera, educationist Gian Chand Dogra, Bodh Raj, Kartar Chand, S S Basson, Ram Rakha, Simerdass, Behari Lal, Munshi Ram, Jaggo Ram, Chhatto Ram and Mr S L Basson. Mr Vijay Kumar extended thanks to the community members for support and cooperation. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: After successful opening of 114 branches in India and abroad, Delhi Public School has opened its 115th branch in Leh. The branch was inaugurated by DPS Society Chairman Mr Narinder Kumar in the presence of various dignitaries. The chairman informed the gathering that DPS Leh will be of international standard and shall also be connected with satellite system enabling students to remain connected with the world. Executive Councilor (Education) Hill Council Ladakh, Deputy Commissioner Leh, Chief Judicial Magistrate Leh, Chief Engineer NHPC, SSP Leh and some army officers were present on the occasion. Later, DPSS Chairman, Narinder Kumar, DPSS member V K Shingloo, president of Maharaja Hari Singh Social and Education Foundation M K Ajatshatru and member board DPS Leh Mr S S Sodhi held a meeting with Executive Councilor Hill Council, Leh wherein the Councilor assured to provide sufficient land for construction of DPS building in Leh and other possible help. |
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PM urged to evolve national pay policy Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: President of National Mazdoor congress, Mr Subash Shastri has urged Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to evolve a national pay policy throughout the country for both Central and State Government employees. Addressing NMC workers at Rani Park, here today, Mr Shastri said that PM should constitute Sixth National Pay Commission to submit its report by December 2005 for its implementation by January 2006. Pleading the cause of State Government employees, Mr Shastri demanded that Dearness Allowance of State employees should be released simultaneously with the Central employees. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) held a demonstration here at Geeta Bhavan today in protest against the arrest of senior organizational leaders and Ram Bhakhats by UP Government during its Sankalap rally at Ayodhya on October 17. Addressing the demonstrators the VHP state chief, Dr Rama Kant Dubey strongly criticized the Centre and U P Government’s role on the Ayodhya issue. He lambasted the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government for deceiving the Ram Bhakhats coming from different parts of the country to participate in Sankalap rally. These Ram Bhakhats were boarded into buses by the administration on the promise that they will be taken for the darshan of Ram Lalla and later harassed and put behind the bars. This way they were deprived of their constitutional right, he added. He said the VHP unit has sent a memorandum to president of India urging him to seek a reply from UP Government that why the Ram Bhakhats were harassed and why such a heavy deployment was made at Ayodhya. He said the Ram Bhakhats were not the terrorists as they were treated in the same way and alleged that on the name of secularism the nationalist forces are being harassed. He, while making a scathing attack on Mulayam Singh Yadav demanded his immediate dismissal. He alleged the Government was harassing the Ram Bhakhats to seek the minority vote and such a trend will have serious consequences. Dr Dubey demanded that the Ram Janam Bhoomi be immediately handed over to Hindus. Earlier the VHP and Bajrang Dal activists led by Santosh Nath and Omi Khajuria shouted slogans demanding the handing over of Ram Janam Bhoomi to Hindus. |
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India, Pak should start dialogue process: CPA SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association today said India and Pakistan should begin a dialogue process to resolve their differences to end the bloodshed and pave way for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. "There must be a dialogue to put an end to bloodshed and for development and prosperity to take place," CPA General Secretary Dennis Marshall said on the conclusion of a four-day visit to the Valley. On ultras abortive bid to storm the residence of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Marshall said "such acts have to come to a stop, if peace is to return to the State." He ruled out any mediatory or facilitatory role for CPA in a dialogue between India and Pakistan but said it would recommend to Common Wealth Heads of Governments to take with New Delhi and Islamabad the issue of early resumption of talks. Marshall said he would also ask CPA members from India and Pakistan to impress upon their respective Governments the need for dialogue to resolve their outstanding issues. Earlier thanking Sayeed, the CPA delegation promised to return next year with more colleagues, friends and families. (PTI) |
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Mufti for withdrawal of travel advisories on Kashmir Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 19 : Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called for withdrawal of adverse travel advisories issued by some western countries against visiting Kashmir in view of terrorist activities and said that Kashmir is gradually moving towards peace and tranquility. Speaking at a function at the conclusion of 4-day tour of 4-member delegation of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association here this afternoon, Mufti Sayeed asked the delegation to carry back the message of peace and tranquility that they have seen themselves in Kashmir. Seeking their help in withdrawing adverse travel advisories, the Chief Minister said that ‘terrorism is here but the people are endeavouring to overcome it and ultimately would succeed’. Barring stray incidents of violence, Kashmir is quite normal, he added. He asked them to take up the issue of advisories with their member parliamentarians as these are mainly became of ‘negative publicity’ on Kashmir. The correct picture is not projected. He said, more than hundred of conferences have taken place in Kashmir this summer. Complimenting the delegation for visiting Kashmir, he said that their visit is great step towards peace and investment in the process of normalcy. He hoped that next time the delegation would bring more members to the state. Thanking the Chief Minister and Chairman Legislative Council Abdul Rashid Dar, on whose invitation the delegation had come, the Secretary General of CPA Dennis Marshall complimented Mufti Government for the efforts to bring peace in the state. ‘I am impressed by the efforts made by the new Government in Jammu and Kashmir to bring normalcy. We will take this message back home and tell others, how hard you people are trying for peace’, he told Mufti Sayeed. CPA representing about 16000 Parliamentarians of Commonwealth countries is a powerful international body. Later, talking to newspersons, Mr. Marshall favoured bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve their differences. Ruling out any mediatory role for CPA between two countries, he, however, said that it can talk to CPA members of both the countries to work for dialogue to pave way for lasting peace. He totally disapproved violence as means of solution and said that it must come to an end. Mr. Marshall presented mementos to Chief Minister and Chairman Legislative Council. |
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12 bovine animals seized, 7 smugglers arrested Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Twelve bovine animals were seized and seven persons arrested by Jhajjar Kotli Police today. Police spokesman said that on a specific information that a truck carrying bovine animals from Jammu to Doda was about to cross Jhajjar Kotli, SHO (DySP Probationer) Vinay Kumar laid a naka to prevent illegal transportation of bovines. On seeing a truck, whose number plate was painted with black colour, police personnel become alert and tried to stop the vehicle. But the truck driver accelerated the vehicle and crossed the naka at a fast speed. Police personnel immediately started chasing the truck and succeeded in getting the truck stopped about three kilometre from Jhajjar Kotli. On checking the vehicle, police found 12 animals including six calves. All the seven persons travelling in the truck were arrested. Police spokesman said that arrested persons produced a permission of Additional Deputy Commissioner Doda for transporting bovine animals but there was neither the mention of names of persons transporting the animals not the medical examination report of the animals issued by the Chief Animal Husbandry Officer. Since the bovines were being transported from Jammu to Doda, the permission should have been issued by Deputy Commissioner Jammu and not Additional DC Doda, police spokesman said. Moreover, all the requisite formalities required for the transportation of bovine animals were not followed by the arrested persons which made it clear that the animals were being smuggled. The black paint on the number plate of the vehicle and speeding up of the vehicle on seeing police personnel at naka had established that the permission which was produced by the arrested person was fake and aimed only to dodge the police. The bovine smugglers have been identified as Om Parkash, son of Sehaj Ram, Lal Chand, son of Pathanu, Ghulam Ali, son of Nasra, Rehmatullah, son of Mohd Ramzan, Bachan Singh, son of Gharu Ram, Farid Ahmed, son of Ghulam Hassan Khan and Niaz Ahmed, son of Abdul Khaliq, all residents of Doda. A case under Section 188 CrPC has been registered against them. |
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Rs 6 cr NFSF at Mansbal by March: Sofi Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 19 : National Fish Seed Farm (NFSF), which is coming up at Mansbal at a cost of Rs. 6 crore is likely to be commissioned by March next. It would boost fish farming in the private sector in Kashmir valley. The farm would produce seeds of different species, which would be distributed among the farmers on subsidized rates. This was stated by the Minister for Forests and Environment Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi during his inspection to the farm today. Mr. Sofi also took stock of construction work on Farmers Training Centre being constructed at a cost of Rs. 22 lakh. He directed Development Commissioner Fisheries to acquire 37 kanals of more land for NFSF at war footing so that the project would be completed within a stipulated time. Mr. Sofi asked the fisheries department to provide technical know how to the people so that the people come forward for taking up fish culture in a big way which has high economic value in the state. He also instructed the forest officers to go in for plantation around the farm. The Minister also visited Pandach Fish Seed Farm and directed for making a comprehensive project for its further development so that its production could be increased. |
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Nirmal elected state BJP chief Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Dr Nirmal Singh was today unanimously elected the president of the State Unit of the Party for a three year term. Announcing his election as the state unit chief the senior BJP leader and former president of the Party’s Punjab Unit, Prof Brij Lal Rinwa said all the speculations about the groupism in the J&K unit have needed with the election of Dr Singh to the post. He said the BJP is the only Party which has the inner democracy and believes in the organizational elections and discipline. He also announced the names of six members who were elected to National Council, the highest decision making body of the Party. They include former state chief, Daya Krishan Kotwal, vice president, Kuldip Raj Gupta, Jugal Kishore, MLA, Bali Bhagat, Bansi Lal Bharti, Lala Shiv Charan Gupta, Sofi Yousf and Sonam Paznki. Earlier Dr Singh was given a rousing reception by Party workers at Pt. Prem Nath Dogra Bhavan the venue of the rally. He was profusely garlanded by Party workers drawn form the different corners of the state. Those who attended the rally include BJP national Secretary and incharge J&K Affairs, Prof O P Kohli, Union Minister of State for Defence, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, senior leader from Punjab Brij Lal Rinwa, former State chief, Daya Krishan Kotwal, Prof Hari Om, Lala Shiv Charan Gupta, Ashok Khajuria, Chander Mohan Sharma, Ajay Jamwal, Kavinder Gupta, Chaman Lal Khour, Sat Paul Grover, Anil Parihar and others. Addressing the rally Prof Gupta today said the unanimous election of Dr Singh has proved that BJP is the Party of Late Pt. Prem Nath Dogra and there is no infighting in it. He said the BJP has always kept the National Flag high in the state and it will continue to do so. He said our Party is committed to two things in J&K one is total integration of the state with India and other is fight against the discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh regions. He said other parties including the Congress have diluted their stand on the total integration of the state with the country and they favour autonomy. But we made many sacrifices for it and Party will continue the fight against the terrorism, he added. He said the Doda is today free from terrorism because of BJP’s stand on the issue. On inclusion of Dogri in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, he said those who were in power for last 50 years could not do it are demanding it today. He said BJP has its own place and role in J&K and it is to be increased. Congratulating Dr Singh on his appointment he expressed the hope that the senior leadership will also be consulted on the Party matters. He urged the party men to work together to fulfill the dreams of late Shama Prashad Mukherjee and Pt. Prem Nath Dogra. Addressing the rally Dr Nirmal Singh made a scathing attack on Mufti Mohammed Sayeed Government. He said Mufti Sayeed who had a soft corner for militants is not himself safe now. He regretted that the Chief Minister and Congress chief had give a clean chit to one of the Cabinet Colleagues of Mr Sayeed after the startling revelations made by the terrorists who had attacked the Akshar Dham Temple in Gujarat. He said as the inquiry in the Temple attack was not complete yet, the Minister has been given a clean chit. He said the situation is grave in J&K today and no police officer is ready to take on the militants fearing the action like SSP Farooq Khan. Squarely blaming the Congress sand PDP for the present mess he said they owe an explanation for their misdeeds. He said the Congress which has secured many seats from Jammu should explain its position that why it supported a Party which has soft corner for militants and why the Wazir Commission report was not implemented. He wanted to know what happened to its promise of regional councils and employment package to youth. Today the deserving people are hankering for jobs, he alleged. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: A meeting of Judicial Employees Welfare Association was held here which was presided over by S Surinder Singh, provincial president. Junior assistants and other cadres of judicial staff across the division participated as well Steps and initiatives to make the functioning of judicial staff more effective and vibrant, as taken by Chief Justice V K Jhanji were hailed and termed as ‘absolutely necessary steps’. The employees and elected representatives expressed full confidence in the provincial and State leadership of the Association and reiterated the commitment to render every possible support and assistance to the administration of the Department in weeding out the inefficiency and malpractices as also to enforce the discipline among all ranks and files. |
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Westend opens showroom at Gandhi Nagar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Hoping to take hold of a major chunk of market share by offering the customers a wide range of innovated designs and prints, an upcoming brand in women’s ready-made-Westend today opened its showroom in the city. The showroom, which is a franchised sales outlet of the ‘Ganesh Group’ that owns the brand, was inaugurated today by MLA Gandhi Nagar, Raman Bhalla at Apsara Road, Gandhi Nagar. Expecting over-whelming response from the Jammu market, chairman Westend, Rajan Gupta said, "Jammu is a big and potential market for branded ready-made women fashion-wear. While launching our product range here, the company has specially focused on local taste catering to the shoppers of both ethnical/traditional nature and modern treatment". Throwing light on the company’s profile, Mr Gupta said that with 45 years of track record, Ganesh Group is a market leader, creator and designer of women dresses, exporting as well as catering to the domestic market. Its product range comprises of women’s fashion fabric, women’s ready-made suits, designer sarees and fashion accessories for women. He added that it has been the USP of Westend to innovate the latest designs and prints with ethnic influence and fuse them with modern silhouettes for both summer and winter collections after extensive research and directly getting the fabrics from textile manufacturers. This make Westend the most promising brand with flexibility of changing with time while keeping the designs pure. Throwing light on women’s fashion-wear business in the country, Mr Gupta said that it is a segment that is likely to see action. "With increasing urbanisation, the demand for such clothing is likely to rise significantly. It would also pose a challenge to retailers in terms of how they design their stores to appeal to more demanding fairer sex". Owner of the Franchise M/s Mohan Sons Fashioners, Sunesh Mahajan said he opted for the deal as women’s wear is an emerging market with the majors focusing on ethnic and traditional wear fused with western themes and Westend is more innovative among other leading brands that have offerings in this market. Speaking on the occasion, MLA Raman Bhalla congratulated Sunesh Mahajan for opening prestigious out-let at Gandhi Nagar. He said that with the opening of this out-let, residents of Gandhi Nagar will get quality women’s ready-made at their door-steps. |
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HMS pays tributesto Sabir Bhatti Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Hind Mazdoor Sabha held a function of its affiliated unions to pay homage to late trade unionist Sabir Ali Bhatti on his 7th death anniversary under the chairmanship of Mr Sat Pal Sharma, president of HMS. Two minutes silence was observed for peace to the departed soul. Rich tributes were paid to late Bhatti and achievement made by late Comrade were highlighted by the speakers. Prominent among those who spoke included R S Mathur Regional Director Central Board for Workers Education, Government of India, Dhan Raj Bargotra, state president of Janata Dal (S), Kartar Chand state secretary FCI Employees Congress, Sewa Ram Sharma, president JKTUC, Darshan Mangotra, president PHE Employees Union, R D Verma Tony, president Mechanical Employees Union, V K Tandon, state secretary BKNK Sangh, Dharam Singh, S Joginder Singh, Joginder Lal, Romesh Lal, Bitoo Ram, Madan Lal, Romesh Kumar etc. |
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400 students participate in Adhyatmic Gyan Pratiyogta Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Like the other parts of the country, the much publicized "Adhyatmic Gyan Pratiyogta"sponsored by Sant Shri Asa Ramji Bapu was conducted with great zeal and enthusiasm in Jammu today. In this connection Shri Yog Vedant Sewa Samiti, Bhagwati Nagar organized the examination in which 400 students took part. Total 35 centres were constituted to conduct the examination. The main objective of the Pratiyogta examination is to educate the youngsters about spiritual knowledge, their culture and moral values. This has nothing to do with any particular sect, panth or religion. This way the participants will enhance their knowledge by answering the questions form the holy books like Bhagwat Gita, Granth Sahib, Quran and Bible. The objective of the Saint for organizing such Pratiyogta is to save the new and younger generation from falling a prey to western hysteria by instilling and injecting the seeds of "Adhyatmic Gyan"among them. This way they will come to know about their culture in general and character building in particular. |
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Demonstration camp for farmers held Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Oct 19: A demonstration camp was organized by the Agriculture Department for the Rabbi cropping and dry land management in Digdol near here today. Over one hundred farmers of the area besides the Sarpanches of Digdol and Panches of the village participated in the training camp. During the demonstration the inputs including seeds, fertilizers etc were issued for 10 hectares of land to the participants. The camp was held under the chairmanship of SDAO Ramban, Abdul Rashid Khan and Sarpanch Parishad Thakur besides the AOs of Ramban and Duligam were also present. Mr Khan while speaking on the occasion urged the members of the farming community to take the advantage of modern techniques to increase the production. He said the farmers being the backbone of our economy, the agriculture Department will render every sort of assistance and help in enhancing the production to them. Environmental degradation, land erosion may affect power generation at Ranjit Sagar dam By Gopal Sharma Sheer neglect of the environmental aspects, high level of degradation of land with continuous erosion of top vegetative soil from several catchment areas around the Ranjit Sagar dam near Thein in Basohli and its surrounding areas bordering Himachal and Punjab may affect the power generation of at this hydro-electric project in coming years. It is shocking to observe that the ‘great planners’ and the engineers instrumental in the construction of this large project over river Ravi have apparently ignored the most vital environmental aspects. With the emerging ecological imbalance in the coming years, this dam is sure to witness the problems being experienced at Salal dam over river Chinab due to increasing level of silt. A visit to the Ranjit Sagar dam site may expose the authorities connected with its construction, which ignored the ecological management aspects. There seems to be no treatment of the catchment area. The massive tracts of the hills around the large lake are turning barren. The mountains at the upstream towards Bakloh, Hut and even in the areas of Bani block have been badly degraded. A handsome amount is needed to be spent for the ecological management of this dam, which is the most important for its long life and sound generation of power. The village forest committees or other agencies are required to be involved in the afforestation job in the affected areas. Deforestation in the lower, middle and upper Himalayan ranges increase land erosion, reducing the water level in the lakes. Today, massive land erosion is causing major threat to our hydel projects, agriculture and the normal climate of the region. The problem is not only being faced in this part of the region but all over the world today. This process is seriously damaging food productivity, shortening the life of the dams and irrigation projects and harming productive wetlands of the region. A recent study has shown that the rate of deforestation is higher than previously estimated. It has been estimated that global tropical deforestation is most likely in the range of 14 to 20 million hectares per year. Though tropical forests cover only 7 % of the earth’s land surface, they contain more than half of all living species. Estimates of the number of living species on earth vary from five million to 80 million of which only 1.4 million have been described. Several irrigation projects are proving as the major failure due to increasing problem of erosion. Though the Department of Soil Conservation, Irrigation and Flood Control have been set up for the protection of land but the top officials claim that funds provided to them for the protection works by the Government every year are not sufficient. According to an estimate, between 1990 and 2020, species extinction caused primarily by deforestation may eliminate between 5 and 15 per cent of the world’s species, a potential loss of 15,000 to 50,000 species a year. The forest area is considerably decreasing day by day. The Satellite Imageries Study of NRSA revealed that forest area in 1972-75 was 55.5 mha only, which reduced to just 46.3 mha in 1980-82, indicating an average rate of depletion of forest area of about 1.3 mha per year. The degraded forest land is approximately around 30 mha out of total 67 mha. It is very unfortunate that neither the Government of the concerned states, nor the Central Environment Ministry keeping a check on the environment management activities which are very essential to maintain an equitable balance between construction activities and the environment and to ensure that development is in conformity to the ecosystem. Funds worth crores are spent on the construction of hydro-electric projects but inadequate share of it is utilised for the environment management and afforestation activities. An environment engineer in the J&K Pollution Control Board said that environmental impact assessment to identify probable impacts on environment is said to be an integral part of the project planning. Proper mitigative measures are said to be framed and implemented to counter any deleterious effect on ecology. During the construction of dams the most obvious physical impact is the loss of vast area of habitat for plants, wildlife and people due to submergence. Massive loss to the environment has been observed with the construction of Salal, Ranjit Sagar, Dul Hasti and even Bagliar project where visibly hardly any environment management related work has been carried out. Urgently required compensatory afforestation to compensate the vegetation loss, relocation of monuments and prevention of soil erosion etc. is hardly observed. The important measures to be taken at such dam sites are- plantation, turfing, pasture development, check dams, contour bunding, rock benching, catchwater drain, retaining walls etc. No doubt, the Ranjit Sagar is fed by glacier waters of river ravi but environment management is most vital aspect which can never be ignored. The needs is to learn techniques from the German and French engineers connected with construction of dams, he added. A former chief engineer involved in the construction of Salal project says that pressure on soil erosion during construction is compensated with by restoration of construction areas through levelling, filling of borrow pits, landscaping etc. In order to check the sediment transportation, treatment of catchment areas it is taken up by incorporating engineering and biological treatment measures. Deforestation which may be existing in an area prior to the setting of the hydropower project, due to natural or man made reasons like felling of trees, faulty agriculture activities etc. Activities like construction, widening of roads, construction of projects may further aggravate the deforestation. Grand religious assembly organised at Ranjadi Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: A grand religious congregation-cum-Satsang was organised at Sant Ashram Swami Girdharanand Paramhans at Ranjadi today. Shri Madhu Paramhansji delivered sermons at the congregation. While speaking on the occasion he said that the ultimate aim of the man should be to seek freedom from the circle of death and birth. It is due to the veil of ‘Maya’ that man has forgotten about inner-self. A man should try to explore its role in this universe. He also stressed the need of purification of the mind and the way can be shown to him by a true guru. The guru only can show the path of ‘Amarlok’—the abode of ‘Satyapursha’. There is permanent bliss & eternal joy , no birth , no death and no pains. The Swamiji asked his disciples to follow the path shown by the great gurus in search of truth and passage to the ultimate peace. Be kind to others and render selfless service to the poor, needy and old orphans and children. A large number of people from various parts of Jammu region attended this grand religious congregation. Mir for coordinating past history with future Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 19: The Minister for Tourism, Housing and Urban Development Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir has underscored the importance of preserving rich heritage of the state adding that future and past history needs to be coordinated for this purpose. Speaking at the concluding function of one month long educational theatre workshop at Tagore Hall here this evening, the minister said that posterity should be kept conscious about the culture and heritage and the theatre movement has a significant role in this direction. The workshop was organized by the National School of Drama (NSD) in collaboration with Centre for Heritage and Environment of Kashmir (CHEK), The organization has been floated last year to preserve culture and heritage of Kashmir. President of CHEK, Mohammad Shafi Pandit, Special Secretary, Nayem Akhtar and General Secretary CHEK, Saleem Baig, Workshop Director, M. K. Raina and a large number of art lovers were present on the occasion. The Minister said that the dramas ‘Khazer Gooje’ by Bansi Nirdosh and ‘Saudagar’ a play written by Bertolt Breacht in Germany have well depicted background and facts of our past history and exuded confidence that theatre movement in Kashmir under the able guidance of renowned Drama Director, M. K. Raina would bring social consciousness among the people about our culture and heritage. He said it looks that the younger generations are distancing from the past history and heritage and this gap needs to be bridged by coordinating past history with present and future. The Minister also distributed certificates among the participants in the workshop. Speaking on the occasion, M. K. Raina said that NSD would launch a new theatre project under the banner of ‘New Kashmir Theatre Programme’ shortly to train local youth in aspects of theatre art. The programme includes physical preparation for theatre, intellectual understanding and depths of aesthetic experiences with a special focus on Kashmir its literature, drama, art and architecture. Muzaffrabad refugees blame Govt for discrimination Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: Accusing the Centre and State Governments for discrimination with Sikhs, the Muzaffrabad Displaced Community today said that they were deprived of justice because majority of them belongs to Sikh community. Talking to media-persons here this morning, the chairman of the Community, Joginder Singh Raina alleged that despite the hundreds of the community members sacrificed their lives for the nation in 1947 Kabali invasion, the Government of India and J&K did not gave them the due recognition. He said though memorials were created for the war heros and freedom fighters of other community but not for the members of the valiant Sikh Community who blocked the invaders by giving them tough resistance for days together. He said October 22, 1947 was a holocaust day in the history of Muzaffrabad Sikhs as on this day hundreds of community members laid down their lives for the national cause by taking on Pak invaders. He demanded that October 22 be declared as Public holiday in honour of these martyrs, the memorials of the prominent people of Muzaffrabad be constructed who laid down their lives in 1947, a piece of land be allotted within Municipal limits for establishing the Ashram of Gufawala Sant of Muzaffrabad and the refugees be allotted the land for construction of colonies on the pattern of Mir Pur and Kotli refugees. He also demanded compensation for left over properties, economic package, share in employment and administration, political recognition and other rights for the community enshrined in the Constitution. Mr Raina declared that this year on October 22, the Sant Bhai Dev Singh Memorial Committee in association with the Community will organize a function at Gurdwara Camp Digiana to pay homage to martyrs of Muzaffrabad. One killed, 4 injured in mishaps Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 19: One person was killed and four others received injuries in separate road accidents while as a man was electrocuted. Police spokesman said that a woman—Pinki Devi, wife of Vijay Kumar of Bari Brahamana was killed in road accident at Samba. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition where she succumbed to her injuries. A case has been registered in this connection. Meanwhile, four persons—Amrik Singh, son of Prem Nath of Doda, Bhola Singh, son of Pritam Singh of Chak Seri, Nitin, son of Ashok Kumar of Muthi and Amarjeet Singh received injuries in separate road accidents at Barnai, Nandni, Toph and Kathua. All have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in. One—Farooq Ahmed, son of Ghulam Mohd was electrocuted at Ban Doda under the jurisdiction of Doda Police Station. One Bhim Singh of Janipur received severe injuries after his scooter was hit by a speeding truck bearing registration number JK02N-6485 at Maheshpura Chowk. He has been hospitalised and his condition was stated to be out of danger. |
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