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| Governor, CM greet people on Christmas Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: The Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed have greeted the people on Christmas, the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ......more SBI Kathua
holds district Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: State Bank of India (SBI), Kathua convened a district level review committee/district consultative committee meeting at Dinga Amb under the chairmanship of D Nargotra, District Development Commissioner, Kathua...........more Controversy
over SSP Jammu’s date of birth Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Justice SK Gupta of the State High Court has stayed the judgment and decree passed by the trial courts wherein date of birth of Senior.......more Pvt School
Association Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: The interference of so many departments in the private schools has been creating barriers in the efforts...........more Transporters
to observe Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Lambasting State Government for adopting non-serious attitude towards their just and genuine.....more |
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‘Khilona
Bechne Baitha Tha Boodha, Koi Neza, Koi Talwar
Mange’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: The young are generally more alive and critical to the contemporary times. And especailly when they are poets, their poetic reflections on the world around have a unique analytic as well as candid edge to it..............more 2
electrocuted; 14 hurt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Two persons were electrocuted while as a constable of Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly died after consuming poisonous substance.....more DyCM lays foundation stone of ‘Dukhang’ complex Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 24 : Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma laid the foundation stone of "Dukhang" complex at Channi Rama here . The complex comprising one Assembly Hall and Library spreading over at 5 kanals of land. The project would cost about Rs one crore and is expected to be completed during next financial year......more Anara’s
mother raises NEW DELHI, Dec 24: Claiming that the girl in the porn CD was not Anara Gupta, her family members arrived here today to approach the NHRC and NCW to demand........more |
Governor, CM greet people on Christmas Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: The Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed have greeted the people on Christmas, the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ. In a message, the Governor said that Jesus Christ showed a way of life to humanity based on the values of truth and charity. The Lord, he said, guided mankind towards the realisation of the ultimate truth to establish an enlightened social order for peace and happiness. His teachings, which spread the world over due to their irresistible appeal and emphasis for love, compassion and righteousness, serve as a beacon to steer humanity from darkness into light. General Sinha said, adding, that his teachings have a great relevance in today’s world and should inspire us all. The Governor said that hallmark of all religion is to shun violence and the best way to celebrate festival like Christmas is to strive for building a harmonious society and work for strengthening the bonds of amity. The Chief Minister in a message of felicitation, the Chief Minister said that the Christmas is celebrated as a the birthday of Jesus Christ, who taught love, compassion and tolerance to the mankind. He said Jesus Christ is begin revered by all communities and his message would always serve as a beacon light for the people. The Chief Minister said that the time when the world is confronted with violence and conflicts, his teachings are more relevant today. "By reverting the message of Jesus Christ, mankind can overcome feelings of hatred and intolerance and make the world a better place to live-in" the Chief Minister added. |
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SBI Kathua holds district level review meeting Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: State Bank of India (SBI), Kathua convened a district level review committee/district consultative committee meeting at Dinga Amb under the chairmanship of D Nargotra, District Development Commissioner, Kathua. Various representatives from Government, banks and NABARD participated. R S Wazir, chief manager Lead Bank, welcomed the chairman and the participants and gave details of the performance of various branches. He presented details of the performance of various branches and Government departments towards achievement of targets under various Government sponsored schemes and implementation of annual credit plan of district Kathua. He apprised the house that 2450 cases under various schemes have been sanctioned by the banks during the quarter with financial outlay of Rs 2008.03 lakhs which includes 1612 cases with financial outlay of Rs 610.00 lakhs in agriculture sector only. He also apprised that the SBI Dayala chak branch, in association, with Lead Bank Kathua has conducted micro level credit camp in September 2004 for the SHGs/KCC and 60 such SGHs cases were saving linked, on the spot with a disbursement of 22 cases of SHGs plus 26 Kissan Credit Cards with financial outlay of Rs 3.50 lakhs and 4.71 lakhs respectively. |
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Controversy
over SSP Jammu’s date of birth Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Justice SK Gupta of the State High Court has stayed the judgment and decree passed by the trial courts wherein date of birth of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu, Kamal Saini was declared as March 8, 1955 instead of February 26, 1954 as mentioned in the official records. The stay was granted on an appeal filed by the State Government, wherein they challenged the judgment and decree of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Jammu on July 31, 2002 and also affirming the judgment decree passed by First Additional District Judge Jammu on October 5, 2003. In these judgments and decree, the Government was also directed to make necessary correction. The decree was passed on a suit commenced by SSP Kamal Saini before the trial court seeking declaration to the fact that his date of birth was March 8, 1955 as per his horoscope. Justice Gupta while staying the operation of the Court below, observed that in the suit Mr Saini has nowhere indicated that the plaintiff also relied upon the entry of his date of birth in the record of Municipality/birth certificate issued by Chief Medical Officer, health and Family Welfare Jammu. It was submitted by the State Government that the date of birth can be corrected only in exceptional cases where clerical error has occurred. Once the date of birth has been recorded in the service record based on the Matriculation Certificate and subsequently also represented in other higher academic certificates, the same cannot be altered and that too after over two decades, merely on the basis of the horoscope. It was also mentioned that Mr Saini had given the same date of birth while qualifying KPS examination. In such events, the Principal of estoppels would apply and the authorities concerned would be justified in declining to alter the date of birth, it was mentioned, adding that it was unthinkable that why Mr Saini was seeking correction in his date of birth after 17 years of service. Justice SK Gupta in his order while admitting the appeal to hearing, observed that in this case the question drawing a legal inference from apprisement of the fact arises, the case involves a question of law on which High Court in the second appeal can finally decide. " Therefore, the legal effect of proved facts as well as the application of correct principles of law to set of proved facts is question of law to be determined in civil second appeal". The Judge said that in the backdrop of the discussion, " I am fairy of the view that the issue raised in the questions formulated in the memorandum of appeal by the appellants are issues of law and required determination in civil second appeal". With these observations, the High Court admitted the appeal and issued notices with the direction to the Registry to list the case for final hearing age-wise and stayed the operation of the judgment and the decree of court below. |
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Pvt
School Association annoyed over interference Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: The interference of so many departments in the private schools has been creating barriers in the efforts of achieving goal of education for all. This was alleged by president of Private School Association Kamal Gupta while talking to media-persons here today. "Private schools at present are being governed by Education Department, Labour, Provident Fund and Sports Departments besides Red Cross and they have been creating lots of problems for us in the shape of restrictions", he said. "On one side they want us to provide education by charging minimum fees while on the other side they impose restrictions and demand funds", Mr Gupta further alleged and said that the burden of these demands ultimately fall on the parents of the children. Demanding that the whole process of giving funds be streamlined, the president of the Association said that this would reduce the burden on the private schools and help in their survival under present conditions. "Another problem being faced by the private schools pertains to the school calender of activities and vacations. We believe in hard work and competitive spirit to show good results and achieve excellence but last year’s experience shows that vacations are imposed and schools are threatened of de-recognition", he disclosed and demanded that representatives of the Private School Association be taken into confidence while taking such decisions. The other demands which were highlighted included—scholarship to SC/ST students, grant-in-aid for all schools particularly for those in rural areas, relaxation in norms for affiliation and recognition of schools and introduction of pension scheme for private school teachers. It was disclosed that the election to the Association was held and Kamal Gupta was elected as president. He, later, elected M A Bhatti as vice-president, B D Raina and Lal Chand as general secretaries, Kiran Raina, Shashi Jatinder and Shishu as vice-presidents, Jagjit Jolly and Sanjeev Gupta as general secretary, Ram Murti and Balbir as joint secretary, R C Sharma as spokesman, M R Gupta as treasurer and S P Mangotra as office secretary. |
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Transporters to observe strike on Dec 27 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Lambasting State Government for adopting non-serious attitude towards their just and genuine demands, the All J&K Transporters Joint Action Committee has decided to go on strike on December 27 to press for their demands. This was disclosed by T S Wazir, Chairman of the Committee while addressing a press conference at Jammu. "We have approached the concerned authorities, time and again, for increase of 20 percent fare but no heed has been paid to our demands", Mr Wazir regretted and said that transporters were forced to go on strike. Transporters had earlier decided to go on indefinite strike but on the firm assurance of the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and transport authorities, the strike was called off, he said. "Much of the time has elapsed till date but the Government has never come up with the decision", he said, adding, "the transporters have been facing hardship. The prices of diesel, petrol and other spare parts have tremendously increased and these increasing prices crippling the economic stability of transporters to survive the crisis so created". Mr Wazir said that it was under compelling situation, created by the Government, because of their wrong policies, the transporters were forced to take to the strike. He said that Government will be responsible for hardship to be faced by the common people due to strike of transporters and it was Government apathetic attitude which has been forcing the transporters to take this extreme step. He appealed to the public to bear with them for the inconvenience that may be caused to them, particularly the students community because the transporters have been left with no other alternative. Speaking on the occasion, Anil Chopra, regretted that special package has been given to the transporters of Kashmir but Jammu’s transporters have been neglected. "This is glaring example of discrimination with us", he said. Mr Wazir further said that strike on December 27, 2004 will be followed by a mass hunger strike by the transporters. "Hundreds of transporters will resort to hunger strike to press the Government to accept their long pending demands", he said. |
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‘Khilona Bechne
Baitha Tha Boodha, Koi Neza, Koi Talwar Mange’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: The young are generally more alive and critical to the contemporary times. And especailly when they are poets, their poetic reflections on the world around have a unique analytic as well as candid edge to it. The ‘Composite Poetic Symposium of Young Poets’, held, here today, was therefore a heartening affair both for the quality of the poetic content as well as participation of poets of seven languages like Dogri, Kashmiri, Pahari, Gojari, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The concerns of young poets oscillated around larger canvas of social critique of the times. While one of the youngest Dogri poet Arya Vir Singh in his cchamkaan thread bared the hideous side of so called respected citizens in his poem titled Mahnu; Suchha baniye, Uchha banana, Uchha baniye, luchha banana, mahnu di pravarti hai. Seeing through the emptiness of statements that life is almost normal and there is no threat to common man, Arya Vir Singh’s following lines titled Surakshat Mahole paint a different picture: Roz chori, apharan te maar katai diayan khabraan padi padi, mane ch vichar aunda hai, je, is surakhsat mahole ch meri bari kadoun auni hai. Another talented poet Liaqat Zafari, in his Urdu poem points to social currents with menacing overtones: Tawaif ik naya bazar mange, kahani phir koi kirdar mange, khilone bechne baitha tha boodha, koi neze koi talwar mange, kaee din se bohat uljhan hai mujh ko, mera bachha meri dastar mange. Referring to endangered traditional practices in reference to thatched roof houses in villages, Swami Antar Neerav was almost prophetic in his Pahari poem, which translated by him for EXCELSIOR, reads as: ——(girti hui) deewaron se vinti kartan hoon ki abhi na girein, kayon ki mitti ki thos deewarain chadhanein wale sabhi vida ho chukein hain—concrete ka lanter dalne wale to kai mazdoor mil jatein hain. Satish Vimal, the Hindi poet from Valley was also very impressive for the sensitive portrayal of local as well as human issues: meri vadi ke soudagar, mere dar ke ulte kehar se dar jate to accha tha. The other young poets, along with some not so young in years, who also read in the mushaira included Sheikh Mohammad Kalyan, Kulvinder Singh Meet, Kunwar Shakti Singh, Bikam Singh Rahi, Farooq Anwar Mirza, Abdul Gani Jagil, Shahnaz Rashid, Kalhan Koul, Jawahar Lal Saroor, Anwar Hussain Choudhary, Javed Rahi, Bhupinder singh Bhargav, Raj Pal Singh Mastana, Anshul Kaul, Dinesh Kesar. The poetic symposium was chaired by Surinder Kaur Neer. Her poem in Punjabi was greatly appreciated for usage of contemporary references for commenting on man-women relationship. Other members of the presidium included Premi Noomani, Ramesh Mehta, Secretary, Cultural Academy. The symposium was held under the auspices of North Zone Cultural Center, Patiala, in collaboration with J&K Cultural Academy. |
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2 electrocuted; 14 hurt in road accidents Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Two persons were electrocuted while as a constable of Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly died after consuming poisonous substance. Police spokesman said that to persons—Jaspal Singh, son of Kaka Ram Katoch and Mushtaq Ahmed, son of Ghulam Qadir were electrocuted after a electric wire fell on them at Chabba in Ramban. Both were rushed to hospital where doctors declared them as brought dead. Meanwhile, a BSF constable—Ranjit Singh allegedly died after consuming poisonous substance. He was rushed to hospital where he breathed his last. Two persons were injured in head-on collision between a truck number JK05-1519 and Maruti car number JK14-8722 at Chakari Nullah in Banihal. Both were rushed to hospital and their condition was stated to be critical when reports last came in. Eleven persons—Sailash Bhat, son of Rattan Lal of Janipur, Viki Sharma, son of Madan Lal Sharma of Sarwal, Tajinder Singh, son of Hajari Singh of Paloura, Milan Kumar, son of Naresh Kumar of Sainik Colony, Sakinder Singh, son of Katar Singh of Sainik Colony, Dhanbir Singh, son of Shamsher Singh of Punjab, Maya Devi of Hari Chak, Mohit Khajuria, son of Tilak Chander Khajuria, Sandeep, son of Raj Singh of Gurah Slathia and Varun, son of Kali Dass of Udhampur received injuries in road accidents at Vikram Chowk, Shakti Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Purkhoo, Sainik Colony, Hari Chak, Nagrota, Vijaypur and Udhampur. All have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in. |
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DyCM lays foundation stone of ‘Dukhang’ complex Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 24 : Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma laid the foundation stone of "Dukhang" complex at Channi Rama here . The complex comprising one Assembly Hall and Library spreading over at 5 kanals of land. The project would cost about Rs one crore and is expected to be completed during next financial year. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that under the economic reconstruction programme, massive developmental activities are being undertaken across the state for which the government would be spending numerous funds. He further said that the thrust area of developmental include construction and upgradation of roads and buildings, providing safe drinking water facilities, quality education and better healthcare facilities to the people of the state. Later, the Minister for Science and Technology, Nawang Rizgin Jora also laid the foundation stone of "Pezothang Library". Addressing the public gathering, the Minister said that Dukhang complex on completion will fulfill the long pending demand and provide facilities for providing reading materials to the younger generation about Budhism and Budhist philosophy, accommodation and transit facility to Budhist pilgrims who proceed on pilgrimage in large numbers to various Budhist pilgrimage centres in the country, free accommodation to Budhist monks/nuns and patients from Ladakh who come down to Jammu and Delhi for specialized treatment. The Centre will also go a long way in fostering and augmenting the everlasting love, affection among the people of Jammu and Ladakh. This will also inculcate and imbibe moral values in the students community in consonance with the teachings of Lord Budha. He said the complex will host Gonpa and library to preserve the cultural heritage of the Ladakh region in forms of old manuscript, besides other historical articles. The function was organised by All Ladakh Gonpa Association President Ladakh,Budhis Association Tundup Sonam, prominent citizens and thousands of students were present on the occasion. |
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Anara’s mother raises
questions over NEW DELHI, Dec 24: Claiming that the girl in the porn CD was not Anara Gupta, her family members arrived here today to approach the NHRC and NCW to demand CBI probe into the case and prosecution of certain Jammu and Kashmir Police officials who had allegedly framed the former Miss Jammu. Anara’s mother Raj Rani alleged that her daughter had been "tortured" in police custody to force her to give TV interviews stating that she worked in the porn film. "The girl in the porn film is not Anara. There is a lot of difference between the girl in the video and my daughter and it is very evident," Rani, who arrived with a son Kumar Sangam, told PTI here. Raj Rani would be meeting NCW chairperson Poornima Advani tomorrow and go to nhrc on monday to demand that the case be transferred to CBI as she doubted the intentions of certain officials of J and K Police. Accusing certain officials of J and K police of having "malafide intentions" in the porn CD case, she claimed that anara had been "framed". "Anara was kept in illegal custody for 11 days, during which she was badly beaten up by male policemen. She even had cut marks on her body," Rani said, adding during this detention, police "made her to give interview to TV channels and whatever she told them was dictated by the police." She also claimed that before Anara was taken into custody, the entire family, including her two other sons, had been detained by the police and tortured. "We will also demand that FIRs against all involved police officials," Rani said. Anara has been restrained by Jammu and Kashmir High Court from venturing outside the state. According to the police case, Anara was allegedly involved in making pornographic video compact disc in connivance with one Narinder Kohli. Denying the charges, Anara had filed a petition in the High Court seeking a CBI inqiry into the matter. She had also sought Rs one crore as damages from the police officials. (PTI) |
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Govt forms plan for
eco-restoration of Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 24: Government has finalized a Rs 31.85 crore works programme for the eco-restoration of Jehlum, Chenab and Shivalik for the current financial year. The plan forms a part of the centrally sponsored Rs 100 crore eco-restoration project for degraded catchment areas of Jehlum, Chenab and Shivaliks to be completed within 10th Five year plan. It was stated at a meeting held here today to review pace of progress on the eco-restoration project for Jehlum, Chenab and Shivalik and Macro-management scheme for Agriculture. Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Abdul Aziz Zargar presided. The Minister of State for Agriculture, Aizaz Ahmad Khan was also present. It was revealed in the meeting that Rs 5.46 crore have been incurred during the last fiscal on the eco-restoration project for treatment of 89 micro water sheds. The Private Secretary, Agriculture Production, B.B. Viyas, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, P.Patnaik Registrar, Cooperatives, Dr. G.N. Qasba J&K, Directors of Agriculture Kashmir and Jammu, Director Soil Conservation and Project Coordinators of concerned projects, Directors of Horticulture Kashmir and Jammu attended the meetings. The meeting was told that over Rs 16 crore have been earmarked for eco-restoration of about 14,400 hectares of degraded catchment areas of Jehlum South and Jehlum North during the current financial year whereas Rs 8 crore would be spent on eco-restoration of Chenab and Rs 7.81 crore on Shivalik’s eco-restoration. About 7554 hectare of degraded area of Chenab and 9965 hectare of Shivalik’s are targeted to be treated under the project during the current year. Rs 17 crore have already been spent on the project so far during the current year. The implementation of eco-restoration project is being under taken through forest department. While reviewing performance of the micro-management scheme for agriculture, it was revealed that above 50 per cent funds earmarked for micro-management scheme of Agriculture have been utilized this year so far. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister called for constitution of a joint monitoring committee of Agriculture and forests departments for effective implementation of the project. He said that the project should be used for integrated development of Pasture development, Conservation of Forests, Soil and Water resources and above all for employment generation. |
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Akhil
Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Jammu and Kashmir unit of Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat observed Rashtriya Grahak Divas by organising a function at New Plots, here today. Speakers on the occasion, highlighted the aims and objectives of Grahak Panchayat besides constitutional rights of consumers. Director of the Jammu University Law School, Prof K L Bhatia, who was chief guest on the occasion, highlighted the main points of various Acts formed by the Government from time to time for protection of consumers’ rights. Prof J L Gupta, State president of the Grahak Panchayat, emphasized the need to strengthen consumer movement in the country. Kapil Dev Sharma, Sangthan Mantri, delivered a speech on main issues being taken up by Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat. M R Vaid, vice-president, threw light on some important issues for consideration by the consumers while making purchases. R N Bhan, general secretary, delivered interdicting speech as well as vote of thanks. Others who spoke on the occasion, included Raj Kumari Jamwal, Shakar Datt Sharma and Parbhat Singh. Earlier, the programme started with lighting of traditional lamp by the chief guest followed by Grahak Geet song by students of Moniters School. |
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Development of IT at block level in full swing : Jora Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 24: Minister for Science and Technology Nawang Rigzin Jora today reviewed the ongoing progress registered on National Information Centre, on establishing IT centres at Block levels. The Minister was apprised that under Prime Ministers Scheme for development of IT at block level a memorandum of understanding has been signed on February, 16, 2004 between the Centre and the State Government to set up one centre each in 135 blocks of J&K. The work on setting up of IT centres has been completed in three phases under phase-I 60 blocks in 14 districts are under implementation, 45 blocks will be completed by March 2005 and the remaining 30 blocks will be covered by September 2005 under phase-III. The Community Information Centre (CIC) is a combination of PC based Citizen Kiosk with content enabling citizen centric services, e-governance, e-learning and e-commerce. It enables access to database containing wide range of information regarding agriculture marketing, disaster management, employment opportunities, public health etc. The CICs are supported by effective connectivity. He was informed that main objective for setting up of these centres was to provide ICT Infrastructure at block level. Web access and internet services such as e-mail, real time market access and e-commerce, access to socio-economic databases, e-learning and e-education, internet connectivity to schools, colleges and NGOs, e-consulting in the area of health, internet connectivity to local hospitals, e-governance applications, government to citizen services, weather information, electronic delivery of newspapers at remote locations, it creates awareness among local people, computer training programmes, tender notification and online responses to e-procurement requests, e-employment notification and online responses, public grievance redressal. Among others Commissioner/Secretary Information Technology, Mr. A. K. Mehta, Special Secretary, Information Technology, Special Secretary Science and Technology, CEO, JAKEDA and NIC Scientist ‘C’ attended the meeting. |
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Udhampur Mahotasava
concludes Excelsior Correspondent Udhampur, Dec 24 : Khajoor Singh and party of Basholi was adjudged as overall best in the Geetru competition in Udhampur Mahotasava held here at Goverdhan Palace which concluded here last evening. The six day long Udhampur Mahotasava was organised under the banner of Sangeet Natak Academy, Udhampur in collaboration with Rachnakar Kala Sahitya Academy,Udhampur. The mega event was conceived and designed by the President of the Mahotasava, Anand Khajuria who is also a well known Drama artist, singer and tabla player besides attended various cultural festival within and outside the state. The Mahotasava provided a common platform to over 200 folk artists in and around the periphery of Udhampur district to reflect and popularize Duggar folk traditions, folk songs, folk dances and tableaus of brave Dogra heroes. Popular Dogri folk songs and dances in the original style like Geetru, Bhakhan, Karkan, Suhag, Ghorian, Barran, Kud, Dandaras, Hiran, Gugail, Dolru and Dogri bhaints were the highlights of the event. In the Geetru competition, Romelo Ram and Party of Satyan, Ramnagar and Raj Kumar and party jointly shared second prize while the third prize in the category went in favour of Ms Nita Adarash and party Mr Jarnail Singh and party of Bhamag area. Similarly, in Bhakh competition, Sunak Singh and party, Khem Raj and party of Panjar (Bhamagh) and Faquir Chand and party clinched first, second and third prizes respectively in the Mahotasava. The awards were also given to Jattu Ram and Party for Dogri folk dance, Dolru, Puran Chand and Party for dandaras and Gugail and Khem Raj and Party for scintillating Kud performance. The special award of appreciation was also given to renowned Dogri folk singer, Ghulam Mohammad Dogra who presented his captivating Karkan and Barran which received thunderous applause from the audience. The Dogri Bhaint "Asian Aalee Mata De Jana, Bolo Jai Mata Di" presented by the students of Government Girls Higher School, Udhampur and directed and composed by Anjana Khajuria mesmerized the audience. To make the event a grand success various Government and private agencies extended their financial and technical support. These include Tourism Department, J&K Information Department, Cultural Academy, Jammu Sahitya Academy,New Delhi, Radio Kashmir, Jammu Doordarshan, Vehicleades Udhampur, Punjab National Bank, Gupta Tent House, Udhampur, Hotel Hill Top, Katra and Contractors Association Udhampur. |
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Rotary Club sponsors
educational tour Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Rotary Club Jammu Mid Town sponsored education tour of SOS Home children Channi Rama. SP South, Bhupinder Singh flagged off the buses. About 55 children, 15 staff members and some Rotarians including president Ravinder Kumar Mahajan accompanying the tour. Children will get opportunity to visit Darbar Sahib, Durgiana Mandir, Wagha Border and other historical places and some educational institutions. Other members of the Club, who were present on this occasion were Dr Gurdeep Singh, Dimpy Kohli, Amarjeet Singh, G I Singh, Girja Kaw, Baldeep Kaw and Manjit Singh. Secretary of the SOS Home, A K Arora was also present on the occasion. |
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J&K Bank 2nd public offer in June-July 2005 NEW DELHI, Dec 24: Jammu & Kashmir Bank is planning to tap the markets sometime in June-July while exploring options of including a strategic partner. "We are thinking of second public offer in June-July next year," J&K Bank Chairman M Y Khan told PTI, but declined to reveal the amount which was expected to be "much more" than Rs 100 crore. The private bank would need more capital to meet the Basle-II norms which envisages higher provisions for operational risks apart from market and credit risks. The bank may seek the approval of the State Government to dilute its equity below 51 per cent to raise more capital from the market. The Jammu & Kashmir Government has a majority 53.15 per cent stake in the bank. The FIIs’ holding has come down to less than 25 per cent. J&K Bank recently hiked its FII holding to 33 per cent and as a result there has been renewed interest in the bank from foreign investors. "The FII stake in the bank has already crossed 25 per cent and their interest in the bank has pushed up the share price also," Khan said. The share prices of J&K Bank surged to intra-day high of Rs 382 today from yesterday’s close of Rs 374 on BSE. Khan said the bank was on the lookout for buy-outs of banks but there is nothing on the horizon now. "There are too many small private banks. Not all will exist in years to come. Everyone is on the look-out for M &AS. So are we," he said. J&K Bank is also looking for a strategic partner but it has yet to shortlist one, he added. J&K Bank has a paid-up equity of Rs 48.25 crore and reserves of Rs 1,545 crore as on September 30, 2004. Although the bank was one of the fastest growing among private players, its net profit fell by 47 per cent to Rs 105 crore during the first half of this fiscal from Rs 198 crore in the year-ago period. The total income of the bank also fell by over 10 per cent to Rs 820 crore from Rs 914 crore in the year-ago period. Khan said the bank incurred loss in treasury operations in the first half of this fiscal, which it would be able to make up in the second half. J&K bank targets 25-30 per cent rise in loan advances and 15 per cent growth in deposits this fiscal. (PTI) |
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Ramnagar people appreciate statement of Mangat Ram Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: People of Ramnagar tehsil, affiliated to various political and social organisations have appreciated the statement of Deputy Chief Minister Pt Mangat Ram Sharma about opening of degree colleges at Reasi and Ramnagar, which formed a long pending demand of the people of tehsil. At a joint meeting here the people also hailed the gesture of Education Minister Harsh Dev Singh with whose efforts a piece of land measuring 197 kanal was acquired for the college on which so far Rs 65 lakh have been expended. While the Lecture Room has been constructed work was on the Administration Block. The speakers said in the absence of a college about 15 to 20 families were migrating towards Udhampur or Jammu for higher education of their wards. The constructing agency J&KPCC has been given the deadline of April 20, 2005 by Education Minister and an amount of Rs 1.10 crore was lying still unspent with it. the meeting was made known. Prominent among those present in the meeting included Kulbeer Gupta, Gopal Sharma, Gandeep Singh, Mohinderjeet Singh, Krishan Singh, Umesh Gupta, Sudershan Gupta, Ghansham Dass and others. |
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