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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 29: Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S K Sinha today exuded confidence that Jammu and Kashmir would emerge as the country’s first . ......more CM, Azad visit Baglihar, inspect work on power project Excelsior Correspondent CHANDERKOTE (RAMBAN), June 29: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today visited the under-construction 450 MW Baglihar Power .. .......more One
held, hunt on to nab others Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, June 29: A group of miscreants made an abortive attempt to set a Gujjar family on fire at village Tangpur under the jurisdiction of Rajbagh ......more Azad, Mufti announce Rs 15 lakh bonanza for Bana School Excelsior Correspondent SONGRI, (Mahore), June 29: Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Ghulam Nabi Azad today announced grant .. . .....more Medical teachers highlight demands Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: A meeting of Medical Teachers Association, Government Medical College Jammu was held under the chairmanship.....more |
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New Kathua Contractors Union formed Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, June 29: Government PWD contractors of Kathua have formed New Kathua Contractors Union and elected Manmohan Singh as its chairman. A sixteen-member executive body of the Union was also constituted with Som Nath Sharma, Mahesh Dutt Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Roop Lal . .......more Dr Santokh Ram appointed new Director Colleges Development Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: Putting all speculations to rest, Jammu University Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo has appointed Dr Santokh Ram ..........more Adhoc employees call off 86 days long chain hunger strike Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: All J&K Government Adhoc Employees Forum has called off its 86 days long chain hunger strike, from today.......more One killed, 14 injured in road accidents Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: One person was killed and 14 others injured in separate road accidents while as a man died after consuming poisonous substances. ...........more |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 29: Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S K Sinha today exuded confidence that Jammu and Kashmir would emerge as the country’s first State with zero below poverty level (BPL) population by 2007 with successful implementation of the roadmap formulated for the purpose. In his inaugural address to the 28th annual convention of Vice Chancellors of Indian Agricultural Universities Association here this morning, the Governor referred to his invitation to the country’s leading agricultural scientist Dr Swaminathan last year to visit the state for devising a strategy in this regard. He said Dr Swaminathan has spelled a road map for the three regions of the state with distinct temperature and terrain. Jammu and Kashmir has distinction of being the only state in the country having lowest number of BPL population, he added. General Sinha made a pointed reference to the challenges posed to the country’s agricultural sector with a special reference to Jammu and Kashmir and said that agriculture would continue to be mainstay of majority living in villages. Mahatma Gandhi had aptly said that India lives in villages and therefore agriculture assumes immense significance in the country’s economic growth. ‘Given the abundant potential and human resource, there is no doubt that India will achieve the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020’, General Sinha said while eulogizing the strides taken from becoming self-reliant nation in food production due to strenuous efforts of agricultural scientists and hard toil of country’s hard toiling farming community. He said the green revolution has to be transformed into evergreen revolution and added that the nation will ever remain indebted to the great effort made by farmers in attaining self-reliance in food production. The Governor said that India has produced capable people in every discipline who attained global recognition and referred to the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Ghalib besides the missile man (President) A P J Abdul Kalam, nuclear scientist Homi Baba and mathematician Ramangiyo who made the nation proud. ‘In this context the role of agricultural scientists is worth mention’, he said, hoping that exhaustive research in the field would benefit the nation in achieving highest pinnacles of progress. The Governor released the annual report of SKUAST on the occasion. Dr Mangal Roy, Director General Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Dr S S Baghel, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal and President of Indian Agricultural Universities Association also spoke on the occasion. Dr Anwar Alam, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir presented welcome address while H U Khan, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu read out vote of thanks. Vice Chancellors of various state Agricultural Universities of the country are participating in the 2-day convention, theme of which is ‘Orient Agricultural Education Towards Future Needs and Opportunities. |
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CM, Azad visit Baglihar, inspect work on power project Excelsior Correspondent CHANDERKOTE (RAMBAN), June 29: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today visited the under-construction 450 MW Baglihar Power Project and inspected the pace of work. He inquired from the concerned engineers about progress on various stages of the project. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and urban Development, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Member of Parliament, Chowdhary Lal Singh accompanied the Chief Minister while MLA, Moulvi Abdur Rashid, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Anil Goswami, Managing Director, Power Development Corporation, R. K. Tripathi and Chief Engineer, Baglihar Power Project, AQ. G. Malik were present. The Chief Minister went round various segments of the prestigious project including the dam site, powerhouse, head raised tunnel, surge shaft, pressure shafts and transformer hall. He interacted with the engineers and Samir Gaur, Director JP Associates, the civil contractors of the project. The Chief Minister impressed upon the concerned officers the importance of the project to raise the power production in the state. He said the deficient power situation would be greatly improved with the commissioning of the project and called upon the engineers to speed up the work. |
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held, hunt on to nab others Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, June 29: A group of miscreants made an abortive attempt to set a Gujjar family on fire at village Tangpur under the jurisdiction of Rajbagh Police Station late last night. However, all the members of the targeted family were rescued by the police personnel. But property estimated at Rs 50,000 was gutted in the fire. Police spokesman said that two Gujjar families had dispute over a piece of land and quarreled with each other a number of times. It was only after a repeated attacks on Sher Ali alias Shera by another Sher Ali, son of Shamas Din that police had provided former a security cover of four police personnel. Last night, when Shera alongwith his family was fast sleeping in his Jhuggi, Sher Ali, son of Shamas Din alongwith four miscreants set the Jhuggi on fire by dodging the police personnel deployed to protect Shera and his family members. On seeing the Jhuggi of the victim in flames, the police personnel swung into action and got all the occupants of the house rescued. SDPO Border Jugal Kishore, on the receipt of information, immediately reached the spot to take the cognizance of the incident. Later, he deputed police personnel in different directions to arrest the accused but only the main accused Sher Ali, son of Shamas Din could be arrested. A hunt was on to nab the remaining accused. But no success was achieved when reports last came in. |
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Azad, Mufti announce Rs 15 lakh bonanza for Bana School Excelsior Correspondent SONGRI, (Mahore), June 29: Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Ghulam Nabi Azad today announced grant of Rs. ten lakhs from his constituency development fund for infrastructure up-gradation of Government High School, Chana. The minister made this announcement at a public meeting jointly addressed by him and the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 5 lakhs for the similar purpose while Chowdhary Lal Singh, MP also announced an equal amount for the school. The school would now have a fund of Rs. 20 lakhs to develop infrastructure facilities. Earlier, the local people made a fervent demand for un-grading the high school to +2 level. They said the area with 50,000 populations was hilly and with no adequate means of communication and students had to foot long distances of treacherous mountainous routes to go for higher education. The demand was echoed by the students also who were present in strength. The Chief Minister responded positively to the demand and said that the infrastructure of the school would have to be up-graded first. He asked the District Development Commissioner to have a good design prepared for the construction of the school building. Mr. Azad also announced assistance of another Rs. ten lakhs for the construction of Primary Health Centre, Arnas. The local people greeted the announcements of the bonanza with cheers and slogans. |
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Medical teachers highlight demands Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: A meeting of Medical Teachers Association, Government Medical College Jammu was held under the chairmanship of its president and HoD Anesthesia Dr Satya Dev Gupta here today, The meeting was held to highlight the demands of the MTA especially when Suman Bhagat has taken over as Health and Medical Education Minister. The demands which were discussed in the meeting included holding of meeting of Departmental Promotion Committee to remove stagnation, allocation of Superintendent posts of various hospital to senior faculty members for the smooth functioning of the hospital, early setting up of hospital purchase committee to remove the sufferings of the patients by paving the way for purchase of new equipments and medicines and modernisation of Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Care Unit and super specialities. The participants appealed the Health and Medical Education Minister to sympathetically look into the demands of the MTA. The meeting was among others attended by Dr Tariq Azad, Dr Vinay Rampal, Dr Dinesh Kumar, Dr Kuldeep Singh and Dr K P Singh. |
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New Kathua Contractors Union formed Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, June 29: Government PWD contractors of Kathua have formed New Kathua Contractors Union and elected Manmohan Singh as its chairman. A sixteen-member executive body of the Union was also constituted with Som Nath Sharma, Mahesh Dutt Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Roop Lal Sharma, Ashok Khajuria, Sahib Singh Jasrotia, Gurcharan Singh, Shamsher Singh, Jasbir Singh, Rajinder Singh, Mohinder Paul, Narinder Kumar, Ajit Kumar, Gurbachan Singh, Parambeer Singh and Billa Singh as its members. Addressing a press conference, soon after his election as the president, Mr Manmohan Singh highlighted some problems and demands of Government contractors. He alleged that some goonda elements, supported by few politicians, were threatening PWD contractors. He also warned the PWD officials not to vow before any political pressure and perform their duties honestly. He demanded abolition of sales tax on contracts, simplification of the procedure for renewal of contractor license, abolition of the system of departmental works and payment of executed works within 90 days. |
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Dr Santokh Ram appointed new Director Colleges Development Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: Putting all speculations to rest, Jammu University Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo has appointed Dr Santokh Ram as the new Director of Colleges Development. Dr Santokh Ram, who is already heading the Directorate of Distance Education and also holding the post of Dean Academic Affairs in JU, has been given the new responsibility in addition to his present assignments. Even as the order for appointment was issued today, Dr Santokh Ram is likely to take over the new assignment on July 1, since Prof Nissar Ahmed Ganai, the outgoing DCD who has been now appointed as Chairman of J&K Board of School Education, is being relieved on June 30. Meanwhile, according to another order, Jammu University has engaged Prof Lalit Magotra as Advisor for modernization of University infrastructure. Prof Magotra, who attained superannuation on April 30 last, will give his valuable suggestions to the University in execution of various ambitious projects including construction of General Zorawar Singh Auditorium complex. Adhoc employees call off 86 days long chain hunger strike Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: All J&K Government Adhoc Employees Forum has called off its 86 days long chain hunger strike, from today. A delegation of the Forum, led by Mr Bharat Bhushan and Mohd Shauqat Ahmad met the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, B R Sharma and apprised him of the decision of calling off strike following his assurance on early implementation of GAD’s order number 794 of dated 22-6-2004. The delegation comprised of Romesh Sharma, Younis Amin, Vijay Jojra and Abdul Majid. The Forum also appealed all the Adhoc employees to resume their duties. |
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One killed, 14 injured in road accidents Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: One person was killed and 14 others injured in separate road accidents while as a man died after consuming poisonous substances. Police spokesman said that one Ghulam Nabi, son of Ghulam Mohd Lone was killed in road accident. He was rushed to Government Medical College Hospital in critical condition where he succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, 14 persons were injured in separate road accidents reported from different areas. All have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in. The injured have been identified as Harminder Singh, son of Mohinder Singh, Komal, son of Darshan Lal, both the residents of Nowshera, Vivek Sharma, son of Narind Sharma of Talab Tillo, Raju, son of Sansar Chand of Reasi, Surinder Singh, Abneet Kour, daughter of Sukh Dev Singh, Sukhvinder Kour, wife of Sukhdev Singh, Sukhdev Singh, son of Roop Singh of Bathindi, Manmeet Singh, son of Gurdial of Nanak Nagar, Ganesh Dutt, son of Bua Ditta of Dinga Ambh, Suresh Kumar of Chowk Chobutra, Neerja, wife of Avtar Krishan of Panjthirthi, Manjeet Singh, son of Gurmukh Singh of Siora and Mohd Hanif, son of Hasham Din of Gandoh. One Subash, son of Des Raj of Jourian died after he consumed poisonous substance at his residence. He was rushed to hospital when spotted unconscious by family members and doctors attending on him immediately provided him stomach wash treatment followed by other medicare. But he could not fight for his life and died. It could not be ascertained as to whether he intentionally consumed poisonous substances or swallowed the same mistakenly. One Tarsem Lal, son of Beli Ram of Vijaypur allegdly consumed poisonous substance. He has been hospitalised and his condition was stated to be critical when reports last came in. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: As part of ‘Sadbhavana Week’ to win hearts and minds of people, the Army organised a medical camp, veterinary camp and a mela at village Sangheri-Mandati in tehsil Billawar of Kathua district from June 28 to 29, 2004. To provide quality medical facilities, doctors were made available from the Army and Government Hospital at Billawar for treating the sick and injured. The team of doctors consisted of gynaecologist, physician, pediatrician, eye specialist, general surgeon and dentist. Two senior veterinary surgeons were also present to treat the livestock. Approximately 1500 patients and 400 cattle were treated in the camp and medicines worth Rs 1,00,000 both for villagers and livestock were distributed free of cost. A mela was organised during the period. Conduct of computer coaching classes, friendly volleyball and Kabaddi matches, numerous games of skill, distribution of free prizes, sweets and soft drinks to the villagers and children were highlight of the mela. Approximately 226 young aspirants keen on joining the security forces were educated on the eligibility of personnel and procedures for enrollment into the Army. The ex-servicemen were educated of the benefits of the ex-servicemen contribution health scheme. Among the civil dignitaries, Addl. DC Kathua, CMO and SSP Kathua were also present. Snacks and tea was provided to all the villagers who appreciated the efforts and expressed their gratitude towards the Army for caring for them by organising such events. |
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No shift in BJP’s stand on yatra, Action Committee to take decision today Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: While there is no shift in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) stand on the Amarnath yatra in view of the State Government’s decision to extend the yatra for 45 days, the 21 member Baba Amarnath Yatra Action Committee is yet undecided on the issue. The Action Committee convenor Inder Jit Khajuria said it (Committee) will meet in Geeta Bhavan tomorrow morning and discuss the issue threadbare as the other leaders of Action Committee including its chairman Dr Rama Kant Dubey were out of town. But the BJP state chief, Dr Nirmal Singh and Party spokesman Prof. Hari Om while talking to Excelsior this evening said though they are not a final authority to take the decision as the movement is run by the Baba Amarnath Yatri Niyas and Action Committee and the BJP is only extending support to them. They said, the Party will however, stage the dharna in front of Divisional Commissioner’s Office tomorrow as per the programme demanding extension of yatra for two months from Vyas Purnima to Raksha Bhandan as has been a tradition. There is no question of stretching the yatra to two or six months but the question is that the yatra should start at a particular day and culminate on the Raksha Bhandan as the tradition has been said Prof. Hari Om. He said VHP is adamant and it has given a statement that come what may its volunteers will leave for Holy Cave on July 2. He blamed th Government for bargaining the issue and misleading the people. Earlier the Chief Minister had said that the yatra will be extended by 10 days and now after holding parlays with PCC chief and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Ghulam Nabi Azad the Government extends the Yatra from 30 days to 45 days, which is totally a bargaining on the religious issue, he added. Supporting him Dr Singh said that BJP will go ahead with tomorrow’s programme and there is no shift in its earlier stand. Earlier talking to media persons in the afternoon along with Party general secretary Ashok Khajuria and Prof. Hari Om the BJP chief had announced tomorrow’s agitational programme. He also went to the extent that the BJP volunteers will ghearo the Civil Secretariat at Srinagar if Government does not allow the yatra to commence from July 2. He said there is no logic in Government’s decision to impose restrictions on the yatra and it is duty bound to provide fool proof security to the pilgrims. He also made a dig at Congress saying the resignations given by the four junior ministers were not on the basis of yatra but they had to settle their own scores on the future cabinet expansion. He alleged that there is no unanimity in Congress leadership on the issue as the statements of Mr Azad and Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma differ."If Congress is so serious why not its senior ministers come out of Government", he asked? Dr Singh said the matter has taken a serious turn after Mr Azad said that the decision of Chief Minister will be final and binding. The BJP leader also expressed grave concern over the spurt of terrorist violence in the state after the taking over of new Government at Centre. "The militants succeeded in conveying their messages through these planned attacks and the Government is watching like a mute spectator", he added. He lashed out at Government for withdrawal of STF and expressed apprehensions about the disbanding of VDCs also. Commenting on the interview of foreign Minister Natwar Singh to BBC that India was prepared to redraw the map of the country, he warned the Government against any such move. Dr Singh also strongly advocated for the abrogation of Article 370 and implementation of Constitutional 91st amendment in J&K on the strength of the Council of ministers. He also lashed out at Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani for saying that India has no right to talk on behalf of Kashmiris. Terming the Hurriyat Conference a conglomerate of self-styled factions, he said they have no base in Jammu and are limited to some pockets in Kashmir. He demanded that people of Jammu and Ladakh regions including the other communities be made a part of the dialogue on Kashmir issue. He also announced that BJP state executive will meet on July 17 and 18 to discuss post poll scenario. |
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Bus Stand shopkeepers allege insanitation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: Shopkeepers Association, General Bus Stand has decried negligence of the authorities towards development of the bus stand causing great inconvenience to the passengers boarding and de-boarding the vehicles. In a meeting of the association under the presidentship of Ashwani Kumar, serious concern was expressed over lack of sanitation and other amenities to the visitors. The meeting held that footpaths, pavements and yards in the Stand are in deplorable condition causing water logging and knee deep water even with a moderate rain, garbage remaining littered for days together and toilets stinking with filthy water everywhere. Sulabh society vested with the job of maintaining toilets and sanitation was allegedly over-charging from the passengers using the same while no care was being taken towards sanitation. Association general secretary Narinder Kumar alleged that Bus Stand has been turned into vehicle workshops by some elements with the connivance of JDA officials. Association chairman Rakesh Abrol has asked the Minister of State for Youth Service and Sports Yogesh Sawhney and MoS Urban Development Abdul Majid Wani for conceding to their pending demands. Others present in the meeting were senior vice president Surinder Gupta, vice presidents Madhu Sharma and Komal Gandotra and cashier Vijay Chadha. |
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Morale of VDC members very high despite killings Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, June 29: The migratory tribes on the high altitude meadows of Thiali Katha near Marha village of Surankote in Poonch district are still under shock and still mourning the ghastly massacre of their 12 innocent persons by terrorists. Even the tears are trickling down from ther eyes of pet animals over this gory incident, which these mute spectators witnessed on the Dhoke on the fateful day, but despite all this, the morale of the people in general and of VDC members in particular is very high. The senior members are of the opinion that these ‘RATS’ are extremely frustrated and discouraged as local population has not at all been cooperating them under any fear or phobia. Tahir Fazal while caressing the barrel of his gun said that these militants would never succeed in their designs to seek shelter in the homes of local people. "These brutal savages will never be given a chance to massacre any civilian in future", he stated. The VDC member Mohd Bashir told that Defence Committee Marha is the strongest in whole of the State. He said now housewives and teenaged children are also ready to give a befitting defeat to these Pak-sponsored terrorists. He said the morale of the people is very high and they are fully equipped to defeat nefarious designs of ultras. Meanwhile the heinous killings by militants have been highly condemned by all sections of the society in Poonch and elsewhere. All social, political and religious organisations have condemned the brutal killings and have expressed their sympathies with the bereaved families. The Government has provided ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh to next of kin of each killed person and injured have been provided relief of Rs 5000 each by the administration. |
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NC demands irrigation water for farmers Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: Jammu provincial president of National Conference Ajay Sadhotra while chairing a meeting of presidents and secretaries of all the blocks and Assembly segments of District Jammu Rural ‘B’ of the party. urged the Government to provide drinking and irrigation water as also electricity to the farmers. The meeting held that farmers were facing various difficulties in sowing their crops in the absence of irrigation water and alleged that the Government was neglecting the farmers by not providing them water, fertilizer and seeds. The meeting warned a strong agitation in case their immediate demands were not redressed. The meeting asked the Government not to interfere in the religious affairs of Shri Amar Nath Shrine Board and sort it out to avoid communalisation of the situation at the hands of vested interests. Mr Sadhotra told the meeting that NC has always stood for redressal of the miseries of the common masses and it was high time for rank and file of the party to be united and rise to the occasion to identify themselves with the problems of the common man. He asked the participants to go to the grass root level and form village level committees of their parent body, youth and women in order to strengthen the hands of Dr Farooq and Omar Abdullah. The meeting was also addressed by Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, S S Slathia, S N Manyal, K L Bhagat, Dr Kamal Arora, T S Tony, Th Bhagwan Singh, Ch Alla Rakha, Sardari Lal, Ram Chand Bhagat, Rashida Begum, Lalita Sharma, Suman Dogra, S Jawahar Singh, Harnam Singh, Surjit Singh Panch (Tanda), Vijay Kumar Lalotra, Dr Sant Kumar Digra and Rashpal Chand. |
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Hill Development Council for Rajouri-Poonch demanded Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, June 29: Rajouri-Poonch People’s Welfare Forum has demanded grant of Autonomous Hill Development Council on the pattern of Leh and Kargil districts to Rajouri and Poonch as a panacea of under development. This demand was made in the one day conference of Forum under the chairmanship of Advocate Tahir Khurshid Raina, the chief executive of the Forum in which people from all walks of life participated and deliberated upon various burning issues confronting the people of twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Other demands pertained to resumption of construction work on Mughal Road, bringing of region on tourist map of India, provision of air and rail link to the area, expedition of process of establishment of Baba Ghulam Shah University with the start of Post Graduate classes, special economic and employment package, separate Parliamentary seat and adequate representation to employees of the region in Civil Secretariat. The Forum held that the on-going peace process between India and Pakistan must continue with sincerity and more steps be taken for bringing lasting peace to prevail in the entire sub-continent. Prominent speakers included Jia Lal, Shahbaz, A R Fida, Nissar Ahmed Rahi, Zaffer Khurshid Mirza, Mohd Sadiq Malik, Khurshid Ahmed Bismal, Khurshid Khan, Ch Qammar Hussain, Prof Shakeel Ahmed Raina, Khurshid Janam, Abdul Rouf Dar, Shafiq Ahmed Mir, Sardar Mohd Iqbal, Abdul Qayoom Raina, Mushtaq Ahmed Raina, Karamat Malik, Dr Abdul Haq Naimei, Bhagwan Dass, Iqbal Raina, Tahir Ahmed Shawl, Bashir Ahmed Mir, Tariq Rashid Shawl, Mohd Azam Shah, Arshad Majid Malik, Ch Mohd Razaq, Ch Abdul Aziz, Khalid Maqsood, Sayed Farid Hussain and Mohd Ayaz Raina. Earlier the welcome address was read out by Salim Wani. |
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Harbah, birthday of Bhagwan Gopinath celebrated with religious fervour, gaiety Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 29: Harbah festival and birth day of Bhagwan Gopinath was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety at two separate functions held here, today. While the Harbah festival was celebrated at Pushkara Swami Sewa Ashram, Chinore, the 107th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Gopinath was celebrated at Bhagwan Ji’s Ashram Udheywala Bohri. Hundreds of devotees thronged the Bhagavaan Gopinath Ashram from early in the morning to participate in his birth anniversary celebrations and pay their obeisance to this 20th century spiritual saint from Kashmir. The entire Ashram was tastefully decorated with welcome gates installed at different places from main entrance. The function started with Paduka Poojan in a traditional way in the morning. The Ashram was agog with festivities throughout the day. A havan was also performed on the occasion. This was followed by religious discourses and recitation of bhajans in the praise of Bhagavaan Ji. The main highlights of today’s function was that hundreds of Sadhus who had come to participate in the Swami Amarnath yatra were served the prashad by the Ashram. It has been a tradition with the Ashram that Sadhus were being served prashad on the birthday of Bhagavaan Ji. They were also provided some offerings as has been a practice from Bhagavaan Ji’s life time. After the function the devotees were also served the prashad. The Mahajayanti of Bhagavaan Gopinath Ji was also celebrated at Pamposh Enclave , New Delhi, Kharyar, Srinagar, Gole Gujral Jammu, HMT Bangalore and other places across the country and in some foreign countries where the devotees of Bhagavaan Ji are putting up. A Maha Yagya was solemnized in connection with the Harbah festival celebrations at Pushkara Swami Sewa Ashram, Laxmi Nagar Chinore today. The Yagya started yesterday and the Puran Ahuti was performed this afternoon. A large number of devotees drawn form different corners of Jammu participated in the religious function. President Kashmiri Pandit Sabha T N Khosa, hoisted the flag. On the occasion Poshdale a book of devotional songs of Swami Posh Bab was released by president Kheer Bhavani Asthapan, Bhavani Nagar, A D Veshin. Giving religious discourses Swami Posh Bab highlighted the importance of the day. He said prior to migration a grand function was organised at the Tirath Raj Lokbhavan which is the abode of Goddess Raginiya on this day every year Swami Ji also hailed the PHE Department for making adequate arrangements of water supply in the Ashram on the occasion. |
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JKANC discusses Farooq’s appeal Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 29: An extra ordinary meeting of the working committee and central committee of Jammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference (JKANC) was held under the chairmanship of G M Shah, former Chief Minister and president of the party. The meeting took stock of the prevailing situation in State and took some decisions for making the party vibrant. The meeting was of the view that people living on both sides of the LoC have been suffering for the last 57 years and it was time when these sufferings should be brought to an end. In this connection special reference was made to the proposed ‘intra J&K conference for peace and resolution of Kashmir issue’, which the JKANC is sponsoring. The proposed conference will be attended by prominent personalities from all parts and regions of undivided J&K State. The meeting held that this conference should be convened at the earliest. The working committee also discussed the recent appeal made by patron of National Conference and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah to the JKANC for seeking more close relations between the two. Most of the members had a detailed discussion in which they expressed their feelings, sentiments and suspicions. At the end the party president G M Shah, while welcoming the moves aimed at forging unity and cooperation made it clear that Kashmiri continued to be dispute issue and no compromise could be made on this matter. He said that both India and Pakistan have on several occasions admitted the fact that Kashmir was a dispute which needed a resolution. Mr Shah said that JKANC stands firm that unless Kashmir issue is not resolved through the medium of a tripartite dialogue with people of Kashmir taken as the principle party to the dispute, peace cannot be prevailed in this State nor could the people of Jammu and Kashmir feel satisfied. At the end the meeting was of the view that for forging unity between the NC and JKANC, it was necessary that both should have similar stand with regard to Kashmir dispute and both adopt similar approach. This would definitely open a new chapter in the history of the State. The party has constituted a four member high powered team which will hold discussions for unity between NC and JKANC. Advocate Gh. Mohi-ud-Din will be convenor of the committee which will have G R Wani, vice-president, Mir Mohammed Safi general secretary and Muzaffar Ahmed Shah as members. |
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Amarnath yatra to start on July 2: Singhal KOLKATA, June 29: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today said that the Amarnath yatra will start from July 2 irrespective of the fact that the Jammu and Kashmir Government provides security or not. "Amarnath Yatra will start from Pahalgam on July 2 whether the Mufti Government provides security or not", VHP working president Ashok Singhal told newsmen here today. Responding to a query he said, "Mufti is nobody to say when the yatra will start. This is an important pilgrimage of the Hindus with which sentiments of Hindus are linked, no one can stop it". The VHP leader described the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s decision to restrict the Amarnath Yatra to only 30 days as an "attack on the religious freedom of Hindus" and said the annual pilgrimage would start on July two as per tradition. "Since time immemorial, the yatra commences on Guru purnima, which falls on July two this year, and concludes on Raksha Bandhan. The State Government’s move to restrict the duration of the pilgrimage is an attack on the freedom of Hindus," Singhal said. "We hope the State Government will cooperate so that yatra becomes smooth and peaceful and we expect the Government to render all assistance to the organisations which will provide different kinds of services to the pilgrims on the way", he said. He said VHP was "not willing to give up its religious rights" and would "defy" any move to suppress the pilgrims, who would commence their pilgrimage from July two onwards. (PTI) |
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