Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Terming the proposed General Pervez Musharraf's proposal regarding division of Jammu and Kashmir in seven zones as a "carbon copy" of infamous Dixon Plan, Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma said that any proposal that proposes division of Jammu and Kashmir is not acceptable. ......more

Schools open as
firing stops on LoC

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 26: Huddled together in a small classroom, the 50 odd students are listening to their teacher with rapt attention.............more

Advisor, executives
of JU Cultural Council
nominated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: For the better functioning of Jammu University Students Cultural Council, its Secretary Vikrant Sharma has nominated an advisor and three executive volunteers of the Council..........more

Awareness programme
marks ASI’s Heritage
Week celebrations

Excelsior Correspondent

KIrAmchi, Nov 26: To mark the culmination of the World Heritage Week Celebrations by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Kiramchi group of temples, a cultural cum awareness.........more

Two day seminar on
"impact of violence
on society’’ concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: A two day seminar on "Impact of Violence on Society in Jammu and Kashmir" organised...........more

State Govt flayed for adopting vindictive attitude
Sikh Sangat demands
constitution of Minority
Commission

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Like other parts of the country, Prakash Utsav (birth day) of Shri Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj was celebrated with religious fervor and enthusiasm. Gurdwaras were specially decorated and special prayers held to mark this auspicious occasion. Thousands of devotees participated in these functions..................more

NPP working committee
dissolved, council formed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Chairman of the National Panthers Party Prof Bhim Singh has dissolved its Working Committee and formed an executive council to assist him...................more

9 women ITIs to
function soon

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26 : A high level meeting of officers reviewed the functioning of polytechnic colleges and ITIs of the State here today. The Minister for Technical Education and Sports, Haji Nissar Ali presided...........more

Over Rs 43 crore
earned by
vegetable export

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Nov 26: An income of Rs. 39.36 crore was earned by the farmers of the valley by export of vegetables of different varieties and their seeds besides Rs. 3.50 crore earned by export of 3492 quintals of honey to other states of the country during last seven months of current year.........more

Musharraf’s proposal on Kashmir a carbon
copy of Dixon plan: DyCM

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Terming the proposed General Pervez Musharraf's proposal regarding division of Jammu and Kashmir in seven zones as a "carbon copy" of infamous Dixon Plan, Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma said that any proposal that proposes division of Jammu and Kashmir is not acceptable.

Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of Indian Union and would remain so in future also. 'Creation of new boundaries and division of States in zones or its trifurcation is opposed tooth and nail', said Deputy Chief Minister.

The Deputy Chief Minister commented this when a three-member delegation of British High Commission comprising Cabinet Officer Oliver Macfarlane, Foreign Officer South Asia Department Richard Lindsay and First Secretary Political Ms. Sarah Lampert called on him here last evening.

The delegation that is on three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, held discussion with people of all shades and opinion regarding the sustainable political solution to the vexed Kashmir tangle. Apart, from this discussion on political situation, security, terrorism, tourism promotion between two nations and economics, also were the focal areas of the study of the three-member delegation.

The delegation posed various queries relating to security situation, current political atmosphere, terrorism, political dialogue with Pakistan, to the Deputy Chief Minister.

Mr Sharma, however, expressed his optimism over the improving ties between India and Pakistan adding, that dialogue forms the essence for arriving at any sustainable political solution between the two nations on Kashmir issue. 'There is an acknowledged shift in Pakistan's stand on Kashmir', he said and referred to the visit of the SAFMA journalists and pilgrims’ delegation from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to the State. Overwhelming majority is yearning for restoration of lasting peace and harmony, he quipped.

When enquired by the delegation regarding the role of the Congress parties and other coalition allies for reaching at a sustainable political solution to Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma said that every section of the State has a sacrosanct role to play in it besides, those in New Delhi and Pakistan. He said majority of those living in Pakistan want improved relationship with India as this alone would assure lasting peace in the region thereby ushering in an era of harmony and prosperity.

The Deputy Chief Minister also shared his concern over terrorism with the British delegation and said it is a global issue that has to fought jointly by the peace loving nations.

Mr Sharma also apprised the delegation about the development of the coalition Government especially in the vital sectors of education, health, rural development, industry and commerce, public health engineering, etc. He said the achievements made by the present dispensation in its two years of governance by all measuring yard sticks surpasses those achieved by the previous governments in last 15 years.

On the relationship between the coalition partners, the Deputy Chief Minister informed the British delegation that these are harmonious with decision on all important matters taken after forming unanimous opinion.

Asked about the rotation of Chief Minister between Congress and People Democratic Party after three years, Sharma said that personally he prefers Union Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to head the coalition Government after the tenure of present incumbent expires.

He informed the delegation about the revival of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and also presented statistics of foreign and local tourists visiting the State. He said pilgrim tourism touched new heights with over 54 lakh devotees visiting revered shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji while record number of 3.50 lakh pilgrims paid their obeisance to the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnathji located in South Himalayas in Kashmir. The number of foreigners visiting Leh again surpassed the previous records, he maintained.

Schools open as firing stops on LoC

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 26: Huddled together in a small classroom, the 50 odd students are listening to their teacher with rapt attention. The students are so relaxed that they are totally unaware of the fact that they are only a few hundred meters away from the Line of Control-where only a year back guns of Indian and Pakistani soldiers kept roaring and in the process disturbing the life of the inhabitants here.

This is the scene at the Silkote Middle School Uri, near the LoC where life had become miserable because of the intermittent shelling by the troops of the two neighboring countries. But as the cease-fire along the LoC completes one full year life has sprung many a surprises for the people of this small hamlet.

Says Rubina, a schoolteacher working in the Silkote Middle School, " Education had become the first casualty as the guns of Indian and Pakistani soldiers kept roaring. People were reluctant to send their wards to the school fearing that mortar shells coming from across the border may hit the school building. The people preferred to keep their children illiterate than to send them to school and face the ruthless shelling".

" The rolls in our school had dropped by nearly fifty percent and the class work was restricted to just an hour," says Rubina. "But after the cease-fire was announced life has changed for good. People have once again started sending their children to school and classes function for at least six hours a day," says the beaming Rubina.

Interestingly, as the cease-fire continues to hold people in the border areas have started to resume their agricultural activities as well. Says Khazir Mohammed, the Numberdar of Silkote Village. " Calm at the LOC has meant that we have started to resume our agricultural activities. Just a year before our life had become miserable, as we were not able to work in the fields because of the shelling. Most of the time we had to remain indoors as movement during the day was not possible".

" Even for our food and fodder for the cattle we had to be dependant on the aid provided by the Government," says the Numberdar. "But now things are back to normal again. This year we had a bumper crop and people feel safe to move around even during evening hours," he adds.

Continuation of the cease-fire has not only meant restoration of agricultural and other activities but it has generated a sense of security among the border residents.

Ask Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a victim, who has lost both of his legs during one such incident when a mortar shell coming from across the border exploded when he was busy working in his fields.

" It was in October 2001 that while working in my fields a mortar shell exploded in front of me. The incident left me crippled as I lost both of my legs. For the next two years I did not even come out of my house as I felt unsafe outside". "But when the guns on both the sides felt silent I mustered courage to move out. Now I feel free to move after the Army officials provided me with Jaipur foot," adds Mushtaq.

Mushtaq prays that the cease-fire becomes a permanent feature in the border areas. " I hope the cease-fire continues and it becomes a permanent feature in the border areas. I pray that the list of the people like me who had to suffer because of the shelling does not increase any more," adds Mushtaq with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Advisor, executives of JU Cultural Council nominated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: For the better functioning of Jammu University Students Cultural Council, its Secretary Vikrant Sharma has nominated an advisor and three executive volunteers of the Council.

Sonia Bharti has been nominated as advisor while Suresh Kumar, Rajesh Kumar and Mohd Shahnawaz as executive volunteers. All the nominations were made with consent of Joint Secretaries of the Council, said a press release.

Meanwhile, office bearers of the Cultural Council, led by Vikrant Sharma, called on Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo and discussed with him some demands of the Council, here yesterday.

They suggested the Vice-Chancellor to form an Eco Club within the University, launch awareness among students for participation in the fine arts and literary activities and constitute Cultural Council in various colleges affiliated to JU.

Vikrant Sharma urged Prof Mattoo to take initiatives for a goodwill tour of JU students to Pakistan and also demanded an office for conducting proceedings of the Cultural Council.

The Vice-Chancellor gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured that all suggestions and demands would be considered for an early approval.

Awareness programme marks ASI’s
Heritage Week celebrations

Excelsior Correspondent

KIrAmchi, Nov 26: To mark the culmination of the World Heritage Week Celebrations by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Kiramchi group of temples, a cultural cum awareness programme was organised, here yesterday.

The event in which Padam Shree Prof Ram Nath Shastri was the chairman and Maj Gen (Retd) B.N. Dhar, the chief guest, was held in the premises of the Kiramchi monuments, in collaboration with Jammu based NGO PATH ( Preserve Art Treasures and Heritage and Rangyug Natya Sansthan .

Attended by school children of Govt. High School, Kiramchi, Army School, Udhampur and local residents, the programme started with students visiting the photo-exhibition on monuments of J&K, presently under protection of ASI.

The highlight of the programme was the enactment of nukkad natak by the actors of Rangyug Natya Sansthan. Titled Deeth , the play, in Dogri, on the growing menance of environmental pollution, was highly appreciated by the audience.

Earlier addressing the gathering P.B. S. Senagr, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI Srinagar Circle, Jammu, gave the details about the work done by ASI in the preservation of ancient monuments in J&K. He called upon the children to show more interest in the preservation of cultural heritage.

Prof Ram Nath Shastri, spoke about the problems of recreating Dogra history and emphasised the importance of the ancient monument as living sources of history and cultural achievements of our ancestors. He lamented that such an important monument like Kiramchi is still with out a black top road and one has to walk almost a kilometer on an uneven bridal path to reach here.

Major Gen Dhar, in his speech, said that children are the future custodians of the heritage and urged them to play an active role in its preservation. He promised that he will personally approach the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and request him for early completion of approach road to Kirmachi temples.

Lalit Gupta, convenor, PATH, also drew attention of the children towards the culture related subjects as possible choice for their future vocation.

The other members of PATH who also attended the function included well known sculptor, R.K. Tikku, senior architect, Sanjay Tikku, Cartoonist Manoj Chopra, designer and publisher, Monika Mishra, curatorial assistant, Amar Mahal Museum, Shweta Walli and businessman and culture activist, V.K. Tandon.

Abdul Karim, a local resident, also spoke about the need to properly connect the monuments by a road so that it can attracts tourists. He said the monuments were not only our common heritage but if properly highlighted can become a source of earning for the locals.

Two day seminar on "impact of violence
on society’’ concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: A two day seminar on "Impact of Violence on Society in Jammu and Kashmir" organised by Kashmir Foundation for Peace and Development Studies ended here this evening with broad discussions and expert comments on three critical issues concerning the state.

Three comprehensive papers were presented in the session outlining the impact of violence on economy and its infrastructure, the educational scenario and the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ms Claire Galez , Director Center for South Asian Studies , Geneva chaired the first session which was attended among others by Salman Haider, former Foreign Secretary of India, Prof. Rayaz Punjabi president International Center for Peace Studies and the visiting Faculty Center for the Study of Social Systems, Jawahar Lal Nehru University and Anand K Sahay , a senior journalist from Delhi.

Prof Nisar Ali of the Department of Economics , University of Kashmir , presented a comprehensive and well argued paper on violence and its impact on economy and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. Based on official statics , field research and analysis , Prof. Nisar made a comprehensive analysis of the economy and infrastructure as it existed in 1988-89 and the present status.

His research paper which witnessed an enlightening debate from the floor during the session mainly dealt with economic transformation and empowerment and the impact of violence on human loss, demography, physical assets and household infrastructure, agriculture, displacement, religion and culture, industry, public sector undertakings , capital infrastructure and educational infrastructure.

Prof Nisar argued that besides other things , the violence in last 15 years has cost the state dearly on management , governance and accountability.

The paper critically analyzed the genesis of violence and conflict drawing upon the development strategy oriented to market creation than development of wage-goods sector and industry. He said the development strategy, after 30-35 years , have set in motion the forces that trigger violence of varying nature from time to time. In the absence of requisite system of checks and balances , it gathers mass and takes the society in the prolonged explosive crisis. He added that the fallout could be analyzed in terms of impact during the period of violence and impact in terms of fallout characteristics.

Dr Mahmuda Shafi former Principal PG College for Women Srinagar presented paper on impact of violence on Tourism Industry in Jammu and Kashmir. After doing a painstaking study of tourist habits , patters , infrastructure and hospitability , Dr Shafi made a detailed account of the phenomenon in which violence hit this crucial industry Jammu and Kashmir is known for. An interesting feature of her research paper was the comparative analysis of the tourist influx location specific for different places across the state between 1978 and 2004.

Prof A G Madhosh , Director Institute of Counselling and Social Research presented a well-researched project report on impact of violence on educational scenario in Jammu and Kashmir. He made an objective assessment of the physical loss to the educational infrastructure and impact of violence on the process of educational advancement.

Firdous Sayeed, chairman Kashmir Foundation for Peace and Development Studies presented a vote of thanks and outlined the activities of the organisation. He stressed for vibrant and vocal civil society to espouses the common good.