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| Kerala educational chain to adopt 100 Kashmiri orphans Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 5: A reputed educational chain of Kerala would adopt at least 100 orphans from Kashmir valley and take care of their education boarding & lodging.......more HC orders
judicial probe Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: In a much publicized arrest of trade union workers working for the installation of Jammu-Srinagar Railway Line, the State High Court has ordered..........more BSP
lambasts Cong Excelsior Correspondent DASKAL (AKHNOOR), Oct 5: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has squarely blamed Congress for non-implementation of Wazir Commission report.....more Amar Singh
College Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 5 :Minister for Education Harsh Dev Singh said that a remarkable achievement in the history of state’s education edifice has been achieved with 11 colleges of the state being graded by National........more Qazi
reviews work on Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Qazi Mohammad Afzal today visited Muthi area to review the water supply scenario.......more |
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PCC
chief conducts whirlwind tour of Akhnoor Excelsior Correspondent MAWA (AKHNOOR), Oct 5: Congress today intensified its campaign for Akhnoor assembly seat as newly appointed Pradesh Congress Committee chief and Minister for Rural Development Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed along with Member Parliament (MP) Madan Lal Sharma and Minister of Social Welfare Mula Ram conducted whirlwind tour the far-flung areas of the constituency..............more Sapolia,
Sharma addresses Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Oct 5: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Basohli Jagdish Raj Sapolia alongwith Prabhari Kathua district Satish Sharma.............more Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 5 : Minister of State for Education, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Lone has said that Government was committed to provide the quality education..........more JMC begins
demolition Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Implementing the State High Court’s verdict, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), with the assistance of Jammu Development Authority (JDA)............more |
Kerala educational chain to adopt 100 Kashmiri orphans Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 5: A reputed educational chain of Kerala would adopt at least 100 orphans from Kashmir valley and take care of their education boarding & lodging. This follows the meeting between Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Sheikh Abu Bakr Al Saqafl Al Qadri, Patron, Markazi Saqafia Sunnia, Calicut who called on him here this morning. Prominent physician and social activist Dr. G Q Allaqaband was also present on the occasion. This is the third initiative by the Chief Minister in a year to persuade organisations outside the Valley to adopt orphan children from Kashmir whose parents have been devoured by violence during the last 14 years. Earlier on his initiative, the Army School, Beas and a Pune based NGO, Sarhad had adopted more than 200 orphan children from the Kashmir . During the meeting, Sheikh Abu Bakr showed his keen interest in starting an educational institution in the Valley. He told the Chief Minister that his institution was imparting religious education blended with modern knowledge and said that he would like to start a branch of his institution in Kashmir as well. The Chief Minister welcomed the idea and asked Sheikh Abu Bakr if he could help in imparting education to some orphan children from Kashmir in his home state. The latter responded positively and said he was ready to adopt at least hundred orphans trom the Valley and take care of their education and board and lodge in Kerala. |
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HC orders judicial probe into Saleem Raja’s detention Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: In a much publicized arrest of trade union workers working for the installation of Jammu-Srinagar Railway Line, the State High Court has ordered judicial probe and appointed Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu to enquire the detention of Advocate Saleem Raja. The case of detention pertains to a Police firing on the peaceful workers on September 11 last when they were demanding better wages. In the firing, a workers died while’s several others were injured. Police had arrested number of workers including their leader Advocate Saleem Raja, who was leading the agitation. Raja was later detained under Public safety Act (PSA) and lodged in Kot Bhalwal Jail. Prof Bhim Singh, Chairman, State Legal Aid Committee later filed a habeas Corpus petition, challenging the detention of Raja alongwith 15 other workers. This petition was listed before Justice VK Jhanji, who ordered Police to produce Saleem Raja in the court. The Court order was accordingly implemented. Further, statement of Wazir Mohd Mir, SHO Banihal was also recorded wherein he had stated that Raja has been detained under PSA. Today, Justice Jhanji after hearing both the sides, appointed Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu to enquire into the circumstances leading to the episode of arrest of Saleem Raja and others. The Court while directing judicial inquiry, observed that endeavor be made that the inquiry be completed within one month from today. The Registry was directed to send the statement of Inspector Wazir Mohd, SHO and also affidavits of Saleem Raja and Prof Bhim Singh to the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu. The Court further directed the inquiry authority to hold the sittings on day-to-day basis. It was also directed to produce the entire record of the detention of Saleem Raja on the next date of hearing. |
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BSP lambasts Cong on Wazir Commission Excelsior Correspondent DASKAL (AKHNOOR), Oct 5: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has squarely blamed Congress for non-implementation of Wazir Commission report in the State and constitution of Delimitation Commission. Addressing series of public meetings along with party candidate Dr Gafoor Ahmed and other party leaders, vice president of BSP, Tulsi Dass Langeh lambasted Congress for its failure to fulfill promises which party had made with the people of Jammu region. "Just for the lust of power, Congress has compromised with the aspirations and wishes of the people", he regretted and called upon the people to give a befitting reply to Congress in by-election for backstabbing people of Jammu region. Mr Langeh reminded the people that during Assembly elections Congress had promised to implement Wazir Commission report besides constitution of Delimitation Commission. "Two years have passed but nothing concrete has been done in this regard", he regretted and lambasted the Congress party for befooling the people and selling interests of Jammu for lust of power. Calling upon people to cast their votes in favour BSP candidate Dr Gafoor Ahmed, Mr Langeh said that only BSP can protect interests of all sections of the society. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Gafoor assured that people that he will take every possible steps to mitigate their problems. He regretted that successive elected representatives of this constituency have done nothing to ameliorate lot of the people. "Except exploiting sentiments of the masses, representatives of this seat have done nothing", he said and pointed out that even after 57 years of independence, many villages of this constituency have been confronting with the problem of acute shortage of drinking water. |
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Amar Singh College holds Annual Day function Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 5 :Minister for Education Harsh Dev Singh said that a remarkable achievement in the history of state’s education edifice has been achieved with 11 colleges of the state being graded by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and Amar Singh College, Srinagar among them being graded with B + + grade. The Minister was speaking on the Annual Day function of the college. Mr. Singh congratulated the staff of the college for celebrating its Annual Day after a period of 14 years. He wished to continue such practice of celebrating the Annual Day, as it generates confidence and chisel the talent of the budding artists. The Minister expressed his optimism that our colleges are the best among the other colleges of the country. He said due emphasis is being given to meaningful vocational and job-oriented courses and also students have sufficient flexibility in choosing a combination of subjects for degree programme. He also announced Rs. 6 lakh to give face lift to the college and to improve the network of the roads connecting various buildings of the different departments inside the campus. The Minister asked the Principal of the college to prepare a plan to make the fencing of the college. He said this amount would be released shortly. Earlier, the Principal of the College, Dr. G.Q. Sofi while reading the annual report of the college said the college campus was spread over 35 acres of land and an erstwhile technical institute with an imposing Anglo-Indian architecture, was converted into a Degree College in 1942 and christened as Amar Singh College. Mr. Sofi said the enrolment of the college is more than 4,000 and it has students from 12 districts of the state. The college has been recommended by the affiliating university for consideration by University Grants Commission to recognize it as an institution with potential for excellence. A scintillating cultural bonanza was also presented on the occasion. |
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Qazi reviews work on water supply schemes Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Qazi Mohammad Afzal today visited Muthi area to review the water supply scenario and two stock of the ongoing water supply schemes. The Minister inspected the land identified for construction of water tank. He emphasized that priority is to first locate source from which water would be supplied and soon after the tank would also be constructed. He maintained that government is making all possible efforts to provide sufficient drinking water facility to9 each nook and corner of the state. Mr. Afzal assured the inhabitants of Muthi and its adjoining areas that the work for laying of pipes would be started in few days and adequate supply would be provided in near future. The Minister said that the problems of people these would be given due consideration and redressed in a phased manner. He exhorted upon the officers to complete the ongoing schemes within the stipulated time frame. |
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PCC chief conducts
whirlwind tour of Akhnoor Excelsior Correspondent MAWA (AKHNOOR), Oct 5: Congress today intensified its campaign for Akhnoor assembly seat as newly appointed Pradesh Congress Committee chief and Minister for Rural Development Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed along with Member Parliament (MP) Madan Lal Sharma and Minister of Social Welfare Mula Ram conducted whirlwind tour the far-flung areas of the constituency. Addressing series of road side meetings at Mawa, Lehrian, Daskal and Kot Gari areas of Akhnoor constituency in favour of party candidate Sham Lal Sharma, Mr Sayeed reiterated Congress’ commitment to remove injustice with any part of the State. "In its election manifesto as well as in Common Minimum Programme (CMP) Congress has promised to provide justice to Jammu region", he said and assured the people that promises made by the party during Assembly elections will be fulfilled at any cost. "Congress supported Mufti led coalition regime has taken many steps to remove injustice with Jammu and other parts of the State", he pointed out and exhorted the people to give a befitting reply to those forces, trying to divide people on communal and regional lines. He said that coalition government has been following the mandate of the people of the state to restore peace and normalcy. The PCC chief said that the people of the state in the last assembly elections gave mandate to the present coalition of Congress -PDP and other partners to restore peace to get rid of their hardships and miseries of 14 years of violence. The people rejected National Conference as it failed to deliver goods and only indulged in favouritism. He said the present coalition government was serious in resolving issues of the public interest. It believes in winning the hearts of the people and restoring sense of security among the people. This yielded dividends for the economic betterment of equal by starting normal activities of governance and promotion of tourism. The PCC chief said that peace process between the two countries and with the people of J&K has been strengthened and moving towards meaningful process because of change in ground situation. The Centre has also offered to talk to all the groups in the state besides the duly elected representatives chosen by the people in the most free and fair elections in the state. He said first time in last 57 years, a delegation of journalists from Pakistan is on visit of Jammu and Kashmir which shows the experience and maturity of present UPA leadership. Lok Sabha member from Jammu-Poonch constituency, Madan Lal Sharma while addressing these meetings, said that during his tenure as MLA of this constituency he has taken many steps to solve problems being faced by the people. "Many backward and far-flung areas of this constituency have been connected with roads", he said while listing developmental works started by him as MLA. Mr Sharma said that only Congress can protect interest of the weaker sections of the society. He called upon the people to strengthen Congress in the interest of the country. Minister for Social Welfare Mula Ram in his address, appealed to the voters to support Congress party. He lashed out at caste based politics of some parties and said that it damages the secular fabrics of the country. He said that the present government has undertaken various welfare and developmental measures during its short span of two years. He said that the process of backdoor appointments has been stopped and more job opportunities are being created to meet the challenge of unemployment in the State. Janak Raj Gupta, R S Chib, Yash Pal Khajuria, Ravinder Sharma, Mohammed Amin Bhat, PYC chief, Manmohan Singh, senior vice-president PYC, Surinder Gupta, Dr Kamal Singh Manhas, Amit Chib and others addressed the meetings. |
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Sapolia, Sharma addresses series of election rallies Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Oct 5: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Basohli Jagdish Raj Sapolia alongwith Prabhari Kathua district Satish Sharma today addressed several election rallies at different places in the constituency and sought vote and support of the electorate. While addressing the election rallies, Mr Sapolia said that the people not go by the statement of the Congress leader and Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma that the people of Jammu region will have their own CM within a year. He added that the Congress leader has made this statement only to mislead the people of the region. He said that the way the revenue authorities continue to put the stamp "valid till marriage" on the State subject certificates being issued to the daughters clearly shows Congress-bureaucracy nexus and utter disregard for the judicial system. Mr Sapolia referred to a number of instances to establish that desperate Congress candidate and her relations are throwing the Model code of Conduct to the wind by misusing the official machinery and pressed into service Government officials. Addressing the rallies, Satish Sharma opined that the people of Basohli constituency have no other alternative but to inflict a crushing defeat on the Congress and return to the Assembly the BJP candidate Mr Sapolia. The Kathua BJP Prabhari said that the Congress, which represented the Basohli constituency for more than 50 years has instead of mitigating the hardships of the people, has perpetrated more injustices thus denying the people of the area their due share. He appealed the people not to waste any vote by exercising their franchise in favour of the Congress candidate who is a rank outsider and know nothing about the nature of the problems being faced by the people of backward constituency. |
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Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 5 : Minister of State for Education, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Lone has said that Government was committed to provide the quality education to the students and prepare them to face the future challenges in the competitive era of modern world. He was speaking at an Annual Day function of S.P. College, Srinagar held in the college auditorium yesterday. Lauding the efforts of the college for providing all basic infrastructure in the institution besides, creating extra-curricular activities for the students, Dr. Lone assured that all possible assistance would be provided for the development of the college. The Minister also released the current issue of the college magazine and witnessed the cultural programme presented by the college students. The Principal, S.P. College, Dr. S.G. Sarwar presented the annual report of the college. The function was attended by the Principals of various colleges, members of teaching faculties and students of the college. |
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JMC begins demolition of Yatri Hotel Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Implementing the State High Court’s verdict, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), with the assistance of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) today jointly began the demolition of the Yatri Hotel at Indira Chowk here. Amidst heavy development of the police personnel, the teams of the JMC and JDA demolished front elevation, two shops, four rooms and servant quarters of the Yatri Hotel in five hour long operation. The demolition squads of both JMC and JDA reached the spot at around 10.30 AM and pressed manual labour into the service because the machinery available with JMC and JDA could not work above and over first floor. Heavy deployment of the police under the supervision of SSP Jammu Dr Kamal Saini and SP City North Prabhat Singh was made to thwart any attempt to prevent the JDA and JMC staff from implementing the court’s direction. Since manual labourers were deployed for the demolition purpose, only front election, two shops, four rooms and servant quarters could be demolished in five hour long operation. When contacted, Executive Officer Jammu Municipal Corporation D R Kapoor said that the demolition of first and second floor and shops on the ground floor would take time as due to technical compulsions the demolition work would be carried out manually. "The shops on the ground floor would also be demolished but the whole process would take time. First we will remove walls and then go in for demolition of slabs alongwith pillars", Mr Kapoor said. Vice-Chairman of JDA K B Jandial, JMC Commissioner B D Sharma, Superintendent Engineer JDA Vinod Sharma and SE Kiran Wattal personally supervised the demolition work. |
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Give reservation benefits to
deserving Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: The newly constituted All J&K Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribe Morcha Jammu today demanded that the provision of reservations to scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes be made applicable right from Parliament to Panchayat level in the J&K. This demand was made by the Morcha leaders at a press conference here this morning. The Government should make amendment in the Constitution and Reservation Act passed recently and the benefit of the reservations be given to a family once in life time as it will be in the larger interests of the community, they said. They also demanded that the provision of reservations be also kept for STs in the State Legislature. Highlighting the other demands they said that quota of eight per cent reservations in the state government services be revised to 10 per cent in the light of the latest census report. The Government should ensure that the benefits of this reservation policy preclude down to genuine and needy one among the SCs and STs said president of the Morcha, Mahasha Sham Lal. He said the reservations for the SCs and STs should be on the income basis as is done in case of OBCs. He alleged that the affluent and influential classes among the SCs and STs have reaped the benefits for last 57 years of reservations while the deserving people are being ignored totally. Mr Mahasha also sought the help and support of the social and political organizations in this regard. He alleged that the benefit of eight percent reservations to the SCs is confined to five districts of Jammu only and urged the Government to clear the backlog immediately. He said the Morcha has been constituted recently to fight for the rights of the SCs and STs. He said its other office bearers include Ch. Pervez Ahmed , Bhagat Gian Chand Dogra, Mrs Preeto Devi Bhagat and Sune Ram, vice presidents. Mrs Amrit Varsha, general secretary and Master Sant Ram, Ch. Mohammed Shafi, Jai Karan Bharti as secretaries, he said,adding Garo Ram and Bal Krishan are as the cashier and press secretary respectively. |
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From Shafaat Ahmad Kira SRINAGAR, Oct 5: If you wish to pay a visit to the State Pratap Singh (SPS) Musuem in Srinagar with a hope that you will be able to have an insight into our glorious past-you are most likely to return disillusioned. The reason: more than 75 percent artifacts present in the museum are kept in the safe custody of lockers rather than put on display as no documentation of these artifacts has been done since the inception of the museum. The SPS Museum which, is more than a century old was established in 1898 by Maharaja Pratap Singh. The museum has since then become the house of Kashmiri antiquities and old art but negligence and official apathy has turned the museum into an old store house with little chances of the museum witnessing any revival. The SPS museum boasts of housing some of the best pieces of art. Employees working in the museum say that the museum treasures such artifacts that it can compete with the best museums in the world." The museum was one of the best in the Country. We have such a vast collection that we can be the envy of any curator. But all our treasure is going down the drain because we are not in a position to preserve it the way it should be," says Iqbal Ahmad an employee working in the museum, who has also authored a catalogue on the artifacts stored in the museum. " The museum immediately needs documentation of its artifacts. Out of 1,25,000 artifacts only 25,000 have been documented. The museum was bereft of expertise on documentation and I was made to undergo a course in Numismatics (study of coins) but still no work has been taken up to start the documentation," adds Iqbal Ahmad. Documentation and preservation of the artifacts is not the only issue plaguing the museum. The museum building is in such a dilapidated condition that it can collapse at any time if proper repair works are not carried out. Even the Public Works Department has declared the museum building unsafe but still no attention has been paid to undo the fears. Even arrangements to shift the museum to a safer place have not been made till date. Issues of improving the infrastructure apart, the museum has most of the sections defunct, thanks to shortage of staff that has played havoc with the overall up-keep of the artifacts. " We are facing a tremendous shortage of workers in the museum. Right now there are only 20 employees against required 32," says Sheikh Samad another employee and President of the recently formed Museum Welfare Association, an organization formed by the employees of the museum. The museum has an enviable treasure trove. "We have Devsar bronze frame which dates back to 10th century A.D. Besides we have coins dating back to 100 century B.C," adds Mr.Sheikh Samad. In addition to coins and other artifacts the museum has a rich collection of manuscripts. These include a 600-year old hand written document by Sultan-ul-Aarifeen one of the most revered saint of Kashmir. Besides other manuscripts like Shahnama Firdousi, Gilgit manuscripts and currency dating back to the Dogra regime are also part of the rare scripts stored in the museum. The collection that adores the museum apart-the museum is facing the worst form of official apathy. Even when few weeks’ back senior officials from the army approached the senior official of the museum for taking away guns, which were used during the world war-one, the official without even thinking twice gave his affirmation. |
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People to people contact
imperative for Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) S K Sinha today said that people to people contact would go a long way in restoring peace in Indo-Pak region and exhorted Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to launch a mass movement for revival of Kashmiriyat. Interacting with a group of peace-activists of Association of People of Asia (APA), who returned from visit of Pakistan recently, the Governor said that Kashmiriyat is key to overcome terrorism in Kashmir. ‘Gun culture is alien to Sufi traditions of Kashmir’, General Sinha added. The Governor said that the peace movement initiated by the people of India and Pakistan has to be expanded for normalizing relations between the neighboring countries. He expressed happiness over increased interaction between various segments of the people and said that this demonstrates strong urge for peace among the people. Led by APA State President, S P Verma, the nine-member group gave an account of their Pak visit to the Governor and said that a batch of 21 pilgrims from Pakistan is visiting the Valley this month to pay obeisance at the revered shrine of Alamdar-e-Kashmir at Chrar-e-Sharief. The Governor said that he will be pleased to have to interact with the visiting pilgrims. The Group said that they got a warm reception in Pakistan and were overwhelmed to find a good number of people spreading the message of Mahatma Gandhi for peace and tranquility. They were told that the course of history would have been different, had the Bapu’s plans to visit Pakistan materialized before his assassination. |
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Sadhotra, others campaign for Bhau in Akhnoor areas Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Provincial president of National Conference Ajay Sadhotra today said that coalition Government in the State has ignored scheduled caste, backward classes and schedule tribe communities in all spheres of life. Mr Sadhotra said this while addressing a series of election meetings in Akhnoor Assembly constituency. He was accompanied by NC candidate from Akhnoor segment Baldev Singh Bhau, MLA Rachhpal Singh, MLC Brij Mohan Sharma, Ex-MLC Chuni Lal Khajuria, Ex-MLA Jagjeevan Lal, District secretary Bhagat Ganga Dutt, Zakir Hussain and Ex-MLA Bimla Luthra. He said since this Government has taken over, problems relating to water and power supplies and unemployment have increased manifolds. He added that funds provided for upliftment of Scheduled caste, backward Classes and ST people have been dwindled. He said Government has adopted discrimination policy against this poor section of the society. He asked the people to vote for National Conference candidate Master Baldev Singh Bhau who is a thorough gentleman and will work for the upliftment of all poor sections of the society. While addressing the election meetings Master Baldev Singh said he does not believe in casteism but in humanity and in case he gets elected he will ensure that every community gets its share in all developmental spheres and service to humanity will be his priority. |
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Babu Parmanand canvasses for Ram Saroop Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Former Governor of Haryana and senior BJP leader Babu Parmanand today addressed public rallies in favour of BJP candidate for Akhnoor by-election, Ram Saroop Sharma. Addressing gatherings at Gurah Talab, Ganarwan and Nazle Chak, Babu Parmanand cautioned people not to fall pray to the disinformation being peddled by some caste based outfits. Weaker section of the society should rise above the caste-based politics and avoid emotional appeals in this behalf, he urged. Asking people to vote in favour of BJP candidate and reject already tested parties like Congress, he said that public must decide which party was sincere towards them. Meanwhile, intensifying his election campaign, BJP candidate Ram Saroop Sharma alongwith MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma also addressed public meetings at Ghar, Majoor, Jalala, Chang, Ganni, Baroon, Manaal, Bagla and Cheeral. While addressing gatherings, Ram Saroop alleged that the Congress was most interested in the welfare of its functionaries and has no genuine concern with the problems of the public. The only efforts which the Congress is making during these days is to misuse the official machinery and Government transport to improve the electoral prospects of its candidate who is kin of the Congress MP, he alleged. MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma, while addressing, alleged that corruption and unemployment have increased manifold during the coalition Government and the ruling coalition partners were engaged only in filling their coffers with money. |
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Pt. Prem Nath Shastri
award presented to Dr Jitendra Singh Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Candidly admitting that the Government could not do much for the displaced Pandits whose number in Government services has declined , Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma however expressed the hope that the community will return to their homes and hearths with honour and dignity as the situation is limping to normalcy there. Addressing the function organised by Pandit Prem Nath Jyotshi Shod Sansthan in connection with celebration of 84th Jyanti of Jyotshi Ji, he said the Kher Bhavani Mela and Amarnath yatra were conducted peacefully this year which indicates that there is a change in the situation. He expressed the hope that in next two to three years the situation will be totally normal in the Valley and displaced people will return with honour and dignity. He said the defeat of the Permanent Residents Disqualification Bill in the State Legislative Assembly has further strengthened the bonds of J&K state with India as all people of state including Muslims of Kashmir were opposed to this Bill. "We all heaved a sigh of relief after the defeat of this dangerous Bill", he added. Mr Sharma also announced a sum of Rs 25,000 from his personnel fund for the Pt. Prem Nath Shodh Sansthan and assured the help from Government also. On the occasion Deputy Chief Minister conferred this year’s Pt. Prem Nath Shastri Memorial Award to Dr Jitendra Singh, the renowned Diabetologist and author in recognition of his research work in the field of diabetes which has been common among the displaced people from the Valley after their mass exodus. Mr Sharma later released the audio CD of Bhagwat Gita in Kashmiri composed by Jyotshi Prem Nath Shastri. He also felicitated the meritorious students from Kashmiri Pandit community who were among the first 20 position holders in class 10th examinations during the year 2003-04 on behalf of the Sansthan. Besides he also felicitated Asha Zaroo a renowned artist, Kailash Mehara a well known singer, Luthara Academy, Jagrati and Abahay High School students for presenting a colourful cultural programme. Addressing the function Padam Shri J N Kaul, chairman of SOS Villages of India and patron of the Sansthan urged the community members to strengthen this Sansthan with their active support and cooperation. He said the branches of the Sansthan have been started in Faridabad and a chair of Jyotshi Prem Nath Shastri will also be installed at Sharika Bhawan Faridabad, besides at Banaras Hindu University. He said this Sansthan will be a deemed University in near future and urged the J&K Government to allot the land to it. Speaking on the occasion Jyotshi Omkar Nath Shastri said the Sansthan has come in the field with a big mission and we hope that the community will fully cooperate us in achieving our goal. He expressed grave concern over the social evils which have gripped the community and announced that the Sansthan will launch a crusade against them. A enlightening paper on the life and contribution of Jyotshi Prem Nath Shastri was read by Dr Bhushan Lal Koul a renowned scholar. He described Jyotshi Ji a dyeon of Kashmiri culture whom the community is highly indebted for his valuable services. Another research paper on Abhinav Gupt was read by Pardeep Koul Khudbali on the occasion. In his address Dr Susheel Watal, general secretary , of the Sansthan highlighted its aims and objectives. He said this Sansthan was born with a mission, which he hoped will be accomplished with the cooperation and active support of the community. He also paid rich tributes to Pt. Prem Nath Shastri and said the day will be now celebrated in memory of great saints, scholars and philosophers of Kashmir to whom this community is greatly indebted. He said besides awarding the meritorious students in various spheres of education, the Sansthan aims to start the crash courses for Sharda and Sanskrit in camps and non camp localities. On the occasion a colourful cultural programme was presented by the students of Jagrati Niketan , Luthara Academy and Abahay Public School. Kailash Mehra enthralled the audience with the melodious songs, While highly appreciating skits were presented by Asha Zaroo, Pardeep Pandit and Rakesh Tickoo. Sandeep Koul presented the Guru Vandhana. He was accompanied by Manik Raina on Sitar, Anil Raina and Vijay Raina. The programme was compered by Jai Krishan Koul Bezan ,a renowned theatre artist. |
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National Integration Camp inaugurated Excelsior Correspondent PATNITOP, Oct 5: Amidst beating of drums, folk dances and songs with great pomp and show, the week long second National Integration Camp-Cum-Youth Festival was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Tourism, Jugal Kishore at picturesque Patnitop, about 48 kilometers from Udhampur here last evening. As many as 350 youth from different universities across the country are participating in the festival. The festival is being jointly organized by Patnitop Development Authority and Department of Youth Services and Sports. Speaking at inaugural function, the Minister said that holding of such camps provide a common plateform to the participants and added that through wider exchange of ideas and interactions, the youth would get an opportunity to better understand the composite culture of the country. He said, this would help in strengthening the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood and national integration. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Executive Officer, Patnitop Development Authority K. K. Gupta said that National Integration Camp-Cum-Youth Festival would be fascinating, invigorating full of enjoyment and fun. Patnitop Development Authority in collaboration with the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports has chalked out the programme and events during the camp in such a way that the students are exposed to healthy competitions in order to improve their leadership qualities, character building and overall personality development. He hoped that participants would act as goodwill ambassadors of Jammu and Kashmir in general and Patnitop area in particular. The festival would also offer a chance to the youth to display the heritage and the culture of their respective regions and areas. On the occasion, a scintillating cultural bonanza presented by the students of various educational institutions and renowned artists of the state kept the audience spell bond. Captivating items presented by the artists include welcome song presented by Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Udhampur, Rajasthani Folk Dance presented by Novodya Vidyala, Udhampur, Samohik Gaan presented by Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Udhampur, Hindi Song presented by Mool Raj famous singer of National repute, Udhampur, Stage item, Navrang Theatre Group, Udhampur, Folk Dance, original Dogri Gitru presented by renowned artist Ramalo Ram and Group. Some more pop items also presented by the tourists which were highly appreciated by the audience. Among others, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Ashok Parmar, Director Tourism, Nirmal Sharma, Director Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy S. S. Bijral, Director School Education, Jammu Hardesh Kumar Singh, DIG and SSP, Udhampur were also present on the occasion. |
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Brutal killings of innocents continue on name of Jehad Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Senseless brutal killings of innocent persons including veterans, women and young children by the so-called Jehadis has become the order of the day now in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, which raise a question mark over such barbarities whether is it Jehad (Revolution) and also against whom. Alone in the month of August this year in 21 such incidents 30 innocent men, women and children have been killed in most barbaric manner. Farooq Ahmed Ganai of Pulwama was shot dead by terrorists because a release terrorist of Al Jehad outfit. Sixty year old Bashir Ahmed of Thanamandi was killed because his two sons were serving in security forces. Mohd Yunus Ganai of Magam in district Doda was shot dead because he was suspected to be a Mukhbir (Informer). Zubaida, 27 year old wife of a CRPF constable was shot dead at Poonch. Shamim Akhtar from Nilu Valley was killed within three days of her terrorist husband being shot dead by security forces. Suriya Begum of Doda district was shot at and her Dhok burnt because her son had enrolled as SPO. Fortunately she is still alive. Jehangir of Kokernag was beheaded. Farooq Sheikh of Surankot was kidnapped and killed by slitting his throat. Rauf Ahmed, a tea stall owner of Kupwara was killed with a pistol at close range. The last three instances are with a difference. All three persons were not connected with terrorist activities in any way. Probably the reason for which they lost their lives was that they did not succumb to terrorists attempts towards extortion or that their families could not pay the ransom amount in time. This reign of terror has been unleashed in J&K by those who came to the Valley with promises of creating a revolution that would give freedom to the people of the State. The things have become such that none can earn even a single penny in the Valley without parting with a share of their earnings with terrorists. The people cannot take job in Government or security forces for fear of their families and this is the Jehad which the terrorists have brought alongwith them in the Valley. Terrorists have struck on both sides of Pir Panchal be it the areas like Kokernag, Milum Kangan, Sopore etc or Doda/Udhampur areas including Batan, Gandoh, Mahore or Surankote and Thanamandi in Poonch and Rajouri districts. they Take no compensation for women and children, who have been becoming their soft targets. The recent reverses that terrorists have faced viz lack of local support, constant fear of ignominious death at the hands of security forces, realization of the fact that they are marked people sue to be killed sooner or later, has further demented the already sadistic and medieval mindset of the terrorists. Without local support it has become amply clear that the days of terrorists are numbered. Yaseen distributes relief among
161 students Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 5: Reiterating the commitment of the present Government to rehabilitate those who got affected by the militancy, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Hakim Mohammad Yaseen said that it was the endeavour of the Government to provide all assistance to the victims of the militancy. Mr Yaseen was addressing a function at District Police Lines Budgam today. The function was organised by the J&K Police in collaboration with an NGO "Eik Nai Subha" to distribute cash relief to the students of the Budgam districts belonging to militancy affected families. The Minister said that the people of the State suffered a lot because of the militancy and expressed hope that long lasting peace, tranquility and prosperity would see its dawn very soon as evident from the improving situations. Saying that thousands of families got badly affected, a similar number of children were rendered orphans and hundreds of families lost their bread earners, Mr Yaseen highlighted the role of police and NGOs in the rehabilitation of the militancy hit victims and hoped that they would march ahead with a missionary vision in this regard. The Minister said that the Government would provide land and financial assistance for the construction of rehabilitation centres at district levels and appealed the NGOs and philanthropists to come forward in this regard and to attend the militancy hit victims for mitigating their miseries. Appreciating the role of the "Eik Nai Subha" NGO Mr Yaseen said that the organization has already held such camps at Kathua and Udhampur districts. He said that District level rehabilitation committees would be constituted under the chairmanship of the concerned Deputy Commissioner’s SP’s and members from Eik Nai Subha and other NGO’s engaged in the rehabilitative programmes in the State. The Minister distributed cheques among 161 militancy affected students of Budgam district. Each student was provided Rs. 1000. A medical check up camp was also held at DPL Budgam by Jammu and Kashmir Police and Eik Nai Subha NGO in which hundreds of orphans and widows of the district were medically checked and provided medicines. The Director General of Police, Gopal Sharma speaking on the occasion said that Police has always been involved in restoring peace and rehabilitating those affected because of militancy for last 15 years in the State. Additional Director General of Police Armed, Kuldeep Khuda, Additional Director of Police Home Guard, P.S. Gill, IGP Modernization, Dr. Vaid, IGP Crime and Railways Abdul Rashid Khan, DIG Srinagar-Budgam, Mohammad Amin Shah, DIG Security, Mohammad Subhan Lone, Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Bashir Ahmad and other officers of police and civil administration, besides a large number of people were present on the occasion. Mishra brothers perform at MAM College Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: As a part of ‘Lecture and Discussion’ series to create awareness and interest among youth for Indian classical music, J&K Chapter of Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Among Youth (SPIC-MACAY), organised a musical concert at Government MAM College, yesterday. The Mishra brothers sung ‘Raag Dhani’ and ‘Raag Bhageshri’ and made the audience spell bound. The classical singers of international repute also explained the rationale for playing classical music and said that only music has the soothing effect on the irritating mind and capacity to take one to the blissful state. The programme started with the lighting of traditional lamp by Principal of the college, Prof Indra S Rathore, who also presided over the programme. Speaking on the occasion, she said that today’s man was torn between pairs of opposites - happiness and unhappiness, faith and doubt, low achievements in the face of high expectations and so on. However, music is panacea for all these problems, she opined and exhorted the audience to fully enjoy fun and felicity of matchless presentation by the peerless team of Rajan Mishra and Sajan Mishra. Prof Manisha Kohli regulated the proceedings and also presented formal vote of thanks. Puran reviews Kargil development works Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 5: Minister of State for Forests and Environment Th. Puran Singh during his visit to Kargil held an officers meeting there yesterday in which discussions with regard to funds utilized were held. He also took stock of position of supplies of timber and firewood in the district. A deputation from Drass also met him and requested for allotment of sufficient stocks of firewood for the winters. The concerned DFO was asked to take immediate action and keep the Minister posted of the action taken. The Minister also held a meeting of officers of Forests, Soil Conservation, Social Forestry and Wildlife at Khalsi and discussed different aspects of the development in the area. Singh during his meeting in the AICC President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi projected various problems of the Pahari speaking people and asked for a special economic package to Rajouri and Poonch districts besides carrying out of special recruitment drive in the twin districts. The Minister also had a meeting with Minister for Youth Services and Sports at Kargil wherein different issues relating to Forest, Conservation etc. were discussed. On his way to Srinagar he inspected Forest Check Posts at Sonamarg, Kangan and Ganderbal and inspected the records being maintained with regard to supplies of timber. Vote for Cong is vote for development: PCC leaders Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Canvassing for the party candidate in Akhnoor by-election, senior leaders of JKPCC today said that a vote for Congress would be a vote for development as the party was going to take reigns of the State after completition of Mufti Mohd Sayeed’s tenure as Chief Minister. Addressing public meetings at Gurha Mandiala, Bomal, Lehrian, Kot Garhi, Mawa, Karora, Jakhari and Bardhal Klan, the Congress leaders, including Madan Lal Sharma (MP), Yogesh Sawhney (MoS Youth Services, Sports and Technical Education), Abdul Ghani Vakil, Khem Lata Wakloo, Mohammad Anwar Bhat, Abdul Majid Paddar and Abdul Qayoom Shah, claimed that what the previous Government could not do in past 27 years, the Congress has done that in less than two years. The amount of development that has taken place in Akhnoor and entire State, speaks of the coalition Government’s clear intentions and a positive attitude towards sufferings of masses, said Madan Lal Sharma. MoS Yogesh Sawhney said that the Congress was committed for the development of people and reminded people of the works done by Madan Lal Sharma. Abdul Ghani Vakil, senior PCC vice-president, in his address, announced that Ghulam Nabi Azad will take over the reigns of Jammu and Kashmir Government as soon as the tenure of Mufti Mohd Sayeed as Chief Minister completes. Khem Lata Wakhloo and others Congress leaders also addressed the gatherings and appealed people to vote for Sham Lal Sharma for overall development of the State and Akhnoor. Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar Oct 5: Stressing the need for the strict adherence of traffic norms, Director General of Police, Gopal Sharma, today asked youth in particular to limit their speed keeping in view the conveyance of pedestrians and other road users. Speaking at a daylong seminar on traffic awareness programme organized by the Traffic Police Kashmir in collaboration with Higher Education Department at Government College of education M.A. Road, DGP referred to the general trend among the youth for high speed and said this not only causes accidents but also hampers the smooth movement of road users. Expressing concern on the rash driving by youngsters, he advised them to be cautious while overtaking other vehicles as this may cause accidents. Mr.Sharma said though the law will take its course against violators, the vehicle operators have to cooperate in regulating the traffic movement. He said vehicular traffic has increased immensely but the condition of the roads has not improved to the desired level during the past two decades. He said this aspect has to be kept in mind by the policy planners while designing the schemes for the perspective expansion. On the occasion, SSP Traffic Rauf-ul-Hassan gave an audio visual demonstration about the traffic scenario in the valley with graphic account of number of vehicles, condition of roads and occurrences of accidents. Mr.Sharma, also announced cash prize of Rs.1000/- to each performer of the cultural troupe who presented the cultural programme. Later DGP gave momentous to Dr.Ashok Bhan, ADGP, CID, Director Colleges, Dr Muzaffar Ahmed Khan, Principal of College of Education and Principals S. P. College and Women College, M. A. Road and merit certificates to the students of various Educational Institutions of the Valley. Lecture on ‘blood donation’ organised Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: A lecture on "blood donation" was today organised in Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar in connection with World Voluntary Blood Donation Day’s week long celebrations. Prominent doctors and Professors besides students attended the lecture. College Principal Prof Asha Sharma presided over the function. In her address, she observed that blood donation is a step to promote amity, peace and brotherhood. Lauding efforts of Dr T R Raina, Professor Blood Bank SMGS Hospital and Consultant of Blood Banks and Laboratories of Director Health Services, Jammu, Prof Sharma stressed for making the people aware of maintaining the healthy practice of blood donation. Dr T R Raina cleared the misconception that donating blood makes a person weak. He elaborated the point in detail to the students. "Blood donation is a unique way of celebrating important occasions of a person’s life", Dr Raina asserted. A similar inter-action was also organised by Dr T R Raina at Government higher secondary school, Purani Mandi. Hindi Divas function organised at AG Office Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: A function was organised in the office of Accountant General in connection with the Hindi Divas here today. Prize distribution was also the part of this concluding function at the culmination of Hindi fortnightly celebrations. During this period various departmental and inter-departmental competitions relating to the national language were held. The departmental competitions also included translation, word knowledge, noting and drafting and quiz. Inter-departmental contests include—essay writing, slogan writing, debate, reciting of poems/sons etc. Cash awards were given to the winners in these contests. Chief Controller Defence Accounts, K Shanker was the chief guest in the concluding function while Accountant General, J Wilson presided over. The chief guest distributed prizes among the winners and appreciated the work being done by the AG office in promoting national language. An impressive cultural programme was also presented on the occasion by artists drawn from various organisations and baby artists drawn from residential colony of AG office employees. Dy Accountant General S K Mengi presented vote of thanks. MAM College organises Intra-College Painting competition Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: Government MAM College organised Intra-College Painting Cartooning , sketching competition on Monday attracting participation from many students. Speaking on the occasion, Principal of the College , Prof. Indira S Rathore emphasized the need for greater participation of the students in various competitive meets to ensure their balanced growth. The results were declared by a panel of judges including Prof. Sarbpreet, Prof. Nalini Pathania and Prof. Maheem. In sketching first,second and third prize winners were Baljeet Singh Choudhary, Arun Kumar and Bhupesh. In cartooning Harpreet Singh, Ajay Kumar and Daleep Kumar were declared first ,second and third prize winners. In painting competition special prize was given to Yogdeep Kumar. Prof. Indira S Rathore appreciated the role of Prof. Nalini Kohli convenor, cultural programmes, Prof Neelu Gupta, Prof. Usha Gadroo and Prof Maheem for organising the event efficaciously. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 5: To involve the children passionately in the gigantic task of protection of wild life and preservation of forests, a scintillating programme in connection with the celebrations of wild life protection week based on debates and painting competition was organised at K. B Public School, Channi Himmat by the Wild Life Protection Department. Chief Conservator of Forests, P. C Kapoor presided over the function. Addressing the students and teachers on the significance of wild life protection and preservation of Green Gold, he said that students should involve them selves whole heartily to explore the unbounded field of bio-diversify, where really rest the sustainability of human beings on this planet. While castigating the culture of corruption, he said that every efforts have been made to uproot this menace and the department is fully determined to up held the protection of bio-diversity for the well being of mankind. On the occasion, Mr Kapoor announced the setting up of Dr Salim Ali eco-club who was a great ornithologist, to disseminate the knowledge about the protection of wild life and conservation of forests. Addressing at the programme the chief executive officer of the Baba Ghulam Shah Technical University Shadra Sharief, Masood Chowdhary said that Gujjar community has a very intimate relation with the environment and this education institution is entirely devoted to further the cause of environment protection. He said that the approaching century would be the century of bio and genetic sciences, which would also improve our knowledge on the environment. The Regional Wild Life Warden, Lalit Sharma highlighted the urgency of bio-diversify in maintaining the environment healthy. He said that our state is an abode of migratory birds and numerous wet lands like Hakarsar and Haygam wet land in Srinagar and Nanga, Kokrian Gharana are wet lands in Jammu provision which provides shelter to these migratory birds. Mr Zaffar Chowdhary, Miss Musarat and Miss Humara were adjudged first, second and third in debating respectively Miss Aishia Noor, Miss Shaida and Mr Farooq were declared first, second and third respectively in painting and they would be presented prizes on the valedictory function at Indira Gandhi environment interpretation centre, Manda on October 8, 2004. Taj visits Marwah, Warwan areas Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 5: The Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Taj Mohi-ud-Din today visited Marwah, Warwan, Dachhan distant areas of Kishtwar and took stock of foodgrains and other essential commodities. During his visit, the Minister was informed that about 16,000 quintals of foodgrains are available in these areas while interacting with the local people, he sought feedback about supply process which the people described satisfactory. The Minister also took review of the pace of various development works and inspected various Government departments. Various deputations met the Minister and apprised him about their various problems which includes posting of staff in Government school Marwah besides posting of Block Development Officer. The deputation asked for expediting the work on the Kishtwar-Dachhan road. The Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner, Doda for early redressal of the grievances of the people. He assured the deputations that the Government is committed to provide amble stocks of foodgrains in the remote areas of Marwah-Warwan. The Minister was accompanied by Director, Consumer Affairs and PD, Kashmir, Khalid Habib, Deputy Commissioner, Doda, G.A. Qureshi. |
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