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| 52,963 voters to exercise franchise in Kathua civic polls Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Jan 22: Around 52,963 voters, including 25454 females and 27509 females, will exercise their franchise for the forthcoming civic bodies’ polls in Kathua district........more Army
Commander Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Northern Command Investiture Ceremony was held at Mamun today under the aegis of the Gurj Division..........more By Lalit Gupta JAMMU, Jan 22: The recent demand by Gujjars intellectuals for the inclusion of Gojri language in the VIII Schedule is the sure sign of the growing sense of cultural emancipation linked with official recognition of the community..........more AIKS
delegation calls Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Jan 22: A delegation of All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) which called on Ms Sushma Choudhary....more Army Chief
presents Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: General N C Vij, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of Army Staff awarded "Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card"....more |
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JMC polls
golden Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: ‘Forthcoming Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections is a golden opportunity for Pradesh Bharatiya Janta Party to revive the party in J&K State as there is an undercurrent in support of BJP candidates while ruling alliance partners are fighting against each other’........more Mula, Mir
address Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Congress candidates intensified their campaign for the forthcoming Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections. Due to down pours and severe cold, most of the candidates preferred in-door meetings and door.............more PDP
releases Ist list of Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Taking a lead, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) today released first list its candidates for the Municipal Council Kathua as well as Municipal.........more Heavy
rains, severe Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: The incessant rains for the last 48 hours and severe cold wave could not dampen the spirit of candidates contesting Jammu Municipal......more |
52,963 voters to exercise franchise in Kathua civic polls Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Jan 22: Around 52,963 voters, including 25454 females and 27509 females, will exercise their franchise for the forthcoming civic bodies’ polls in Kathua district. The district, which has 5 Municipal Committees and one Municipal Council, is going to polls on February 7. For Municipal Council Kathua, which has total 17 wards, there are 17629 male and 16478 female voters, including eunches. Ward number 16 of Municipal Council Kathua, has highest number of 3033 voters. Municipal Committee Lakhanpur has lowest number of votes among all the civic bodies not only the district but entire State. There are total 1163 votes, including 607 males and 556 females. The Committee has total 7 wards and in ward number 3, there are only 133 votes. The number of voters in Municipal Committee Parole, Billawar, Basohli, Hiranagar, Barnoti are; 5037, 3230, 4318, 5106 and 4318 respectively. According to a official spokesman, 22 seats are reserved in the total six Municipal Committees and one Municipal Council. In Kathua Council, 6 seats are reserved for women i.e. five for open and one for SC woman. In Lakhanpur, Parole, Hiranagar, Basohli and Billawar Committees, number of reserved seats for women are; 2, 4, 4, 4 and 2 respectively. |
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Army Commander presents gallantry awards Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Northern Command Investiture Ceremony was held at Mamun today under the aegis of the Gurj Division. The Army Commander Lt Gen Hari Prasad presented gallantry and distinguished service medals to 25 officers, seven JCOs and 32 other ranks. These included three posthumous awardees whose next of kin were felicitated. These gallant soldiers had displayed courage and dedication beyond the call of duty in the face of enemy and adversity. They had also fought the weather and inhospitable terrain while doing their duty. their sacrifices played an important role in maintaining the sanctity of the border while ensuring return of normalcy and peace in the region. Col Manmohan Gupta was awarded YSM for successful planning and conduct of counter insurgency operations. late Capt Ajay Singh Rana, Sepoy Praveen Kumar and Sepoy Jaspal Singh were posthumously honoured with Sena Medals for having sacrificed their lives in the service of Nation. Maj Gen Maj Gen Mandir Singh Jamwal, Maj Gen Mahipal Singh and Major Sameer Lamba were honoured with Vishisht Seva Medals for distinguished services enhancing the functional efficiency and bringing glory to the organization. The Army Commander in his address extolled the role of Army deployed in J&K in fighting terrorism and maintaining peace in the region. The next of kin of posthumous awardees were presented gifts by Mrs Lakshmi Hari Prasad, president, Army Wives Welfare Association in a function held under the ceremony. The ceremony was well attended with several decorated officers, ex-servicemen and civil dignitaries gracing the occasion. |
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Demand
for Gojri’s inclusion in 8th Schedule By Lalit Gupta JAMMU, Jan 22: The recent demand by Gujjars intellectuals for the inclusion of Gojri language in the VIII Schedule is the sure sign of the growing sense of cultural emancipation linked with official recognition of the community as distinct ethnic and linguistic group. The transformation of Gojri language from oral tradition to written literature is one of the many cultural changes that the eight million strong Gujjar community of India, with majority in the State of J&K, has witnessed in recent years. With fast changing life styles and increased sccio-political awakening amongst the Gujjars in general, the questions relating to the official recognition of their distinct cultural identity has emerged as a major issue that has the support of Gujjar intellectuals, scholars and community leaders. Already included by Government of Jammu and Kashmir in the VI Schedule of State’s Constitution, the recent demand for Gojri’s inclusion in the VIII Schedule of the Indian Constitution is being sought to be appreciated in the light of aspiration of Gujjars who like the recently included languages such as Bodo. Maithali, Santhali and Dogri, also want to draw attention towards the autonomous character of Gojri language on one hand and its inherent strength to emerge as a modern language capable of becoming a tool to communicate complex ideas and concepts that inform present day sensibilities. The development of Gojri as a modern language, according to scholars dates to the compilation of first ever Grammar of Gojari in 1905, by Oxford University under T.Graham Baily. The Linguistic Survey of India undertook survey of various aspects of Gojri language and found it to be one of the main languages instrumental in developing and flourishing of other languages of Northern India. The Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, has published number of books on linguistic aspects of Gojri. Recognizing the importance of the language, various stations of All India Radio and TV kendras are already running various Gojri programmes. Some of these include Radio Kashmir Jammu, Srinagar, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua and seven radio stations of Pakistan and TV. During past one hundred years a large number of Gojri books have been published on various subjects which include encyclopedias, dictionaries, grammars, poetry, prose, flora, fauna, folklore, art, architecture, agriculture, sociology and research documents. The national academy of letters, Sahitya Akedemi, New Delhi, has also recognized Gojri as one of the major Indian languages for the purpose of Bhasha Samman. The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has, for the last 30 years, a well established Gojri section which is continuously involved with publication of hundreds of books, dictionaries and other research works. Academy is thus playing a pivotal role in the development of Gojri as a modern language. Two State universities of Jammu and Kashmir, have awarded several Ph.D’s on research projects on Gojri. Now when Gujjars-the noble nomads, are fast turning to the settled ways of life, the issue of the official recognition to their language is emerging as a symbol of their recognition as a distinct linguistic and cultural group within the national mosaic where the languages of similar smaller communities already stand recognized. |
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AIKS delegation calls on Sushma Choudhary Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Jan 22: A delegation of All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) which called on Ms Sushma Choudhary, chairperson of the high powered inter-ministerial team on Kashmiri migrants here, today has sought the confidence building measures along with constitutional guarantees before any dialogue with the representatives of the organisation is initiated by the Government on the return of the community to their homes. The delegation was led by AIKS chief, M K Kaw. It demanded that the Centre should ensure political, social and economic rights of the displaced community. Sharing the concern over the plight of the displaced community, Ms Choudhary assured the delegation to recommend the regularisation of employees including teachers in Delhi and other parts of country. She also assured the delegation to recommend an ordinance for upkeep and management of Hindu shrines and places of worship and return of management control of minority educational institutions including the Gandhi Memorial College back to Pandits. This was stated in an AIKS handout issued here, today. It said the Inter Ministerial Committee has also asked the J&K Government to devise immediate mechanism to vacate encroachments and grabbing of properties of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. The handout said the team has further asked the Government to prepare an inventory of property of displaced Kashmiri Pandits and put it on website at the earliest. The delegation also made a detailed presentation on the short and long term rehabilitation of KPs to the team. It among other things demanded that top priority be given to 7000 Kashmiri Pandits still living in Valley and two room sets be constructed on war footing for migrants. It reiterated that for the permanent rehabilitation and return a safe and secure environment in the Valley is must. It said the Kashmiri Pandits will return to their homes in the Valley only when the conditions are conducive for the same. It said an inter community debate must precede the return and no decision in this regard should be taken. |
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Army Chief presents COAS Card to IGP K Rajendra Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: General N C Vij, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of Army Staff awarded "Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card" to Inspector General Police K Rajendra Kumar, IPS for his sterling contribution in anti-terrorist drive in the State. The award was presented in a glittering ceremony organised at Air Force Station Jammu in the presence of Major General Mandhata Singh, YSM, Chief of Staff, 16 Corps, Director General of Police J&K Gopal Sharma IPS, IGP Jammu S P Vaid and other senior Army, Air Force and Police Officers. |
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JMC polls golden chance for BJP’s revival: Khurana Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: ‘Forthcoming Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections is a golden opportunity for Pradesh Bharatiya Janta Party to revive the party in J&K State as there is an undercurrent in support of BJP candidates while ruling alliance partners are fighting against each other’. This was stated by senior BJP leader and former Governor of Rajasthan Madan Lal Khurana, while formally kicking off party election campaign for JMC polls, here today. Exhorting party workers to remain united and work hard for the victory of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance candidates, Mr Khurana reminded that the State BJP was routed in 2002 Assembly elections only because of infighting in the party and hence a lesson should be taken from previous mistakes. He also highlighted importance of Corporation as well as Corporators in providing basic amenities to people and said," Corporators can do a lot for development of the city and the party candidates should carry this message among people of their respective wards." Even as incessant rain forced BJP to make a change in venue of the rally at the eleventh hour from Pt Prem Nath Dogra Chowk to Geeta Bhawan, the hostile weather failed to dampen spirit of the party activists who had reached there in a big number from different wards. Led by their respective candidates, the BJP as well as Shiv Sena workers continued to rent air with shouting of slogans. Some of them were carrying banners depicting slogans in support of their candidates. Speaking on the occasion, State BJP president, Dr Nirmal Singh, claimed that BJP candidates in JMC polls were most deserving among all the contenders of different political parties as well as independents. Former Union Minister Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, reminded the contribution of BJP in highlighting the problems of Jammu people and stressed that the party would remain in forefront in struggle against any misdeeds of the Government. Former Governor of Haryana, Babu Parmanand, stressed that BJP should also concentrate on small and civic issues in the polls as people don’t know much about Corporations and urban local bodies since election of the same are being held in the State after 25 years. State BJP general secretary, Ashok Khajuria, charged the coalition Government with failure on all fronts and alleged that the ruling partners were in alliance only to share power and loot coffers of public exchequer. Besides BJP incharge for J&K State, Manohar Lal, all office bearers of Pradesh BJP as well as Shiv Sena (Thackrey) State unit, were present on the occasion |
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Mula, Mir address meetings for Congress candidates Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Congress candidates intensified their campaign for the forthcoming Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections. Due to down pours and severe cold, most of the candidates preferred in-door meetings and door to door contact with voters. Congress Ministers started campaign in favour of party candidates, with Minister for Social Welfare, Mula Ram inaugurating election offices of Congress candidates at Chinore and Patta Paloura. Addressing the gatherings, Mula Ram appealed the people for mass participation in the election. He requested the people to vote in favour of Congress candidates for speedy development of their areas. Minister of State for Roads and Buildings and senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir addressed series of election meetings at Durga Nagar and Patoli to seek support for the Congress candidates from the area. Addressing the corner meetings at Durga Nagar, the Minister said that Kashmiri Pandits are part and parcel of Kashmiri culture and the Valley was totally incomplete without them. The Government is committed to their return with honour and dignity, he added. While asking the members of Kashmiri Pandit community to strengthen the Congress Party by making its candidates victorious, he said "Our Government is committed to the return of the migrants to their "homes and hearths" in then Valley with "honour and dignity". The meetings were also addressed by Congress leader Chuni Lal Bhat, Kamal Fotedar, Hira Lal and Party candidate Ward 64 Phoola Bhat. The Minister also held corner meetings at Patoli to seek the vote for the Congress candidate of the area. Dr Roop Lal Sharnma, Mahavir Singh, Uttam Singh and Rashpal Chand Kataria-all candidates and other leaders were present during inauguration of offices. Congress candidate from ward number 29, Manmohan Singh conducted series of in-door meetings. He visited various localities and interacted with people. He visited Gali number 1 to 7 and Guru Ravi Dass lane. People from all walks of life offered him full support and cooperation. Kirti Gupta, Congress candidate for ward number 26 conducted his door to door campaign. During the campaign, Mr Gupta met people of different shades and assured that their problems will be solved. Congress candidate for ward number 59, Maheshwar Singh, advocate intensified his door to door campaign and interacted with all sections of the society during his tour. While interacting with people, Mr Singh sought cooperation of the people and assured that he will leave no stone unturned in solving their problems, if elected. Congress candidate from ward number 23, Pawan Singh inaugurated election offices at Nai Basti and, Rampura and addressed some in-door meetings. He cautioned the people against nefarious designs of communal forces. Congress candidate for ward number 20, Gurmeet Singh started hectic door to door campaign. After getting blessing from senior party leader, Mr Singh visited several localities of the ward and interacted with people. Mohan Singh, ex-Municipal Councillor and Congress candidate from ward number 27, alongwith his supporters started door to door campaign and visited Maheshpura, Bakshi Nagar and adjoining areas of the ward. Congress candidate from Ward Number 50 Ajay Tony, while addressing series of meetings in the Ward, promised to provide uninterrupted water supply, proper sanitation, hospital and matador service and appealed the people to support him for the overall development of the area. He said that Congress doesn’t believe in the hollow slogans and promises but in deeds and added that it was due to the Congress party that Corporation elections are being held after such a long period. Mr Toni appealed the voters to keep in mind the level of development activities that the MLA of the area Raman Bhalla carried out during the last two and half year. Minister for Transport Raman Bhalla also convened a meeting of 24 candidates fielded by the Congress and advised them to highlight the development works having been carried out by the Coalition Government. Congress Seva Dal leader started campaign in favour of Congress candidates in various wards of the city and conducted door to door campaign. Seva Dal leaders visited Bahu Fort, Purani Mandi, Prem Nagar, Panjthirti, Gujjar Nagar, Jain Bazar and other areas in favour of party candidates. Meanwhile general secretary of district Congress committee has alleged that BJP leaders have been using religious places at Jammu and exploiting sentiments of the people which was violation of the code of conduct. Madan Lal Khurana, Chaman Lal Gupta, Babu Parmanand and Dr Nirmal Singh have addressed meeting of BJP workers at Geeta Bhawan which was violation of the code of conduct, the Congress leader stated. |
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PDP releases Ist list of candidates for Kathua Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Taking a lead, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) today released first list its candidates for the Municipal Council Kathua as well as Municipal Committees in the district which are going to polls on February 7. For Municipal Council Kathua, Baldev Raj Bhagat has been given the party mandate from ward number 4 while Jarnail Singh and Jasbir Kour will be PDP nominee from ward number 12 and 13, respectively. Om Shakti, Vinod Gupta and Anita Choudhary have been announced as the party candidates from ward number 14, 15 and 16, respectively. For Municipal Committee Hiranagar, PDP has given party mandate to Santosh Kumari, Nirmila Rani, Puran Chand, Umerla Devi, Des Raj, Dharam Pal and Bishano Devi from ward number 1, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, respectively. Rakesh Kumar, Manohar Lal Mangotra, Gundeep Kumar, Lekh Raj and Sarooj Bala will be PDP candidates in polls for Municipal Committee Nagari Parole from ward number 3, 7, 11, 12 and 13, respectively while for Municipal Committee Billawar, Nashatar Singh has been given party ticket from ward number 2 and Govind Ram from ward number 4. Announcing the first list of PDP candidates for Municipal Committee Basohli also, the party has given mandate to Gopal Krishan, Ram Payari and Narayan Dutt from ward number 1, 3 and 4, respectively. Subash Chander, Diwander Nath, Santosh Kumari, Mohd Akhtar and Sushma Devi will be party candidates from ward number 7, 9, 10, 11 and 13, respectively. |
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| Heavy rains, severe cold fail to dampen
spirit of candidates Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: The incessant rains for the last 48 hours and severe cold wave could not dampen the spirit of candidates contesting Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections, as they continued electioneering with more vigour and high spirits. Almost all the candidates remained on their toes throughout the day despite heavy rains as they don’t want to leave any chance to woo the voters and apprise them of their programmes and policies. The candidates remained stick to the door-to-door campaign and held indoor meetings. While the candidates in the wards of the walled city were seen visiting every house under umbrellas,their counterparts in the outskirts, used vehicles and loud speakers to attract the attention of the voters. There was no decline in the enthusiasm and spirit despite heavy rains and severe cold with candidates were seen busy in opening election offices and delivering speeches to the gathered public. "I cannot afford to remain indoor due to rains because a public worker has to remain on his toes in all weather conditions", said Vijay Kumar Gupta, Independent Candidate from Ward Number 4, who amidst heavy rains opened election office at Kali Janni. Raj Rani Mahajan, BJP candidate from Ward Number 28 Bakshi Nagar alongwith her supporters were braving hostile weather while conducting door-to-door campaign . With umbrellas in their hands and saffron robes round their necks, the supporters of Raj Devi were seen shouting slogans in praise of the party. Hustle and bustle continued in the election offices of all the parties and independent candidates with drenched supporters and campaigners were seen arriving and leaving the office for one sort of work or another. "Every minute is precious for us because we have to approach each and every inhabitant of the ward to apprise them about our policies and programmes", Surinder Singh—a supporter of NC candidate from Shastri Nagar said. Since it was not possible for the candidates to cover large distance in the outskirts of the city on foot in incessant rains, they chose vehicles fitted with loud speakers to appeal the voters to provide them an opportunity to serve them and the area. |
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Minister provides tips to
PDP candidates Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Minister for Tourism and Urban Development, Ghulam Hassan Mir has reiterated that Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) led coalition government’s firm determination and commitment to decentralize the powers to multi-dimensional development to cities and townships in the State. Addressing series of in-door meetings in favour of PDP candidates, Mr Mir said that the Government has formulated a comprehensive strategy to authorise the elected municipal bodies with all powers for over all supervision and monitoring of basic services like power and water supply, better education and health facilities besides improved civic amenities with thrust on aesthetic grandeur of urban areas. Enumerating the steps taken by the coalition regime during the last 26 months, Mr Mir said that the apart from upgrading all master plans of urban areas, the outskirts and underdeveloped sub-urban areas have been brought under the purview of Jammu Municipal Corporation and Srinagar Municipal Corporation for integrated development. The Minister said that Municipal Act enacted for the purpose also envisages the upgradation of town area/notified area committees to the status of municipal councils/committees. He said a number of parking slots have been developed to ease traffic pressure on the important roads of the two cities. He said likewise general bus stand in almost all the townships have been either completed or taken up in accordance with the growing needs. He said that town halls and shopping-cum-commercial complexes have also under construction in the townships to meet the growing requirement on social and economic front. Mr Mir appealed the people to support the well integrated, publicly popular honest and dedicated persons for electing team as their representatives in the municipal bodies. He said that once the representatives character to these bodies is restored after nearly three decades, result oriented schemes launched for the welfare of urban areas would be take off smoothly to address the civic problems and implementation of welfare schemes more effectively benefiting people at grass root level. The public meetings among others were addressed by Minister for PHE Qazi Mohammed Afzal, Minister of State for Education, Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone, Shanti Devi, MLA, Ved Mahajan, MLC, senior vice-president of PDP, Rangil Singh, general secretary of PDP and Dhaman Bhasin . The Minister also inaugurated election offices at six places. The Minister addressed a meeting at ward number 16, Jawahar Nagar and inaugurated office of party candidate Kalpana Thakyal. He asked the people to support PDP candidate. Earlier the Urban Development Minister convened a meeting of all PDP candidates and gave them tips for campaign in the election. The Minister interacted with the candidates and asked them to highlight achievements of the coalition regime. He educated the candidates about achievements of the PDP led coalition regime during the last twenty six months. PDP candidate for ward number 29, Ashok Jogi conducted door to door meeting at Rajpura Mangotra and adjoining areas. He sought cooperation of the people. PDP candidate from ward number 54, Renu Azad conducted door to door campaign. She visited sector 7 of Trikuta Nagar locality. PDP candidate for ward number 19, Sunita Bangotra visited Qasim Nagar and other areas and conducted door to door campaign. She interacted with large number of people. Meanwhile PDP (Nationalist) has decided to support to good candidate in the forthcoming Corporation elections. |
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Farooq’s
rally postponed due to bad weather Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: The proposed election rallies of National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah at Gurha Bakshinagar and Resham Ghar here were postponed today in view of bad weather while provincial NC president Ajay Sadhotra inaugurated seven election offices of the party in different wards of the city here today. The election rallies organised by Youth National Conference provincial president, Chander Mohan Sharma at Reshamghar Colony and Gurha Bakshinagar were cancelled today in view of bad weather and continuous rain. Now, the party has proposed to organise a massive function at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan here at 2 pm on Sunday. Besides Dr Abdullah, party president Omar Abdullah will also be attending the programme. All the contesting candidates of the Party and other senior functionaries will also be present. Meanwhile, door to door campaign of the Party candidates was affected today in view of the continuous rain and bad weather in Jammu city while party senior leader and president for Jammu province Ajay Sadhotra inaugurated election office in Ward No 1 ( Panjtirthi), where party candidate Bhupinder Basin is contesting. Second party office was opened by him in Ward No. 31 ( Puran Nagar) where woman candidate Manmeet Kour has been fielded and the third office was inaugurated in Ward No. 10 (Gali Khilonen Wali) where another woman candidate Sudha Sareen is in the fray. Another office was opened in Ward No. 41 at Patta Bohri. Rekha Manhas is contesting from this ward. Mr Sadhotra, accompanied by senior party leaders—Rattan Lal Gupta senior vice president, Brij Mohan Sharma MLC, Satpal Lakhotra (Ex-MLA) and Chander Mohan Sharma ( Sr YNC leader) also inaugurated offices in ward No. 20 and 21 Gandhinagar and Nanak Nagar and Ward No. 53 and 54 Trikuta Nagar. From Ward No. 20 Malvinder Singh Bindra is the party candidate while Vinod Sharma is contesting from Ward 21. Dheeraj Sharma is contesting from Ward 53 while Pooja Sharma from Ward 54. Meanwhile, Mohalla Welfare Committee Shastrinagar members launched campaign for NC candidate Anuradha Goswami on Friday. The door-to-door campaign was also carried on today despite bad weather. MLC Depinder Kour, Surinder Singh, H C Bhagat (SP Retd) and Lt Col (Retd) M R Uppal also accompanied. They pleaded for votes in favour of Anuradha for better development of the area. Vigyan Bharti Kaila, NC candidate for Ward No 3 ( Mastgarh/ Pirmitha) also carried door to door campaign to garner public support. She assured the people to improve lanes and drains of the area besides reviving Govt Primary school and open a health centre in the area. Er Ajay Bhagat also conducted campaign in his ward No. 37 including Indira Colony and Bhawani Nagar alongwith his supporters today. Shashi Kiran Pandita, N C candidate from Ward No 67 launched a door to door campaign in Laxmi Nagar, Abhay Lane Muthi to seek vote in her favour. While talking to a cross section of people she assured them that if elected as Councilor she will strive for bettering the civic amenities, construction of roads, drains and lanes in the area. |
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No solution except Homeland acceptable to Pandits: PKM Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Terming the statement of Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Hakim Mohammed Yasin that 1,300 Pandit families are ready to return to Kashmir as totally misleading, the Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM) today reiterated that no proposal except carving out of a separate homeland in Valley was acceptable to Pandits. Talking to mediapersons here, this afternoon, the PKM chief Ashwani Kumar Chrangoo said that Pandits do not accept any proposal to live in clusters or the houses left by them until and unless the reasons which were responsible for the mass exodus of the community are reversed. He said the Margdarshan resolution of 1991 reflects the aspirations of the community and there can be no proposal much more than that which can fulfill our aspirations. He asked how the community will return to the Valley as the ethnic cleansing and exodus is still continuing and out of 20,000 Pandits living in the Valley after the mass exodus in 1990-91, the number has declined to 7000 now. On the recent visit of Prime Minister and inter ministerial team to various camps he said, there is no movement so for regarding the construction of two room sets, enhancement of cash relief, employment package and bettering of sanitation in camps. Outrightly rejecting the autonomy proposal, Mr Chrangoo said this issue is based on the theory that J&K is a Muslim majority state and the autonomy gives it a separate Constitution. He said the autonomy has been rejected by us 50 years back as it will bring a dark period for the state. Moreover, there will be no place for KPs if state is granted the autonomy, he apprehended. He said though elections have a significance in a democracy but they are not going to settle the KPs problem. Still the community has not passed any resolution whether to participate or boycott the civic polls, he added. On the deletion of the names of KPs from electoral rolls in the Valley he termed it a big conspiracy which has deliberately been hatched to deprive the community of voting rights. This is a ploy to technically delink the community from the land of Kashmir, he added. The PKM also welcomed the decision of the Centre to entrust the Home Minister, Shiv Raj Patil an important mission of considering the various shades of opinion with reference to Kashmir tangle. It said the decision is well in time and quite encouraging for the exiled Kashmiri Pandits. He said the PKM has also submitted a memorandum to Home Minister highlighting the plight of the Pandits and their stand on the resolution of Kashmir issue. |
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Spiritual Awareness Society organises ‘Satsang’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Spiritual Awareness Society organised Satsang at Rehiyan village where Dr K Krishnaji Maharaj delivered sermons. On his arrival, Dr Krishna was accorded warm reception by the residents of the area and his devotees. He was accompanied by the general secretary of the Society, Omeshwar Raina. Dr Prem, district president of the Society in his welcome address threw light on the life and achievements of Dr Krishna. He disclosed how Dr Krishnaji Maharaj achieved spiritual awareness on August 16, 1964. While elaborating his experiences, he disclosed howDr Krishna achieved and realised the certain truths by chanting "Om" for which Dr Krishna stresses the masses to adhere the same. Dr Krishna while delivering the sermon said he do not belonged to any particular sect or any so called religion.The greatest weakness in the religions is the acceptance of conceptional God as a supreme father and through it an ultimate reality. He said that spirituality is the essence of soul which can make the world pleasant and prosperous. "Om’s" chanting is only to have the upward trend of ultrasound or Prashakti through spinal cord to have complete rest on its actual seat that is Trikuti. Later, ‘parsad’ was delivered to the devotees. |
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Delegation of Chenab Valley Council meets Governor Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: A well represented delegation of All Party Action Committee Chenab Valley Hill Development Council led by its chief patron Sheikh Abdul Rehman, former MP, called on the J&K Governor Lt Gen (Redt) S K Sinha to project their demands. The Governor was kind enough to give a very patient and sympathetic hearing to the brief but very relevant representation of the hard facts pertaining to the long neglected and most discriminated biggest district of the State inclusive of Gool block of Udhampur district. The spokesman of the Action Committee apprised the Governor of the peaceful and democratic step taken by the organization so far in convincing the State Government about this genuine issue of the area to avoid confrontation and agitational path. The Governor assured the deputation of advising the State Government on this matter for its consideration at the ensuing Assembly session. He also advised the delegation to approach Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Central Minister in this behalf. A written memorandum of All Party Action Committee was also submitted to Gen Sinha for his perusal and consideration. Others in the delegation included Hari Krishan Tikku of Paddar, Kewal Singh Manhas of Bhallessa, Dr B D Sharma of Kishtwar, M N Koul, Sansar Chand and Prof Mohd Ayoub of Bhaderwah and Mrs Amrit Versha of Ramban. |
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Independents assure better civic amenities Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: Providing better civic amenities and accountability are high on the agenda of independent candidates contesting Jammu Municipal Corporation elections. Mr Bansi Lal Gupta, Independent Candidate from Ward Number 20 sought people’s support and cooperation in the Corporation elections. In an emergent meeting of his supporters, he urged them to work unitedly and apprise people about his policies and programmes. He vowed to work for the commoners and would always be available for the help of the inhabitants of the ward. During door-to-door campaigning, he listened the problems of the people and assured them the early redressal of their problems. He appealed the people to make him victorious so that he can lead them to the path of development. Mr Anil Gupta, Independent Candidate from Ward Number 15 today opened an election office in Mohalla Pratap Garh. A large number of inhabitants were present on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, he assured to eradicate corruption and provide better civic amenities in the Ward and appealed the voters to elect him to the Corporation. Mr Romesh Gupta, Independent Candidate from Ward Number one conducted door to door campaign. Accompanied by members of Mohalla Sudhar Committee, he appealed the voters to elect him for the development of the area. Independent candidate from Ward Number 4, Vijay Kumar Gupta also opened an election office at Kali Janni and addressed the gathering. He said that political parties have always betrayed the people and they have no right to govern the Municipal Corporation. He assured that if elected he would provide better civic amenities and would work for accountability in the Corporation. All J&K Sikh Progressive Front Jammu launched election campaign in the favour of Sardarni Surjit Kour contesting election from Ward Number 44. During door-to-door campaign, the people assured her to cast vote in her favour. Independent candidate from Ward Number 26 Kirti Kapil also launched door-to-door campaign and assured the voters to provide better civic amenities and a school in the area. Mr Kulbhushan Mohtra, Independent Candidate from Ward Number 40 also intensified campaign and addressed series of indoor meetings of the people of the area. He has decided to take our a rally in the ward tomorrow. Balbir Singh Manhas, Independent candidate from Ambedkar Nagar convened a meeting of the inhabitants of the area wherein he highlighted his programmes and policies. |
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Army organises free medical camp at Sagra Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: The Krishna Ghati Brigade as part of Operation Sadbhavana has been making concerted efforts to reach out to the local populace in insurgency hit remote areas along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The Balnoi Battalion under the aegis of Brig Hemant Mahajan, YSM, Commander Krishna Ghati Brigade has always stepped ahead to provide basic civic amenities and medical services to the locals of these far flung and underdeveloped villages which have been grossly neglected. To alleviate their sufferings the Balnoi Battalion organized a free medical camp today at Model Village Sagra for locals of villages Ghani, Balnoi, Sagra, Dabraj, Mankot, Bhatachheter, Khourdhera, Hargla, Achhad and Bobby Camp. A large number of specialists including medical, surgical, gynaecologist and dental surgeons provided free medical care to the patients. The specialists also provided assistance and advice on advanced medical treatment to seriously ill patients. Over 2400 people including 1025 women and 586 children attended the camp. Successful conduct of the medical camp in this remote area is yet another demonstration of the Army’s good will for civil population and resolves to improve their living conditions. Another body floated to fight for reorganisation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 22: An organisation in the name and style of People’s Revolutionary Movement has been formed to take up the cudgels to revive the past glory, great heritage and culture of the Jammu. The formation of the organisation was disclosed at a press conference by Advocate Rajinder Jamwal. "Since Jammu is passing through a precarious situation and is facing the crisis of identity the revival of past glory is necessary and formation of People’s Revolutionary Movement is a step in this direction", he said. He said that People’s Revolutionary Movement will work for the cause of Jammu region and work for reorganisation of the State which is the only solution to the Kashmir issue. Mr Jamwal said that though there are so many organisations working for the reorganisation of the State, yet they have failed to make this demand a movement. "We will initiate all possible steps to bring together Jammu people to make this demand a movement", he added. Mr Alok Nanda has been made the chief organisor of the People’s Revolutionary Movement, Mr Jamwal disclosed. |
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