Daily Excelsior.........State

Federation of Retailers condemns lathicharge
on traders of Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Federation of Retailers Association Jammu in its meeting held under the chairmanship of its president Yash Paul Gupta has strongly condemned the police lathicharge on traders of Kashmir Valley who were leading a peaceful march against the imposition of VAT system in the State.

The meeting expressed its anguish over this brutal assault on peaceful members of the trading community and warned the Government against such acts which are bereft of any sense of propriety and democratic norms.

It said instead of holding discussions with the real representatives of the trading organisations, the Government seems to be bent upon letting loose the power of arrogance against this peaceful and respectful community.

The members further reiterated their resolve to seek deferment of the VAT System till uniformity of the provisions are brought about and these made people friendly and simple within the comprehension of a common trader who has not even been given demonstration about plethora of accounting procedure at grass root level.

The meeting alleged that it seems the Government has decided to turn blind eye to all these issues brought to its notice in the recent past through peaceful demonstrations and representations.

The Association calls upon the authorities to institute a magisterial inquiry into the unprovoked lathicharge on the traders of Kashmir and punish those officers who have indulged in this inhuman act.

Separated by just a zeroline, Bibi waits to meet her hubby

MENDLA BOP (POONCH), May 9: Just a piece of land as small as half of a football field and an "invisible line of sorrow" have kept 67-year-old Barak Bibi away from her husband for four decades, but Indo-Pak peace is now set to end the long separation.

Bibi, who lives here with her school teacher son Issac in Salotri border hamlet on LoC is overcome with emotions as she remembers her husband Naiz Ahmed Khan and daughter Ulfat separated only by a stream and 300 metre field full of water buffaloes since 1965 Indo-Pak war.

Showing a black and white photograph of husband-daughter to a group of visiting journalists, Bibi prays to God every morning for reunion with her husband.

The Poonch-Rawalakote road, which passes through her Salotri village and later touches Teetrinot hamlet in PoK, is just 300 metres away.

But the proposal for opening this Poonch-Rawalakote (in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) road and running on it the "Karvan-e-Aman" (caravan of peace) bus service has rekindled Bibi’s hope of meeting her husband and daughter across the LoC.

"My traumatic wait is coming to an end soon. I will meet him (husband) after years by boarding the first peace bus to PoK", Bibi said as her voice quivered and tears rolled down her crumpled cheeks.

During talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in New Delhi on April 18, the two countries agreed to open second cross-border road link between Poonch and Rawalakote after Uri-Muzaffarabad section.

Bibi is one of the 2,972 divided families hoping to travel across the LoC in the first or second bus to meet their kith and kin there.

"I will catch the first Indo-Pak bus along with son Issac to visit Teetrinot village in PoK and to meet with husband and daughter when the road re-opens after 57 years", Bibi, who was only 27 with her son Issac four years old and three-year-old daughter Ulfat during Indo-Pak war, said.

This is not the story of Salotri or Teetrinot border hamlets alone but of 202 border villages of Poonch, of which 114 fell on the other side of LoC after the 1965 war, Issac adds.

As per revenue officials, there are 2,970 divided families comprising 11,000 members in Rajouri-Poonch belt alone.

"Many divided family members yearning to meet their relatives have died over the past half a century but perhaps Allah has kept me alive for a possible reunion with the other family members across LoC", Bibi said.

"For my mother and father, 1965 Indo-Pak war was the worst thing to happen to our family. My father, who was running a shop in Poonch town, had taken shelter in Teetrinot village during the war along with his daughter. When war was over, even Teetrinot village fell into Pak territory", Issac recalls.

He, along with his grand father Khan Mohammad had visited Teetrinot village in PoK on a visa in 1985, five years before the emergence of militancy. Later, Teetrinot had become major launching pad of militants who had been using it as an infiltration route. (PTI)

Dogra Law College organises Display Your Talent

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Dogra Law College organised the Display Your Talent Contest-2005 at its campus Bari Brahmana today.

The function started with the Saraswati Vandana and continued with a cluster of colourful events. The items presented by the students were Dogri folk songs, Kashmir folk dance, break dance , ghazals, patriotic songs and skits.

Chairman Dogra Education Trust and MLC, Th. Gulchain Singh Charak was the chief guest on the occasion. The function among others was attended by the secretary of the College, S D Singh Charak, Principal and other faculty members.

In his address the chief guest applauded the efforts of the students and assured full support from the management for more such events in future.

Masood Choudhary, Harminder Paul Singh, Hakim Shehzad and Miss Aliya Choudhary conducted the proceedings. Group dance based on Kargil heros presented by Summit Singh’s group bagged the first prize. Sumit also bagged the second prize for his solo break dance while the third prize went to Miss Anjum’s group for the skit "Ahsaas". The prizes among the winners were distributed by chief guest. Dr Renu Jamwal presented the vote of thanks.

Several leaders join LJSP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: During his visit of Jammu to assess the party’s working A K Vajpayee, national general secretary of Lok Jan Shakti Party advised the youth to work hard in strengthening the functioning of the party.

He was speaking at a function where about 300 youth workers under the leadership of Mohd Rafiq Malik (Billa), vice president, Youth National Conference joined LJSP.

State president of LJSP Peerzada welcomed the new entrants in the party and highlighted the programmes of the Party under the dynamic leadership of Ram Vilas Paswan.

Other prominent leaders who were present on the occasion included Subash Gupta, Bhagwati Sharan, Uttam Sharma, Mrs Kanchan Sharma, S Surjit Singh.

In another function the same day 50 members from Baramulla under the leadership of Ghulam Mohd Mir from PDF also joined the LJSP. They were also welcomed by the party leadership into LJSP fold.

Police-Public meet held at Ramnagar New SSP assures results shortly

Excelsior Correspondent

RAMNAGAR, May 8: Senior Superintendent of Police Udhampur, Rajesh Kumar in a police-public meet held here sought the cooperation from the people to contain militancy and contain crime.

The police-public meet in the town was organised on the instructions of the new SSP, who intended to interact with the people of the area and listen to their problems and also review functioning of the local police Thana. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramesh Kotwal and Station House Officer Ramnagar Thana, Mohan Lal were also present besides political leaders, prominent citizens, Panches, Sarpanchs and Members of Municipal Committee.

The SSP listened to the issues raised by the public which included menance of over loading in vehicles, unresolved pending cases of theft and mysterious deaths/ blind murders. It was pointed out that police failed to resolving several theft cases besides about half a dozen mysterious deaths/ blind murder cases which took place under Ramnagar and Ghordi police jurisdictions in last 2-3 years. It was stressed to fully restore the confidence among the people regarding police functioning.

The District police chief encouraged people to raise their problems and grievances against local police without any fear. He also collected phone numbers of several prominent persons and also gave his mobile number to them for keeping him informed or to contact directly to him in case of urgency and for any complaint or suggestion. He also assured to show some results of functioning in the area. The locals warmly greeted the new SSP and assured full cooperation.

Prominent among those present included—Chairman RMC Vinod Khajuria, Khalil Ullah Qazi from BSP, Subhash Kudiyar from NC, Joginder Bangathia from Congress, Beopar Mandal president Ramnagar- Sudershan Gupta and Des Raj Tripathi from Ghordi.

HESK organises retreat for migrant children

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Gandhi Memorial College a unit of Hindu Education Society, Kashmir (HESK) today organised a retreat for migrant students who recently appeared in class 10th examinations.

A large number of displaced children participated in the function. Apart from watching movies on Kashmir and its cultural heritage, the children were provided with an opportunity to interact among themselves as also with academicians from different streams of education.

Besides acquainting themselves with latest equipments in science and computer labs, these children had a fun with music and art also.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr K B Kachru explained that such programmes become necessary to defuse tension and pressure caused to the students by vigorous preparation for examination.

He said the environment thus created also helps the students to apply their mind to choose their academic career as the children get acquainted with various methodologies to develop their personality.

Dr Saproo spoke on power of concentration and how it leads to focusing mind on studies. Moti Koul a social worker encouraged the children to achieve excellence in every walk of life.

Others who threw light on various education related matters include U K Handoo, Gokal Dambi, Dr C N Tickoo,Dr Satish Bhan and P N Dembi.

In his address HESK president, A K Devani said that such programmes will be conducted regularly in future.

Village Guards organise protest demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Demanding remuneration arrears for the last two months, Village Guards of Jammu tehsil took out a procession and also held protest demonstration.

Led by All J&K Low Paid Government Employees Federation, the agitating Village Guards raised slogans in support of their demand.

Addressing the gathering, Abdul Majid Khan flayed the State Government for not paying due attention to solve long outstanding grievances of Village Guards who have been waging agitation under the banner of Provincial Village Guards Union for the same. He urged Tehsildar Jammu to arrange funds on priority basis to pay remuneration arrears to the Village Guards without any delay.

He also highlighted some other demands of the Village Guards which included stitching charges for uniforms and expenses for boots.

Baldev Raj (president of Class IV Employees Union), Krishan Singh (general secretary of Low Paid Employees Federation), Bishan Dass (president of Village Guards Union Tehsil Jammu and Girdhari Lal were among the speakers, who addressed the agitating Village Guards.

They threatened to intensify the agitation in case State Government fails to fulfill the Village guards’ demands.

Geology Alumni to educate about disaster preparedness

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Geology Alumni Association of Jammu University & the Department of Geology resolved to educate the common masses in the rural and urban areas about resource conservation, management and preparedness against natural disasters.

As a part of its campaign in the region, the Association is organising an extension lecture on May 13 at 2.30 pm in the University. The occasion will also commemorate the centenary year (2006) of the teaching of Geology in Jammu in the erstwhile Prince of Wales College now GGM Science College.

Prof G V R Parsad (FNA), Head of Department of Geology will deliver the lecture on " Implication of Infra and Inter-trappen biota for the during of Deccan volcanism, K/T boundary extinctions and the lake cretaceous Palaeogeography."

The Department of Geology has been many ups and downs during its life time of about a century. This is mainly because of the ever changing priorities and the economic and social demands. It has withstood test of the time and served the nation at crucial stages of man power ( expertise) requirements for the national development. Second oldest in the Indian sub-continent, Geology Alumni Association boasts of having the past Director Generals of the Geological Survey of India (S P Sondi , 2nd Indian to head the country’s largest scientific organisation and Geological Survey of Pakistan ( Tayyab Ali, first non-British to head the organisation), several scientists of international repute and two of the expedition leaders to Antarctica, the Mt Everest conqueror ( C P Vohra, for DG GSI). The faculty is imparting education in Environmental Geology, Remote Sensing, Engineering Geology, Seismology, Landslides, Glaciology, Geophysics, Geohydrology etc.

Meanwhile, the results of the election of various office bearers of the Alumni will be announced in the general body meeting of the Association that will follow the extension lecture.

Govt to make industrial exhibition a regular
affair: Sahasranaman

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Emphasizing that the industrial exhibition organized in the city of temples after a span of seven years testifies return of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce A. Sahasranaman said the expo helped to a great extent in fostering public-private industrial integration.

Addressing a well attended gathering at the culmination ceremony of the 28-day long exhibition in the exhibition grounds here this evening, Mr. Sahasranaman said that the event proved as a grand success especially when evaluated in terms of achievements of objectives and fundamentals for which such gala expos are planned and organized.

Outlining the success mantras of the exhibition, Mr. Sahasranaman said that from the exhibition proved to a bonanza for the participants who had set up their sale counters as the estimates reveal that each counter registered sale of their products ranging from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, which judging by all standards is a good return. He said that apart from this the expo also helped to a great extent in educating and making the youngsters aware about the business world. This would surely help the promising entrepreneurs in broadening their business acumen and style', he added.

Mr. Sahasranaman also dwelt on the constraints affecting fact growth of industry in Jammu and Kashmir and said that to realize the objective of speedy industrialization power shortage has either to be overcome or supplemented by the innovative proposals from private entrepreneurs. 'Any proposal on power growth from private entrepreneurs would be considered and appreciated', he remarked, adding that public-private partnership in infrastructure and power development holds the key for future of industry in the state.

The Principal Secretary also spoke about the imperativeness of the buyers-sellers regular interactions and apprised the public about the industrial progress in the State.

Director Industries and Commerce Dr Pawan Kotwal in his address said that by all standards and evaluations the exhibition has been rated by the experts as best.

Terming the 28-day expo as a grand success, Mr. Kotwal said that every effort is being made to make it a regular affair.

Later, the Principal Secretary gave away awards to the best performers in the expo which include awards to the private entrepreneurs, government units and performing artistes.

Mr. Jeevan Sharma, an artiste of the information department was awarded for his stupendous presentations during the expo days while Mr. Dheeraj Jandial was awarded for best reporting and media coverage of the event.

JSSM for probe into ‘illegal’ admissions by B Ed Colleges

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Suspecting the support of some officials of the Directorate of Colleges Development to the erring B Ed Colleges which made illegal admission of students for the current academic session, Jammu State Students Morcha (JSSM) has demanded a probe to expose the nexus. Talking to mediapersons at Jammu University, here today, JSSM president of JU unit, Sunil Sharma alleged that the erring B Ed Colleges must have done the admissions with a silent nod from the Directorate of Colleges Development. "This is the apparent reason that the Directorate did not take notice of the illegal act of these B Ed Colleges timely and now delaying tactics are being adopted in taking action against these erring institutions," he said and demanded a thorough probe into the episode to identify the culprits and punishment to them.

However, at the same time, Sunil Sharma said that time and study of the B Ed students, who were admitted illegally, must not go waste and the University should conduct their examinations despite punishment to the erring Colleges.

Dubbing the Non-Governmental Colleges of Education as ‘B Ed shops’ the JSSM leader alleged harassment of students by the College managements for minting money from them. "We have repeatedly brought such matters into the notice of Director Colleges Development Prof Rajiv Gupta but no action is initiated," he said.

JSSM Vice-president Sunil Singh, who was accompanying Sunil Sharma in the press conference, highlighted several demands of the JU students and scholars, which included enhancement in scholarship to M Phil and Ph D scholars. He also expressed dis-satisfaction over the performance of Placement Cells in JU. "Except in the Department of Management Studies, the performance of Placement Cells in other departments, is very poor despite the fact that students are being charged for running these cells," he lamented.

JSSM president Vivek Sharma, threw light on the future programmes of the student wing of pro-separate Jammu organisation and informed that a mass awareness programme is being launched very soon to apprise people about discrimination meted out to Jammu region.

6th Ati Maha Vishno Yagya at Udhampur from June 9

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: 100 Kundas Ati Maha Vishno Yagya will be held at Udhampur from June 9 to June 17 at Udhampur. This was announced by Balak Bal Yogeshwar Maharaj of Varindaban while addressing a press conference this morning.

Balak Yogeshwar Maharaj announced that Dhawajarohan (flag hoisting) ceremony will be held at the site of Yagya followed by other religious function. He said that an impressive Kalash Yatra will be held before starting of the Havan.

Havan will start on June 9 while as Puran Ahuti will be conducted on June 17, 2005.

Balak Yogeshwar Maharaj said that Yagya at Udhampur will be 100 Kundas and devotees from Udhampur and adjoining will participate in the Yagya. He further stated that Purohits and Pandits from Kashmir and Banaras will perform the Havan and other religious rituals. Bhajan Mandle from Navdeep Bengal will perform 24 hours during the religious congregation.

The forthcoming Yagya will be six Maha Yagya so far conducted by Balal Bal Yogeshwar Maharaj. First 100 Kundas Yagya was held at Jammu in the month of October 2003. Ati Maha Vishno Yagyas have been performed at Reasi, Katra, Bishnah also. Last year 1100 Kundas Ati Maha Vishno Yagya was held in Tawi Island.

Balak Bal Yogeshwar appealed to the devotees to participate in the Yagya.

Sunderbani people continue protest against
shifting of Range Office

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, May 9: To express their resentment against the Government move to shift the Social Welfare Department Range Office from Sunderbani to Nowshera the people continued their protest in the town for the second day today.

According to reports the people thwarted the move of authorities to shift the Office on Saturday by staging a demonstration in the town. They continued the protest today to seek a guarantee from Government that the office will not be shifted from the town. The protesters warned to intensify agitation in case the Office was shifted from Sunderbani.

In a memorandum given to the Tehsildar Sunderbani the demonstrators alleged that previously number of offices were shifted from Sunderbani to Nowshera which also include the PHE Division.

The people warned that they will not allow the Government move to succeed as with the shifting of the offices from the area to Nowshera the people of Sunderbani and adjoining villages will be put to many hardships.

Rare heart surgery done at ASCOMS hospital

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Rare surgery was done in Heart Care Centre of ASCOMS Hospital, Sidhra, by Dr Ashok Jayant, Chief Cardio thoracic Surgeon.

In this rare Congenital anomaly, to the 35 years old patient Mohd Anwar, the main blood vessel supplying blood to various parts of the body was totally blocked in the chest that raises the blood pressure in the upper body and at the same time insufficient blood flows in the lower half of the body.

The disease is generally picked up in early childhood and that is the optimum time of the operation. Mohd Anwar presented only recently at ASCOMS with history of severe headache and paralysis of body due to bleeding in the brain because of the high blood pressure.

After clinical diagnosis made by Dr K K Pandita, Assistant Professor in Medicine Department of ASCOMS, senior interventional cardiologist Dr Ashok Bakaya did further diagnostic work up that included Echocardiography and angiography.

Eventually the patient underwent surgery in which the blocked segment in the main blood vessel was replaced by a suitable synthetic pipe that restored the blood flow in the lower parts of the body and normalized the blood pressure in the upper body. The patient is recovering well after the operation.

The patient is a poor man and ASCOMS management gave heavy discount and whatever little that was charged was also arranged by contribution. The blood requirement of B Negative group of the patient was met by ASCOMS and GMC Jammu Blood Banks and voluntary donations by one of the doctors of ASCOMS hospital.

Shiv Jee Mandir Committee Handwara reconstituted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 9: Shiv Jee Mandir Committee Handwara (Kashmir) in its meeting has constituted a new Executive Committee of the Mandir in its general body meeting here with Bhushan Lal Pandit advocate as its president.

The other office bearers of the Committee include Avtar Krishan Kaw, vice president, Mahraj Krishen Pandit, general secretary, Chand Jee joint secretary, Hira Lal Pandit, cashier and Chooni Lal as accountant.

It also constituted a Working Committee of 18 members. Bhushan Lal who worked as general secretary of the Committee for six years gave full details of the immovable properties owned by the committee.

He said that an amount of Rs 14,79,008 as on date is deposited in various banks in the name of the Committee

Youth Council discusses return formula

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Kashmiri Pandit Youth Joint Working Council (KPYJW) in its meeting held under the chairmanship of Satish Razdan at Muthi today discussed the proposed return formula of the Government.

It said that a group of 2,000 unemployed displaced youth who have shown their willingness to go back to Kashmir was framed by the Council.

It demanded that this group is willing to return to Kashmir provided the State Government provides employment to them as promised by it.

The meeting further demanded that the migrant youth willing to return be also provided the fool proof security and free accommodation in the Valley.

It said the decision has been taken by the Council keeping in view the frustration of unemployed displaced youth who have become a burden on their old and infirm parents.