'Sufi music relevant medium to purify thoughts, spread love'

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 25: Santoor maestro Padam Shree Bajan Sopori has described sufi musical form most relevant medium to generate pure thoughts and spread message of love and brotherhood every where. Saying that Kashmir has been abode of sufiana music Pandit Bajan Sopori said that this form inculcated mutual amity, purity of heart and brotherhood in all human beings.

Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of Jammu festival here today organized by Sa Ma Pa organization of which Mr. Sopori is founder, he said the basic aim of the festival was to generate movement amongst youth regarding music and its positive effects on solacing tensionful minds. He said during the festival days young talent and lovers of music were given basic knowledge about music and its various forms. He said many programmes at various places including educational institutions were organized in which famous and master artists, along with young and budding musicians presented their artistic expertise.

Describing the festival a success, Mr. Sopori said that there is need to organize many such festivals both in Jammu and Kashmir by the cultural academy and other organizations to encourage young generation and provide platform to musicians to exhibit their artistic skills. He said Sa Ma Pa is releasing new albums in Kashmiri and Dogri portraying rich poetic and literary treasure of the state and its world renowned cultural heritage.

Secretary Cultural Academy Rafiq Masoodi, Abhay Rustum Sopori, renowned artists, musicians and others were also present on the occasion.

JPBOU highlights demands, appeals CM to intervene

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 25: Jammu Province Bus Operators Union (JPBOU) in its meeting held today under the chairmanship of Sardar T S Wazir expressed strong resentment over attitude of the Central Government for not protecting the interests of transporters of Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting held that transporters of J&K were not in a position to operate their vehicles due to wrong policies of the Central Government and at the same time was passing through a very critical stage since the eruption of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir about seventeen years ago.

The meeting held that on the contrary IRDA is going to increase the tariff of all transport commercial vehicles more than 200 times from January 1, 2007, which was intolerable by the transporters of J&K State, because transporters of J&K were not in a position to pay their monthly installments to financial institutions and banks.

The meeting further held that due to abnormal increase of such tariff by Insurance Companies, entire transport sector in Jammu and Kashmir will collapse and road transport mobility would come to a grinding halt.

Union chairman Wazir appealed the Chief Minister to look into the matter on priority basis and solve the problems of the transporters.

Those present in the meting included S Kuldeep Singh, D K Mehra, Gurdeep Singh, Anchal Singh, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Shanti Saroop Gupta, Sunil Puri, Raj Kohli, Kuldeep Sharma, Kamaldeep Singh, Dalip Singh, Ram Paul Sharma, Vijay Kumar Sharma and Vinod Bhat.

ReT, EV teachers warn to gherao Assembly on Jan 10

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Dec 25: Rehbar-e-Taleem and EV Teachers have threatened to gherao State Assembly on January 10 and issued a call to all the teachers under the categories to reach Jammu to fight a Jehad against cruel policy of the Government.

The meeting held here today resolved that on the one hand the Government recognizes their importance in spread of education but on the other was reluctant to redress their grievances which was a total injustice with a cadre of 40,000 incumbents.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Zonal presidents Sheraz Malik, Kulvinder, Mujeeb Malik, Pawan, Aftab Malik, Shabir Choudhary, Raj Singh, Rakesh Sharma, G M Tantray, Naresh, Inzar Mirza, Shoket Mir, Asif Choudhary, Talib Choudhary, Liaquat Choudhary, Haji Ashraf, Arshad Malik, Shamim Malik, S Ajit Singh and others.

Third World Hindu Conference from Feb 11 at Priyag

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 25: The third World Hindu conference will be organized by Vishaw Hindu Parishad (VHP) at Priyag (Allahabad) during Ardh Kumb from February 11 to February 13 in which besides India, the delegates from 100 countries across the world will participate.

The conference will stress on declaring India a Hindu Rastriya. This was stated by Mr Parkash Sharma national convenor of Bajrang Dal and Dr Rama Kant Dubey sate president, VHP at a joint press conference here, today.

Mr Sharma said 1500 delegates of VHP and Bajrang Dal from J&K are expected to participate in the conference.

He said the challenges before the Hinduism will be discussed during the conference.

Criticising the recent statement of Prime Minister, Dr Man Mohan Singh that Muslims have first right on Indian resources, he alleged that PM has betrayed the 85 crore Hindus of this country. He demanded that Dr Singh should seek apology for this.

He also alleged that since UPA came to power there has been a rise in mass conversions in the country and warned that VHP and BD will not allow this to happen.

Dr Dubey took the state Government to task for its policies. He, while expressing concern over the recent episode in Kotebhalwal Jail alleged that State Government was treating the militants as guests in jails.

He also alleged that the Government policies were Kashmir centric while Ladakh and Jammu regions were ignored completely.

VHP Jammu vice president, Prabhu Dayal Gupta and Mahanagar president Santosh Nath were also present in the press conference.

SP announces State Working Committee

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 25: The Samajwadi Party announced yesterday its working committee in a core committee meeting chaired by State president and former MP Sheikh Abdul Rehman.

The 41 member State working Committee included Sheikh Abdul Rehman as its chairman and secretary general and Ram Prakash Sharma as Member Secretary.

Other prominent members of the SWC included Khurshed Ahmed Dev, Col B S Choudhary, Advocate D K Singh, Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, Sheikh Mohd Shafi, Sham Lal Mahasha, Dr Shiv Lal Sharma, Hari Krishan Tickoo, Advocate Ram Singh Chouhan, Dr Peerzada Iftekhar Ahmed, Rattan Singh, Azad Saleem Ganai, Mughal Hussain Khan, S Mohan Singh, Javaid Ahmed Zargar, Abdul Rehman Wani, Kewal Singh Manhas, Bhagat Gian Chand Dogra and Shiv Nath Kotwal.

The 20 member Special Invitees list included the names of Ex-MLC Depender Kour, Mrs Preeto Devi, Ch Mohd Shafi, Th Prehlad Singh Chib, Bodh Raj Hakeem, Mrs Tripta Devi, S Iqbal Singh Iqbal, Prital Pal Gupta, Munir Hussain Shah Jafri, Krishan Lal Sharma, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Mrs Nanki Kour, Abdul Gaffar Sheikh, Mohd Rauf, Vijay Kumar Bali, Taib Kabir Dev, Parvez Ahmed Qureshi, Ghulam Ahmed Sofi, Haji Abdul Rehman Bhat and Dr Mohd Shafi.

Praja Parishad holds workers conference

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 25: In connection with observance of its second Foundation Day, Praja Parishad Jammu and Kashmir held at workers conference here, today.

Addressing the conference, the president of the Party, Chander Mohan Sharma urged the workers to be vigilant against the anti Jammu policies of the present Government.

Terming the self rule and autonomy an ideology of Pakistan, he demanded proper rule of law, justice and genuine democracy as a solution of the so-called Kashmir issue. He warned that Praja Parishad will launch an agitation to seek ownership rights for allotees of the evacuees property and status of additional official language to Devnagri (Hindi).

He, while opposing the Government for shifting the Toshakhana from Mubarak Mandi to Civil Secretariat, said his organization has joined the Political Front which has launched an agitation against the decision.

During the conference, some political activists and ex-servicemen joined the Party. Prominent among them include Harbans Singh, Mrs Veena Singh, Capt. (retd) Surya Parkash Verma. The conference among others was addressed by Akali leaders Jagdev Singh, Arvind Sharma president Kissan Morcha, Bal Krishen Sharma, Durga Dass Dogra, Shatru Jamwal, Rakha Seth and Raj Kumar.

Various functions held on Christmas

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 25: Various functions were held today to celebrate Christmas. All churches in the city were specially decorated and special prayers were held on this occasion.

Hotel Asia Jammu Tawi organised a gala christmas day for children below 14 years of age. This was 7th time in a row. There was an overwhelming response from the schools, almost 40 prestigious schools participated in the function.

The day started with painting competition which was categorised into junior and senior groups. The junior group category first second and third prizes went in favour of Siddhant Gupta of S D Tarapuri, Pooja Pandita of Shangrilla Public School and Alankrit Gupta of K C Public School respectively. While in senior category, Vidhyaotra Arora of MHAC School Nagbani, Shraddha Gupta of Little Flower School and Palak Sabarwal of Shiksha Niketan bagged first, second and third prizes respectively.

Several consolation prizes were also given in each category. The prizes were sponsored by Amar Ujala. These paintings were selected by a panel of judges.

Fancy dress competition was held on this occasion. Sakit Kaushal, Shriya, Amal Sharma, Shamika Raina and Apurva Gupta got prizes in this contest.

Maa Shakti Public School, Om Nagar organised a function on the occasion of the Christmas. Students presented various cultural items on this occasion.

Raja Public School, Ban Talab organised a function on the occasion of the Christmas. The function was held under the chairpersonship of Swaran Manhas.

Research scholars of Jammu University organsied a function on this auspicious occasion. Dean Students Welfare, Dr P S Pathania was chief guest on the occasion while as Prof N R Sharma and Dr Shohab Inayat Malik were special guests.

Sandeep Sandy, president JURSEA, Vikrant Sharma and others addressed the function while as general secretary of the JURSEA, Amit Sharma presented vote of thanks. He appreciated JU authorities for encouraging students in organising these types of programmes.

Link roads of Krishna Nagar being upgraded: Charak

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 25 : Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak today said that Rs 21 lakh would be spent for the upgradation of inner links of Krishna Nagar Miran Sahib during this year.

The Minister was speaking at a public meeting at Krishna Nagar Miran Sahib today. He said that upgradation of link road Singh Pura to Miran Sahib is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 lakh by Rural Development, whereas link road Krishna Nagar to Shanti Ghat at a cost of Rs 7 lakh and link road from Khot Shah to Miran Sahib at a cost of Rs 4 lakh are being constructed by R&B.

He gave on spot instruction to the concerned engineers to fulfill all the codal formalities, so that work on these link roads would be started at the earliest. He assured the people that better links road would be provided.

Mr. Charak said that Government has given a clear direction to officers from day first not to launch works without proper administrative approval and funds. He said that all 550 big project have been taken under double shift system of work to be completed within two years.

Mr. Charak said that road widening from Satwari to R. S. Pura taken in hand at a cost of Rs.12 crore under central road funding on Phase-I would be completed in next financial year. He said major works of the project have been completed under double shift system. He hoped that after completion of this project, people will get benefited.