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

Insha Manzoor’s exhibition inaugurated..............

Arrangements for health mela discussed.......

Taj reviews dairy, poultry development schemes......

GBJF flays Soz’ statement on ST status to Paharis..........

KHC, non camp migrants list demands.........

Core Committee for Ward 64 nominated...........

Sa Re Ga Ma uniting nation through music

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Music has been playing a dominant role in cementing national integration. These were the words of Debojit-one of the two finalists of the famous Sa Re Ga Ma programme presently being telecast by Zee TV.

Debojit, who is household name along with second finalist Vinit, said that response he has been getting from throughout the country reflects that music has been uniting the country. "It is all due to my music that inhabitants of all States of Northeast region have been backing me while I have been getting encouraging response from other parts of the country", he said while interacting with media persons here today.

Debojit and Vinit who were here in the City of Temples before leaving for Katra to have darshan of holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, said that Sa Re Ga Ma has made them household name in the entire country. Both the contestants were here to seek blessing of Mata Vaishno Devi for much awaited final which will be held on February 24, 2006. Debojit is from ‘The Inemitable Ismail Darbar’s gharana’ while as Vinit is from ‘the Happening Himesh’s gharana'.

Although I belong to Assam but I am proud to be Indian as entire country is supporting me, said Debojit. Vinit, who belongs to Lucknow, is also indebted to his countrymen for the over-whelming support.

On the demand of media persons Vinit sang Sandeshay Aatay Hain and Tera Jadu Chal Gaya. "I am of the opinion of that Sandeshay Aatay Hain was my excellent performance", Vinit said while as Debojit was happy with his performance while singing Aah Jindhi Galay Laga Dey and Eik Hasina Thee.

Debojit, who finding it difficult to speak due to some problem in his throat, gave all credit to his wife for his success. "It is long cherished dream of my mother that I become a play back singer and it is my wife who has been providing me every type of help to fulfill this dream", he said.

However, according to press release issued by Zee TV, "the reason for sustained growth and popularity is due to the fact that the Sa Re Ga Ma has its objective very clear and defined in terms of offering a platform to real, hard-core, top of the line playback voices and not creating marketing chipmunks’.

"It is only because of this objective that this programme as a platform and challenge as a series has given some of the best singers to the film and entertainment industry that it has today", said Ashih Koul, senior vice-president of Zee Network in a statement.

Katra Police foils murder plot, nabs 5 criminals

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Feb 14: Police has foiled a murder plot by arresting five hardcore and notorious criminals alongwith sharp-edged weapons at village Bhagta under the jurisdiction of Katra Police Station.

Police sources said that during routine patrolling, SHO Inspector S S Sambyal noticed that five hardcore criminals were heading towards village Sool in a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK02P-1215.

Since some days back, the criminals had a clash with a youth of the Sool village, police became suspicious about their designs and started chasing them.

However, the criminals sped up their vehicle to dodge the police but failed to do so. Police continued to chase the criminals for about seven kilometres. The criminals hit the police vehicle a number of times while being over-taken and in the process police Gypsy also got damaged.

After a long chase, SHO Sambyal under the direct supervision of SSP Udhampur Rajesh Kumar Yadav managed to stop the vehicle of the criminals at village Bhagta and arrested them. From their possession, police recovered five sharp-edged weapons.

All were brought to Katra Police Station and put to sustained questioning during which they revealed that they were on their way to eliminate one Nicku Choudhary of village Sool, with whom one of the criminals had a clash some days back.

They also told the police that before heading for Sool, they visited Manthal where they had liquor in a dhabha. Subsequently, police also arrested the Dhabhawalla.

The arrested criminals have been identified as Omkar Singh alias Nishu, son of Ludher Singh of Jib, Dev Raj, son of Hans Raj of village Arli, Vipin Kumar, son of Ram Chand of Nangal, Surinder Singh, son of Lal Singh of Reasi and Suram Singh alias Puppa, son of Sansar Chand of Kund Rorian.

A case under Section 4/25 Arms Act has been registered against them and further investigations were on.

Police spokesman said that all these criminals had already been involved in series of cases pertaining to attempts to murder, stabbing and kidnapping.

Village visit by delegates, fine arts events
mark 3rd day of ‘Harmony-2006’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: The participants of South Asian Universities Youth Festival, ‘Harmony-2006’ today got a first hand experience of the developmental activities in villages here when they visited villages Daboh and Satta in the Nud area of Samba tehsil.

The students were shown the projects on Mushroom cultivation, Bio-gas and Art and Craft, being run by the women entrepreneurs trained by JU under SAF Madanjeet Singh scholarship scheme through the Centre for Adult Continuing Education and extension.

The students were also informed about the pre-primary education and Spices Grinding Units. In both the villages, people turned in big numbers and performed local Dogra dances.

Earlier, a community reception was provided to the visitors. The students were received by the village people including Sarpanch, who apprised the former about life style of locals.

The students were also taken to Mansar where they were served Dogra dishes in a traditional way.

The purpose of this excursion was to give participants a first hand experience of the development process being undertaken at the village level resulting in a healthy and uniform development of the State and the whole nation as well.

In the evening session on JU campus, after a refreshing day at Mansar and Nud, events of fine fine arts were held. The events included Clay Modelling, Poster Making and Cartooning. Topic of all the events was HIV/AIDS.

Elocution was presented by NEHU Shillong and Devi Ahilya Vishvavidayalaya, Indore. The topic of elocution was role of youth in combating HIV/AIDS.

This was followed by presentation made by M A Wani, Director J&K AIDS Prevention and Control Society. Mr Wani laid stress on wholesome awareness, sustenance of awareness, behavioural change and provision of services.

The presentation was followed by One Act Play on the same theme by the University of Mumbai. GNDU Amritsar presented a ballet.

7 injured in accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Seven persons were injured in separate road accidents while as two persons allegedly consumed poisonous substances at their respective residences.

Police spokesman said that a woman Kartaro Devi, wife of Anant Ram of Samba was injured after she was hit by a speeding car number PBAK-4959. She was immediately rushed to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Samba and her condition was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

Police has taken the cognizance of the incident.

Meanwhile, five persons were injured in separate road accidents from different parts of the Jammu. All have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger.

They have been identified as Kaushalya Devi, wife of Babu Ram of Sarwal, Ashwani Kumar, son of Harnam of Ghau Rakh Wala, Sandeep Mahajan, son of C L Mahajan of Channi Himmat, Kamal Kishore, son of Babu Ram of Kot Bhalwal and Jagjit Choudhary, son of Manga Ram of R S Pura.

Meanwhile, two persons allegedly consumed poisonous substances at their respective residences. Identified as Vijay Kumari, wife of Budhyia of Kanachak and Ramesh Singh, son of Kamal Singh of Canal Road, both were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital where doctors provided them stomach wash treatment followed by other medicare.

Their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

Police has taken cognizance of the incidents and started investigations to ascertain as to whether they intentionally consumed poison or swallowed the same mistakenly.

First meeting on Feb 25
JU Syndicate re-constituted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Jammu University today re-constituted its Syndicate for the triennial period 2006-2009 and fixed February 25 as the date for first meeting of the body.

Besides four ex-officio members, the new Syndicate comprises Prof Keshav Sharma, Prof J R Panda and Dr Meenakshi Kilam as the Chancellor’s nominees while Dr Vijay Gupta and Prof J R Dhotra are the two Deans, nominated by the Vice-Chancellor.

Nomination of two College Principals by Pro-Vice-Chancellor, two Deans of Kashmir University by the Chancellor and one member of the Academic Council, is likely to be made within a couple of days before scheduled meeting of the Syndicate on February 25, University sources said.

The four ex-officio members of the Syndicate are Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Pro Vice-Chancellor (if any), Financial Advisor V V Vyas and Principal Secretary Higher Education Ashok Angurana.

First meeting of the new Syndicate shall be held on February 25. Agenda for the meeting, already finalised, was today circulated to all members of the Syndicate .

The Syndicate meeting shall be followed by the University Council meet, which is likely to be held in the month of March, sources disclosed.

Sena activists protest against Valentine Day, raid hotels

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14 : Shiv Sena activists today roughed up couples, raided hotels and set afire hundreds of valentine cards to protest against the celebration of the day in Jammu. Over 100 to 200 Shiv Sainiks assembled in Panjtirthi Chowk in the heart of the city and set afire valentine cards looted from different shops in the city.

Amid anti-Valentine Day and anti-West slogans, Sainiks took out a rally and later raided hotels in different parts of the City and its outskirts.

They also reportedly thrashed some boys and girls. However, the situation was brought under control due to the intervention of police.

The rally, led by Shiv Sena president Anan Sharma which started from Kachi Chawni raided various hotels and restaurants at Residency Road, Rehari Chungi, Gandhi Nagar and Gujjar Nagar. They warned the people against the celebration of Valentine Day.

They set afire the valentine cards, removed the buntings and other decorations from the hotels specially made for the celebration of the Day. The protesters shouting slogans expressed grave concern over the growing influence of the Western civilization over India.

They held a demonstration outside the University Gate to lodge their strong protest against the celebration of the Day.

Terming it an onslaught on the Indian culture, the Anan Sharma said that Sena will not allow the celebration of such functions in future.

Another faction of Shiv Sena led by Sanjay Mahay ransacked the Archies Gallery at Parade and set afire the valentine cards. They raised slogans against the celebrations of Valentine Day and other Western festivals.

The Shiv Sainiks including Rakesh Gupta,chairman, Yash Gupta, Avinash Bhatia, K L Verma, Vipin Hindu and Ashwani Gandhotra and Dimple Kohli along with their supporters lodged a strong protest in the Parade against the celebration of the Day.

The Sena workers stormed the Archies Gallery Opposite Women’s College Parade and thrashed the youth present there. They ransacked the Valentine Day cards and gift materials including bouquets etc at the gift gallery.

Addressing the demonstrators both Sanjay Mahay and Vipin Hindu stressed the need for sticking to the cultural values and traditions.

At Kathua the Shiv Sena workers burnt the effigy of Western Culture. However the police had made elaborate arrangements to avert any untoward incident.

2340 eye surgeries performed in ASCOMS till Dec 2005

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital (ASCOMS) operated as many as 31,741 patients for various eye ailments and performed 2340 surgeries with IOL implantation free of cost in 100 camps upto last year.

Many NGO’s and Philanthropic individuals of the rural areas of Jammu region extended their full cooperation in organizing these camps wherein thousands of patients were benefited.

Giving details, Director of the College, Dr S.S. Soodan said that the department of Ophthalmology ASCOMS and Hospital has been conducting free eye care camps in rural areas of Jammu region since 1996.

In the camps, patients are screened during the eye camps and patients who required surgery are brought to the main hospital and operated under latest microsurgical techniques. He said patients are also provided boarding and lodging facilities, post operative medicines besides, patients are provided transport to their respective places with regular follow up.

Police confirms busting of vehicle lifters’ gang

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Jammu Police today confirmed that a gang of vehicle lifters has been smashed by a joint team of Gandhi Nagar police station and Digiana police post with the recovery of 18 stolen vehicles.

The busting of vehicle lifters gang by Rajouri and Jammu Police was reported by the Excelsior in its editions on February 12 and 13. Besides, four arrests made by Jammu Police including one CID constable, Rajouri Police have also arrested three persons including a constable and a Government employee and effected recoveries of stolen vehicles.

Addressing a press conference, SSP Jammu Mukesh Singh and SP City (South) Sheikh Mehmood said police was expecting recoveries of 10 more vehicles during further questioning of the gangsters.

"Several cases pertaining to the thefts of motor-cycle and scooters have been worked out with the arrest of four gangsters", Mr Singh said. The theft cases pertained to Gandhi Nagar police station, Gujjar Nagar police post and Nowabad police station.

He identified the accused as Abdul Rahim, a constable posted in CID (CI) Budhal, Rajouri and a resident of Sakhi Maidan, Mendhar, Mohd Mushtaq R/o Phinder, RS Pura, Yassir R/o Kot Dhara, Rajouri and Vinay Gupta alias Kala S/o Budhi Chander R/o Upper Gadigarh.

With the arrest and recoveries, about 70 to 80 per cent cases of vehicle thefts will be solved, the SSP Jammu said.

He lauded the help extended to Jammu Police by their counterparts in Rajouri in making the arrests and effecting the recoveries.

As reported, a police party from Digiana police post led by Sub Inspector Rajeshwar had camped in Rajouri for several days for arresting the vehicle lifters and making the recoveries.

The gang was engaged in stealing motor cycles and scooters from various parts of Jammu district and subsequently selling them in Rajouri for last one year.

The motor-cycles and scooters, recovered by Jammu Police from the accused so far carried registration Nos. as 4447 JK02Q, 6589 JK02S, 6065 JK02Q, 5437 JK02L, 3981 JK02R, 2112 JK, 5415, 3090 JK02K, 5568 JK02T, 511 JK02S, 6803 JK02N, 2144 JK02N and 5451 JK02J. Rest of the vehicles were without registration numbers.

Rally held at Poonch seeking ST status to Pahari people

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Feb 14: Demanding ST status for Pahari people, the Pahari Employees Association and Pahari People’s Movement, took out a protest rally here in which thousands of people participated.

The rally was organized under the leadership of Lokesh Kumar Sharma, president, Pahari Employees Association and Taj Hussain Shah, president Pahari People’s Movement, district Poonch.

Rally started from Town Hall and after passing through the main streets of the city culminated near Poonch Fort. The rally had the support of Bar Association Poonch, Pahari Welfare Forum, Poonch, Beopar Mandal and various other political and social organizations, which shouted slogans demanding ST status to Pahari speaking people.

Lokesh Sharma while addressing stated that on-going peace parleys would only become meaningful when all groups and parties from all the three regions of the State were invited to share their views on the issue.

The speakers said that in 1989 State Government State along with Gujjar and Bakerwals and others has recommended ST status to Pahari speaking people, but Pahari people were ignored and ST status granted to G&B community.

Others who addressed the rally included Sharafat Ali Khan, Yashpal Sharma, Rajinder Singh, Kamaljeet Singh, Mohd Zaman, Maroof Khan, Shakeel Azad, Mohd Abbas, Sanjay Raina, Azam Sagar, Farooq Ahmed, Rashid Khan, Najmal Jafri, Saleem Malik, Qalab Abas, Amar Singh Josh, Krishan Singh, Barkat Singh Azad, Nazir Mighal, Sunil Gupta, Rashid Mughal, Subash Sharma, Anwar Khan, Karam Hussain Khan, Azrar Shah and Zaqi Hyder.

Insha Manzoor’s exhibition inaugurated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Insha Manzoor’s exhibition at Children’s Gallary was today inaugurated by President Sadbhavana-ke-Sipahi Shakuntala Joshi in a simple but impressive function at Kala-Kendra Jammu.

Insha Manzoor, a class X students of Mattan, Anantnag, Kashmir has depicted composite culture and communal harmony through her creative work. Paintings of Ras Lilla of Radha Krishan are the main attractions of the exhibitions. Potrates of Mahatama Gandh, Habba Khatoon and some film personalities are attracting many people.

According to her father, she started her work three years back and devotes a lot of time to daily her creative work.

Speaking on the occasion, Administrator Kala Kendra Soujanya Sharma said that such exhibitions of young artists will inspire other youths try their hand in creative works. He said budding artists if given ample opportunity would help in promoting art in the State.

S.P.Verma President Rachnatmak Samaj was also present on the occasion.

Arrangements for health mela discussed

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Feb 14: A 3-day health mela is being organized in district Kathua. The arrangements for the mela to be organized as per the guidelines of Ministry of Health, Government of India were finalized at a meeting here today.

Member Parliament Doda-Udhampur constituency Ch Lal Singh presided.

These melas known as "Parivar Kalyan Avam Swasthey Melas" aim at providing quality services and making people aware of the options in terms of different systems of medicines including allopathic, homeopathic, ayurvedic and aware the public with linkages between preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care and between primary, secondary and tertiary health scheme.

The objective of melas is to disseminate information on health and family welfare matters and also provide health services to people who otherwise have limited access to health facilities.

Speaking on the occasion, Ch Lal Singh exhorted upon the health department to work with proper coordination with other related departments so as to launch a mega health benefiting the targeted population.

Taj reviews dairy, poultry development schemes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: The progress in the implementation of a centrally sponsored scheme ‘Venture Capital Fund for dairy and poultry development’ was reviewed by Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Taj Mohi-ud-Din at a high level officers meeting here today.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Animal Sheep Husbandry, Director of Animal husbandry from both provinces, Chief General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Assistant General Manager from NABARD besides other officers.

The meeting was informed that under the scheme 90 percent of the project fund would be loan component and 10 percent contributed by the beneficiaries. Fifty percent of loan would be interest free and 50 percent of the interest charged on the bank loan will be further subsidized for the borrowers who are regular on payments.

The Minister asked the officers to launch massive awareness programmes both at districts and block level for establishing dairy and poultry farming.

The meeting further discussed measures to restructure the administrative set up of Sheep, Animal Husbandry department with an aim to bring more efficiency, transparency and accountability in the department. In this connection it has been decided to start planning developmental activities at block level.

GBJF flays Soz’ statement on ST status to Paharis

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Gujjar Bakerwal Joint Forum has strongly criticized the statement of Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, Union Minister for Water Resources regarding grant of ST status to Pahari speaking people.

State president of Forum Haji Shamsher Ali Boken, said that some people were trying to get Tribal status on the name of Pahari Language so that they may get certain benefits which have been given to Tribals only.

Vice president Din Mohd Cheichi said that the matter pertaining to "Pahari Speaking People" has never been defined by State or Central Governments.

Ch Sayeed Mohd, general secretary said Pahari were neither defined as a weaker section, not they approached before Gajendra Gadkar Commission, the Sikri Commission, the Wazir Commission and Anand Commission as also the Mandal Commission, which covered the entire country.

Ch Wajahat Hussain stated that the demand of Pahari speaking people was merely based on the premises of language while the dialect or the language was not any criteria to declare any class as ST.

The speakers included Ch Rafiq Hussain, Sarwar Choudhary Goolvi, Abdul Karim Terwa, Slam Din, Kher Din and Ch Ilam Din Banbasya.

KHC, non camp migrants list demands

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Kashmiri Hindu Conference (KHC) in a meeting here, today held under the chairmanship of M L Thusu, while discussing the various problems being faced by the Kashmiri Pandits has demanded that Government should immediately announce an employment package for the Pandit youth.

The meeting expressed grave concern over the plight of displaced Kashmiri Pandits in general and unemployed KP youth in particular. It alleged the lukewarm response by the Government to the demands of the displaced youth has led to a brewing resentment among them.

Addressing the meeting, P L Kaul Badgami said that Government has announced to release the two kgs of sugar for the Pandits on Maha Shivratri but even the routine quota of one kg is not being provided to them at ration ghats.

The meeting among others was addressed by Jai Krishen Raina Maktoom, S N Raina and Avtar Krishen.

In another meeting, non camp migrants living in rented accommodations have urged the Government to allot quarters to them.

In a statement issued here today, the covenor, Action Committee, Chuni Lal Bhat alleged that due to the failure of the Government to allot the one room tenements to them, these migrants were forced to shift to rented accommodations. But they are not in a positions to afford the house rent due to the raising of prices out of a meager cash assistance of Rs 3000, he said.

He alleged that only 13 percent of the registered migrants were provided with temporary accommodations while the rest were left uncovered.

The meeting demanded that Government should also provide residential accommodations to all those migrants who are living in rented houses.

Core Committee for Ward 64 nominated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Mrs Sheela Handoo, Corporator Ward 64 nominated members to the Core Committee in a meeting today.

The meeting nominated Mohan Lal Zutshi, Mohan Lal Bhat, Bal Ji, Kundan Lal Lahori from Sector 1, while Sham Lal Raina, Muna Ji Kitchloo, Pushkar Nath Warikoo, Pushkar Nath Dhar were nominated from Ward No 2.

From Ward No 3 Vijay Kalla, Dwarika Nath Kaw and Moti Lal were nominated to the Core Committee while from Roop Nagar Enclave, Girdhari Lal Kath, J P Chadda, P L Sher, Rakesh Bakaya, R K Thuthu, Sanjay Kaul, Ravi Bhat, Prem Nath Raina, Satish Zutshi and G L Kaul were nominated.

From Lane NO 8, Chinore, Janki Nath and Sham Lal were nominated to the committee, while Bansi Lal, Shuban Ji Raina, Sunil Singh will represent the Choudhary Lane. Later the Committee members discussed the area wise problems.