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

Governor visits JK Pavilion..

J&K needs more NCC vacancies; 35 institutes await nod: DDG...

BSP accelerates party activities in Jammu..

Sadaa-Masoom musical cassette released..

Lok Adalat settles 442 cases ...

Two-day national seminar at GCW Parade concludes..

Tehsil Action Committee Majalta meets Bloeria...

JK Bank launches new MetLife insurance plans...

Communal Harmony Week celebrations conclude....

Young Rotarians’ 3-day conference underway .......

Agnishekhar disassociates himself from recommendations of Working Group......

Foundation for Bhadarwah industrial estate laid
Schools next to mother's lap: CM

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 25 : Schools are next cradle to nurture human material after mother’s lap into refined human moulds capable of serving society, nation and themselves with highest degree of skill and human qualities, said Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad while addressing annual day function of Government PG Degree College Bhadarwah today.

Mr. Azad said basic aim of education is to excel human values, curb negative instincts and impart value-based quality education.

Saying that educational institutions should not be only producers of literate human flock but well qualified and highly valued humans, Chief Minister said that moral and value-based education should be pivotal in the modern and scientific educational system.

He said it has been seen that schools and colleges produce great number of educated men and women but very little of them get absorbed in the job market. This, he said, calls for focus of attention for introducing market-oriented and job-providing trades and subjects in educational institutions. He said, "our first attention should be for improving the system and building it to fit in the global trend of scientific and technological temperament".

Recalling his association with the college, Mr. Azad said that he has studied here and got significant imprints of teaching and teachers with him which are still alive in his memory.

The Chief Minister said that Bhadarwah is becoming important seat of science and technology with the coming up of university and introduction of latest subjects of higher education. He said 400 kanals of land has already been acquired for the campus and process of procuring more land is on. He said till the complex comes up, the university classes would run in pre-fabricated buildings so that academic sessions carry forward along with rest of the state.

He underlined need for raising plantations and growing fruit plants in and around the complex, wherever feasible, to make the university beautiful and palatable.

Referring to the development of Bhadarwah and adjacent areas, Mr. Azad said Government has already formulated tourism development authorities in the areas like Bhadarwah to boost tourism related activities and generate economic avenues. He said Bhadarwah should be prepared in all respects to receive outside visitors for Kailash yatra and prior to the yatra tourist festival will be organized in the area to create tourism temperament and rope in tourists from all over. He said the tourism potential and natural beauty of Bhadarwah and district Doda alongwith other such areas should be properly showcased for large scale tourism.

Chief Minister asked the people especially students to strengthen traditions of brotherhood and amity and jointly strive for prosperity. He said peace alone provides ground to develop fast in every field of life, as such, should prevail and prevail on strong footing.

Mr. Azad also gave away prizes to the students who have excelled in various fields of academics and extra-curricular activities.

Principal of the college Dr. Mohammad Iqbal in his welcome address gave a resume of the achievements of the institution in curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Minister for Rural Development Jugal Kishore Sharma, former Minister Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Commissioner/Secretary Industries L. D. Jha, Secretary to Chief Minister Shailendra Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Doda Dr. Pawan Kotwal, SSP Manohar Singh, Director Colleges Dr. N. D. Wani, senior officers, prominent citizens, teachers, parents, students and alumni of the college were present.

Mr. Azad also laid foundation stone of industrial estate at Dandi Bhadarwah today spreading over an area of 56 kanals.

Chief Minister said that non-polluting and eco-friendly information technology, agro-based, fruit-processing, handicrafts and handloom units will be set up at this industrial estate so that on one hand employment opportunities are generated in the area and on the other serene climate and ecology of this ideal tourist destination is preserved.

Mr. Azad said that under new strategy of giving fillip to industrial activity in all areas of the state, initiatives are being taken to broad base industry by developing industrial estates at block, tehsil and district levels, adding that setting up of an industrial estate at Bhadarwah is a first step in this direction.

2 killed, 30 injured in road accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Two persons were killed and 30 others received injuries in separate road accidents.

Police spokesman said that a scooterist was knocked to death by a speeding truck bearing registration number PB11X-0090 near Adarsh College on Jammu-Lakhanpur National Highway.

The critically injured scooterist was rushed to Government Medical College Hospital where doctors pronounced him as brought dead. The deceased has been identified as Mohan Lal, son of Tara Chand of village Najwal in Bishnah tehsil.

Driver of the truck identified as Bahadur Singh, son of Rattan Singh of Rajpura has been arrested and the truck was seized.

Meanwhile, one Madhsood Raina, son of Neel Kanth of Shastri Nagar, who received severe injuries in road accident at Satwari and was undergoing treatment in GMC Jammu, succumbed to injuries today.

Police has registered a case in this connection.

The spokesman said that 10 persons were injured when a bus, they were travelling in, rolled down at NITS College near Balole Bridge. All the injured passengers were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital and their condition was stated to be out of danger.

They have been identified as Baldev Raj, son of Lal Chand of R S Pura, Sewa Ram, son of Karam Chand of R S Pura, Anita Devi, wife of Mohan Lal of Sajadpur, Rattan Lal, son of Munshi Ram of Talab Tillo, Ganesh Kapoor, son of Gurdyal Kapoor of Vijaypur, Madan Lal, son of Tara Ram of R S Pura, Pinky Devi, wife of Harnam Singh of Sarwar, Anju, Rani, daughter of Daman Chand of R S Pura, Romy, son of Ram Dass of Kobe Bhalwal and Kamla, wife of Rattan Lal of Talab Tillo.

In another accident, 20 persons were injured when a bus bearing registration number JK02H-6495 which was on its way from Rajouri to Ghambir Mughlan rolled down at Jamola.

All have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger.

Tributes paid to 1947 martyrs of Mirpur

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Various organisation today organised function to pay tributes to the martyrs of Mirpur who had laid down their lives on November 25, 1947.

Under the banner of Mirpur Balidan Divas Celebration Committee Jammu, Mirpuris paid tributes to the martyrs. Prabhat Pharies were taken out from Bakshi Nagar, Rehari, Sarwal and other areas which culminated at Mirpur Shaeedi Smarak Maheshpura Chowk, Bakshi Nagar.

During the march patriotic songs were chanted and the atmosphere echoed with slogans like Bharat Mata Key Jai and Shaheedon Ki Kurbani Ko Mat Bhoolo.

Speakers recalled the heart-rending incidents depicting the tragic scene of the naked dance of death which took place at Mirpur on November 25, 1947.

A Yagya was also performed at Balidan Bhawan Arya Samaj Bakshi Nagar Jammu on this occasion.

All POJK Displaced Persons Front also organised a function on this occasion and paid homage to those who sacrificed their lives during Pakistani invasion in 1957, 1965 and 1971. Prof Varinder Gupta, Capt R K Raina, Capt. Yudhvir Singh, Kanta Sehgal, J L Amla, Dr Kulwant Singh, S S Shangari, Rachpal Singh, R K Sharma, Krishana Gupta, Om Parkash Gupta and others addresed the rally.

Various demands of the displaced persons were highlighted in the meeting. It was stressed on the need of establishing a combined political identity of all the displaced persons to achieve the desired results. It was also demanded that displaced persons be given representation in the State legislature against the 24 seats marked for the POJK area.

Leaders of Praja Parishad led by Chander Mohan Sharma also paid tributes to to the martyrs of Mirpur and Kotli who had laid down their lives for nation.

RKJ employee bags international award

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Mr Sanjeev Sharma, an employee of Radio Kashmir Jammu (RKJ) has bagged a prestigious international award for producing a documentary on HIV/ AIDS.

Sponsored by Thomson Foundation, Mr Sanjeev, working as Transmission Executive at RKJ, was chosen for this EU-India Media Awards 2006 for a radio documentary "Is-se Pehle Ki Andhera Ho". The documentary, written and produced by Mr Sanjeev, was awarded for successfully spreading the awareness about the medical support for HIV positive patients and the facilities extended for their free tests and medicines. Further, the documentary clears many myths about HIV/AIDS.

Six individuals— two each from print, radio and Television were selected across India for this prestigious award. While for Television, NDTV and Zee News bagged the award, for print media, it went to a freelancer from Bangalore and a Madurai based paper. In Radio category, the awards were bagged by Biju Mathew of AIR Trivandrum and Sanjeev Sharma of Jammu Radio.

The award will be conferred at a ceremony in New Delhi on November 30 followed by a week-long study tour to United Kingdom in on December 10, 2006.

Inter-varsity seminar on Business environment organised

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25 : Vice-Chancellor Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Prof N K Bansal today said that with increasing productivity and excellence India can avail the available business and trade opportunities in the globalized world.

In his presidential address at the one-day inter university seminar on Business Environment in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities at the university camps here this morning, the Vice Chancellor unfolded the strength of Indian trade and commerce and said that the nation can immensely benefit from the opportunities available in global market.

In his keynote address, Prof. R.D. Sharma, Rector Kathua Campus of Jammu University emphasized on grabbing of opportunities in the era of globalization with the positive competitive edge.

Marketing & Sales head of Aircel Jammu also analysed the business opportunity availed by their organization in J&K region.

Prof. N.D. Mathur, Dean College of Management and Prof. B.C. Sharma, Director School of Business & School of Economics also expressed their views and inspired the students on this memorable occasion.

More than 35 students from the esteemed institutions like The Business School, Jammu University main campus as well as Kathua campus, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, ICFAI Jammu, Center for Tourism and Hospitality Management –Jammu University and students of School of Business and School of Economics of SMVDU presented research papers on the various fundamental challenges and opportunities in the Business Environment.

The Seminar was jointly organized by the School of Business and School of Economics, SMVDU and a leading player in mobile telecommunication, Aircel.

INTUC deputation calls on Vyas

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: A deputation of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) led by its State secretary Jugal Kishore and president of Young Workers Council of INTUC Pranav Shagotra today called on Finance Commissioner B B Vyas and Director Budget.

The deputation apprised Mr Vyas about the payment of COLA to the public and private sector employees and the wages to the daily wagers of IWDP. It was also demanded that the provision should be kept in the current budget for payment of COLA to the employees of the public and private sectors besides release of salary to the daily wagers of IWDP.

They also demanded that IWDP daily wagers, who have completed seven years service, should be regularised. Mr Vyas gave patient hearing to the deputation and assured all possible help to the employees of public and private sector.

He said that Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has already taken various measures for the welfare of these employees.

Others in the deputation were Joginder Paul, Amrik Singh, Ganesh Dutt, Ajay Sharma and Manan Bhat.

Councilor's inter-caste marriage
HC directs SSP Reasi to provide security

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 25 : The State High Court has directed SSP Reasi to provide security to a couple in a case of inter-caste marriage between Municipal Councilor and Lecturer of college, which was opposed by the parents of lecturer, who lodged a complaint with police. Against the case, the Municipal Councilor along with Lecturer field a petition u/s 561-A CrPC for quashing the FIR which has been registered against Municipal Councillor at the instance of father of lecturer. After hearing Advocate YE Tak appearing for the petitioners in which the Advocate projected the case as the petitioners as major, the High Court stayed the proceedings under FIR No 58/2006 of P/S Gharota on October 19, 2006.

Artee Jamwal a lecturer in the Govt College Reasi and Sheel Kumar Sharma, Municipal Councilor of Municipal Committee Reasi had enetered a wedlock, which was opposed by the parents of the lecturer.

The petitioners moved the present application for providing security to Sheel Kumar Sharma on the ground that being the Municipal Councilor, he has to participate in the proceedings of the council. He has pleaded that no confidence motion has been moved against him for the removing him as councilor.

The petitioner's counsel submitted before Justice Nirmal Singh of the State High Court that Sheel Kumar Sharma belongs to BJP and the opposite party, who is in minority in the council wants to oust the petitioner. Petitioner has to participate in the meetings of council. In case he fails to attend three meetings consecutively, then his membership will be seized.

Justice Nirmal Singh taking into consideration all these facts and in view of the law laid down by the Apex Court in Lata Singh VS State of UP and Ors, directed the SSP Reasi to provide adequate security to Sheel Kumar Sharma Municipal Councilor and he may be allowed to participate in the meetings of the Council.

Elections to be conducted within a month
KAS officers authorise Mohd Saleem as returning officer

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25 : A General Body meeting of KAS Officers was convened at Jammu today by Hemant Kumar, General Secretary (KAS). KAS Officers of the rank of Special Secretary, Additional Secretary, Heads of departments besides hundreds of other KAS officers working in various capacities in different departments participated in the meeting.

Showkat Ahmed Mir, Additional Secretary Education while addressing the meeting pointed out that the need for convening today’s General Body meeting was necessary as the term of the previous executive body elected by KAS officers in 2004 has already expired in July, 2006. He said KAS Officers have urgent problems particularly that of application of 33% quota for promotion of Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries and ensuring frequent induction of officers into KAS on the basis of its basic cadre strength.

Showkat, while appreciating government for streamlining promotion prospectus in engineering and Forest Departments, said that similar steps required to be taken in KAS cadre as well. He said, "we were promised by the Government that necessary steps will be taken on priority basis to restore its importance on the basis of its being premier and original service as it enjoyed in the past". However due to expiry of the term of executive body, the pending demands could not be redressed during last several months.

Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh, Additional Commissioner Kashmir Vice President of All India Local Service Association, also supported the view of conducting fresh election of KAS Union. He said that Ex. Chief Minister during his tenure had promised KAS Union of providing Head Office both at Srinagar and Jammu and assistance of Rupees five lakh but the same are still awaited.

Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Custodian General, Zaffar Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Sofi, Special Secretary and other senior level officers and members of general body who spoke on the occasion unanimously endorsed the view of Showkat Ahmed Mir and Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh for ensuring the election of executive body within a month.

The General Body elected Mohd. Saleem, Additional Secretary Finance as Returning Officer with consensus for holding the election within one month. Mohd. Saleem assured the house that he will ensure fair election of executive body with in one month and honour the mandate given to him in today’s KAS General Body Officers meeting.

Senior level officers who participated in the meeting included Gazhanfer Hussain Special Secretary Home, Vinod Koul OSD, Farooq Ahmed Renzu Director Information, M.L. Sharma Commissioner Tax Jammu, Dr. Rattan Lal Dy. Secretary, Dr Sat Paul Dy. Director SWD, Ajay Singh Jamwal Dy. Director CAPD, B.A. Saraf Dy. Commr. Taxes, Mohd. Hanief Dy. Director, A. A. Mirza Asstt. Commr. Dev, R.C. Puri Addl. Sec. Rural Dev. Deptt, Mir Fayaz Hussain ARI, A. Majid Addl. Secretary Home, Farooq Ahmed Special Secretary(Rev), G. S. Koul Secretary Service Selection Board, Jahangir Mir Jt. Registrar, Mohd. Saleem Addl. Secretary Finance, S. Rather Spl. Secretary R&B, T. Ankhoon Project Director, Mohd. Ismail Baj Addl. Secretary, Showkat Ahmed Zargar Director Horticulture Planning & Marketing, R. B. Suri Dy. CED SMVDSB, Jatinder Gupta Dy. Sec. Education, S.M. Sahni GM-JKTDC, Tushar K. Sharma Special Secretary Forest, S.K. Sharma J t. Director Information, R.C. Sharma, Registrar, Farooq Ahmed Khan Dy. Commissioner Taxes Kashmir, A.L. Deva, Commissioner (SMC), Gurcharan Singh Dy. Sec.(CAPD).

Governor visits JK Pavilion

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: J&K Governor Lt. General (Retd) S. K. Sinha accompanied by Mrs. Sinha and S. V. Bhave, Resident Commissioner, New Delhi today visited J&K Pavilion in the IITF at Pragati Maidan. He was received by the Director, J&K Pavilion and host of other officials at the pavilion. Mr Sinha spent considerable time visiting the stalls and interacted with the exhibitors and stall owners and expressed happiness over the manner the state is being showcased at the pavilion.

As the countdown for the end of the Fair begins J&K Pavilion was packed to the capacity with eager shoppers queuing up for their chance to make a good bargain. The shopkeepers also find it wise to slash prices and get as much stuff cleared as possible. Heavy embroidered shawls are proving to be a great hit with the visitors.

J&K needs more NCC vacancies;
35 institutes await nod: DDG

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: The Jammu and Kashmir needs more vacancies of NCC cadets as nearly 35 educational institutions still await green nod from the Government for the introduction of this wing to commence its activities.

Addressing a press conference here today, Deputy Director General (DDG), National Cadet Corps (NCC) J&K, Brig S K Sharma extended felicitations to all the cadets and officers besides other ranks on the occasion of 58th raising day of the NCC. While it was launched in the country in 1948, in J&K this uniform force of youth started activities in 1954 with a strength of nearly 600 cadets. It has played a great role in propagating ideals of selfless service, national integration and discipline resulting in nation building.

Brig Sharma disclosed that J&K has at present nearly 20,000 cadets. The NCC units are existing in 235 educational institutions in all the three regions of the state including Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. He disclosed that many new colleges and Higher Secondary Schools have come up in the state. Nearly, 35 new educational institutions in the State await clearance from the concerned directorate. For this, it is necessary to increase the NCC vacancies in J&K, the DDG maintained.

In response to a question, Brig Sharma said that J&K still have Army and Naval wings of the NCC and a proposal to have IAF wing has been submitted to the Union Government. It is hoped that Air Force wing of the NCC will also be introduced shortly in the state. Besides, another proposal to have separate and independent company of NCC in Ladakh region has been submitted to the headquarters. Presently, the NCC activities were being carried out in Leh and Kargil from its Baramulla wing in Kashmir. With this some operational problems will be sorted out, he maintained.

Asked about the total annual budget of NCC in J&K, the DDG avoided to divulge the figures to media, but maintained that for trainings only over Rs 1.5 cr is being spent in the Jammu and Kashmir. He disclosed that funds for various activities were being received from different quarters.

Regarding celebrations, Brig Sharma said that Nov 26, is being observed as the Raising Day of the Force and various activities were carried out by different units located here to mark the occasion. He said the cadets visited blind school, an old age home and SOS Home in Jammu today to render services. On Nov 26, as pat of NCC day, a ‘Run for Fun’ is being organised in which many cadets and others will be participating. This run will start from Sports Council Ground Gandhinagar at 7.30 am on Sunday.

BSP accelerates party activities in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: To accelerate the activities of Bahujan Samaj Party, a team of BSP led by its senior vice president Tulsi Dass Langeh visited Reasi and Katra areas and addressed a series of meetings besides interacting with cross sections of the society.

The BSP leaders explained in detail about the ideology of Ambedkarism and the participants got convinced and pledged to further accelerate the activities of the party.

Mr Langeh sought to expose the nefarious designs of the coalition Government led by Ghulam Nabi Azad, who did nothing to amend SRO 294 and Reservation Act 2004.

The BSP leader questioned the role of SC/ST MLAs whose number is not less than 15 in the legislature, because they have become political slaves of the ruling elite as a result of which they prefer to shut their mouths.

The leaders predicted that BSP was the only alternative in the country which could protect the rights of all under-privileged people of the country. The other leaders in the team including P C Dansalia and Girdhari Lal, appealed the people of all sections of the society to come under the umbrella of BSP to strengthen the hands of Mayawati.

Sadaa-Masoom musical cassette released

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: "Diwani Kar Dini", an audio cassette, of popular husband-wife duo singers, Masoom Thakur and Sadaa Thakur, was released at a media conference held here this evening.

The cassette has been produced under the banner of Kuber Music Industries, Delhi and contains eight musical compositions by Sadaa Thakur and Masoom Thakur. The cassette has two sufi musical items as also Urdu ghazals and devotional songs.

Both the multi-talented singers also gave impressive performance of the song items with their melodious voice and sweet music. Mr Thakur has provided music to these songs in the cassette.

The songs of the cassette have been penned by renowned poets Daag Dehalvi, Shahid Hamdani and Sadaa-Masoon as well.

Diwani Kar Dini is Kuber Music’s first romantic venture by multi-talented couple Masoom Thakur and Sadaa Thakur.

A video presentation of one picturised song of this cassette was made for promotion of the cassette.

Masoom Thakur, a son of the soil, has a number of cassettes to his credit and has also sang in some serials.

The couple, disciple of illustrated musician, Ustad Sabri Khan, is engaged in music since 1982 and has experience in the field of staging musical performances in and outside the country. Among other things, he has also composed music for the feature film, "Chetna".

Answering questions by the media persons, Masoom, while recalling his roots in Jammu and his duty towards Duggar cultural heritage, said he plans to utilise his talent towards quality productions in Dogri folk music and songs.

Recalling his early days in native place Jammu, he said " I was singing at Radio Station, Jammu and it was only in 1982 that I shifted to the national capital but remained in constant contact with music world in Mumbai.

The programme was conducted by Jia Lal Sharma.

Lok Adalat settles 442 cases

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: A Lok Adalat was held in the new District Court Complex Janipur Jammu today under the chairmanship of Chairman District Legal Service Authority Pr District and Sessions Judge Jammu Subash Chander Gupta. In the Lok Adalat four benches were constituted.

Bench No 1 was headed by Chairman District Legal Service Authority Pr District and Sessions Judge Jammu and assisted by Additional District Judge (Bank case) Jammu to deal with Matrimonial and MACT cases. Five cases of Matrimonial were taken up, out of which three were settled and 25 MACT cases were taken up, out of which 9 cases were settled and compensation of Rs 8,40,000 was awarded.

Bench No 2 was headed by Sub Judge Jammu to deal with Chief Judicial Magistrate, Municipal City Judge, Railway, Munisff and 3rd Additional Munsiff Court cases. 40 cases were taken up, out of which 23 cases were settled, fine of Rs.18,550 was realized on the spot and Rs.1000 was awarded as compensation.

Bench No 3 was headed by Special Municipal Magistrate Jammu to deal with Special Traffic Court cases. 252 cases were taken up, out of which 156 cases were settled and fine of Rs.19950 was realized.

Bench No 4 was headed by Electricity Magistrate Jammu to deal with Additional Traffic Court cases. 890 cases were taken up, out of which 251 cases were settled and fine of Rs.32350 was realized.

Two-day national seminar at GCW Parade concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: UGC sponsored two-day National Seminar on Enhancing Educational Opportunities for the Economic Empowerment of Women, concluded at Government College for Women, Parade, here today.

Prof M R Puri, former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, was chief guest in the valedictory function. Speaking on the occasion, he said that empowerment of women has become a global concern but the basic challenge is to empower women at the grassroot level so as to make them self reliant and self sufficient. This, he added, can be done only by providing better educational opportunities to women at all levels.

Dr Lokesh Kaul, Professor Emeritus, HP University, Shimla, who was guest of honour on the occasion, exhorted the young students to strive for economic independence and to do serious thinking upon the kind of roles they would play as future citizens.

Earlier, in her welcome address, Prof Indira S Rathore, Principal of the College, said that seminars and symposia are a means to enrich academic ambience there by enabling the educational institutions to compete with global standards.

In his observations on the seminar, Prof Riayaz Punjabi from JNU, said that the important suggestions made during the seminar, if implemented will have a good impact on status of women in J&K State. He strongly advocated that GCW Parade, Jammu, be accorded the status of a Deemed University in view of its profile.

Prof P Bambroo, organising secretary, gave an account of the recommendations of the seminar while Prof Neelam Mohan presented vote of thanks.

Tehsil Action Committee Majalta meets Bloeria

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 25: An All Party Action Committee Majalta delegation met S S Bloeria and demanded re-organization of newly created districts and tehsils in the State.

The delegation expressed apprehensions that some outsiders were working overtime to annex recently upgraded Majalta tehsil from already truncated Udhampur and drag it down to newly created border district of Samba, which is a Kandi heartland. The delegation explained to the Chairman that entire belt from Bani to Basohli to Billawar at Majalta to Udhampur represents a uniquely integrated valley cut up between two chains of mountains.

The delegation further stated that Majalta block has been an integral part of Udhampur district for over 100 years and its natural geography, near green ecology and temperate environment are uniquely reflected in the integrated whole represented by it, besides Majalta inhabitants’ socio-cultural bonds, socio-lingual affinity etc and in such circumstances clipping Majalta tehsil out of Udhampur would not been taken kindly even by one out of one thousand souls thereover.

The delegation was headed by Tehsil Action Committee president Bhupinder Singh Pathania and comprised of leaders of all the political parties.

JK Bank launches new MetLife insurance plans

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Bank today introduced new MetLife Insurance plans in its all 519 branches in state and other parts of the country.

While introducing the plan at a function organised here last evening, Executive Director of the J&K Bank, A R Fazili said that Met Roshan and Met Mubarak have been designed keeping in mind the customer profile of J&K Bank and it shall be marketed through all 519 branches of the bank. He said both are unit linked plans and pertain to children’s education and marriage.

Mr Fazli further said that Bank has from time to time come out with new products and innovative plans. As a step in the same direction the Bank in partnership with America’s largest MetLife Insurance company is serving its customers in better way and providing need based insurance solutions making them more secure and safer in State.

General Manager and Country Head of the Bank in Insurance sector, A K Mehta said that past two years have seen Bank embark on the journey from being a good institution to a great and vibrant bank. The Bank with its new logo and brand design as its face, is swiftly moving towards prosperity exhibiting values of energy, growth and stability.

Rajesh Relan, CEO MetLife Company was also present on the occasion besides other senior officers of the Bank and the Company.

Communal Harmony Week celebrations conclude

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Communal Harmony Week celebrations by various educational institutions and organisations, concluded today.

NSS wing of Dogra College of Education celebrated Communal Harmony Week by organising a series of activities which included essay writing competition, painting competition and a rally. On the concluding day today, a symposium was organised on the topic ‘Communal Harmony-Need of the Hour’, in which Saroj, Shilpa Gupta and Yogesh Joshi were adjudged first, second and third, respectively.

NSM College of Education organised Display Your Talent programme on the occasion of Communal Harmony Day in which students presented various items. The programme concluded with a pledge by the students.

Week long celebrations by NSS unit of MIER College of Education concluded with a visit by the volunteers to old age home Ambphala today. Led by NSS Programme Office Poonam Soni, the volunteers interacted with the inmates.

Week long Communal Harmony Week celebrations at Jan College of Education concluded with prize distribution function in which winners of different events were awarded. Chairman of the college Ajaz Ahmed Jan gave away prizes and certificates of merit to the winners.

Tagore College of Education celebrated Communal Harmony Week by organising various activities. On the concluding day today, a rally was organised for conservation of forests. The rally passed through main bazars of Akalpur town.

Communal Harmony Week celebrations at Vimal Muni College of Education also concluded today with the organising of a symposium on ‘Communal Harmony’ and taking out a peace march rally.

NSS unit of Beacon College of Education organised quiz competition, debate, poster making competition and symposium in connection with the Communal Harmony Week celebrations.

The Department of Conservator of Forest, Leh, in collaboration with the Divisional Forest office Leh, organised a symposium at Elizer Jolden Degree College Leh. Rigzin Chorol bagged first position in the symposium while second and third place were secured by Stanzin Ladol and Stanzin Yangdol, respectively.

Executive Councilor (Agriculture) Tsering Norboo Lampa, who was chief guest on the occasion, gave away prizes to the winners.

Mendhar Battalion also celebrated Communal Harmony Week by organising a series of programmes at Pine Wood School, Sabra. On the concluding day today, a cultural prgoramme was organised in which children presented various enthralling items. Commanding officer of Mendhar Battalion gave away prizes to the winners.

In connection with Communal Harmony Week celebrations, 40 RR organised a series of activities in Mandi. The concluding function of the celebrations was held at Boys Higher Secondary School Mandi wherein a debate and cultural show were organised. Prizes were given away to the winners and stationery items were distributed among children.

As a part of weeklong celebrations various programmes were held by the NSS volunteers in MAM College in collaboration with different educational institutions. The programme included painting competition, poster making, debates symposia, seminars, quiz competition and cultural programmes.

The NSS volunteers presented a colourful variety programme in the validictory function and displaced their inherent talent which fascinated the jam packed gathering.

Later, the Minister of R&B, Gulchain Singh Charak, who was chief guest on the occasion, distributed prizes and certificates among the winners of different activities. Mr. Nasir, Mr. Vikas Bawa and Mr. Baber were awarded special prizes for best instrumentists of Harmonium, Guitar and Dholak respectively.

Principal MAM College, Dr. Kuber Singh, Principal Science College, R.L. Sharma and principal Commerce College, Subash Gupta were also present on the occasion.

Young Rotarians’ 3-day conference underway

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: To inculcate the qualities of leadership among the youth, the Rotary Club, Jammu Royal organized a three day conference here. The conference, which started yesterday will conclude on November 26.

Besides, the J&K the youth from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are participating in the conference. Besides the Club president, Jatinder Gandhok eminent speakers addressed the Retracts in today’s meet and threw light on the values of a healthy society.

Dr Jitendra Singh a renowned Diabetologist and author delivered the lecture on the theme of Diabetes and Youth in the Scientific Session of the conference.

Emphasizing the importance of picking up future diabetic tendencies in pre-diabetes stage through frequent mass testing of blood sugar, he said that it was particularly important in case of youth because diabetes which was earlier believed to be a disorder of middle aged and elderly is now affecting more and more of youngsters and adolscents.

Dr Jitendra Singh called upon the youth to match their family history of diabetes before entering matrimony instead of matching horoscope because that alone could check future diabetes tendencies in children born of these couples.

Khalid Hussian, Ex -Deputy Commissioner and Mehta Robin Singh spoke on the role of youth in nation building, while Dr J P Singh spoke on spiritual approach to healing.

Agnishekhar disassociates himself from
recommendations of Working Group

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25; Disassociating himself from the recommendations of the Working Group on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) which held a two day deliberations here under the chairmanship of Mohammed Hamid Ansari, Dr Agnishekhar who represented the displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the Group, alleged that the main issues concerning the community have been circumvented.

Talking to the Excelsior after the conclusion of the meeting here today, he alleged that Working Group showed its total inability in addressing the core issues like constitution of Inquiry Commission to probe into the causes of exodus.

He said moreover the Group maintained stoic silence on the displaced Pandits’ demand regarding their geopolitical rehabilitation. He apprehended that the Working Group was adopting avoiding tactics on the major issues concerning the Pandits.

Dr Agnishekhar said his report on the effective Rehabilitation policy including employment to Kashmiri Pandits was diluted and instead it has been recommended that comprehensive package for the rehabilitation of displaced Pandits be discussed with their representatives.

Moreover, there is no mention about the payment of exgratia and enhancement of relief as demanded by the community. The Group was also silent about the problems of the non camp migrants, he alleged.