People burn minister’s effigy
Protest in Hiranagar against Health Minister

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Jan 7: Residents of Hiranagar town and adjoining villages held massive protest demonstration against Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram Sharma today.

The people under the banner of Hiranagar Development Council, assembled at Tehsil headquarters near Hiranagar Bus Stand and held massive protest demonstration. Dheeraj Gupta and Neeraj Sharma were leading the protest. A large number of locals joined the protest programme.

The demonstrators shouted slogans against Pt Mangat Ram Sharma and Director Health Services Jammu, Dr Jasbir Singh for not honouring commitment made with the local public during their visit to Hiranagar town about one and half month back. They also burnt the effigy of Minister for Health.

The Council members alleged that Mangat Ram Sharma had assured to appoint generator operator for Hiranagar hospital, besides posting of ultrasound technician, renovation of operation theatre and posting of eye-specialist within one week, but even after the lapse of one and half month nothing was done. They alleged that public was suffering for want of adequate health services but the minister and the director concerned were busy in their own agenda and least bothered about the people of this area.

They urged the Chief Minister to intervene personally into the matter and issue directions to the concerned officers.

DB confirms life-imprisonment awarded by Trial Court

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Nirmal Singh and Justice Virender Singh has confirmed the life-imprisonment awarded by the trial court to a murder accused.

According to the prosecution case, on May 26, 1994 accused Vikram Sharma murdered one Rajesh Bassi when the latter was on his way to residence from the temple in Gandhi Nagar area. The accused murdered Rajesh Bassi as the latter restrained the former from teasing the girls near the shop.

The then Principal Sessions Judge Jammu Vinod Gupta convicted the accused and after awarding life imprisonment sent the same to Division Bench of the State High Court for conformation.

After hearing Additional Advocate General B S Salathia appearing for the State and Advocate Y P Koushal appearing for the convict, the Division Bench observed "there is no reason to doubt the satisfaction of the Court about the capability of understanding the witness in the case, a 10 year old child, who was accompanying the deceased and informed Rajesh Bassi’s mother about the stabbing by Vikram Sharma".

With these observations, the Division Bench confirmed the life-imprisonment awarded by the Trial Court to the accused Vikram Sharma.

Charak for time bound preservation,
restoration of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 7: Executive Committee of Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS) today directed the INTACH and Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to frame a time bound programme for the preservation and restoration of century old Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex to its original form. The Society also decided to review the progress of preservation and restoration on monthly basis.

This direction was given in a 5th meeting of Executive Committee Meeting held here today in a Gray Hall of Mubarak Mandi complex under the chairmanship of Minister for Higher Education Gulchain Singh Charak, who is also vice chairman of the society.

While reviewing the progress of INTACH, the committee was informed that INTACH has appointed various architects as consultants for the project and are expected to start documentation work and conservation plan within days. They have also appointed structural consultants and art conservators for the said project.

The ASI has taken up the work of restoration of Old High Court complex and Public Service Commission and presently the survey and documentation work of these two complexes is in progress and status report would be presented in the next committee meeting.

The committee also directed the ASI authorities to give detailed estimates of the work of these two complexes within one month so that funds will be provided for the same.

It was also decided to consider the recommendation of Joint inspection team constituted with regard to Old High Court and Gray Hall Buildings. The shifting of low tension and high-tension lines from the complex was also decided upon.

The meeting was also informed that a committee of officers under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Jammu have also been constituted by the chairman executive committee to examine the issue of shifting back Toshakhana from Civil Secretariat Jammu to the Mubarak Mandi complex (Old High Court Building) for storage and conservation works. The committee also gave their nod for the proposal of fund raising for the society for which a sub committee was already framed under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner Jammu.

Among the others, who participated including Members of Executive Committee Maj. Gen. G. S. Jamwal, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Hirdesh Kumar, Director Archives, Chief Architects J&K Government, Chief Engineer Power, Dr. Anita Ballowria, Prof. Zahar-ud-Din, Lalit Mangotra, Development Commissioner Town Planning, Executive Director Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and other senior officers of ASI, INTACH, Wildlife, PWD.

JKSTA for united platform to launch struggle

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir State Teachers Association (JKSTA) has decided to form a united platform of all teachers organizations to launch forceful movement for the redressal of their long pending demands.

The decision was taken during a meeting of JKSTA held under its president S Kulwant Singh. It was urged upon the all district units of the organization to gear up their activities and hold district conferences to re-organize and prepare the cadre for united struggle against the authorities for neglecting demands of teaching community.

All the activists of the association were also asked to contact activists of other organizations and persuade them to form a common platform for highlighting their demands.

In the meeting, discussions were also held on their demands including earned leave and its encashment, initial higher start, notional and financial benefit, regularization of ReT and EGS teachers.

On the occasion, Mulkh Raj Bhamagi, an activist of the association, was unanimously appointed as provincial organizer and incharge of Udhampur, Reasi and Ramban districts.

Those who attended the meeting were Jai Kumar, Bharat Kumar, Kuldeep Saini, Ranjeet Singh, Vijay Gupta, Kulesh Kumar, Tilak Raj Sharma, Mohinder Lal and Nazir Hussain etc.

Drama Festival concludes with a riveting performance

By Ravinder Kaul

Annual Drama Festival, organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, concluded here today with a riveting performance of the play Aadhe Adhure, presented by Rangshala Theatre Group. The play provided a befitting finale to the Festival that in many ways broke new ground in organisation of Drama Festivals in the State.

Aadhe Adhure is one of the most celebrated plays of Modern Indian Theatre. Written by Mohan Rakesh, it completely galvanised the image of Indian theatre when it was first performed in the sixth decade of the previous century. What can be said about the play that has not been said already (In fact this reviewer got an entry into the Limca Book of Records for writing the longest drama review ever when this play was performed by Rangyug in 1992). The story of a middle class family, with all its inherent tensions, anxieties, love, rejection, hope, despair, faithfulness and frailties, Aadhe Adhure became the representative play of a whole generation when India was not yet shining and the middle class was still in the doldrums.

Aadhe Adhure is the story of Savitri, an ambitious women burning with a desire to break open the shackles of a dreary middle class existence and move up in life. In order to achieve this goal, she relies on four men at different stages in her life, but each of the four men leave her even more frustrated, even more empty, even more middle class than before. In the end, the story of her life comes full circle and she is condemned to continue living the life that she has always dreaded. The men have their own strengths and weaknesses. In fact none of the characters in the play has been etched in black and white. They are all drawn in varying shades of gray with each having his or her own compelling reasons to behave in the manner in which he or she behaves.

There are three children also in the play. The unemployed son, the elder daughter with a failed marriage and the younger one who has mentally grown bigger than her age.

Himanshu Darshan gave a wonderful account of his acting abilities in all the five male characters that he enacted. He made a conscious effort to appear different in each of the five roles and succeeded in creating a visible difference in his voice, mannerism and gait.

Neelam Pathania, truly excelled herself in her powerful portrayal of a woman who at personal level wants to achieve something in life but also cares for her family and does not want to shirk her responsibility towards it. A stellar effort by her indeed.

Anju Jain and Umesh Singh as the elder daughter and the son respectively also acted well. However, all the accolades must go to Dewankshi Sabiki, who in the role of the younger daughter stunned everyone with her talent. She deservedly got a standing ovation from the audience.

Umesh Singh has emerged as a serious theatre director in recent times. With this play he enhances his image as a talented director who has the vision and courage to stage as complex a play as Aadhe Adhure. The set design and lighting were quite imaginative. However, the same cannot be said about music. Kuldip Saproo is a very talented music director of the State but he was probably roped in at the last moment and not given proper briefing. Consequently, he gave constant live music in the manner it is given in a TV serial, without any silent, music free moments. This is the last thing that one needs to do in theatre. In theatre, music has to be used only sparingly and at only the right moments. Stage music is a different genre altogether and needs to be handled very delicately.

In conclusion, about this year’s Drama Festival it must be said that it was for the first time in the history of the Festival that 17 theatre groups presented their plays. Therefore, going by sheer numbers, this Festival must be considered as the most successful ever. Moreover, the audience response to the Festival was also very positive throughout and all the performances were witnessed by a large number of viewers. Dr. Sudhir Mahajan deserves all appreciation for the hard work put in by him for conducting this Festival.

Another positive feature of the Festival was an interaction organised by the Academy of the teams of the theatre groups presenting their plays in the Festival with the participants of the theatre workshop currently being held By Mushtaq Kak in Kala Kendra under the auspices of National School of Drama and the Academy. The enhanced production fee and the prize money acted as a catalyst to draw more theatre groups to participate in the Festival. One feels that, considering the cost of putting up a reasonably good production these days, the Production Fee must be further enhanced to Rs.25000/-. However, at the same time strict quality control measures need to be put in place to allow only serious contenders with meritorious productions to participate in the Festival.

Senior citizens hold meet

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Association for Welfare of Senior Citizens held its general meeting under the presidentship of Vikran Gaur in which general secretary Kewal Krishen Mahajan informed that 150 life members have been enrolled so far and efforts were on to achieve target of 170 life members by ending March, this year.

Mr Mahajan said a trust named "Senior Citizens Building and Management Trust" has been formed and its 16 trustees have contributed Rs 20,000 each. He said trusteeship was open to all the members of the Association and that any life member could become a trustee by contributing the required amount.

Patron-in-Chief O P Modi spelled out the aims of the Trust and said it was formed to establish an exclusive enclave for senior citizens near Jammu city.

The meeting unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Union Finance Minister P Chidambram to make a provision to raise the rate of interest by 2 percent for senior citizens from the present 1 percent over and above the banks’ normal rate of interest. The resolution also demanded that senior citizens should be exempted income tax upto Rs 2.25 lakh income instead of Rs 1.90 lakh as at present, and that age of senior citizens should be decreased to 60 years from the present 65 years.

The meeting among others who attended by A K Arora, president SOS Children’s Village and Vijay Kumar Bhagotra, secretary Vridh Ashram Jammu.

Two artists honoured by Subah Art Gallery

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Two noted artists: Suman Gupta and Jagpal Singh Bandral were honoured by Subah Art Gallery, at a function organised here this evening.

Both were presented mementos by Ram Sahai, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) for their outstanding contributions in painting art.

The prize has been instituted by Subah Art Gallery, set up a year back on this day, to encourage promotion of visual art in Jammu and Kashmir. This Art Gallery showcases beautiful paintings by renowned and budding artists.

Mr Suman Gupta and Jagpal Singh Bandral have both made significant contribution to art through their paintings.

Mr K K Gandhi, director of Subah Art Gallery, conducted proceedings of the programme and showed around the chief guest to the Gallery explaining salient features of each master-piece artwork of brush and colours. He said the programme has been dedicated to famous artist V R Khajuria.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sahai while congratulating the two artists honoured today, said the Jammu and Kashmir has vast artistic potential who need to be encouraged. The setting up of the Gallery has provided an opportunity to artists to display their artworks.

The CCI chief also lauded the relentless efforts of Mr Gandhi for providing a much-needed platform to artists in this part of the country. It is due to his dedication that in short span of one year, the Subah Art Gallery has carved out a niche for itself in the world of art.

Dr D L Choudhary, Administrator, Zorawar Singh Auditorium, Jammu University campus, also spoke on the occasion. He said Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, who visited Subah Art Gallery yesterday appreciated the exhibits at display.

Maha Jayanti of Swami Mirzakak, Nirman
Divas of Swami Ram Jalali on Jan 9

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: The 264th Maha Jayanti of Swami Mirzakak Ji a great mystic saint of Kashmir of medieval period will be celebrated at Swami Ji’s Nagrota Ashram on January 9.

In this connection a Maha Yagya will be solemnized in the Ashram premises. The yagya will start tomorrow evening and puranahuti will be performed on January 9 afternoon. This will be followed by serving of prashad to devotees.

The Nirman Diwas of Swami Ram Jalali the founder of Uma Nagri will also be observed on January 9. In this connection a Maha Yagya will be performed at Sharda Peeth Temple, Bantalab. The yagya will start tomorrow evening and puranahuti will be performed next day. After that devotees will be served with prashad.

YWAIKS threatens to intensify struggle

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: The Youth Wing of All India Kashmiri Samaj (YWAIKS) has criticized the State Government for depriving relief benefits to bifurcated ration card holders of the community.

R K Bhat, president of the organization held the Government responsible for the plight of KPs and termed it shameful that youth were sitting on hunger strike for the last 28 days against this injustice but Government was yet to come forward and concede their demand. He also threatened to intensify the struggle in coming days.

Today, those who sat on hunger strike were Rakesh Zalpuri, Anil Pandita, Sanjay Kher, Ram Krishan, Pinki Bhat and R K Bhat. However, those who addressed the gathering included Moti Kaul and S K Kaul.

JKTF’s Malhar unit convenes meet

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: The Malhar zone unit of Jammu Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) in tehsil Bilawar today convened a meeting to discuss some of their issues.

The meeting chaired by Hem Raj Thakur, general secretary, urged upon the Education Department to increase the fare for ration and wages of cook from Rs 100 to 190 and Rs 500 to 1500 respectively.

The forum also stressed upon the CEO Kathua and ZEO Malhar to release the initial higher start in favour of teachers as ordered by Director School Education Jammu.

Through meeting, the entire cadre of the zone was urged to participate in the proposed one-day demonstration in front of Divisional Commissioner office at Jammu on January 9.

Those who attended the meeting included Rattan Chand, Mohan Lal, Hukmat Raj, Gul Mohd, Hans Raj and several other members of the cadre.

Zargar inaugurates JWCCL

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 7: Minister for Agriculture Abdul Aziz Zargar today inaugurated first of its kind Jammu Women’s Credit Cooperative Ltd (JWCCL) at Marh in Jammu.

Registrar Cooperatives, Dr. G. N. Qasba, Deputy Registrar Cooperatives, Jammu Shubra Sharma, who is also nodal officer of the cooperative, Chairman, (JWCCL), Kalalsh Devi, members of JWCCL and officers of the Cooperatives Department were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Zargar said that this cooperative would not only empower the women, but would also improve their economic condition. He said the aim of the cooperative movement was to ameliorate the economic condition of the farmers by way of providing timely loan facilities for fetching seeds, fertilizers and other agriculture inputs.

Dr. Qasba while highlighting the advantages of the cooperative said that members of the cooperative could get hassle free loan facilities within their locality. Referring to JWCCL, he said that this will give a new status to the women in the society and can play a vital role in improving the economy of their families.

Chairman and Nodal Officer of JWCCL also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the aim of the cooperative. They said women can get an opportunity to work together with their husbands to built a prosperous and healthy family.

It was informed that initial membership of the cooperative is Rs.450 with a share capital of Rs.4.50 lakh and membership is increasing very fast.

2 killed, 31 injured in road accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Two persons were killed and 31 others received injuries in separate road accidents.

Police spokesman said that driver of a bus number JK02R-9477 was killed and 15 others received injuries when the vehicle skidded off the road and rolled down into a nullah near Saman late last night.

The ill-fated vehicle was on its way from Bani to Jammu when met with accident. Soon after the accident, all the injured passengers were rushed to Sub-District Hospital Basohli and their condition was stated to be out of danger.

The deceased has been identified as Raj Kumar, son of Dharam Chand of Katra.

In another accident, driver of a truck number JK14-A-3640 was killed when his vehicle skidded off the road and rolled down near Chater Pari Kurmail. His identity could not be established till late this evening.

Meanwhile, 16 persons were injured in head-on collision between two mini-buses number JK02Q-0671 and JK02X-2359 at Muthi near K C Public School this afternoon.

All the injured were rushed to hospital and their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

They have been identified as Simpy, daughter of Girdhari Lal of Kanachak, Sunil, Deepak Kumar, son of Amar Nath of Kanachak, Dheeraj, Vidhya Devi, wife of Thoru Ram of Bakshi Nagar, Surishta Ghori, daughter of Puran Dutt of Jhiri, Rajni, daughter of Babu Ram of Kanachak, Tirath Kour, wife of Man Singh of Kanachak, Anu Radha, daughter of Hans Raj of Kanachak, Jyoti, Karan, Kanta Devi, wife of Hem Raj, Rohit, Kamla, Reema Gupta, wife of Deepak Gupta of Canal Road and Abhishek, son of Om Parkash Sharma of Kanachak.

SHRC orders probe into teacher’s disappearance

SRINAGAR, Jan 7: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the police to probe the alleged disappearance of a religious teacher in Banihal area nearly four years ago while in Army custody.

It also recommended the Government to pay ex-gratia relief of Rs two lakh and a job to the kin of victim Mohammad Yousuf Kumhar, acting SHRC chairperson Habibullah Bhat said in his judgement passed on January 2.

Accepting the complaint filed by Mohammad Iqbal Kumhar on July 18 last year, Bhat said the police’s Crime Branch should investigate the disappearance of Mohammad Yousuf while in custody of Major Dass and his associates at the 23 Rashtriya Rifles Ukhral camp near Banihal in January 2004.

The investigation report should be submitted within three months from the date of receiving the direction, Bhat said in his order released today.

After perusing the report submitted by the SP concerned, Bhat observed that the explanation about the disappearance of Mohammad Yousuf is "not only irrational but merit less".

This explanation cannot satisfy human conscious that a person in custody for 14 days will escape in the darkness, he said, adding if a person is detained for 14 days and then whisked away in darkness, then the country does not require the services of officers like Major Dass and the personnel associated with him. (PTI)

7 gamblers arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Canal police today arrested seven gamblers from outside Chander Bagha community hall.

The gamblers, all Biharis, were charged under the Gambling Act. Rs 2500 were recovered from them.

Police party was led by Canal police post Incharge SI Atul Singh.