CM
concerned over dwindling number of Chinar
trees
Excelsior
Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 15: Concerned over the
dwindling number of Chinar trees in the
Kashmir valley, Chief Minister Ghulam
Nabi Azad today urged people and
institutions to plant and safeguard this
royal tree.
He said at
present there were only about 40,000
Chinar trees left in Kashmir of which
majority were old. He said about 7000
trees were 400 years or more old while
another 10,000 were 300 years old.
Mr Azad
planted several Chinar saplings on the
foreshore road, the famous Dal Lake and
Kashmir University campus today, which
was observed as the Chinar Plantation Day
in the Valley.
The Chief
Minister said Chinar was the prominent
representation of Kashmir’s cultural
landscape which had come to be used as a
synonym of the Valley.
He said
there was need to plant the tree on a
major scale as its numbers were
dwindling.
He
described the decrease in number as
serious and urged people and institutions
to plant chinars wherever sufficient land
was available.
Mr Azad
said that Chinar plantation was taken up
simultaneously today in all the districts
of the Valley.
The
Floriculture Department supplied Chinar
saplings to all Deputy Commissioners,
while on the instructions of the Chief
Minister, 1000 saplings were sent to
Jammu for plantation in the division.
During his
interaction with the faculty, he
expressed dismay over the increasing
number of concrete structures in the
campus and compared it with the older
times when the university campus was
considered as the best in the country.
He called
for immediate halt of further
constructions on the campus upon which
the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Riyaz Punjabi
assured him that he would issue a
notification in this regard.
Prof
Punjabi told the Chief Minister that the
Naseem Bagh Campus of the university was
being declared as a heritage site.
The campus
has large groves of magnificent Chinars
believed to have been planted by Mughal
ruler, Shah Jahan, who is also said to
irrigate these with milk.
Dr Naqash
said that as a policy matter and as per
the directions of the State High Court
the Floriculture Department was going
pro-active against lopping and cutting of
green chinars.
He said
Chinar saplings were being supplied free
of cost to the lovers of the glorious
tree for propagation.
Jammu
girl gets Junior Nobel in US
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: An
Indian-American high school student beat
out 1,600 others to win the top prize at
a prestigious science talent search
contest in US dubbed the "Junior
Nobel", for her project on cancer.
Shivani
Sud, 17 hailing from Jammu and daughter
of Dr. Anu Aggarwal was declared the
grand prize winner for 2008 for
developing a model she used to identify
stage II colon cancer patients at a high
risk for recurrence. She will get a
100.000 dollars scholarship.
The model
created by Sud, a senior at Jordan High
School in Durham, North Carolina also
focused on identifying what may be the
most effective drugs for treatment of
those with a high risk of recurring
tumours, organizer of the annual Intel
Science Talent Search said.
Such a
system would allow doctor to save the
most aggressive or toxic therapy for
those who need it most, said Dr. Andrew.
M. Yeager, Chairman of the judging panel
and a professor at the University of
Arizona College of Medicine.
Sud said
that she was motivated in part by
personal experience. "One of my
immediate family members has a benign
brain tumour. It felt a big emotional
imprint on me", said the daughter of
Ish and Anu Sud. Among the 40 finalists
were seven Indian-American students
including four girls.
Along with
her research work, Sud represents
students at school board meetings serves
as a Durham Rescue Mission volunteer and
performs classical and modern Indian
dance. She said she wants to have a
career in research and hopes to attend
Princeton University or Harvard
University but for now she has more
immediate matters to tend to. "I
have a lot of homework to catch up on.
Justice
Sunil Hali administered oath
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Justice Sunil Hali
took oath of office as Additional Judge
of the State High Court today at an
impressive function at High Court
complex, Janipur.
Chief
Justice K. S. Radhakrishanan administered
oath of office to Justice Sunil Hali.
Earlier,
the warrant of appointment and
notification received from Rashtrapati
Bhawan and Ministry of Law and Justice,
Government of India was read out by Abdul
Rashid Bhat, Registrar General of the
High Court. He also read out the letter
of authorization by Governor of the State
authorizing the Chief Justice K. S.
Radhakrishanan to administer oath of
office to the judge.
Judges of
the High Court Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakru,
Justice Nirmal Singh, Justice Virender
Singh, Justice Y. P. Nargotra, Justice
Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain, Justice Mansoor
Ahmad Mir, Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani,
Justice J.P. Singh, Justice Mohammad
Yaqoob Mir, Advocate General,
Commissioner Secretary Law Department and
Director General of Police were present
on the occasion.
Besides
function was attended by the judicial
officers of the district Jammu, President
Bar Association Jammu, Bar Members,
Advocate and staff.
SRTC
workers decide to carry on strike, face
termination
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Mar 15: Agitating
for the last about four weeks demanding
release of their pending salary of five
months and COLA, J&K State Road
Transport Corporation workers and
employees preferred to face
‘termination’ than begging for
their wages every month.
Strongly
reacting to the press statment of
Managing Director of the SRTC, Lone,
Chairman of the SRTC Workers Union
Shakeel Ahmed Kuchey told the Excelsior
that the working bodies of Jammu, Ladakh
and Kashmir units of the SRTC Workers
Union held extensive meetings to take a
final decision about the course of action
in view of threats coming from the
Management.
He said in
Jammu the meeting was held under the
chairmanship of Ashok Mehra, president
while in Srinagar the meeting was chaired
by Showkat Ahmed vice chairman of the
Union. Working body members of both the
units in written statement have forwarded
their consent to continue their struggle
without caring for the termination
threats issued by the Management. He said
the workers have preferred to ‘die
once’ or get rid of such a job for
which their children/ families have to
face starvation.
Mr Kuchey
while condemning the statement of MD
alleged that instead of providing regular
wages to the workers, the Government was
issuing threats. It is massive violation
of Human Rights as workers are being
treated as slaves and not paid for months
for the jobs they performed. Their
families are being forced to face
starvation. This kind of HR violation is
unique example in this State. He said the
Union has already lodged a complaint with
the Chairman SHRC and he has issued
strict directions to the Government for
releasing wages.
The Union
leader said that statement of MD has
worked as fuel to the fire. He personally
discussed the issue to the Union
leadership at Jammu, Srinagar and other
district units. After this a unanimous
decision was taken to face termination.
In case
any provocative step is taken by the
starving workers or their family members
or the children thrown out of schools for
not paying monthly fee, SRTC Managing
Director and the Transport Minister will
be responsible for it. He appealed the
workers to remain united in this time of
test and have patience. He claimed that
struggle may take ugly turn if the
Government continues with its rigid
stance.
Meanwhile,
strike of the SRTC workers and employees
continued in Srinagar and Jammu besides
other district headquarters. The workers
held demonstration at Bikram Chowk near
Tawi bridge here. Several leaders
including Ashok Mehra, Pawan Sharma and D
R Bali addressed the gathering.
The
management of the Corporation has
however, claimed that some workers have
shown indication to resume duty by
Monday. Final warning has already been
issued. A list is being prepared to issue
termination orders at first instance at
least 40 identified employees including
some leaders.
Tributes
paid to Kanshi on 74th birth anniversary
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Floral tributes
were paid to the great Dalit leader and
founder of Bahujan Samaj Party, Kanshi
Ram on his 74th birth anniversary today.
A function
was organised by the J&K unit of the
BSP at its headquarters near Satwari here
today. A large number of Party workers
and leaders participated in the program.
They paid floral tributes to the great
Dalit leader and recalled his
contributions for the community and the
party.
B S
Chouhan Party coordinator for Punjab and
J&K was the chief guest on the
occasion while state unit president of
the Party Yash Pal Bhagat presided over
the function. While paying tributes to
Late Kanshi Ram, Chouhan recalled his
hard struggle in the initial years,
contribution for the upliftment and
awareness among the Dalit Samaj for their
rights, creation of Dalit empowerment and
welfare of the country and its people.
Yash Pal
Bhagat in his address described Kanshi
Ram as ‘Massiha’ of the down
trodden, Dalits and poor members of the
society. He said Kanshi Ram himself
belonged to a very poor family and
emerged as a very powerful leader and
became source of inspiration for many in
the present and coming generations. It is
only due to his vision, continued and
dedicated efforts that he raised a strong
party which is sure to grab power at the
Centre in coming years.
Several
other leaders also spoke on the occasion
and lauded the contributions of Kanshi
Ram for the Party and the Dalit Samaj.
The party workers in large number from
Bishnah, R S Pura, Marh, Akhnoor,
Nagrota, Jammu city and Samba
participated in today’s party
function.
Blind
murder worked out, 3 held
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Police today worked
out blind murder of a Bihari youth and
arrested three accused.
Police
spokesman said that on February 18, 2008,
an unidentified body was recovered by
Katra Police from a nullah near Katra
Railway Station under mysterious
circumstances. After hectic efforts, the
identification of the deceased was
established as Deepak Kumar, son of Sarma
Singh of Khanpur, Patna.
To work
out the case, Senior Superintendent of
Police (SSP) Reasi J L Sharma constituted
a special team headed by SHO Katra
Inspector S S Sambyal under the direct
supervision of SP Katra Ashok Sharma and
DySP Jugal Kishore.
After
hectic efforts, the SHO Inspector Sambyal
came to know that Deepak Kumar was
involved in several cases of thefts. He
also succeeded in getting information
about the persons, who were usually found
accompanying the deceased.
Finally,
on the receipt of information about the
accused persons, the special police team
conducted a raid and arrested all the
three persons involved in the blind
murder of Bihari youth.
They have
been identified as Jagdev Singh, son of
Prem Singh of Panchari, Balbir Singh
alias Billu, son of Shiv Dass and Manjeet
Kumar, son of Udhay Kumar, both the
residents of Kun Katra.
During
interrogation, the arrested accused
revealed that the deceased was openly
blaming them for all sorts of crimes
particularly thefts and to make him mum
forever they decided to eliminate him.
They further revealed that on the fateful
day they threw the victim from the bridge
after causing severe injuries on his
head.
Tarigami
warns against division of J&K
Purlia arms drop,
Nandigram conspiracy
to oust CPI (M) from power: Salim
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: The Communist
Party of India (Marxist), MP and Deputy
leader of the Party in Lok Sabha,
Mohammed Salim today related the 1996
arms drop in Purlia village of West
Bengal during 1996 and Nandigram incident
in the state with a conspiracy hatched by
the detractors of the Party to oust CPI
(M) from power in West Bengal.
"The
Purlia arms drop and recent episode in
Nandigram was a conspiracy to over throw
CPI(M) Government in West Bengal",
said Mr Salim, while addressing the 8th
State Conference of the Party at Jammu
Club, here, today.
Making a
fervent appeal to his Party cadres in the
state to strengthen the CPI (M), he said
strengthening of the Party will be their
first step in strengthening the Leftist
movement in the country.
Opposing
the Indo- US proposed nuclear deal, he
said it is a part of military pact with
United States and Left is totally opposed
to this long term strategic alliance with
that country.
Alleging
that disinformation campaign has been
launched throughout the country against
Leftists on the nuclear deal, Mr Salim
said in India today over 50 percent
people oppose this deal because they
realise it is not in the interests of the
country.
Referring
to Kashmir issue, he said, CPI(M) favours
autonomy for the state and had demanded
that all three regions of the state
including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh be
given regional autonomy.
Lambasting
Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP), he said the duo are the faces of
same coin and they don’t want that
benefits should reach to common man.
Though we are supporting the Congress
from outside on the Common Minimum
Programme (CMP), but controversies
persist as Congress was trying to pull in
different directions without respecting
CMP, he added.
Accusing
the Congress Party for its failure in
fighting Narinder Modi in Gujarat, he
said the Party turned down the Left offer
to frame a united front in the state to
contest the elections against the BJP.
Addressing
the conference, CPI(M) State secretary
and MLA Mohammed Yosuf Tarigami said
CPI(M) will not support the Government on
anti people issues. Maintaining that his
organization is for the unity of India
and J&K, he said it will not allow
Congress to accept the dictates from US.
Welcoming
the political developments in Pakistan,
he said the change has not taken place
there because of US or Army
dictator’s dictates but through the
collective will of the people who joined
hands against the authoritarianism.
He said
the dream of the people of J&K will
be only fulfilled after there is stable
India as well as Pakistan because the
people of the state have become the worst
sufferers of the hostilities between the
two the nations.
He, while
advocating for the autonomy of J&K,
said Pakistan should not try to interfere
in J&K affairs as people of the state
who have suffered over the years are the
best judge to decide their own fate.
While
urging his Partymen to work for the
honorable return of their brethren to
Valley, Mr Tarigami also appealed all
political parties not to make politics on
this issue but make a real struggle for
this cause.
The vote
of thanks was proposed by Comrade Bishan
Dass, senior leader of the party. The
conference besides the Jammu region was
also attended by delegates from Kashmir
and Ladakh regions.
Third
Front will play crucial role in next
Govt: Mir
NEW DELHI, Mar 15: Expelled
People’ss Democ-ratic Party (PDP)
leader Ghulam Hassan Mir today said a
"Third Front" of smaller
political parties in Jammu and Kashmir
will be formed very soon and claimed
"some separatist groups" would
be part of the conglomerate.
Mr Mir,
who is currently in the national capital,
said several splinter separatist groups
are set to join the front to contest the
coming Assembly election, due in October
this year, under this front. "I am
in touch with several second rung
separatist leaders and they are willing
to join the electoral process," he
said.
Justifying
the formation of the front, he said
"A new combination is a must to
accomodate several smaller groups and
separatists, who are not keen to join the
PDP or the National Conference."
He had
already held talks with former Chief
Minister G M Shah, CPM leader Mohammed
Yousaf Tarigami, Transport Minister Hakim
Mohammed Yasin and others in this regard,
and all of them strongly support the
formation of the front.
He said
participation in the coming Assembly
election will be very high because of
normalisation of relations between India
and Pakistan. "Militancy is under
control. Indo-Pak ties are cordial and
this will enable people to exercise their
franchise without fear," he added.
The former
PDP leader lambasted political parties
for doing nothing to redress grievances
of the people. These political groups
were only keen to remain in power.
Mr Mir
said no single political party is going
to get absolute majority in the state and
was confident that the Third Front would
play a crucial and critical role in the
formation of the next Government.
He urged
the Centre to annouce employment package
for unemployed youth in the state. Youth
can be exploited by the disgruntled
elements for their own political ends.
Government jobs are less and it is
necessary to set up industries in the
state, especially the Valley to generate
employment.
He is
expected to meet several ministers to
seek rehabilitation package for the
militancy affected people and widows,
besides orphans. (UNI)
Governor
for expediting work on Sainik Bhawans
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Governor, Lt
General (Retd) S K Sinha today called for
expediting the work of Sainik Bhavans in
Srinagar and Jammu, saying that these
will prove important facilities for
ex-servicemen in the two capital cities.
Chairing
the meeting of 55th State Managing
Committee of Rajya Sainik Board here this
morning, the Governor appreciated the
initiatives being taken by the State
Government for the welfare of
ex-servicemen and hoped that their
genuine demands would be met soon.
The
Governor also stressed the need for
creating awareness and gearing up field
agencies to raise funds through Flag Day
Fund for the welfare of ex-servicemen and
their families. He lauded the endeavours
of Kendriya Sainik Board for providing
liberal financial support to the Rajya
Sainik Board for the needy ex-servicemen,
widows and children of defence personnel
of the State.
The Board
discussed various agenda points and took
decisions on revision of rates of various
welfare schemes, payment for scholarship
by the State Government to the children
of Armed forces personnel and financial
assistance for participation in National
Winter Games.
Secretary,
Rajya Sainik Board, Brig (Retd) K S
Kotwal said that the Board has acquired
two kanals of prime land behind Civil
Secretariat here near the Rajinder Singh
Chowk through Jammu Development Authority
on which a mega Sainik Bhawan is being
raised. He also gave a brief profile of
the activities undertaken by the Board
during recent years with focus on the
achievements during the current financial
year.
Brigadier
Kotwal said that 13 Sainik Sarais have
already been put in place in Jammu and
Kashmir.
Those who
attended the meeting included Chief
Secretary, B R Kundal, Financial
Commissioner, Home, S S Kapoor, Principal
Secretary to Governor, Dr Arun Kumar,
Chief of Staff, Northern Command,
Director Resettlement Zone North, DGR,
Maj General S G Chatter, Sneh Gupta and
senior officers of various services.
Protest
against BSP, UP CM’s effigy burnt
Excelsior
Correspondent
KATHUA, Mar 15: Members of
dissident group of the Bahujan Samaj
party and others associated with the
expelled leader, Dr Sat Paul held protest
demonstration in the township of Kathua
here today and burnt the effigy of UP
Chief Minister, Kumari Mayawati.
A large
number of people under the leadership of
Subhash Chander Verma assembled at Main
Chowk, Kathua during mid day and held
demonstration against Mayawati and
Narinder Kashyap, party general
secretary. Several speakers criticised
the BSP leadership and alleged that the
Party has deviated from the main ideology
of Late Kanshi Ram and Dr Bhim Rao
Ambedkar who struggled hard for the
upliftment of Dalits, poor and down
trodden members of the society.
It was
alleged by the speakers that Party has
been converted into a Corporate house by
some leaders like Narinder Kashyap and B
S Chouhan who are luring rich people from
different communities for providing them
party ticket to contest coming Assembly
elections in J&K. The gross root
Dalit leaders and other loyal leaders of
the Party were being thrown out or
ignored. They alleged that Mayawati and
her ‘so called advisors’ were
causing much damage to the party. After
protest, the demonstrators burnt the
effigy of Mayawati.
DGP
for professional policing to control
crime
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Director General of
Police, Kuldeep Khoda today asked for
developing modern communication system
for better deliverance and understanding
to improve the day-to-day professional
policing. He said that close rapport
between police and public for maintaining
the peace in the State was need of the
hour.
Addressing
the Senior Police Officers meeting of
Jammu province here today, Mr. Khoda said
that communication system need to be
strengthened at all levels with focus on
improving relations with the public. He
said while taking action against law
breakers, better relations need to be
ensured with the public to provide due
justice to their cases.
The main
issues which come under threadbare
discussion in the meeting include
improving the professional policing,
communication system checking, crime
rate, maintenance of office records, time
bound follow-up of cases and
implementation of action plans, timely
utilization of funds, disposal of pending
investigation cases, acquisition of land,
improvement of I.T. facilities and
administrative matters on priority.
While
reviewing the working of traffic system,
Mr. Khoda said that necessary logistic
support should always be available at
various points on national highway and
other district routes for running smooth
traffic system in the state so that the
people would not suffer during their
travel.
Mr. Khoda
said that newly created districts would
be given thrust and all the logistic
support and other facilities would be
provided to them, for running their
day-to-day work smoothly.
The
Inspector General of Police
(Headquarters), Mr. P. L. Gupta, also
spoke in the meeting and said that all
correspondence should be made with PHQ
through the senior officers. He assured
them of quick response and disposal to
meet their requirements and needs.
The
Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone,
K. Rajendra Kumar on behalf of all
officers assured the Director General of
Police, that they would work dedicatedly
and honestly to restore confidence and
trust of the police among the masses.
Among
others, the meeting was attended by
Inspector General of Police, (Personnel)
Ram Lubhaya, Deputy Inspectors General of
Police, H. K. Lohia, Farooq Ahmed Khan,
Alok Puri, P. R. Manhas and all District
Superintendent of Police of Jammu Zone.
Indefinite
dharna of unemployed engineers
enters 349th day
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Indefinite dharna
launched by Unemployed Engineers
Association at Mubarak Mandi complex
entered 349th day today. They are
demanding implementation of
Rehbar-e-Tameerat scheme, as announced by
the Government on February 6, 2007 on the
floor of the Assembly by Mangat Ram
Sharma, a senior Cabinet Minister. These
unemployed engineers have been struggling
for the past 15 years, but the Government
instead of solving their problem was
befooling them by giving false
assurances.
The
agitating unemployed engineers appealed
all the MLAs and MLCs as also the Chief
Minister and his cabinet colleagues to
implement Rehbar-e-Tameerat scheme as
soon as possible, as majority of them
were getting over-aged.
Bank
employee chargesheeted for cheating
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Crime Branch today
chargesheeted a bank employee for seeking
promotion on the basis of fake
qualification certificate, a police press
handout stated here today.
Having
received a complaint from Employees Union
Anantnag Central Co-operative Bank
wherein it was alleged that some bank
employees have produced fake and forged
qualification certificates to secure
promotion in the bank, a preliminary
enquiry was initiated into the matter.
During the
investigations, it came to fore that
accused Abdul Majeed Dass son of
Sona-ul-Ah and resident of Akingam who
was working as chowkidar in Central
Cooperative Bank since 1996 was 9th pass
only but produced a fake matriculation
certificate before the bank authorities
and got promoted as junior cashier.
Accordingly,
Crime Branch registered a case under
section 420, 468 and 471 of RPC and
presented the chargesheet before the
court for judicial determination.
Zila
Doda migrants take out rally
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: On the 80th day of
their dharna, Zila Doda Migrants
Committee, took out a rally here today in
protest against the failure of Government
in fulfilling their genuine demands.
The rally
led by the chairman of Zila Doda Migrant
Committee, Suraj Prakash Rana, started
from Divisional Commissioner’s
Office and after passing through various
markets culminated at City Chowk. The
demonstrators with banners in their hands
were shouting slogans in support of their
demands.
They were
demanding their rehabilitation on pattern
of Kashmiri migrants.
Addressing
the demonstrators, Mr Rana said that Doda
migrants are in a miserable condition and
the Government has failed to solve their
problems.
Demanding
the rehabilitation of Doda migrants on
war- footing, Mr Rana said that the
Committee will continue its struggle to
take it to its logical end.
"We
were forced to flee from our homes and
hearths after militants attacked us and
killed our kith and kin, looted our
property and set our houses ablaze",
he added.
He
demanded that Doda migrants be treated at
par with Kashmiri migrants. He alleged
that the verifications made by the CID
are totally baseless regarding some
families from Doda. In its report the CID
has stated that these migrants have
disposed off their properties at their
native places and settled in Kathua.
He said
their property has been totally destroyed
by the militants and they are now living
as migrants in other districts of Jammu
region.
He
demanded that verifications of these
families be made at Jammu and they be
provided all incentives being given to
Kashmir migrants.
Iqbal
Institute holds Seerat Conference
Excelsior
Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 15: The Iqbal
Institute, Kashmir University (KU)
organized a day long Seerat Conference at
Gandhi Bhawan Hall of the university,
here today.
Vice
Chancellor, Prof. Reyaz Punjabi presided
the conference, while Director School
Education Kashmir, Mohammad Rafi was the
chief guest.
In his
address, the VC emphasized on the need to
understand the message of Iqbal in true
sense. "Iqbal’s message had not
remained confined to the sub-continent
only but it has transcended to other
countries of the world as well", he
added.
The VC
asked the institute authorities to
broaden the spectrum of their activities
in the times to come.
Also
speaking, Prof. Basheer Ahmad Nehvi,
Director Iqbal Institute detailed about
the philosophy of Iqbal and its relevance
in the present especially for youth. He
also highlighted the achievements of the
institute.
On the
occasion, Prof. Hameed Naseem Rafiabadi,
Prof. Margoob Banhali, Dr. Badraudin
Bhat, Dr. Taskeena Fazil, Dr. Abdul
Rashid Bhat, Dr. Sayeed Majid Indrabi,
Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai and Showkat Ahmad
Dar read papers on the topic. Students,
scholars and Iqbal lovers across the
valley participated in the seminar.
RKJ’s
folk music concert delights Jammuites
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: An
impressive concert as part of nation-wide
Festival of Folk and Light Music-2008 was
held at Abhinav Theatre, here this
evening. The Radio Station, Jammu had the
distinction of having been selected out
of 10 musical bonanza.
Celebrating
the colourful mood of spring season, the
Directorate General of All India Radio
organised this programme which delighted
the large audience who repeatedly
applauded the presentations by renowned
artists.
The music
concert commenced with lighting of
traditional lamp by the Director, Radio
Station, Jammu, Dr K C Dubey.
In his
welcome address, Dr Dubey said that it is
a matter of prestige for Radio Station in
the winter capital of J&K State to
hold second time in row this concert on
folk and light music. He spoke about the
various popular programmes being
broadcast from this Station which is
celebrating its 60 years of service.
Popular
Dogri singer Anita Sharma regalled the
audience with her melodious folk and
light songs in Dogri. Her songs:
"Bhala Miyan Managera", "
Bhali Mithi Mithi Baunsri", "
Khiri Jobane Di" and another
"Kajla Sobi-Sobi Janda" drew
high appreciations.
Bansi Lal
Jhori, artist from Jodhpur, also made
presentation of "Maand" style
of singing and his "Kesriya
Balam" was particularly liked by
those present there.
Ravinder
Sathe, a noted singer from Mumbai, who
has lent his voice to many episodes of
Radio serial "Ram Charit Manas
Gaan" this evening was highly
impressive. His bhajans and other
compositions gave the concert a divine
culmination.
Assistant
Director, (Programes) of DG, AIR, New
Delhi, VK Samyal who had specially come
for this national festival stated that
recording of this concert would be
broadcast on national hook-up on May 5.
Assistant
Station Director, RKJ, Shaminder Kumar
presented vote of thanks and Madhvi
Sharma and Ravi Kant compered the
programme.
Taj
seeks cooperation in safeguarding
consumer rights
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Reiterating the
Government’s resolve to provide a
responsible and accountable
administration to the people and
safeguarding the rights of consumers,
Minister for Consumers Affairs and Public
Distribution Taj Mohi-ud-Din has appealed
the people to register their grievances
in the concerned forums so that
appropriate measures are taken to resolve
them.
The
Minister was addressing at a function at
Zorawar Singh Auditorium, Jammu
University organised by Jammu Consumer
Council Jammu University Consumer
Research and Education Cell and CAPD
department jointly.
Mr. Taj
called upon the people to exercise their
rights in letter and spirit. He said
under the Consumers Protection Act, the
rights of the consumers have been fully
protected and it is the responsibility of
the consumers to take full weight from
the shopkeepers while making purchase of
essential commodities and ensure that the
essentials are being sold as per rates
fixed by the government. He said that
CAPD department cannot alone protect the
rights of the people but the people
especially students should extend their
full cooperation to the department
He further
said that Consumer Act cannot be
implemented in true spirit unless all the
government and non-government
agencies/organizations and people in
general extend their cooperation to the
government. He said any consumer can
approach to the consumer forums. He said
every year 15th March is being celebrated
as World Consumers Rights Day with an aim
to protect the consumer rights and spread
awareness among the people about consumer
rights.
Convener
University Consumers Research and
Education Cell Dr. D. L. Chowdhary, M. M.
Khajuria (Retd) DGP and Prof. Nirmal
Kamal also spoke at the occasion. The
Director CAPD Mehmood Rana, prominent
citizens, traders, students from 25
schools and members of protection
organization consumers forum also spoke
on the occasion.
Measures
discussed for taking over of G&B
hostel
Excelsior
Correspondent
REASI, Mar 15: To discuss
various measures for taking over of
Gujjar and Bakarwal Hostel, Talwara
currently being constructed under
operation Sadbhavana, the District
Development Commissioner Reasi, Sanjeev
Verma convened a meeting with the
officers of various departments here at
Reasi today.
Col.
Ashwani Kapoor from CISF (U), Secretary
State Advisory Board for Gujjar and
Bakarwal, Iname-ul-Haq, senior officers
from R&B, PHE, PDD and Warden Gujjar
and bakarwal Hostel, Udhampur, Abdul
Qayum participated in the meeting.
During the
meeting various measures with regard to
coming up and taking over of Gujjar and
Bakarwal Hostel being constructed at
Talwara were discussed like taking over
the hostel from the army, creation of
staff with financial implications,
shingling, metalling and black-topping of
500 meter stretch upto the hostel,
drinking water facilities, supply of
power and other necessary related issues
were discussed in detail. It was also
decided that a comprehensive proposal
will be sent to the government for
approval for normal functioning of the
hostel by the civil administration in
future.
The warden
Gujjar and Bakarwal Hostel, Udhampur will
look after the functioning of the hostel
at Talwara.
ASI
among 3 killed, 4 injured in accidents
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Three
persons including an Assistant
Sub-Inspector of State Police were killed
and four others received injuries in
separate road accidents.
Police
spokesman said that an Assistant
Sub-Inspector of State Police was killed
when he was hit by a horse-cart near
Hiranagar this afternoon. He was
immediately rushed to District Hospital
Kathua where he was pronounced as brought
dead.
The
deceased has been identified as Amar
Singh, a resident of Haria Chak.
In another
accident, one person was killed and
another received injuries when a tractor,
they were travelling in, met with an
accident at Nagni under the jurisdiction
of Gandoh Police Station.
Both were
immediately rushed to hospital where one
of them was pronounced as brought dead.
The deceased has been identified as
Hasham Din, son of Ghulam Mohd of Nagni.
The
condition of injured identified as Mohd
Aslam, a resident of Tipri was stated to
be critical when reports last came in.
Meanwhile,
one Ram Tej Suraj, son of Sham Lal of
Bathua Bhopal and presently residing at
Transit Camp, Panama Chowk, fell to death
from Sonpura Express train at Platform
Number one, Railway Station. He was
rushed to hospital in critical condition
where doctors declared him as brought
dead.
Three
persons were injured when a truck bearing
registration number JK02K-9181 skidded
off the road and rolled down near Champa
Batote. All have been hospitalised and
their condition was stated to be out of
danger when reports last came in.
DDC
reviews functioning of CHILDLINE
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: To review the
functioning of the CHILDLINE, which is a
project of the Ministry of Women and
Child Development, Government of India
and locally being run by the Jammu
District Branch of the India Red Cross
Society, District Development
Commissioner Hirdesh Kumar Singh today
convened first meeting of City Advisory
Board of CHILDLINE in his office chamber
to uplift the socio-economic condition of
the marginalized and excluded children in
Jammu city.
He on the
occasion formally constituted the City
Advisory Board comprising of Nodal
Director, Dr. Poonam Dhawan,
Collaborative Director Dinesh Gupta,
GM-BSNL, DTM-Railways, Municipal
Commissioner, SSP, Joint Director
Information, DSWO, CEO,CMO and PO(ICDS).
The main
function of the Board will be monitoring
the quality of service provided by
CHILDLINE in the city, ensuring there is
co-ordination between government
departments and NGOs in responding the
cause of children in need of care and
protection; taking measuring to ensure
that there are adequate services in the
city for care and protection of children
in need and suggesting measures to
address problem and issues faced
CHILDLINE.
City
Co-ordinator, CHILDLINE Dr. Nency Mishra
gave Power Point Presentation and also a
documentary on child related issues was
shown.
Among
others SP North Sanjay Kotwal, DSWO
Khalid Jahangir, CEO Jammu Suresh Sharma,
CMO Dr. Mugal, Nodal Director CHILDLINE
Dr. Poonam Dhawan, Director CHILDLINE
Dinesh Gupta, Joint Commissioner JMC
Rajesh Gupta, City Co-ordinator Nency
Mishra, Co-ordinator CHILDLINE O.P Gupta
and Sakshi Bali.
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