Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 8: Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Technocrats Association (JKATA) today appealed the LG Manoj Sinha and Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary, to intervene personally for conduct DPC of Agriculture Extension Assistants (AEAs) without any delay.
The issue was discussed threadbare in a meeting of the Association held at Press Club Jammu under the presidentship of Dr Surinder Radotra. Dr Radotra along with other executive members also discussed other prime issues lingering over the years.
The executive members asserted for inclusion of 7, 8, 9 years of Rehbar-i-Zirats’ service in regular service for Old Pension Scheme besides reiterating the demand of conducting DPC of AEA’s immediately under SRO 442.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Radotra said conduct pure DPC of AEAs against 75% quota, which is yet to be conducted till date (in case of highly qualified professional technocrats). He said on the other hand, DPC of 25% quota of Field-Assistants under various categories (Matric/Under-Matric with BAT Diploma only…….) has already been conducted twice by the Directorate/Administration.
“Unfortunately, it clearly depicts a total ignorance/discrimination especially in our case (highly professional degree holders). Moreover, our association (JKATA) is absolutely not against anyone’s right but if 25% quota has already been implemented in case of Matric /Under-Matric employees with BAT only, then why 75% quota is still moving somewhere under verbal conversations,” he added.
Dr Radotra appealed the administration to consider only Pay-Grade/Grade up- gradation impact while conducting DPC in case of Field-Assistants under various categories rather than on their positions upto the next levels, otherwise, there will be no difference between Matric/Under-Matric with BAT only and highly qualified professional technocrats having BSc Agriculture/MSc Agriculture degrees.
JKATA urges admn to conduct DPC of AEAs
I worked on my game after lockdown: Deepti Sharma
SHARJAH, Nov 8: Indian women’s team all-rounder Deepti Sharma has said she has worked on her game after the coronavirus-forced lockdown and is executing her plans in the ongoing Women’s T20 Challenge here.
Representing Trailblazers, Sharma scored an unbeaten 43 in their match against Supernovas on Saturday, but could not help her team to victory.
“After the lockdown I worked a lot on lofted shots and inside-out shots and I was able to apply it here,” she said at the post-match press conference.
“Obviously, the wicket is a bit different to Indian wickets. They are slow and low but I don’t think it should matter much. You just have to watch the ball and hit the ball,” she added.
Sharma said the Trailblazers would work hard and rectify the mistakes when the two sides meet in Monday’s final.
“Small mistakes… In fielding, bowling. We will work in our practice session and will look to rectify the mistakes we made today, in the next game,” she said.
“Overall we did well. Winning or losing is part of the game.”
She said 146 was a good score to chase as the ball was coming on to the bat even though some of them kept low.
“146 was a good score. Actually the pitch here is usually slow and low. But today the wicket was good and the ball was coming on the bat, some balls were keeping low. Ideally this was a good score to chase. It was good that we took it close,” Sharma said.
Supernovas medium-pacer Shakera Selman, who took two wickets including that of fellow West Indian Deandra Dottin, said it felt good to reach the final after losing the tournament opener.
“Feels good to reach the final. Supernovas are known for losing the first game and then winning the competition, so hopefully, we can repeat that,” she said.
The West Indies cricketer said she was happy to be playing in these extraordinary times.
“It’s been a great experience, very happy to be playing in these times. West Indies and England players have an advantage but Indians and other overseas players are also playing well,” Selman said.
She said they were confident about defending the total after having made 146 for six.
“We were still confident. We knew where we went wrong in the first game and we had the confidence that we could defend this total,” Selman said.
“We are going to focus on their main batters. They obviously got depth in the batting and we saw that today,” she said. (PTI)
Car stolen
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 8: A car has been stolen from Chand Nagar area, falling under the jurisdiction of Nowabad Police Station.
As per police sources, a complaint was lodged by Riya Gupta, daughter of Purshotam Kumar Gupta of Chand Nagar Below Gumat with Police Station Nowabad regarding theft of her car from parking in Chand Nagar area.
Acting over the complaint, a case under FIR Number 136/2020 under Section 379 IPC has been registered at Nowabad Police Station and hunt has been launched to nab the thieves.
Hats off to our bowlers for soaking in pressure: Harmanpreet
SHARJAH, Nov 8: Supernovas captain Harmanpreet Kaur lavished praise on her bowlers for delivering under pressure as the two-time champions notched up a two-run win over Trailblazers in the Women’s T20 Challenge here.
Defending 146, Supernovas restricted Trailblazers to 144 for five to enter their third successive final of the competition.
“It was very close. Hats off to our bowlers, they soaked in the pressure and bowled to their fields,” Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation on Saturday.
“Every game you play, you want to win. With the start we got, we were looking at least 160 but we knew that the ball was turning and our spinners will come into play.
“Today there was not much dew. We will try our best and with this win the confidence is high.”
Deepti Sharma (43 not out) and Harleen Deol (27 off 15 balls) took the chase deep but Trailblazers could only manage seven out of the 10 needed in the last over bowled by left-arm spinner Radha Yadav (2/30).
Trailblazers captain Smriti Mandhana hoped this defeat act as a wake-up call for her team ahead of the final.
“The girls took us really close. Would have loved to get past the line but it was a brilliant effort from Deepti and Harleen. There was quite a bit of dew around,” she said.
“We were looking to win the match and didn’t think about any other scenario, which team to play in the final etc.. Hopefully we will play well against them in the final.
“A good wake up call for the bowlers and the fielding unit after the first match. Hopefully we will come back stronger on Monday.”
Chamari Athapaththu, who was adjudged the Player of the Match for her scintillating 67 off 48 balls, said as a senior player she knew she has to take the responsibility of giving the team a good start.
“I have to score runs as I am a senior player in this team. I know my responsibility and role in the team. I try and share my knowledge with the youngsters,” she said.
“I want to improve the game all around the world and share whatever I know with the Indian girls and everyone. This was a must win game for us and I was little bit worried in the last 3-4 overs.
“Finally we won and that’s good. We are a champion side and know how to win a game.”
Radha Yadav, who defended 10 runs in the last over, said he just tried to bowl to the field.
“Wanted to keep it simple and was focusing to execute the plans. Just wanted to bowl according to the field and that’s the plan,” she said.
“I enjoy these situations and dream of playing in such situations and glad that I was able to help my team win.” (PTI)
India Inc looks forward to enhanced Indo-US ties as Biden wins
NEW DELHI, Nov 8:
India Inc on Sunday hailed the victory of Joe Biden in the US Presidential election, while hoping for enhanced ties and cooperation between India and the United States, especially in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
Congratulating President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, CII President Uday Kotak said, “with rising trade and investment ties between the two countries, the health of our economies are inextricably linked and we must work together during this critical time to reinvigorate the bilateral economic agenda – facilitating economic growth, enhancing job creation, supporting small business and enabling cooperation in investment-related movement of professionals.”
With the election of Biden as President and Harris as Vice President, he said, “we are looking forward to engaging with the administration’s leadership to promote post-pandemic economic stability, business collaboration, our shared democratic values and increased people-to-people ties that have defined the special India-US relationship.”
Assocham Secretary General Deepak Sood said, “under the Biden-Harris leadership, the Indo-US economic ties would go from strength to strength, getting deeper into areas of advanced scientific research and development, business to business cooperation in strategic areas.”
He expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Biden would chalk out great cooperation in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
“The vaccine development, manufacture and distribution would require immense global cooperation: India and the US would surely be leading such cooperation,” Sood said, while also applauding Harris’ feat of becoming the first woman Vice-President of the US, saying: “You have been so gracious in hailing your Indian roots and values”.
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sanjay Aggarwal said India and the US, the world’s largest democracies have always shared strong social, cultural and economic ties.
“We strongly believe that India-US partnership will be the defining relationship of the 21st century. We look forward to a continued strengthened bilateral trade and investment growth trajectory and defence cooperation between the two nations.”
For Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, the US election was also about lessons on leadership.
In a tweet he said, the lessons from the US election are, “leadership is about policy AND personality” and “Leaders will be judged by what they SAY not just what they DO. Leaders must ultimately represent everyone, not just those who voted for them (and) leaders with decency and values haven’t gone out of fashion.”
CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said, “CII looks forward to once again collaborating with President Biden and his incoming Administration.” (PTI)
Prior to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19, bilateral trade in goods and services in 2019, reached a peak of nearly USD 150 billion, and CII hopes this will continue to rise in the years to come, he added.
“We can aim higher to our shared goal of USD 500 billion through a new era of revitalised economic cooperation, which would be comprehensive, complementary and collaborative,” Banerjee said.
The key sectors to watch for enhanced business cooperation will be energy and the green economy, defence and manufacturing, especially providing a boost to small business cooperation, as well as pharmaceuticals and healthcare – all driven by India and the US’ new age businesses and disruptive innovation and technologies, he added.
Hailing Biden and Harris as the new leaders of America, Chairman and MD of JSW Group Sajjan Jindal said in a tweet, “A democratic process voted for a change in a very defining year globally! Congratulations to the American community that ensured that the democratic process was not compromised in a tough external environment.”
Similarly, congratulating Biden and Harris on their victory, JSPL Chairman Naveen Jindal in a tweet hoped “to see enhanced ties and cooperation between India and the United States”. (PTI)
House gutted
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, Nov 8: A double storey house has been gutted in fire in Sanasar area, here today.
As per police sources, fire broke out in the double storey house of. Shambu Ram, son of Moti Ram at Sanasar probably due to short circuit.
On getting information, police team rushed to the spot and started operation to douse the flames.
After hectic efforts, the fire was brought under control, but till then the house was completely gutted in fire.
No injury or casualty has been reported in the incident, while the exact loss could not be ascertained yet.
Batote Police has taken cognizance in this regard.
Mahmudullah tests positive for COVID-19, will miss PSL
DHABKA, Nov 8: Bangladesh’s T20 International captain Mahmudullah has tested positive for COVID-19 and is set to miss the Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoffs, local media reported.
The 34-year-old seasoned all-rounder was scheduled to fly to Pakistan via Dubai on Sunday night, but he has instead gone into self-isolation after his COVID-19 reports returned positive.
He is also doubtful for the Bangabandhu T20 Cup, which is set to get underway on November 21 or 22.
Mahmudullah will likely take a second test soon, according to ‘Daily Star’.
Mahmudullah was roped in as the replacement for Moeen Ali by PSL table-toppers Multan Sultans.
As per Bangladesh government regulations, an outbound passenger needs to obtain a COVID-19 negative certificate before leaving the country.
Mahmudullah and Tamim Iqbal were called up for the PSL playoffs as overseas replacements.
Tamim is expected to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday. The left-hander will join Lahore Qalandars as Chris Lynn’s replacement.
The 2020 PSL playoffs are likely to be held in the second or third week of November. Earlier this year, the tournament was postponed indefinitely owing to the coronavirus outbreak. (PTI)
Unlike Gambhir, Sehwag backs Kohli to stay on as RCB captain
NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Former India star Virender Sehwag has backed Virat Kohli to remain captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore despite yet another IPL heartbreak, disagreeing with his ex-opening partner Gautam Gambhir’s views.
RCB lost the IPL ‘Eliminator’ against Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets on Friday to bow out of the 13th edition of the competition after a poor batting performance.
While it disappointed the RCB fans no end, two-time IPL winning skipper Gambhir led the calls for Kohli’s removal from captaincy. But, Sehwag did not agree with that viewpoint.
“A captain is only as good as his team. When Virat Kohli captains India, he is able to deliver the results. He wins matches – ODIs, T20Is Tests. But when he captains RCB, his team is not able to perform,” Sehwag told ‘Cricbuzz’.
“It is very important for the captain to have a good team. So, I believe the management should not try and think of changing their captain and rather think of how they can improve this team.
“Who all should be added to the team to make sure their performance improves,” Sehwag added.
Kohli scored 466 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 121.35 and has often struggled to get going in the middle overs.
The defeat against SRH was RCB’s fifth on the trot after a strong start during which they had won seven out of 10 matches.
Gambhir had said Kohli’s non-performance as RCB captain should lead to his removal from the hot seat.
Known for his straight-talking, the hero of India’s two World Cup title triumphs made it clear that Kohli’s name as a leader shouldn’t be taken alongside the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, who are IPL’s most successful captains.
Asked if Kohli should be removed from RCB’s captaincy, Gambhir had told ‘ESPNCricinfo’, “100 per cent, because the problem is about accountability. Eight years into the tournament (without a trophy), eight years is a long time.
“Tell me any other captain… Forget about captain, tell me any other player who would have got eight years and wouldn’t have won the title and would have still continued with it.
“So it has to be accountability.”
Gambhir led KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. (PTI)
A view of Cultural Academy. — Excelsior/Rakesh
A view of Cultural Academy. — Excelsior/Rakesh
Pakistani action in Gilgit Baltistan
Sir,
‘Selected’ Prime Minister of Pakistan’s decision to make Gilgit Baltistan a ‘fifth province’ of Pakistan is illegal and unconstitutional; and clearly against the UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
This decision has proven that Pakistan was never a well-wisher, an advocate or an Ambassador of the people of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani designs became apparent when they violated the Standstill Agreement and launched a military operation to occupy Kashmir on 22 October 1947.
The Pakistani policy on Jammu and Kashmir has always been that of an imperial power. However, they were shrewd enough to use the name of religion to fool people of Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Once again, Pakistan is fooling people in the name of development. Balochistan is a province of Pakistan, what development have they made there? They have looted and plundered resources of Balochistan to enrich themselves, and people of Balochistan are suffering immensely.
If they wanted to empower people of Gilgit Baltistan and carry out development programmes, they could have done that in 73 years of their occupation. To develop a region, one doesn’t need constitutional changes. What is required for development and to empower people is a clean heart and will, which is absent.
Additionally, he could have declared that Gilgit Baltistan will have royalty of dams and the CPEC projects that the local people can benefit.
By doing what they have done in Gilgit Baltistan, and in Jammu and Kashmir, they have totally exposed themselves. People of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir should take note of this and formulate appropriate policies to fight back Pakistani imperialism.
What suffering people of Jammu and Kashmir have endured since 1947, and especially after 1988, that is as a direct of wrong policies of Pakistan, and we need to learn from that. People of Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir need to understand Pakistani collaboration in messing up the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and subsequently ‘resolving’ future of other regions. After they have finished with Gilgit Baltistan, their next target will be so-called Azad Kashmir.
In view of the looming threat, the Prime Minister of so called Azad Kashmir needs to formulate appropriate policies, and may consider visiting Britain where more than one million citizens of Azad Kashmir reside.
Dr Shabir Choudhry
President Foreign Affairs Committee of United Kashmir Peoples National Party.