Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: Natrang is going to organise ‘Acting Workshop-2020’ from November 10, 2020 at Natrang studio, Jammu. This workshop will have special focus on various aspects of acting.
In its continuous effort to provide training and generate awareness about theatre among youth, Natrang Jammu always endeavours to organise acting workshops for freshers at Natrang Studio Theatre, Kachi Chawni, Jammu.
Secretary Natrang, Neeraj Kant informed that this exclusive acting workshop will introduce elementary aspects of acting processes and also will meet a very noble purpose of making youth aware about their strengths and weaknesses which is must for their overall personality development. All those who want to be a part of this training programme and are above 16 years of age may immediately contact Natrang office situated at Municipal Building, Tange Wali Gali, Palace Road Jammu or may mail requests to natrangjammu@gmail.com or at 9419106669, 9906048670 and 0191-2578337.
Theatre certainly hones the skills of its practitioners and makes them more confident, creative, imaginative and spontaneous that is why Natrang keeps on organizing such workshops for the benefit of the youth, the future of the State. Most importantly theatre helps in sharpening the communication skills of the participants.
Many known faces of television like Harish Khanna (Saat Khoon Maaf, Film) Bhanu Goswami (Special Squad, Har Kadam Par Shaq, Hamari Sister Didi) Sunil Palwal ( Jolly LLB2, Maha Kumb, 24 ‘Mughal-e-Aazam’ ‘Yeh Dil Ramta Yogi’, ‘Chehra-the unknown mask’, ‘Satin Sin B’s’, MTV Rush, Shapptah, Rakshak, Sapne Suhaane Ladakpan Ke) Neelu Dogra (1971 Film)Mohit Raina (Devon Ke Dev Maha Dev) Anjali Abrol (Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, Nachh Baliye, Singh Sahab The Great), Juhi Singh (Yahaan, Film) Maansi Sharma (Saavdhaan India, Jugaadi.com-Punjabi Movie and many others are the products of Natrang’s workshops and training programmes.

Protests held, effigies of Pakistan, terrorism torched

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: The killing of three Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists has been widely condemned with activists of BJYM and other parties taking out protest rallies and torching the effigies of Pakistan and terrorism.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president, Omar Abdullah on Friday condemned the targeted killing of three BJP workers in Kulgam district.
While condemning the act, Dr. Farooq said that such gruesome killings have no place in the civilized world. “Violence in all forms is condemnable. Our instrument should be dialogue, not violence. Sanctity of life should be respected at all levels. I express my sympathies with the bereaved families of the BJYM workers, praying for strength to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.

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Party vice president, Omar Abdullah while condemning the killings said, “I unequivocally condemn the targeted killing of the 3 BJYM workers in a terror attack. May Allah grant them a place in Jannat and may their families find strength during this difficult time,” he said.
Among others party general secretary, Ali Muhammad Sagar, provincial president, Nasir Aslam Wani, State secretary, Sakina Itoo, South Zone president, Dr Bashir Veeri, district president, Kulgam Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, spokesperson, Imran Nabi Dar have also condemned the incident.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, has strongly condemned the killing of political workers who were shot dead by militants in Qazigund area of Kulgam district Thursday late evening.
In his condolence message, Advisor Khan termed the killings as cowardly act and murder of humanity saying that the people who carried out the killings are the enemies of humanity and such heinous acts of violence have no place in any civilized society.
Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta accused PDP and NC of propagating false narrative in Valley to instigate people for using violence as a mean to show resistance against recent changes that J&K witnessed due to PM Narendra Modi-led Government’s efforts to completely unite erstwhile State of J&K with the country.
BJYM activists held strong protest against the brutal killing of three party leaders by terrorists in Kulgam district of Kashmir.
Large number of BYM activists raised slogans against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir and termed the killing of three BJP leaders as cowardice act. The protest was held at Dogra Chowk, outside the Press Club here.
BJYM state president, Arun Singh who was heading the protest said that since after the abrogation of article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan and its sponsored terrorists are in frustration are continuously targeting BJP activists and leaders to weaken the party hold in Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee strongly condemned the killing of three BJP workers by unidentified militants in Kulgam district and conveyed deepest condolences to bereaved families.
In a statement J&K Pradesh Congress Committee described the killing of BJP workers as highly condemnable, mindless and shameful act and demanded exemplary punishment to killers.
BJP J&K general secretary and incharge for Kashmir strongly condemned the cowardice attack and killing of three young BJP leaders and strongly asserted that the cruel act on the holy night of Eid-i-Milad has once again exposed the true face of Pakistan sponsored terrorism while speaking at a press conference at Rajouri today. He said, the courage, valour and sacrifice of BJP leaders in Kashmir will always be remembered as ’bravest of the brave’ in the history. He was accompanied by two district general secretaries, Ranjeet Tara and Koushal Gupta, secretary Yogesh Sharma and office secretary Makhan Singh.
Apni Party president, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari condemned the killing of three BJYM workers in Kulgam district.
In a statement issued here, Bukhari said such violent incidents add to the miseries and sufferings of people and cannot be condoned by any civilized society in the world.  “This dastardly attack on political workers can fetch nothing except for bringing more chaos and agony for the people,” he said while urging the Government to take serious cognizance of this incident and take all necessary security measures in this regard.
CPI (M) has also strongly condemned the killing of three BJYM activists in Y K Pora area of Kulgam district yesterday saying that violence in any form can’t be tolerated. In a statement the party said there is no justification to kill any unarmed person. The civilian killings continue unabated in Kashmir and there is a need to put an immediate end to it, the statement said.
BJYM Samba under the leadership of district president, Narinder Partap Singh staged protest  at Vijaypur against the killing of their party leaders in North Kashmir’s Kulgam district late Thursday evening.
The perpetrators of this barbaric act of killing must be brought to justice at the earliest and security of nationalist voices residing in Valley should be revamped .
Sandeep Singh, national president, National Awami United Party (NAUP) strongly condemned another killings of political workers and youth leaders in Kashmir. In his statement, Sandeep Singh said terrorists again targeted the innocent political representatives and killed three political leaders of a particular party and this is not the first incident that terrorists have targeted political leaders in Kashmir but they are again and again targeting political representatives which should not be tolerated. He demanded starting of special operations against over ground activists of terrorists.
BJYM activists held a strong protest at Reasi over the killing of three Morcha workers in Kulgam. Raising slogans against the Pakistan PM, Imran Khan and the Gupkar Declaration, these activists alleged that the way the National Conference and PDP leaders are constantly making statements in favor of the terrorists, the terrorists in Kashmir are getting oxygen. The protest march passed through bazars of Reasi and culminated at Bus Stand Reasi where the activists burn effigy of Pakistan PM Imran khan.
BJYM activists held a strong protest at Kishtwar and torched the effigy of Pakistan and terrorism while condemning the killing of three party activists in Kulgam district of Kashmir Valley yesterday. The protestors said that the sacrifices of these leaders will not go waste and they will be always remembered by the countrymen.
BJP leaders including former MLCs, Surinder Ambardar and Ajay Raina (Bharti) Displaced district president, Chandj Ji Bhat, vice presidents, Bharat Bushan Gosani, Makhan Lal and Shiban Ji, Pt Prem Nath Bhat Mandal president ,Nana Ji Raina and BJYM displaced district, vice president, Rahul Kaul have also strongly condemned these killings.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: National Conference, Congress, J&K National Panthers Party and Jammu West Assembly Movement today strongly protested against the new land laws in the Jammu and Kashmir.
The leaders and activists of J&K National Conference led by its Provincial president, Devinder Singh Rana, senior leaders Ajay Sadhotra, S S Slathia, Rattan Lal Gupta, Javed Rana, Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, Bimla Luthra, Vijay Laxmi Dutta, Brij Mohan, Vijay Lochan and others assembled at NC Bhawan near Residency Road and held strong protest demonstration. They were strongly opposing new Land laws enforced in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir by the BJP Government.
They shouted loud slogans against BJP and J&K Administration and sought revocation of the new laws. They termed the new land laws as anti-people decision of the BJP led Government at the centre.
As the protesting NC activists were moving towards main Residency Road, a strong contingent of police and para military force stopped them. Their proposed protest march up to Raj Bhawan was foiled. The NC workers resisted the police action but the cops did not allow them to move ahead.
Addressing party workers Devinder Rana said that NC will oppose all the anti-people and anti-youth policies and works of BJP Govt. He said Maharaja Hari Singh enacted State Subject Law in 1927 and Sheikh Mohd Abdullah’s `Land to the tillers’ were a shield which ensued that everyone in J&K had a home to live and grain to eat and nobody was shelter less, nobody slept hungry. That protection should be provided to the people of Jammu and Kashmir particularly the poor, downtrodden and disadvantaged.
Terming the anti-people policies of the present administration as a betrayal of the people of Jammu in particular, Rana said time and again the people were assured by the State BJP leaders that their rights to land and jobs shall be protected at all costs, even after the abrogation of Article 370, but where have those assurances gone, Rana questioned the State BJP leaders.
Meanwhile, condemning newly notified land laws for Jammu and Kashmir, Pradesh Congress Committee, vice president and former minister, GM Saroori today accused BJP for selling J&K to outsiders for their pity political gains.
“They have destroyed the country and J&K which is considered as the crown of the nation. Generations of sacrifices kept the erstwhile J&K united as a State and the BJP sold it out to the outsiders forgetting that the people who voted them to power will lose their employment, land and statehood,” said Saroori while lodging protest alongwith workers in Inderwal area of Kishtwar today.
He said that the innocent people of J&K trusted a political party which has distorted history and the unity of the erstwhile state. “We will not allow loot of our resources and land of J&K. Now, people of both the regions have realized the divisive design,” said Saroori.
In his strong reaction, Saroori said that the Govt of India should roll back the land laws from J&K and provide protection of jobs and safeguards interests of the actual residents.
NPP chairman, Harsh Dev Singh while lambasting the BJP Govt for opening the jobs and lands of J&K to outsiders said that it was an insult to the vision of the legendary ruler of erstwhile state Maharaja Hari Singh. Not only had the BJP regime dismantled the oldest Dogra state and demoted it as UT, but it had deprived its people of certain special privileges envisioned by the late Maharaja for the welfare of his subjects especially those pertaining to lands and Jobs.
Addressing protesting party workers at Samba today, Singh pointed out that the state subject law had been conceptualized by the late Maharaja as far back as in 1927 and operationalized in the entire state so as to provide protection to the lands and jobs of the residents of J&K which had unfortunately been abolished by an unconcerned regime at the centre. While the new domicile law allowed entry into govt jobs in J&K for those outsiders who had spent a certain period of time in J&K, the new land laws had opened the entire J&K properties for sale with no PRC or even domicile law needed for the purpose, Singh said.
Asserting that new lands laws would operate more harshly against the Dogra land, Harsh Dev said that outsiders would prefer Jammu over Kashmir for acquiring lands in view of persistent disturbances and security threats in valley. Ex-MLA Yash Paul Kundal also spoke on the occasion.
Meanwhile, activists of Jammu West Assembly Movement today staged protest against the new Land laws in J&K. Sunil Dimple, president of the Movement this decision as anti-people and alleged that BJP has back stabbed the people of Jammu. He demanded that Government must review its decision.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 30: All India Confederation of SC, ST, OBC Organisations here today organised an awareness programme on rights wherein large number of Pitthus and Ponywalas of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board along with youth, who want to become entrepreneurs, participated.
A handout stated that pony owners apprised the Confederation leaders that due to COVID-19 pandemic they were rendered unemployed and due to lockdown they could not took care of their horses and donkeys resulting which these animals died of hunger.
They urged the Shrine Board management to compensate them like earlier when on death of horses Board used to pay Rs. 40,000 to the owner but this time the amount is yet to be paid.
Young entrepreneurs claimed that they have deposited margin money in SC, ST, OBC Development Corporation one year back but have not been disbursed the loan amount which they are awaiting to start their business.
Speaking on the occasion the chief guest, R.K Kalsotra, Confederation president alleged that govt is beating drums and raising empty slogans of development of underprivileged in order to get votes but in reality most of the development schemes for underprivileged are not being implemented.
He asked the underprivileged people to remain united and come forward to save their constitutional rights. Shashi Syal, General Secretary Majdoor Dastkar Union, Mohan Lal, Veekay Roy, Subash Chander, Yash Pal, Som Raj, Parkash Chand, Baldev Chand and Kartar Chand also spoke on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: Former minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla today claimed that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were fed up with the “blus and failures” of the BJP Govt and are suffering on all counts.
He alleged that the BJP had gained power after “betrayal of the mandate” and its experiments cost too much to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who lost their identity as a state besides all safeguards to their land and jobs.
“The people will not spare BJP for its total failure and arbitrary and undemocratic decisions besides imposing heavy taxes, price hike and economic crisis and failures on health and medicare during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result people died due to shortage of oxygen in hospitals,” Bhalla alleged.
“The only achievement of BJP is to create division and hatred in society which has disturbed our age old secular and social fabric,” he claimed and asked the people to maintain their brotherhood and unity and defeat all provocations to disturb peace. The honour of people of Jammu has been compromised and downgraded by the leaders who claimed to be the champion for the cause their case in the region. BJP climbed political ladder rising voice against discrimination with the people of this region. And, ended up doing some disparity with the people who gave them the power to rule the country,” alleged added.
Congress leader accused the Government of playing the politics of obstinacy opposing the amendments to Jammu and Kashmir”s land laws allowing outsiders to own land in the Union Territory and termed the move as undemocratic. He said the move does not follow the elementary canons of participatory democracy as no discussion was done with the stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir and the decision was enacted “by force”.
He accused the Centre of doing the politics of stubbornness by forcing its decisions in Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that even the minimal safeguards on the subject of land, which are found in several other states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the North-eastern states for different reasons, are not there.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) cell at Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sirmaur conducted a national webinar on the topic ‘The path to a sustainable future’ on 28th October’ 2020 to mark the Sustainability Day.
The webinar was collected in collaboration with the National UBA Cell IIT Delhi and Centre for Sustainability and Environmental Management (CSEM).
The national webinar was attended by more than 500 participants from UBA registered institutions across India. The experts who delivered the talks were Prof Virendra Kumar Vijay, CRDT, IIT Delhi and National Coordinator of UBA, Dr Mrityunjay Chaubey, global vice president, UPL Ltd, Dr Krishna Nirmalya Sen, Head EHS, L&T MMH, Kolkata and Arun Sharma, Manager Government Reforms & Infra Development, PwC.
Director IIM Sirmaur Professor (Dr) Neelu Rohmetra presided over the national webinar. During her presidential remarks, she pointed out the importance of coexisting in harmony with the environment for a sustainable future. Professor Rohmetra emphasized community outreach and welfare programmes as it is equally important to give back to the society and serve our rural population. She expressed hope that the fact that the UBA team at IIM Sirmaur will be able to take small but steady steps and create a difference in the lives of local community.
Prof Virendra Kumar Vijay delivered the keynote talk for the webinar in which he discussed about the inception of UBA including its prime objectives and also stressed upon an inclusive academic system integrated with holistic rural development.
Dr Mrityunjay Chaubey spoke on sustainability management and environment footprint reduction. Dr Chaubey shared case studies on how his organization has embedded sustainability in their core operations in the form of triple bottom line approach (Economic, Environmental & Social).
Dr Krishna Nirmalya Sen, Head EHS, L&T MMH, Kolkata underlined the importance of sustainability practices in the construction sector. Dr Sen shared examples from the construction sector where they have developed a Sustainable Sand (E7) Plant Process which uses eco-friendly, economical and efficient waste material for production.
Arun Sharma discussed about how urban local bodies are functioning and laying down plans for integrated solid waste management. His talk focussed on reduction in waste generation by using techniques of reusing, reducing and recycling.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Pradipta Patra, UBA Coordinator and faculty at IIM Sirmaur threw light on the work undertaken by IIM Sirmaur in the UBA adopted villages (Ajoli, Kunja, Danda, Dobri and Jamniwala) in Himachal Pradesh.
Dr Arpita Ghosh, CSEM Coordinator and Co-organizer of the national webinar reiterated that the path to reduce global warming can only be achieved by developing and adopting green technologies.
Dr Amrinder Singh, Chairperson CSR Committee, IIM Sirmaur presented the formal vote of thanks.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: Former MLA and senior BJP leader, Sat Sharma here today started construction works of the lane in Krishna Nagar area of Ward-12.
He was accompanied by JMC Councillor, Jeet Angral; District General Secretary BJP, Rajesh Gupta and others including locals of the area.
A handout stated that funds for the construction of lane were sanctioned to the local JMC Councillor through JMC and the works will be done at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Sat Sharma said that Jammu West has witnessed many developments in the last five years as far as the infrastructural development pertaining to roads, setting up of new transformers, replacing old water pipes with fresh ones, construction of community halls, up-gradation works of cremation grounds, construction of lanes and drains and other works were are concerned.
Jeet Angral hailed the pro-active approach of former MLA and stated that Ward-12 has been equipped with all modern infra with the help of Sat Sharma.
The former MLA along with JMC Councillor also toured other adjoining areas of the Ward and asked the concerned officials to prepare the estimates for pending works in the area so that their works can also be taken up soon in order to avoid public distress.
District BJP president SC Morcha, Yash Pal Shivgotra; Surit Singh Chib, Varinder Dogra, Anil Angral, Tarun Kumar, Swaran Sambyal, Kuldeep Singh, Rajesh Kumar, Raju Mahajan, Sonu Kumar and others were also present on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: A meeting of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) J&K was held here today under the chairmanship of its president, Subhash Verma and General Secretary, Ashok Choudhary.
New body of Jammu & Kashmir Bank Officers with name–All India Jammu and Kashmir Bank Officers Organization (AIJKBOO) was formed in the meeting.
A handout stated that AIJKBOO will be a unit of NOBO affiliated with BMS.
Office bearers of AIJKBOO were Raghubir Singh Jamwal, President; Sunil Abrol, Sr. Vice President; Dewaker Bakarwal and Ravinder Singh, both Vice Presidents; Mukesh Kumar, General Secretary; Rohit Langeh, Organising Secretary; Kulbir Singh, Lovemeet Singh Parihar and Nitin Suri—all Secretaries and Vikas Khajuria, Treasurer.
The new unit assured the gathering of J&K Bank officers that it will leave no stone unturned to serve the officer fraternity of J&K Bank and to strengthen the AIJKBOO under the aegis of BMS.