Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: The Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today inaugurated a three-day painting exhibition titled “The Meanderings” by Pradeep Wahule (IFS, Conservator of Forests) at Kala Kendra.
Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, J&K, was the special guest on the occasion.
Sarvesh Rai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Harvinder Kour, Secretary JKAACL and Dr Javaid Rahi, Secretary Kala Kendra Jammu, were part of the presidium during the inaugural programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Atal Dulloo appreciated the artistic depth of Pradeep Wahule’s work, observing that his paintings make a significant contribution to environmental awareness and foster a deep emotional connection with nature.
He emphasized the need for cultural institutions to actively engage younger generations with their age-old culture and heritage.
Dulloo further stated that Kala Kendra would be provided financial assistance and developed into a vibrant institution of J&K’s cultural landscape.
Brij Mohan Sharma remarked that while he has known Pradeep Wahule as an efficient officer, his high-quality artworks left a lasting impression, adding that such creativity deserves national recognition.
Sharma further noted that efforts are underway to fully utilize all the galleries of Kala Kendra for the purposes they were originally envisioned.
Javaid Rahi informed that around 40 artworks are on display at the Master Sansar Chand Gallery of Kala Kendra.
Pradeep Wahule (artist) reflected on his three-decade-long journey in the field of art.
He stated that he is a self-trained artist and developed a deep interest in fine arts from an early age, drawing inspiration from nature and the works of great masters.
Rashmi Rao curated the exhibition and Kusam Ticko conducted the programme.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Anish Gouraha, Executive Director today officially taken charge as the Regional Head of NHPC Limited, Regional Office, Jammu.
In this pivotal role, Gouraha will oversee NHPC’s extensive portfolio of power stations and projects across the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
A seasoned leader with a career spanning 29 years, Gouraha is widely recognized for his technical expertise and strategic vision.
An Electrical Engineering graduate from GEC Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, he also holds an MBA in Human Resources, blending technical brilliance with robust organizational management.
Gouraha began his journey with NHPC in 1997 at the Salal Power Station.
Over nearly three decades, he has held key positions across various prestigious projects, including the Tattapani Geothermal Project and the Design (E&M) Division at the Corporate Office, where he spearheaded the detailed engineering of E&M packages for the Subansiri Lower, TLDP-III and TLDP-IV projects.
His extensive field experience includes vital assignments at Uri-II and serving as the Head of Project at Salal Power Station immediately prior to his current appointment.
Throughout his career, Gouraha has made significant contributions across NHPC’s operations, including stints at the Faridabad Corporate Office and Tatapani Geothermal, Uri-II and Salal PS.
He played an instrumental role in the commissioning of Rangit, Nimoo Bazgo and Chamera-II Power Stations.
Upon assuming office in Jammu, Gouraha engaged with the head of Salal power station and Sawalkote project.
He emphasized the importance of excellence, motivating the workforce to continue their operations with unwavering commitment and a focus on sustainable energy development for the region.

Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, May 1: One person was killed while another received injuries when an Alto car met with an accident, near J&K Bank at Lassana in Surankote area of Poonch district today.
Official sources and eye witnesses said that an Alto K10 vehicle, bearing registration number JK12C-6884 was moving on the link road which connects the house of MLA Surankote Choudhary Mohd Akram with main raod. The vehicle was in reverse gear and it fell down from the road to the main road, causing serious injuries to the two persons on board the vehicle.
BMO Surankote, Dr Yousuf said that both the injured were brought in SDH Surankote, where one was declared as brought dead. The injured was treated here and later shifted to DH Poonch. His condition was said to be stable.
He identified the deceased as Shafiq Ahmed, son of Mohd Rafiq and injured as Sheraz Ahmed, son of Mohd Bashir, both the residents of Gunthal. Meanwhile, the police has taken cognizance of the matter.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Five-day Leadership Development Programme for Young Managers (Batch-I), organized by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, for Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), concluded here today.
The valedictory ceremony was presided over by Sanjay Dhar, Executive Director HR-L&D, MTI SAIL, on the online mode. The occasion was also graced by Prof Prashant Mishra, Chairperson, Executive Education and Consultancy; Dr Sarbjit Singh, Programme Director and Dr Chinmaya Kumar Swain, Programme Director, IIM Jammu.
In his virtual address, Sanjay Dhar, Executive Director HR-L&D, MTI SAIL, thanked IIM Jammu for nurturing SAIL’s emerging leaders. He emphasized that growth comes through continuous learning, expanding one’s thinking, and stepping beyond comfort zones. Highlighting SAIL’s ambitious future, he urged participants to apply their learnings, foster peer learning, and drive meaningful transformation in their workplaces. He noted that the true success of the programme would be reflected in the positive changes they bring to their teams and organizational culture.
Prof Prashant Mishra, Chairperson, Executive Education and Consultancy, IIM Jammu, highlighted the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation. He noted that the programme enabled participants from diverse teams to gain broader perspectives and better understand cross-functional challenges.
Dr Sarbjit Singh, Programme Director, IIM Jammu, presented the programme report. Dr Chinmaya Kumar Swain, Programme Director, IIM Jammu, proposed the vote of thanks. The ceremony culminated with the distribution of certificates to the participants.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Tahir Choudhary, spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Jammu & Kashmir, today called upon the Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to immediately initiate the development of new housing colonies across the Union Territory.
In a statement issued, Dr Choudhary said that the lack of planned housing initiatives in recent years has led to a sharp rise in property prices, particularly in Jammu, making it increasingly difficult for people to secure affordable homes.
He expressed concern that middle-class families and economically weaker sections are bearing the brunt of the situation, struggling to find well-structured and affordable housing options.
“The present Government appears to be in deep slumber on this critical issue. Jammu is expanding rapidly and without proper planning and development of new housing colonies, the situation will only worsen. This is not just a developmental concern but a matter directly impacting the quality of life of our citizens,” he said.
Dr Choudhary urged the Chief Minister to move beyond discussions and prepare a clear roadmap for establishing modern, well-planned housing colonies across both Jammu and Kashmir regions.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Working president of the J&K Congress Committee, Raman Bhalla today expressed shock and anguish over the tragic collapse of a portion of a bridge in the Bantalab area on outskirts of Jammu, which left several labourers trapped under debris and resulted in loss of precious lives.
Terming the incident as deeply disturbing and unacceptable, Bhalla said that such tragedies reflect serious lapses in planning, supervision, and safety compliance at work sites. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, while standing in solidarity with all those affected.
Expressing concern over the timing of the incident, Bhalla questioned why labourers were engaged in hazardous work on the International Labour Day—a day dedicated to honouring the dignity, rights, and welfare of workers. He stated that instead of ensuring their safety and welfare, workers were exposed to life-threatening conditions, which raises serious questions about the enforcement of Labour laws and safety regulations.
Calling for a high-level, time-bound enquiry, Bhalla demanded that responsibility be fixed at all levels be it contractors, executing agencies, or supervising authorities. He emphasized that mere inquiries are not enough unless they lead to strict action against those found negligent. “Accountability must not end on paper. Those responsible for compromising worker safety must face legal consequences,” he asserted.
Bhalla further urged the Government to enforce compulsory safety measures, including the provision of protective gear, on-site supervision by qualified engineers, and real-time monitoring of construction activities. He also advocated for the creation of a robust emergency response mechanism at all major project sites to ensure immediate medical assistance.
Demanding justice for the victims, Bhalla called for immediate compensation to the next of kin (NoKs) of those who lost their lives, so that their families can sustain themselves with dignity.