SRINAGAR:
Not a single guest from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) arrived here today while only two Kashmiris crossed over to other side of the Line of Control (LoC) in the Karvan-e-Aman bus, operating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.
However, 26 returnees cross sides at Kaman Post, the last Indian military post on this side of the LoC in Uri sector in north Kashmir district of Baramulla, official sources said. They said there was no fresh guest from PoK, mainly due to holy month of Ramdan. However, two people, including a woman, who had gone to PoK, returned to their homes after completing stay with their relatives, separated in 1947 due to partition.
They said two Kashmiris crossed over to other side of the LoC to meet their separated relatives. However, 24 PoK residents, including four women and ten children, who had come here in previous buses, also returned to their homes after completing their stay here. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI:
After making a slow progress, the southwest monsoon has advanced rapidly and is likely to hit almost the entire north India, including Delhi and the National Capital Region in the next 2-3 days, the MET department today said.
The weatherman said monsoon will also advance to Bihar, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and parts of Madhya Pradesh during that time.
Belying predictions, the country has received 21 per cent more rainfall than normal for this time of the year, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
“Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into remaining parts of north Arabian sea, the state of Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, entire Uttar Pradesh, Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, most parts of Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Rajasthan over the next three days,” the IMD said.
According to Skymet, a private forecasting agency, the southwest monsoon is making a good progress and conditions are favourable for further advance.
“After a sloppy and delayed start, southwest monsoon advanced at a fast pace against all odds and has already delivered 16 per cent excess rainfall since the beginning of the monsoon season.
“In a couple of days, it is likely to cover Gujarat, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, North India including parts of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and hilly states including Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh,” Skymet said. (AGENCIES)

SRINAGAR:
With just 10 days left for the commencement of the annual Amarnath yatra, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) today reviewed the status of heli-service operations en route to the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, seeking strict adherence of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The review meeting, chaired by Chief Executive Officer of SASB P K Tripathi at Raj Bhavan here, discussed in detail the SOPs with regard to the functioning of heli-services within the parameters of Air Traffic Services, an official spokesman said.
SASB has made arrangements with Pawan Hans Limited and Global Vectra Helicorps Limited for providing heli-services on the Neelgrath–Panjtarni–Neelgrath Sector and the Himalayan Heli Services Private Limited for heli-services on the Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam Sector.
“The one way per passenger heli-fare for Neelgrath-Panjtarni and Pahalgam-Panjtarni has been fixed at Rs 1950 and Rs 4190, respectively,” the spokesman said.
He said the Yatris, who wish to avail heli-service, are not required to seek Advance Registration through the designated Bank Branches as their applications for purchasing heli tickets contain the required information and the same shall be treated as Yatra Permits for undertaking the pilgrimage.
However, no such Yatris shall be allowed to board the heli-services unless he produces the required Compulsory Health Certificate issued by an authorised doctor who has been notified by the Government of the State in which he resides, the spokesman said. (AGENCIES)

SRINAGAR:
Army killed two militants in an overnight encounter in Kulgam district of Kashmir, in which a civilian also died, triggering protests by the locals who clashed with security forces and police.
The militants killed were identified by security sources as Javed Ahmad Kachroo and Idrees Nengroo, both affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen.
The two militants were killed after an overnight encounter and their bodies were recovered, police said.
Near the scene of the encounter, a civilian youth Asif Ahmad Tantray also died this morning after being hit by a bullet.
Police said Tantray was hit by a “stray bullet” near the scene of the encounter.
Locals, however, alleged that the youth was shot dead by security forces in “cold blood”, triggering protests in Redwani Bala area even as the security forces were engaged in a gunfight with two militants holed up in a house.
The protestors indulgedin stone-pelting on security forces and police, which continued on and off through the day. (AGENCIES)

SRINAGAR: The State Government today announced ‘no summer break’ for educational institutions in Kashmir, Ladakh and Winter Zone of Jammu division to restore the academic session to pre-flood schedule of last year.
“The Government has decided to restore the academic session in educational institutions of Kashmir division, including Ladakh and Winter Zone of Jammu division as it used to be prior to September 2014 floods,” an official spokesperson said.
“In order to cover the loss of time due to extended academic session of 2014-15, there shall be no summer vacation in the educational institutions of Kashmir, Ladakh and Winter Zone of Jammu division this year,” he said.
Education Minister Naeem Akhtar said, “We have asked State Board of School Education (SBOSE) authorities to prepare for examinations to be conducted in October-November as was the practice before September 2014 floods.”
Conducting examination for the academic session 2014-15 in March 2015 was an exigency in view of the devastating floods that had affected every sphere of life including academics, he said.
“We are now again restoring normalcy in academic calendar,” Akhtar added.
Last year’s devastating floods prompted the authorities to postpone all examinations, scheduled for October-November, to March this year, giving rise to the speculations about permanent change in academic calendar. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI: The Congress and the Election Commission (EC) have locked horns over the issue of submission of annual audit report of the party to the panel as part of guidelines issued to ensure transparency in the poll process.
After the Commission, for second time, asked the party to submit its annual audit report for the financial year 2013-14 early this year, the Congress, in separate communications told the EC that its directions in this regard are over-riding and “at variance” with statutory provisions and laid down laws.
The EC early this month reiterated its directions and asked the party to submit the said report within 30 days time, ending in the first week of July, which the Congress recently has refused to comply with.
Senior Congress leader and party Treasurer Motilal Vora has asked the EC to withdraw the directive issued to it till the issue is resolved through legal ways or an amendment in the poll Act.
“You (EC) will also kindly appreciate that Annual Audited Account/Annual Audit Report referred to in your letter is no requirement of Section 29 (c) of Representation of People Act, 1951 and we have been trying to impress upon the Commission that no action or step may be taken on the basis of guidelines which are contrary to the statutory provisions,” Vora said stating the Congress’ stand on the issue.
The poll-panel, in its directives to the Congress for compliance, has cited Supreme Court judgements made in its favour to say that obtaining these reports from political parties is “essential for maintaining transparency in the functioning of political parties, which is a basic ingredient for conduct of free and fair election.”
The EC also told the Congress that while it was not following its directions, four national and 28 state recognised parties have already complied with its directives and sent their annual audit reports to it.
The EC told the party that it had conducted “due
consultations” in this regard with all recognised political parties in the past and subsequently issued guidelines in favour of “larger public interest of transparency and accountability.”
“These guidelines (for submission of annual audit reports and contribution reports of parties to EC) have been made applicable to all political parties without any discrimination,” it said.
Congress has since then been contesting the EC’s powers on these subjects.
The poll-panel, in it its earlier communication on the issue to political parties, has said that these reports are essential to be given to it as electors have the right to know that the funds raised by political parties, on which tax exemption has been allowed, are spent for the objectives mentioned in the Memorandum of issue of the parties.
The Congress has disputed these guidelines, including on submitting contribution reports to the EC, saying the guidelines of the poll watchdog are “at variance to statutory provisions, as such guidelines are not legally enforceable nor can be implemented until and unless amendment is carried out in the Principal Act (The Representation of People Act, 1951).” (AGENCIES)

NAIDUILA (China):China today opened the second land crossing in Tibet via Nathu La to allow the first batch of Indian pilgrims undertaking the arduous Kailash- Manasarovar Yatra, in the latest confidence-building measure between the two neighbours.
The opening of the second route through the Himalayan pass of Nathu La in Sikkim, 4,000 metres above sea level, was officially announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China last month and will allow more Indians to undertake the pilgrimage.
The new route is in addition to the existing Lipulekh Pass, the only route that was badly damaged in the floods in Uttarakhand in 2013.
A total of 44 pilgrims crossed over from the Indian side of the border in Sikkim today as the first batch of the annual Yatra through this border route and were warmly welcomed by Chinese officials in Tibet.
The pilgrims belonging to different age-groups and hailing from various parts of India made their way to the Nathu La pass after a two week-long journey acclimatising themselves for the high-altitude journey to Kailash which stands at an altitude of about 6,500 metres in Tibet.
The pilgrims, who form the first batch of 250 people permitted to crossover to China this year to take part in the Yatra regarded as the most important pilgrimage for Hindus, appeared excited and cheerful.
“It is a lifetime opportunity for me to visit the Kailash-Manasarovar. There is nothing more in life I look for,” Bharat Das, one of the pilgrims, told PTI.
The pilgrims, several of whom were middle-aged and retired, said they have been looking for this kind of an opportunity since long.
They said it was good fortune to undertake the Yatra through a comfortable route and went on to thank the Chinese authorities for facilitating the new route.
The route through Nathu La Pass will facilitate comfortable travel for Indian pilgrims by buses, especially for elderly Indian citizens, though conditions in the Himalayan region with less oxygen levels still pose a challenge.
Yesterday, Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng arrived here from the the Indian side, becoming the first Chinese official to cross the border through the new route.
Le, along with Councillor in the Indian Embassy Beijing Shrila Dutta Kumar and top Chinese officials of Tibet, welcomed the pilgrims as they crossed over.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had promised opening the new route for the Yatra to Modi during the former’s maiden visit to New Delhi in September last year.
Modi wanted the second route for the Yatra, keeping in view the terrain difficulties through the existing routes through Uttarakhand and Nepal which involve arduous journey, including heavy trekking and travel on the backs of mules.
The Nathu La route will enable pilgrims to travel the
1,500 km-long route from Nathu La to Kailash by buses.
Welcoming the pilgrims, Le said the Chinese side, especially the provincial government of the Tibet Autonomous Region has done a lot of preparations to open the new route by building new hotels, improving roads, training translators, tour guides and preparation of Indian food.
He said this route is more comfortable and safer than the old one.
“Instead of travelling through rough terrain facing high risks, you can reach the sacred place in bus while enjoying the heavenly beauty along the way,” he said.
“I am sure the Indian friends can feel the warm hospitality and profound friendship of Chinese people,” he said, adding that the Indian pilgrims will not only will gain spiritual strength but also develop better understanding of China.
Over 80,000 Indian pilgrims visited Kailash in the last decade braving the hardships, he said.
“We, on the Chinese side, understand very well how Kailash-Manasarovar features in the Indian minds and will do whatever we can to make the yatra pleasant and a memorable one,” Le said.
The External Affairs Ministry that organises the Yatra permits over 1,000 pilgrims a year in 18 batches for the Yatra. The entire trip is of 23 days, of which 19 days are meant for travelling while the for medical check-ups. It costs around Rs 1.80 lac for each pilgrim.
The first batch is led by Tarun Vijay, the BJP Rajya Sabha MP who has written a book on the importance of Kailash- Manasarovar.
He said: “It is not only pilgrimage but also the pilgrimage of friendship between India and China” and opens a new era of relations between the two countries.
Terming the new route as a historic move and a milestone in India-China relations, Indian Ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha Ashok K Kantha whose speech was read out by Kumar expressed gratitude to China for allowing the second pass.
“The new pilgrimage route is another enduring symbol of the rich and growing people-to-people bonds between India and China. Relations between India and China are on a continuous growth path,” he said.
Despite the short time lag in landmark meetings between Xi and Modi, “our two countries signed as many as 50 agreements during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China, including government-to-government understandings and business deals,” he said.
“Today, the relationship between the world’s two largest developing countries and fastest-growing economies embraces multiple spheres of interaction such as economic, cultural, defence, space and other areas.
“The age-old spiritual connect is an essential component of contemporary mutual understanding,” he said, adding that “a diverse and dynamic people-to-people engagement is central to this effort, and the opening of the route through Nathu La is a further milestone”.
“A diverse and dynamic people-to-people engagement is central to this effort, and the opening of the route through Nathu La is a further milestone.
“It cements the strong civilisational linkages forged over centuries that provide the fountainhead of our shared cultural space, Kantha said.
“We appreciate the hard work of the Chinese side to ensure all facilities for the comfort of the pilgrims, he added.
The Yadong county in Tibet where Nathu La pass was located on Chinese side is decorated with banners to welcome the pilgrims.
The Yatra has been organised by the External Affairs Ministry since 1981 through Lipu Pass in Himalayas connecting the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in India with the old trading town of Taklakot in Tibet.
A total of 1,330 Yatris will be able to undertake the Yatra this year, which includes 250 Yatris via Nathula in 5 batches of 50 each. 1,080 Yatris will go via Lipulekh in 18 batches of 60 each. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI:Former India skipper Bishan Singh Bedi today said Mahendra Singh Dhoni is “not ‘Captain Cool’ anymore” and suggested yoga sessions for the beleaguered cricketer to overcome the tough phase.
An agitated Dhoni said he was ready to relinquish ODI captaincy if that helps the team win matches after the Men in Blue lost their first series against Bangladesh last night. Bedi feels Dhoni is certainly ruffled by the recent losses.
“Ye pehli dafa hai ki woh behki behki baatein kar raha hai (It’s the first time he is not making sense). And that is a clear indication that he is not ‘Captain Cool’ anymore. He looks ruffled. Having said that I still don’t blame any individual but the team,” Bedi told PTI in an interview.
Taking note of Dhoni’s on-pitch collision with young Mustafizur Rahman that cost the wicketkeeper-batsman 75 per cent of his match fee, Bedi criticised the veteran player for his on-field demeanour.
“Even barging into that bowler was very unbecoming of Dhoni. Clear signs of restlessness of mind and body. Perhaps dire need for him to go through yogic exercises,” the legendary spinner said in a lighter vein.
After a 79-run win in the first ODI, Bangladesh clinched the three-match series with a six-wicket triumph in the second match. Bedi had no doubts that the hosts played better cricket but questioned India’s lack of spirit.
“There is no doubt that Bangladesh played better cricket but what about India’s preparation before going for the tour? They took them lightly. In my opinion complacency has no place in international cricket. Their body language looked complacent,” Bedi said.
“There is no shame in defeat but there has to be some concern in defeat. The killer instinct, which is part of a professional sportsperson’s character, was missing from Team India. Bangladesh were more committed in batting, bowling and fielding front.
“Man to man India were a better side on paper, but games are played on the ground. Before they knew it they were blown away. I can’t imagine Australia or South Africa losing to Bangladesh like that,” he added. (AGENCIES)

BENGALURU:Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered ‘Orbiter Craft Module Structure’ of Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar exploration mission, to ISRO Satellite Centre here.
Chandrayaan-2, an advanced version of the previous mission, consists of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover configuration. India had successfully launched Chandrayaan-1 on October 22, 2008.
The Orbiter Craft Module is a three-tonne category bus structure made out of a central composite cylinder, shear webs and deck panels, HAL Chairman and Managing Director T. Suvarna Raju, said.
The Orbiter with scientific payloads will orbit around the moon and the Lander will soft land on the planet at a specified site and deploy the Rover. The scientific payloads onboard the Orbiter, Lander and Rover are expected to perform mineralogical and elemental studies of the lunar surface.
According to Indian Space Research Organisation’s plans, Chandrayaan-2 will be launched by a Geo-Stationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MKII) during the next two to three years.
HAL, in a release here said, its technical capabilities have made ISRO to partner with the PSU in all its space endeavours since the 1970s, including the recent much acclaimed low cost Mars Mission.
HAL has a division at Bengaluru totally dedicated to cater to ISRO’s growing requirements. (AGENCIES)

WASHINGTON:A gravity-powered chip that can mimic a human heartbeat could advance pharmaceutical testing and open new possibilities in cell culture because it can mimic fundamental physical rhythms, scientists say.
The chip, developed by the University of Michigan researchers, uses an intricate network of microscopic, gravity-driven channels, capacitors and switches to make liquids flow across it in an unlimited variety of pulses and flow rates.
It enables researchers to test new therapies on human cell samples that have been injected into the device, in an environment that closely mimics conditions inside the body.
The first uses are likely to be in testing new cardiovascular drugs and blood thinners, where blood flow is critical to predicting performance, said Shuichi Takayama, U-M professor of biomedical engineering and macromolecular science and engineering who is one of the creators of the device.
“This chip gives us a bridge between the petri dish and the patient,” Takayama said.
“Cells behave much more naturally when they’re subjected to the pulsing rhythms inside the body, as opposed to sitting in a static environment in the lab.
“So, by duplicating those rhythms on a chip, we can perform much more accurate lab tests before we begin testing on patients,” he said.
While previous devices have been able to recreate the pulse of a heartbeat outside the body, they required the use of a syringe pump operated by a lab technician, which made long-term tests difficult.
The new device is much simpler to operate and can run unattended for long periods of time.
The steady input pressure also makes it possible to run multiple pulse rates and pressures on a single chip. This is a big step forward because it enables technicians to run multiple tests at once, Takayama said.
“Different types of patients have different pulse rates,” he said.
“For example, a septic patient’s heart may beat faster or one blood vessel may have a different flow rate than another. Those factors influence how a given therapy will affect a cell. We can now replicate those factors and many others on a single chip and run the tests simultaneously,” he said.
Takayama said the chip can also be used to duplicate other biorhythms in the body, like signals within the brain and hormone delivery.
“For example, we generally study liver cells’ response to insulin by giving them a big dose all at once,” he said.
“But in the body, the liver gets insulin from the pancreas in a series of tiny pulses. We could use this chip to duplicate those pulses and create a much more accurate model of what’s happening in the body,” he added.
The team’s findings are detailed in a study published in the journal Nature Communications. (AGENCIES)