Excelsior Sports Correspondent
DODA, May 17: Super Kings Cricket Club (SKCC) Doda beat Kastigarh XI by 8 wickets in the ongoing All India 11th Gufran Memorial T20 Cricket Championship 2015, being played at Sports Stadium, here. The tournament is being organized by Young Star Cricket Club (YSCC) Doda and sponsored by J&K Bank, Natnoo Furnishing House Doda and Rashtriya Rifles Bn Doda.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Kastigarh XI scored a low total of 57 runs by losing all their wickets in 14.2 overs. Hatim scored 24 runs while Shakeel contributed 05 runs for the team.
From SKCC Doda, Davinder was the most successful bowler who took 04 wickets while Mudassir and Ashwani shared 01 wicket each.
In reply, SKCC Doda chased down the targe 5.4 overs by losing their 02 wickets. Vijay was the highest scorer from SKCC Doda who scored 20 runs while Mohinder contributed 19 runs for the team. From Kastigarh Eleven, Arfat Pathan took 1 wicket.
Later on, Davinder was declared as Man of the Match for his best bowling performance. The match was officiated by Yasir Dar, Irshad Malik and Salinder Singh Bhaduria.
Super Kings Doda outplays Kastigarh XI by 8 wickets in Gufran T20
4 bovines rescued, one held
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, May 17: Dhamkund police today rescued four bovine animals and arrested a person.
As per police sources, police team from Dhamkund police station laid a naka at Gool-Ramban Link Road and intercepted a person carrying bovine animals.
During questioning, the person failed to give satisfactory reply and was nabbed by the police for smuggling bovines to Valley by foot.
The accused has been identified as Abdul Rashid, son of Mohammad Qasim, a resident of Kanga.
A case under FIR number 8/15 under Section 188 RPC has been registered against him at police station Dhamkund and investigation started.
Police team led by SHO Dhamkund police station Inspector Arun Kotwal made the arrest under the supervision of Randeep Kumar, SSP Ramban.
Sat meets Transport Minister, discusses issues of Auto Union
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: BJP MLA from Jammu West, Sat Sharma (CA) called upon Minister for Transport Abdul Ghani Kohli and discussed certain issues related to problems faced by Auto drivers and owners in the recent times concerning installation of meters in the Autos.
Accompanied by Auto Union members and BJP leaders, Sharma apprised the Transport Minister the hardships being faced by the Auto Union and he sought an early solution to their problems.
The core points which were discussed in the meeting were the high rate of penalties imposed by MVD (Motor Vehicles Department) on Auto drivers which has deeply affected the livelihood of Auto drivers.
He apprised the Minister that the fine imposed by the department is between Rs 2500-5000 which an Auto driver can hardly pay as he only earns which can barely cope up with his basic needs and his family.
He also requested the Minister that the Auto stands should be regularized as many Auto stands have not been regularized by the concerned department.
He stated that driving licenses of Auto Rickshaws have been closed by the Transport Department since 2005 and he requested the Minister to issue licenses as per the rules and regulations of the department so that unemployment can also be curbed in a suitable way.
The Union also sought extra time from the Minister to fulfill the rules and regulations for installing meters in the Autos. The president of the Union, Shanti Swaroop, assured the Minister that every rule and regulation of the department will be followed by the Union.
The Transport Minister also assured the MLA and the delegation that a viable solution will soon be brought to the problems of the Auto Union and the issue will be further discussed with the MLA Jammu West to reach a speedy solution to their problems.
Besides others, BJP Mandal president, Ayodhya Gupta, also accompanied the MLA.
Govt to hire over 11,000 women in Central police forces
NEW DELHI, May 17:
Over 11,000 women will soon be recruited in central security forces for combat duties like border guarding and law and order assignments.
The Government has taken this decision to enhance representation of women in these forces.
It has already set in motion its plan to hire 8,533 women constables in paramilitary forces like CRPF, BSF, CISF and ITBP after it recently announced one of its biggest recruitment drives to hire over 62,000 young men and women as constables this year.
Also, sanctions have been granted by the Union Home Ministry for raising 21 new companies or a total of 2,772 women personnel in the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) which guards open Indian borders with Nepal and Bhutan by 2017.
“The recruitments are being done to take the representation of women in central forces to at least 5 per cent of the total strength in the coming days. At present, women constitute about 2.15 per cent of the total strength of these forces,” a senior officer said.
Under the mega drive to hire a young workforce for these forces, a special sanction has also been accorded to the CRPF to raise two exclusive ‘Mahila’ (women) battalions within its establishment to bolster the strength of the existing three such units.
The Home Ministry, the officer said, has made its policy clear that women personnel should be at least 5 per cent of the total strength of these forces and this could only be done after conducting fresh hirings.
While in border guarding forces like BSF, ITBP and SSB, the women personnel are being actively deployed to undertake patrols at frontier locations, they are also deputed to guard the crossing gates at international borders like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal as forces they are deployed to interrogate and escort female apprehendees.
“The CRPF has tasked its women units with rendering extensive law and order duties apart from their recent and small-scale induction in anti-Naxal operations theatre in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. They are also being increasingly deployed for static guard duties and escorting pilgrims of Mansarovar and Amarnathji yatras,” the officer said.
At present the maximum women personnel are in CISF at 4.89 per cent of the total strength (6,203), CRPF 2.13 per cent (6,120), ITBP 1.75 per cent (1,570), SSB 1.50 per cent (1,186) and BSF (3,534) 1.42 per cent.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will hold a three- tier examination for these posts with the stages being physical tests, written efficiency and medical tests.
Candidates, who have passed Class X and are between 18-23 years of age are eligible to apply for these posts.
The expected salary for those hired would be around Rs 20,200 apart from other salary benefits that the Government extends to the Central Armed Police Forces. (PTI)
India grants USD 1 bln credit to Mongolia;deepens defence ties
ULAN BATOR, May 17:
India today announced a USD one billion credit line to Mongolia for infrastructure development as they upgraded their ties to “Strategic Partnership” and agreed to deepen defence cooperation besides exploring potential for tie ups in areas like the civil nuclear sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Mongolia, the first ever by an Indian Premier, held wide- ranging discussions with his Mongolian counterpart Chimed Saikhanbileg and the two leaders pledged to take bilateral economic partnership to a new level.
“I am pleased to announce that India will provide a Line of Credit of USD one billion to support expansion of Mongolia’s economic capacity and infrastructure,” Modi said at a joint press interaction with Saikhanbileg at the State Palace here.
“Today, Mongolia is also an integral part of India’s Act East Policy,” he said. “The destinies of India and Mongolia are closely linked with the future of Asia Pacific region. We can work together to help advance peace, stability and prosperity in this region.”
After their talks, the two Prime Ministers signed a joint statement committing to further consolidate bilateral ties and upgrade the comprehensive partnership to “strategic partnership” and agreed to renew their Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation.
The two sides inked 13 other pacts that includes one on enhancing cooperation in border guarding, policing and surveillance, air services, cyber security and new and renewable energy.
Stating that it was a great honour to be the first Prime Minister of India to visit Mangolia, Modi said, “It is a special privilege to come on the occasion of two important milestones that unite us – 25 years of democracy in Mongolia and 60 years of diplomatic relations between our two nations.”
“I was very pleased with my discussions with Prime Minister today. We have strong convergence of views on bilateral relations and our regional and international partnership,” he said.
“The agreements that we have just signed speak to the depth of the relationship. These cover economic relations, development partnership, defence and security, and people-to-people contacts,” the Prime Minister added.
Modi also called on President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and discussed bilateral ties and issues of mutual interests.
India and Mongolia support the evolution of open, balanced and inclusive security architecture in the Asia Pacific region based on collected efforts, considering legitimate interests of all states of the region guided by respect for norms and principles of international law, the joint statement said.
Prime Minister Modi later addressed the State Great Hural, the Mongolian Parliament, which was specially convened today on a holiday for the first time for a foreign leader.
“Our security cooperation is growing. We can learn a great deal from each other. No one can doubt the well-known skills of Mongols! We are proud to conduct defence exercises together. And, I am pleased that we have signed agreements today to cooperate more closely on border security and cyber security,” he told the lawmakers.
He said India will also help establish a cyber security centre in Mongolia’s defence and security establishment.
Asia “is a continent that is expected to lead the world in the 21st century… Yet, this is also a region that lives on the uneasy edge of uncertainty, of unsettled questions, of unresolved disputes and of unforgotten memories,” he said.
In the joint statement, Modi and Saikhanbileg said the nature and spread of terrorism posed a threat to all humanity and required global resolve and cooperative measures of the world community without double standards or selectivity.
They agreed to direct concerned officials to work together for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. They hoped that all safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorists will be wiped out without delay.
A treaty was inked by the two sides on the transfer of sentenced persons.
On economic cooperation, Modi and Saikhanbileg agreed to encourage development of equal and mutually beneficial trade, investment and economic cooperation, which is balanced, sustainable and leads to prosperity in both countries.
The two leaders agreed to encourage Indian companies to further explore cooperation opportunities in Mongolia’s mining sector through joint ventures and investment.
The Prime Minister said the convergence of Buddhism and democracy provided the two countries a path to build an Asia of peace and cooperation, harmony and equality. “This is a region that has woken up to its reality,” he said. (PTI)
Sanjay’s hat-trick helps COA drub Hockey Patiala to lift 5th Sub Jr Hockey title
*Hockey Madhya Pradesh wins 3rd place
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: The 5th Sub Junior National Hockey Championship 2015 (Men) ‘B’ Division concluded today, with Chandigarh Olympic Association (COA) emerging as the title winner, defeating Hockey Patiala by 6-4 in the summit clash.
Hockey Madhya Pradesh secured the third position after a hard fought battle against Dadra & Nagar Haveli Hockey Association which concluded with a shoot-out phase 5-3 (2-2) in favour of Hockey Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier, in the final match, Chandigarh Olympic Association outplayed Hockey Patiala by 6-4 with the help of Sanjay’s spectacular hat-trick. Chandigarh controlled the match from the first minute and earned a penalty corner in 2nd minute of the match.
Sanjay took the shot and hit it hard into the goal-box for his team’s first goal. Sabjodh Singh extended the lead by 2-0 in the 5th minute when he sneaked into opponent’s half and scored a brilliant goal.
After conceding two goals, Patiala counter attacked on Chandigarh’s half in the 18th minute as Prateek Sharma led the attack from the front. He dribbled-past the Chandigarh’s defenders and sent the ball into the nets to score the first goal for his team. Chandigarh charged back and earned another penalty corner in 24th minute, which was perfectly converted by Jaspreet Singh. His team-mate Sanjay increased the lead by 4-1, when he entered the D with his surprising speed and scored another spectacular goal. Patiala kept-on attacking on their opponents and tried to create maximum opportunities to score goals. They managed to earn a penalty stroke in 41st minute, which was effectively converted by Harinder Singh for their second goal. However in the 45th minute, Chandigarh earned another penalty corner and Mandeep converted it with his superb skills. His team-mate Sanjay stroke back again in the 50th minute and scored the 6th goal for his team. Trailing by 2-6, Patiala pushed themselves harder to level the score-line and they continued attacking game. In 52nd minute, they earned a penalty stroke, which was converted by the specialist Harinder with an ease. After a nail-biting tussle in the last minutes, they earned a penalty corner in the 66th minute, which was converted by Prince to score their fourth goal. With the marvellous team-work and aggressive strategies, Chandigarh Olympic Association defeated Hockey Patiala by 6-4 and won the championship.
Earlier in the day, the hard line clash between Hockey Madhya Pradesh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Hockey Association was a neck to neck competition ending with a shoot-out phase in favour of Hockey Madhya Pradesh with (5-3).
Minister for Social Welfare and Forest, Bali Bhagat was the chief guest on the valedictory, who distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up teams. He was accompanied by a galaxy of dignitaries present on the occasion including SM Sahai, ADGP Armed and working president of the Association; Devinder Batra, chairman Batra Group; Danesh Rana, IGP Jammu; Shakeel Beig, DIG Jammu, SS Wazir, Ex. ADGP and Ranjeet Kalra, member BCCI and J&K State Sports Council.
RCB through to play-offs after match called off
Bangalore, May 17:
Royal Challengers Bangalore today entered the play-offs of the Indian Premier League season eight after their last league match against Delhi Daredevils was called off due to heavy rains.
In a rain-interrupted game, another round of heavy downpour stopped the proceedings in the second over of RCB’s run-chase when they were two for no loss while chasing 188 for victory here at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
Finally the penultimate round robin league encounter of the IPL cricket tournament was called off at 7:35 pm, handing the Bangalore outfit a place in the play-offs with 16 points.
Earlier, put in to bat, Quinton de Kock’s early blitzkrieg and solid batting from captain JP Duminy propelled Delhi Daredevils to a competitive 187 for five.
When DD batted, De Kock hit nine fours and three sixes during his 39-ball-69 while Duminy decorated his 43-ball unbeaten innings of 67 with four boundaries and three huge hits over the fence.
De Kock and Duminy’s exhilarating strokeplay enthralled the spectators to their delight.
If De Kock’s innings was all about splendid batsmanship, Duminy’s was elegance personified.
While De Kock blazed to his half-century in 30 balls, Duminy paced his innings splendidly and completed his half-century in 35 deliveries.
A decent opening stand of 55 earlier was provided by openers De Kock and Shreyas Iyer (20 off 18 balls). Iyer was guilty of not getting to a big score after getting his eye in.
After the departure of Iyer, De Kock and Duminy combined forces to take the total to 110 in 11.2 balls at the packed Chinnaswamy stadium.
RCB skipper Virat Kohli made right bowling changes and reaped rewards. Harshal Patel snapped up the wickets of Iyer and Kedar Jadhav (0) while giving away 30 runs in four overs, while the other two wickets were claimed by leggie Yuzuvendra Chahal, who claimed the wickets of De Kock and an out-of-form Yuvraj Singh (11).
Initially, left-handed De Kock was the more aggressive of the two openers as he blazed through lifting the ball with great force on the leg side and cutting and driving in front of the wickets for exquisite boundaries.
The diminutive South African batsman struck David Weise for a six and two boundaries off successive balls in ninth over of the innings.
Later in the 11th over, De Kock got couple of more sixes and a four in one from Ashoke Dinda. (PTI)
Afghan military captain gets Indian hands in transplant
KOCHI, May 17:
A 30-year-old Afghan military captain from Kandahar, who lost his hands while defusing mines in the war-torn country, now has two Indian hands – thanks to a successful transplant carried out an institute here.
Abdul Rahim lost both his hands during demining operations in Kandahar three years ago. His will be perhaps the first case of twin-hand transplant on any citizen in Afghanistan.
Abdul Rahim approached Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences four months ago, after scouting for hand transplant in several countries. The donor was a 54-year-old brain dead accident victim from Kerala.
The transplant was carried out in a marathon surgical procedure lasting for almost 15 hours with more than 20 surgeons and eight anaesthetics participating in it last month.
“Rahim has regained considerable amount of function of both his hands using them for day-to-day activities. He will need intensive physiotherapy for another 9 to 10 months, for which he will have to stay back in Kochi,” said Subramania Iyer, Professor and Head of the Plastic Surgery department.
“Each hand required connecting two bones, two arteries, four veins and about 14 tendons. The immune suppressant drugs were started before the start of the surgery and continued after it,” he said.
Prem Nair, Medical Director of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre said, the family of the accident victim was counselled for the donation and they agreed after confirming that the hands will be replaced by prosthetic limbs to reduce deformity of the dead.
The hospital authorities claimed the second successful double hands transplant carried out at AIMS is yet another milestone in organ transplant in the country.
The first such transplant in the country was also done four months ago at the Kochi-based hospital and the recipient, 30-year-old Manu is progressing extremely well, doing all routine activities, they said. (PTI)
Arun Sharma launches Cong membership drive
Excelsior Correspondent
VIJAYPUR, May 17: Senior Congress leader Arun Sharma today launched the party membership drive in Vijaypur Assembly constituency and enrolled a number of people of different age group in the Congress fold.
Mr Sharma distributed the membership slips among the party delegates and asked them to approach the people at booth level for making them aware to join the Congress party. He stressed that the Congress was the only party in India which can provide justice to the poor and down trodden people.
“The Congress party believe in secularism and overall development of all people, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and region,” he said and highlighted the contribution of Congress leaders in national building.
Other who were present on the occasion, included Bishember Singh Slathia, Capt Bholla Ram, Darshan Singh, Dr Ram Murti, Rajesh Kumar, Gulshan Lal, Dr Chhajju Ram, Hem Raj, Dev Raj, Parvinder Singh and Omkar Singh.
Contractual lecturers demand continuation of services
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, May 17: A meeting of district unit of All J&K Contractual Lecturers’ Association was held at Bhagat Singh Park, where the participants pressed the Government to allow them to continue their services.
The meeting was presided over by district vice-president of the association, Kanchan Bala and was attended by a large number of contractual lecturers.
While speaking on the occasion, Kanchan Bala said that despite serving the Education Department for more than 12 years, Government used to pay deaf ears to their demands. She said that in the year 2010, Government had framed a policy called Civil Services Special Provisions Act 2010 for the regularization of all the ad-hoc, contractual and consolidated employees after seven years of service, but they have been debarred from their rights till date.
Kanchan said that even after the instruction issued by the Education Minister, Naeem Akhtar, the contractual lecturers have not been continued on the same posts, though the termination order issued by the Government is not applicable on them, as they were appointed before the passing of the Civil Services Special Provisions Act 2010.
Alleging that neither they have been regularized nor their salaries enhanced till date, Kanchan appealed the Government to look into the matter seriously and consider them for regularization, and till then they be allowed to continue.