Adelaide, Mar 19:
A resurgent Pakistan would look to carry forward the momentum when they take on formidable hosts Australia in the third quarterfinal of the cricket World Cup, here tomorrow.
On the back of four victories in a row, including one against the mighty South African side, Pakistan recovered from two defeats to make the knockout stage.
Misbah-ul-Haq has played a pivotal role in their resurrection with his superlative batting effort and the skipper now has the biggest challenge of the tournament before him as they run into host Australia, whom they have not beaten in their own den since their win at Perth in 2005.
Odds are heavily stacked against the Asian nation as they have lost their last seven away matches against Australia. However, Pakistan being an unpredictable side can upset the Australia applecart if their bowlers do the job.
In the eight World Cup encounters, the two teams have won four matches each and in the last contest it was Pakistan which emerged triumphant in Colombo in the 2011 edition.
Losing the tall left-am paceman Mohammed Irfan to a hip injury was not an ideal proposition going into the crucial clash and Misbah would expect Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan to come up firing on all cylinders.
Pakistan would also look upto wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed, who scored a century in the must-win pool game against Ireland, to continue his good work at the top of the order.
Misbah said his players were in good frame of mind ahead of the clash.
“I think four straight wins gives you a lot of confidence as a playing unit, the mindset is good and the momentum is with us and this is the best time to play against such a good team because we are also in a good frame of mind,” Misbah said. (PTI)
Resurgent Pakistan look to upset mighty Australia at home
Mother’s Pride organizes Prize Distribution Ceremony
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: Mother’s Pride & Joy Pre School organized Prize Distribution Ceremony to honour its students at its School Campus, here today.
The ceremony commenced with the Principal / Director, Mona Khurana making an impressive welcome speech, enumerating the achievements of the School in last 13 years.
The star performers of the School presented their fountain of talents by dancing to spider dance, dogri folk dance, besides showcasing their taekwondo skills, which enthralled the audience.
The Ceremony was host to a gallery of guests and parents who cheered and marked their presence as their little ones receiving their life’s 1st graduation diploma.
Dr Chand Trehan, Psychologist and founder member of Mother’s Pride & Joy Pre-School along with Pardeep Dutta, Bureau Chief J&K Times Now distributed certificates and mementoes among the students.
In her address Dr Trehan called for the involvement of parents and grandparents in the upbringing of their children for their healthy development besides enlightening the parents about the important role of a pre-school in a child’s foundation years and how a quality preschool transforms a child into a well groomed, responsible and a confident personality.
The event was full of colours and vibrance.
The enthusiasm and poise that the children exhibited stole the hearts of all present and brought well deserved applause for the little stars.
SSP Jammu declares open TT Tourney at Stag Academy
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: Table Tennis Tournament was inaugurated by SSP Jammu Uttam Chand at Stag Table Tennis Academy Guru Nanak Nagar, Jammu, which is being organized by J&K Police, District Jammu under Civic Action Programme (CAP).
S Randheer Singh, SP Hqrs. Jammu deliberated on the aims and objectives of tournament and highlighted the importance of sports in the physical and mental development of the youths.
He maintained that J&K Police is contributing overwhelmingly towards promotion of sports and in this direction is providing opportunities in various sports competitions, in enhancing the sportsmanship, stamina, courage and leadership qualities.
The dignitaries and general public appreciated J&K Police for organizing various sports events in District Jammu, thereby providing a competitive platform for the budding players to showcase their talent and sensitize them against the evil effects of the drugs and other criminal activities.
The CAP activities in this area are held under the guidance of J&K Police Headquarters under overall supervision of IGP Jammu Zone Jammu, DIG Jammu and SSP Jammu, SP Hqrs Jammu.
Among other dignitaries S.Davinder Singh, SDPO R.S.Pura, S. Harjeet Singh, SDPO Gandhi Nagar Vishal Singh Manhas, Officiating Dy.SP DAR DPL Jammu and Inspr Paramjeet Singh, SHO P/S Gandhi Nagar were also present on the occasion.
Oppn creates ruckus, accuses Govt of being non-serious on vital issues
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 19: Opposition MLAs today created ruckus in the Legislative Assembly over what they alleged non-serious approach maintained by the PDP-BJP Coalition Government towards some vital issues, which otherwise require priority attention, and staged walkouts.
As soon as the proceedings of the Lower House started this morning, National Conference MLA Mian Altaf raised the issue of strike by Small Scale Units repairing damaged transformers of Power Development Department.
“A peculiar situation is prevailing in the entire State as on one side the Power Development Department doesn’t have adequate number of transformers to replace the damaged ones and on the other side the private units have refused to repair the transformers due to failure of the Government to clear this liabilities worth crores of rupees”, he said.
Mian Altaf was supported by CPM MLA, Mohd Yousaf Tarigami and several Legislators of Congress party, who together wanted to know the steps being taken by the Government to overcome the crisis.
As neither there was any response from the Government nor intervention of Speaker, Mian Altaf left his seat and staged walkout by dubbing Government as ‘non-serious’.
Congress MLA from Banihal, Vikar Rasool raised the issue of damages caused by recent snowfall and rains in erstwhile Doda district and particularly Mohumangat area of his constituency. He sought prompt action from the Government on the ground that in some areas people are required to be evacuated due to threat of avalanche and sliding of rocks.
As Speaker continued to conduct the proceedings of Question Hour, Congress MLA left his seat in protest and accused the chair of not giving time to the Opposition to raise the issues of public importance. “This is injustice…. you are the custodian of this House and no proceeding can be more important than the public issues”, he remarked before staging walkout.
The issue of damages due to snowfall and rains again figured in the House after Question Hour with several Congress and National Conference MLAs demanding prompt action from the Government.
“In some badly affected areas administration has not reached yet despite the fact that people are in dire need of help”, Congress MLA from Inderwal, G M Saroori said. Former Speaker and National Conference MLA, Mubarak Gul, while raising the plight of stranded passengers, sought to know from the Government the status of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
“Airlines are charging exorbitant rates on Jammu-Srinagar route by taking advantage of bad condition of highway. They are looting the people but this Government is acting as mute spectator”, he said and stressed that Government should apprise the House of the latest condition of the highway connecting twin capital cities.
Congress Legislator from Kargil, Asgar Ali Karblaie said that thousands of residents of Kargil district including large number of students are stranded at Jammu and Srinagar due to closure of highway and they may not be able to appear in exams in case Government does not come forward for their help immediately.
Ruckus continued to prevail in the House as several National Conference MLAs—Devender Singh Rana, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi and Ashfaq Jabbar left their seats in protest against failure of the Government to listen the grievances of teachers, who were engaged on academic arrangement basis and are on strike during the past several days seeking continuation of their services.
“Nobody from the Government has come forward to listen the agitating teachers”, Mr Rana said while seeking intervention of the Speaker on this issue. Following no response from the Chair, these NC MLAs supported by CPM MLA, Mohd Yousaf Tarigami moved towards the front row and remarked, “this is grave injustice…..Discussion on Governor’s Address is not more important that this issue….This is not the issue of future of teachers but also of students”.
After agitating over this issue for some time, these MLAs staged walkout.
Independent MLA from Langate, Engineer Rashid also staged walkout in protest against statement of BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy.
Atrocities against women on the rise: Govt in RS
NEW DELHI, Mar 19:
Atrocities against women have registered an increasing trend over the years with more than three lakh such cases being reported in 2013 alone, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
In 2011, cases of atrocities reported against women were 2,28,650, going up to 2,44,270 in 2012 and 3,09,546 in 2013, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said in a written reply, citing National Crime Records Bureau data.
“…The figures shows an increasing trend (of crime against women),” she said.
To a related question on plans to build residential hostels for working women who in particular are victims of such atrocities, the Minister informed the House that her Ministry was financially supporting a scheme for construction and running of hostel in rented premises for the working women who may be single, widowed, divorced or separated or married.
Since the inception of the programme in 1972-73, 916 hostels have been sanctioned under the scheme across the country, she said. (PTI)
Govt will not do anything against farmers’ interests: Gadkari
NEW DELHI, Mar 19:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today sought to dispel fears of farmers on the new land bill saying Government will not do anything which is against their interests and is ready to accept any suggestions from the opposition.
Addressing farmers at a ‘Samiksha Adhiveshan’ on Land Acquisition Bill organised by All-India Panchayat Parishad here today, he said an attempt is being to “mislead” farmers in the country for vote-bank politics.
“We are in favour of farmers. Our Government will never take any decision that does injustice with farmers. We have made changes in the bill that go in farmers’ interests and have focused on their rehabilitation and resettlement. I invite all for an open debate,” he said.
Attacking the opposition parties for their opposition to the bill, Gadkari said, “they are trying to mislead people on the new bill. They are doing this drama for their own political gains and for their vote bank politics. I appeal to them for an open debate. I challenge them and if proved wrong, we are ready to seek an apology and include your suggestions.”
He also attacked the Congress for leading a march of all opposition parties against the new bill and questioned what it was doing for the last 55 years when they were in power in the country and why they did not think of developing rural infrastructure in the country all these years.
“Now when there is talk of developing rural infrastructure, they are opposing it. Where were they all these years when they were in power. Why did they not develop infrastructure in rural areas all these areas?,” he said.
The Union Transport Minister said as per the new bill, we have decided to increase land compensation up to four times to farmers in rural areas and double the land price in urban areas, besides their resettlement and jobs to their kin.
He added that it was the UPA government which had excluded 13 laws outside the ambit of the provisions of mandatory consent and social impact under its bill and BJP government has only added a few more issues to the exempted list that include acquisition of land for defence and security, rural and social infrastructure, besides setting up of industrial corridors.
He also contended that chief ministers of Congress and Communist-ruled states have opposed the old land bill and have sought changes while the political parties are trying to do politics and mislead the people by doing marches outside Parliament.
Gadkari said it is the setting up of industrial corridors from which the opposition has the most objection and questioned why they are doing so, saying do villagers not have the right to progress, have jobs and ensure their produce is taken up by the industry.
“They want to tell you that Narendra Modi government is against the poor, against the farmers and wants to take land of farmers away forcibly. There is nothing of that kind. We will not take any steps which are anti-farmer. What did you do for farmers all along when they are still committing suicides? Why this sudden love for farmers?,” he said.
He cited examples of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda who were opposed to the previous land bill and had not granted four times compensation to farmers in rural areas.
“They are doing politics for their political gains and are misleading people on the new bill. There is no amendment against the farmers interests,” he said.
He accused the opposition of trying to stop development of rural areas and push them behind by 20 years, besides take away job opportunities and progress of villagers.
He cited examples of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat where the growth rate of agriculture is 33 per cent and 14 per cent respectively, while it is only 4 per cent in Maharashtra, and said the growth rate in rural areas and agriculture will increase once this bill is passed.
Gadkari also appealed to farmers to raise the issue by organising such farmer congregations and panchayats to dispel fears of farmers that the new bill is against them or their interests.
He also told farmers to spread the message of the new land bill that was in their favour by distributing the bill in Hindi to them.
While answering some of the concerns and questions of farmers, the Minister said the land acquisition issue comes under concurrent list as both the Centre and States had framed laws in this regard, but once a central law is made, the states have to frame their rules accordingly. (PTI)
State Open Judo C’ship from Mar 25
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: Jammu and Kashmir Judo Association is organizing J&K State Open Judo Championship from March 25 to March 29, 2015 at Indoor Complex, MA Stadium, here.
The Championship is being held under the auspices of J&K State Sports Council and J&K Olympic Association.
The Association has asked the players desirous to take part in the Championship to submit their entries with the organizing secretary of the Championship at Judo Hall Indoor Complex, MA Stadium by or before March 24.
Over staying doctors will have to go in rural areas: Lal Singh
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 19: Sending warning signals to doctors serving in Jammu and Srinagar cities for long, the Health Minister Ch Lal Singh today said that all the over staying medicos will have to go in the rural areas and serve the people there as most of the District, Sub District hospitals besides Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and dispensaries are suffering due to shortage of doctors.
While responding to the questions of Ali Mohd Dar and PDP legislator Firdous Tak in the Upper House today, the Health and Medical Education Minister said, “Ab Jugarh system Nahi Chalega. All those managing choice postings as per their convenience by using their influence will not work at all now. The doctors who are managing postings in Jammu or Srinagar or other major towns and overstating in different hospitals will have to go to the rural areas to serve the people. Some of them sitting in the GMC Hospitals Jammu and Srinagar and working as Registrars for long will also be shunted out in far off places,” the Minister maintained.
“If anybody tried to bring influence they will be responsible themselves. I know many hospitals in Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri and other far flung areas of Kashmir are facing shortage of doctors and para-medical staff. What happened in the past forget it but now things will improve and you will see the results within shortest possible time,” the Minister maintained.
Mr Tak pointed out that there is acute shortage of medical staff in Marwah, Dachhan, Paddar and Wardwan and women especially face lot of hardships for want for lady doctor. During pregnancy they are made to be brought to Kishtwar and face lot of hardships. No Gynaecologists are available in many hospitals in Chenab Valley and the Government can not escape its responsibility by saying merely that there was shortage of doctors.
As Ch Lal Singh was replying in detail, a member from Kashmir Ghulam Qadir Pardesi stood up and interrupted the minister and said that he should not beat about the bush. “Yehan Taqreer Deney Ki Zarurat Nahi hai, Minister Ko Chahiye to the point Jawab De.”
Upon this Ch Lal Singh said question was raised by PDP member and he is responding to his queries. If the member has no problem in listening to the details, what is the problem to Mr Pardesi. You need not to tell me how to respond Mr Pardesi. Better, you develop the habit of listening patiently. Your days have gone,” he maintained. Upon this some other members from opposition also stood up and objected on the remarks. The issue generated some heat, however, with the intervention of Chairman peace was restored in the House.
Responding to another question of Ali Mohd Dar, the Minister said Union Government approved Rs 447.09 crore under National Health Mission Project during 2014-15 and till February ending this financial year Rs 171.90 crore funds have been utilized, whereas, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released only Rs 254.63 crore under the scheme. Besides this Rs 19 crore have been provided under State plan as State matching share, he added.
The member asked why hardly forty percent funds were utilised while this financial year is almost over. Why responsibility is not being fixed on the officials concerned ? The Minister said, “What happened in past forget now, I will closely monitor the working of all the wings and things will improve with the passage of time. All the funds will be properly exhausted and used for the public welfare,” he maintained.
Over 6,200 Indians languishing in foreign jails
NEW DELHI, Mar 19:
Over 6,200 Indians are currently languishing in jails in 72 countries with maximum of 1,508 being lodged in Saudi Arabia.
Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, said a total of 6,290 Indian citizens including fishermen have been imprisoned in foreign jails.
He said India has signed bilateral agreements for transfer of sentenced persons with 20 countries and a total of 45 Indians have been brought back from prisons abroad under provisions of the pacts.
Singh said a maximum of 1,508 Indians are lodged in jails in Saudi Arabia, followed by 785 in the United Arab Emirates, 614 in Nepal, 437 in the United Kingdom and 352 in Pakistan.
As per figures provided by the Minister, a total of 2,909 Indians are languishing in jails of nine Gulf countries including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Yemen.
The number of Indians lodged in China is 117 while 223 people are languishing in jails in Bangladesh, 145 in Italy, 319 in Malaysia, 158 in Singapore and 291 in prisons in the US.
Indians are also lodged in jails in various other countries including Australia, Cyprus, Egypt, Japan, Denmark, France, Greece and Mauritius.
Replying to a separate question, Singh said Indian citizens born in Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir are generally not covered for passport under Tatkal scheme.
However, he said Tatkal applications are accepted for certain categories of individuals such as those were issued diplomatic passports, minor children up to age of 10 years if either of his or her parent holds a valid passport. (PTI)
Rural Sports Mela concludes
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
POONCH, Mar 19: Rural Sports Mela which was organized by District Police Poonch at Surankote from March 13, 2015 concluded, here today.
Brig. R.P Singh, Commander 6 Sector RR was the chief guest whereas S. Jatinder Singh Johar SSP Poonch was guest of honour on the occasion.
A grand valedictory function was held today where trophies and cash prizes were distributed among the winner and runner up teams. Commander 6 Sector RR while speaking on the occasion stressed upon the youth to take active part in extra-curricular activities and refrain from bad activities as the youth are the future of the nation. He congratulated J&K Police for holding such a event and promoting traditional sports like horse riding, stone lifting (Bugadar), Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, etc. to the people of the remote part of the Surankote and its adjoining villages. The commander also encouraged the participants with some cash prizes on his behalf.
SSP Poonch while speaking on the occasion lauded the role of people of Surankote in general and youth in particular for keeping the sport activities alive in the district.
The 3-days event covered volleyball, kho-kho, kabaddi, wrist holding (Beeni Pakadna), stone lifting, tug of war and horse race etc.
In volleyball, Habib Club Surankote defeated Gunthal Volleyball Club, while in Kabaddi, District Police trounced Sanai to lift the title
In tug-of-war, Pamrote outplayed Sanai to win the title.