Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Delta Force in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services organizes a tele-interview for graduate youth of the three districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban at Doda under project UDAAN.
A total of 122 students were interviewed. The selected students will undergo capsule course under the arrangements of Tata Consultancy Services. On successful completion of training, the students will be assisted for getting a job with various Multi National Companies.
The efforts of the Indian Army gave an opportunity for the youth to find better future which will help them in uplifting their lives.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Principal Sessions Judge Kathua, Vinod Chatterji Koul today rejected the bail application of Vinod Kumar, a resident of Kathua, who was arrested in kidnapping and rape with minor.
“Severity of the crime alleged to have been committed by the petitioner, the supporting evidence and all other connected facts, do justify an inference that petitioner may misuse the concession of bail to escape the dragnet of law and once that possibility cannot be ruled out, the concession of bail cannot be extended”, the court said.
“There are so many aggravating circumstances, which disentitle the petitioner from claiming the concession of bail”, the court further said while rejecting the bail application.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 26: Abdul Rashid War, PRO Sainik Bhawan Srinagar has been awarded commendation for his exemplary courage to rescue trapped people in worst hit localities that included Rajbagh Jawaharnagar and Batamaloo.
The official has played the role of bridge between the army and civil administration during recent flood.
He was actively involved with Air Force team in providing services at the relief and medical camp set up by Air Force Station Srinagar at Sainik Bhawan Batamaloo.
The official exhibited valor and great determination in rising to the occasion and placing service before self in that he managed five trucks of ration from Air Force Station Srinagar and distributed to marooned civilian population in the neighbourhood of the Sainik Bhawan.
He rescued a large number of civilians /departmental vehicles worth Rs 10 lacs by putting himself in harm’s way, thereby personifying the ideals of the organization.
The commendation was presented to Abdul Rashid War by the GOC Chinar Corps at Jak Li regimental centre on March 25. His efforts have also been commended by the MoS Home, DC Srinagar and SDM Srinagar.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 26: The first ever ‘Jammu Youth Theatre Festival’ is beginning from March 28 at the auditorium of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. Organised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs Government of India and North Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India jointly this theatre festival by young actors will feature five plays.
Giving details about this first ever theatre event by youth, Regional Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Jammu Balwant Thakur informed that this festival is a product of five theatre workshops jointly organised by ICCR and NZCC in five different colleges of the city.
The motive behind these workshops was to provide college students an opportunity to explore their immense inner abilities under the professional guidance.
He added that festival is being inaugurated by Sarita Chauhan, Commissioner/ Secretary Higher Education Department with the presentation of the Hindi play ‘Kya Yeh Sach Hai’ by the students of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu under the direction of Anil Tickoo.
On March 29 (Sunday) the first play ‘Final Solutions’ will be presented by the students of Government SPM College of Commerce under the direction of Ravinder Sharma at 11 am. The second play of the day will be ‘Gagan Damama Bajyo’  to be featured at 1 pm  and  will be presented by the students of Government MAM College under the direction of Abhishek Bharti.
On March 30 (Monday) the first play ‘Apne Apne Kshitij’ will be presented by the students of Government College for Women, Parade under the direction of Bipin Gupta and the final presentation of the festival will be ‘Natak Ki Talaash’ which will be presented by the students of GGM Science College under the direction of Sumeet Sharma, he added.
Balwant Thakur further informed that efforts will be made to create a major event after this festival will be over and the best of the performers will be felicitated with the presentation of merit certificates and the outstanding play  of the festival will also feature in that event.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Airport Authority of India Women’s Welfare Association, Kalyanmayee, the extended arm of AAI which is a congregation of all the lady employees and wives of other employees aptly supported by the families of AAI work force organized a free eye check-up camp at Jammu Airport for airport employees and their families.
The camp was organised in collaboration with Dr KD’s Eye Hospital, Sainik Colony.
A five-member team from the hospital conducted tests wherein the employees and their family members availed of the opportunity.
Local President, Kalyanmayee, Praveen Lata was also present.
On the occasion, Airport Director, Ramesh Kumar emphasized on the benefits of such voluntary camps.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) in a meeting here today held under the chairmanship of R K Raina has expressed concern over the irresponsible statements about the community by certain leaders of political parties especially on the return issue of the displaced Pandits.
Mr Raina said Pandits are willing to return and need nobody’s advice in this regard.  He said they also know under what circumstances they were forced to flee from the Valley and who were the elements responsible for that. He said the community does not need advice from any one in this regard.
Mr Raina said being the worst sufferers of migration, the Pandits history has become the story of a burnt child who dreads the fire, so they have to think 10 times whether the history will not be repeated and study the situation and its pros and cons before taking any decision on return.
He said Narendra Modi has exuded some sort of confidence in the community after taking over as PM of the country but nothing tangible was seen for the last nine months and the suffering of the community has not been mitigated.
He said National Minority Commission had also made recommendations about the community but to no avail.
He said the PM’s employment package has not been implemented till date and accommodation for migrants in Valley is insufficient.
B B Gosani general secretary of the ASKPC expressed concern over non payment of salaries to KP employees appointed under PM package. He demanded immediate release of the salaries to them. T K Jigyasoo, Shiban Pandit, S K Bhat, Subash Chatta, B L Handoo, A K Dhar and S K Jalali attended the meeting.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Minister for R&B, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture, Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari while replying to calling attention of Firdous Ahmad Tak informed the House that National High Way- 244 (Batote-Kishtwar-Synthan) has been severely damaged on at least 20 spots and moderately damaged at hundreds of spots with the result the road remained blocked on March 16 & 17 but was subsequently restored on March 18.
The Minister said 45 roads have been restored out of 87 major roads in Doda district while 50 roads out of 76 have also been restored in Kishtwar district. He said restoration of other link roads is going on and is expected to be completed shortly.
Regarding power restoration, Mr Bukhari said that 33 KV and 11 KV/LT network has been progressively restored and  90% of all the 33 KV lines, 33 KV  sub-stations and 11 KV lines are functional in district Doda. He said the power supply at 132 KV level is yet to be restored at various locations which is likely to be restored to Kishtwar district within next few days.
The minister said that 975 houses, 240 cattle sheds and 2 religious structures have been damaged in these twin districts. He said the damages are being assessed and ex-gratia relief under SDRF will be paid to the affected families as and when the assessment is completed            .
Regarding the damage caused to the Government property, he said an Inter Disciplinary Committee has been constituted to assess the damages.