NEW DELHI, Aug 8:
Voicing concern over deteriorating situation in Iraq, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he looked forward to his Summit meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss how India and the US can build a partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the world.
Modi conveyed this to visiting US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel who called on him here. During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the announcements made by Obama on the steps the US plans to take to deal with the situation in Iraq.
The Prime Minister expressed concern about the deteriorating situation in Iraq and its potential implications for the region, where India has vital stakes, a PMO statement said.
The US has authorised “targeted airstrikes” against Islamic militants to protect American military personnel and airdrops of meals and water to thousands of religious minorities trapped on a mountaintop in northwest Iraq.
On the bilateral front, the Prime Minister welcomed the sustained high-level engagement by the US with the new government here. Modi told Hagel that he looked forward to his visit to the US “not just as an occasion to think in terms of what we can do for each other, but also as an opportunity to see how the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy can build a partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the world”, the statement said. (PTI)
Modi voices concern over Iraq as US Defence Secy meets him
Drug peddler held
Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Aug 8: Continuing its drive against drug trafficking, Katra Police under the supervision of ASP Kulbir Singh arrested drug peddler and seized charas from his possession.
The accused has been identified as Balwan Singh alias Sonu of Thathi, Udhampur. Three pieces of charas rolls were recovered from his possession. He used to supply the charas to drug addicts in Katra and adjoining areas.
A case under Section 8/20 NDPS Act has been registered against the accused for further investigation.
With this arrest, Police is hopeful of busting the gang as the accused is believed to be a member of the drug mafia active in the area.
Bhasha Sumbli makes J&K proud
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Bhasha Sumbli, the National School of Drama (NSD) graduate has brought laurels to J&K State by getting the prestigious Inlaks Theatre Award for the year 2014.
She also made NSD proud by being its first pass out in the entire country to receive this coveted award.
Under this award, Bhasha will receive a fellowship amount of Rs 1,20, 000 to undergo intense training in her subject ‘Navarasa’ in ‘Kudiyattam’, the 3000 year old ancient classical Acting form of India in general and Kerala in particular.
G Venu, the globally acclaimed master of this form, will be guiding her in this pursuit.
Bhasha will put up a solo performance of Kudiyattam depicting Navarasa at the conclusion of her training.
10th class student assaulted by classmates
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Aug 8: A 10th class student was assaulted by his classmates over some petty issue in Kheora area, falling under the jurisdiction of Rajouri Police Station.
A police spokesman said that, a 10th class student namely Owais Khan (14), son of Zaffer Javed, a resident of Shahdra Sharief, presently residing in Kheora was assaulted by his classmates namely Rajan Tarn and Sanjeev outside tuition centre in Rajouri town over some petty issue.
Some people present nearby rushed to the spot after which the assailants escaped from the spot.
The injured boy was shifted to District Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment, when reports last came in.
A case under relevant Sections has been registered at Rajouri Police Station and manhunt launched to nab the classmates of the victims.
However, no arrests were been made when last reports compiled.
Arena Animation organizes seminar by experts
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Arena Animation, a leading animation institute of the region organized ‘Perspectives’–a seminar on animation, which familiarized prospective as well as current animation students, with the latest tools and technology being used in the industry.
On the occasion, Prof Satvinder Singh, Principal, SPMR College of Commerce was the chief guest, while Dr Parveen Singh, HoD BCA Department, SPMR College of Commerce was the guest of honour.
Deep Shome, Regional Academic Head, Arena Animation while speaking said that career avenues in Multimedia, Animation and VFX Industry are growing. He talked about scope and career opportunities in animation and VFX. He said that the visual effects industry is growing fast and there is major requirement of skilled manpower for taking up animation and visual effects projects in Bollywood as well as Tellywood.
Virat Kumar, Deputy Manager, Business Development, Retail Domestic, Arena Animation said ‘we have launched new courses for aspirants that include new technologies like 3D Projection Mapping, Augmented Reality, Pixar Renderman, Crowd Simulation, Houdini and many more. He explained to the young audience the creative process of animation from script to screen. He laid emphasis on how the children are growing in animation and the need for making software to meet demands of this market. He also highlighted the scope of developing animated property for international broadcasters.
Viewing better prospects, Arena Animation announced association with Pixar–one of the world’s largest animated production house for offering Pixar Renderman software to students.
The interactive session provided aspirants of animation courses first-hand knowledge on animation and new age technology from international creative experts.
PDP takes stock of damages caused by water logging
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) today conducted an extensive tour of the city to assess the situation caused due to heavy rains, here today.
Led by Bharat Choudhary, party’s candidate from Jammu-East Constituency, a group of leaders and workers including Vikram Singh, Chaman Angral, Amit, Sachin Sharma, Retesh Mahajan, Retesh Gupta and Brij Mehra visited Chand Nagar, Jewel, Resham Ghar and Canal Road and listened to the public grievances.
The PDP leaders took stock of the water logging problems in these areas caused due to overflowing of deep drains and ‘nallahs’.
They also inspected the chocked local ‘nallah’ due to which the water overflowed into the residential houses in the area and appealed the JMC Commissioner to gear up men and machinery to clear the ‘nallah’ and avoid further inconvenience to the people.
Court grants bail to Kejriwal, 4 others
NEW DELHI, Aug 8:
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and four others were today granted bail by a Delhi court in connection with a case relating to Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) agitation near North block here in January this year.
Kejriwal and AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, Rakhi Birla, Somnath Bharti and Ashutosh appeared before Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain in pursuance to the summons issued against them.
The court granted them bail on a personal bond of Rs 5,000 each and fixed the matter for further hearing on October 28.
The five accused, along with AAP leader Sanjay Singh, were chargesheeted by the Delhi Police in connection with the case for allegedly violating prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC and also obstructing public servants in discharge of their official duty.
Sanjay Singh did not appear before the court today as summons issued against him had not yet been served.
The police had chargesheeted them under various Sections of the IPC, including 145 (joining and continuing in an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of his public function), 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty).
Kejriwal and other leaders had staged ‘dharna’ outside Rail Bhavan demanding action against police officials who had refused to carry out a raid on an alleged drug and prostitution racket in south Delhi in January this year.
In its charge sheet, the police claimed that on January 19, the Assistant Commissioner of Police had imposed prohibitory orders in the North Block, South Block, Vijay Chowk areas near Rail Bhawan and Parliament Street.
On January 20, the then CM Kejriwal and other AAP leaders assembled at the Rail Bhawan chowk defying the prohibitory orders, it said.
On being told about the prohibitory orders, Kejriwal had told the cops that he would go to the then Home Minister’s office at North Block in his car and also laid a condition that media persons and his supporters would also accompany him, it had said.
The charge sheet had further claimed that Kejriwal, Sisodia and other AAP leaders along with 250-300 supporters defied the orders and started moving towards the then Home Minister’s office.
When the police officials present there tried to stop them with barricades, these leaders instigated their supporters and they manhandled the policemen, it had alleged.
The police said Kejriwal and his supporters then sat on a ‘dharna’ at Rail Bhawan chowk defying the prohibitory orders.
It had also said that they have got the video footage of the incident from various news channels.
The charge sheet had said when Kejriwal and his supporters were stopped at the barricades at Rail Bhawan chowk, they raised slogans against the police, Central Government and the Home Ministry and tried to move forward by manhandling the police officials present there.
After that, the cops tried to pacify the protesters and declared it as unlawful assembly but they still defied the orders by pushing forward the barricades, it had said.
When the protesters were stopped, Kejriwal got annoyed and declared that he would stage ‘dharna’ for the next 10 days at Rail Bhawan chowk and he sat there and gave instigating speeches, it had said. (PTI)
HC seeks status of investigation against Minister in bribery case
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 8: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed Senior Superintendent of Police Vigilance Organization Kashmir (VOK) to file affidavit indicating the steps taken to carry out further investigation as per the directions of the trial court in the bribery allegations leveled by former MLA against Minister Peerzada Sayeed.
Justice A M Magray today directed the SSP VOK to file personal affidavit indicating the steps taken to carry out further investigation in the bribery allegations, leveled by former MLA Shoib Lone, against the then Education Minister, Peerzada Sayeed and his wife. Lone had alleged that Peerzada’s wife demanded Rs 40, 000 from him for clearing a file.
The trail court had asked SSP VOK to get the investigation, against Peerzada in bribery case, carried by an officer of impeccable integrity and process of further investigation be monitored by the SSP himself.
Before ordering the further investigation to be completed in three months, the trial court had declined to accept a charge sheet filed by VOK against Altaf Ahmad Norrani, driver of Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed.
The State Government challenged the trail court order and sought criminal revision of the trial court order in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
The trial court in its order had said that the investigations into the bribery case against Peerzada was not conducted fairly by the investigating agency and the guilty were being shielded.
The investigation officer has put it on record that he has found that Peerzada’s wife had demanded Rs 40, 000 as bribe from Lone for clearing a file.
Priyanka wins U-19 girls’ long jump gold
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SAMBA, Aug 8: Priyanka of Government Girls Higher Secondary School Samba won the gold medal in the Zonal Level Inter-School Under-19 girls Athletic Meet, organized by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, here today.
Priya Devi of HSS Sumb claimed silver in this event.
Earlier, in Shot Put, Kajal Rani of Government GHSS Samba and Kusum Devi of HSS Rajpura won gold and silver respectively.
In Discus Throw, Shavetna Sambyal of GHSS Samba clinched gold, while Sheetal Devi of GHSS Ramgarh claimed silver.
Sonia Devi of HSS Ghagwal and Sheetal Devi of GHSS Ramgarh won gold and silver medals in Javelin Throw, while in High Jump, Rajni Sharma of HSS Ghagwal and Paramjeet Kour of Shishu Niketan HSS Samba won gold and silver respectively.
In Triple Jump, Bharti Sharma of HSS Gho Brahmana and Rajni Sharma of HSS Ghagwal clinched gold and silver respectively.
Meanwhile, in 100 mtrs sprint, Pooja Devi of HSS Sumb and Priya Sharma of HSS Nud won gold and silver respectively, while in 200 mtrs, Simi Devi of HSS Nud and Palvi Choudhary of GHSS Samba bagged gold and silver respectively.
In 400 mtrs, Nitika Sharma of HSS Rajpura won gold and Nazia Choudhary of GHSS Rajpura clinched silver, while in 800 mtrs, Vishu Devi of GHSS Nud and Raj Kumari of HSS Rajpura won gold and silver respectively.
In 1500 mtrs, Khushbu Choudhary of HSS Rajpura and Neelam Devi of HSS Sumb won gold and silver respectively.
Holy Mace reaches Sheshnag
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: As the 44 day long holy Amarnath pilgrimage will culminate on Sawan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandan on August 10, over 1000 pilgrims paid obeisance to Ice Lingam in cave shrine on day 42 of yatra today.
According to an official spokesman 1035 pilgrims paid obeisance in the holy cave today. With this the total number of pilgrims paying obeisance in the cave shrine in last 42 days of yatra touched 3,71,374, he added.
The spokesman said that the weather enroute to holy cave was cloudy but yatra proceeded smoothly on both the tracks.
He said 159 pilgrims left from Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp to holy cave while 259 left from Baltal Base camp to holy cave under tight security early this morning.
Besides, 145 pilgrims left via Baltal by chopper he added.
He said the holy Mace of Lord Shiva reached Sheshnag from Chandanwari this evening and it will leave to Panchtarni early tomorrow morning.
The holy Mace will perform darshan at Cave Shrine in the wee hours of August 10 and later return to Panchtarni in the evening. With this the 44 day long annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath will culminate.
Meanwhile a last batch of 70 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for holy cave in three vehicles under tight security early this morning.