Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: Faculty Extension Lecture was organized by Directorate of Distance Education in University of Jammu.
Prof Kalpana Purohit, Director, Centre for Women Studies and Jai Narain Vyas, University Jodhpur, delivered lecture on the topic “Remapping the Narratives as Agency: Indian Woman Writing- an Overview”.
In his presidential remarks, Prof V D Singh, Director, DDE, appreciated and encouraged further research in these areas where women play a crucial role in our society.
Prof Jasbir Singh, Provost Hostels, Prof Neeru Sharma, Director Women Studies, Prof Anita Billowria, Director Center for History, Art and Culture, Prof Sandeep Tandon, Dr Vishav Raksha, Dr Hema Gandotra, Dr Sandhya Bhardwaj, Dr Geetanjali Rajput and faculty members of DDE also attended the lecture.
The lecture was organized by Dr Anupama Vohra, Coordinator PG English, DDE. Vote of thanks was given by Dr Shubhra Jamwal.
DDE organizes extension lecture
MLA inaugurates road
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 18: MLA Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia today inaugurated Lander-Karcha road in district Udhampur.
Constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.37 crore under NABARD, the 7 Kms road length would benefit about 4-5 Panchayats of the district.
The MLA also convened Public Grievances Camps at village Dondota and Lander in the remotest areas of the district where large number of people from the Panchayats and their adjoining areas put forth various genuine demands and problems.
Speaking to the people at different places, Mr. Mankotia said that he was well conversant with their problems and efforts are being made to fulfill their genuine demands. The people of the area also demanded to restore the Aircel and Airtel mobile communication network due to which communication gap has been generated among the people.
Later, MLA also inspected ongoing construction work of SC/ST hostel and PHC Lander. He asked the officers for their early completion and without compromising with the quality of the work.
Prem Chand’s ‘Baalak’, Aditya Bhanu’s ‘Ghonsla’ staged
Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, July 18: Two short plays, Munshi Prem Chand’s ‘Baalak’ and Aditya Bhanu’s ‘Ghonsla’, were staged on the fourth day of ongoing Jammu Natya Utsav, at K L Saigal hall, here today.
The plot of first play presented by Ek Sath Rangmandal, revolves around a writer, who is disturbed to hear his servant ‘Gangu’ wants to quit job. When writer asks Gangu about the reason, Gangu says that he is doing it to marry Gomati, a widow. Writer is unhappy with Gangu’s decision as he had heard that Gomati had already married thrice but did not settle with anyone. Gangu marries Gomati and starts living a happy life. But after less than six months, Gomati leaves him to go to unknown place. Unmindful of village gossip, Gangu holds high regards for her. One day, he informs the writer that Gomati has come back after giving birth to a baby. Knowing that it was not his baby, he still accepts the child with a very clear and open heart. The play ends with the writer feeling petty in front of Gangu’s noble character. The role of writer was performed by Anoop Rathore who also directed the play while Abhay Rajput acted as Gangu.
Performed by Actor’s Academy, the second short play ‘Ghonsla’, directed by Dilshad Sazi and written by Aditya Bhanu, came out to be a moving commentary on present day social reality wherein grown up children in search of better financial opportunities are moving out of country to leave behind old parents. The plot of the play revolves around one such old and lonely pensioner. Who is reminiscing how his two foreign settled sons, despite umpteen promises, have failed to visit him since twelve years. When one day he receives letter from his sons to send money as they are facing financial hardship, the old man, as a dutiful father, sells his house, his ‘Ghonsla’, and prepares to shift to old age home.
Young actor, Mohit Khajuria, in role of ‘old man’ was able to bring out the pathos and helplessness of the senior citizen, through variation of speech and varied emotions.
Tomorrow on the last day of Jammu Natya Utsav, organized by Aditya Bhanu and Nav Durga Kala Mandir in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, two plays will be performed: ‘Raktdaan Mahadaan’ by Nirvana Academy and ‘Premchand Se Dosti’ by Natraj Natya Kunj.
VRS employees stage protest against SRTC
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: All J&K SRTC Volunteer Retired Employees Association staged a protest demonstration this morning in front of Press Club, against State SRTC for not clearing their pending dues.
Addressing the protesting VRS employees, president, VRS Union, Dev Raj Bali and general secretary, Surinder Singh, strongly criticized the attitude of SRTC and higher authorities of Transport Department towards VRS and GHS employees of State SRTC.
Bali said the funds are available with Finance Department but it is harassing the VRS/GHS employees by not releasing their dues intentionally due to reasons best known to it.
“Our own department is doing injustice with us, as on one hand our services have gone and on the other hand our dues, which were promised to be cleared within 60 days from the date of VRS and GHS, are still pending”, he added.
Reiterating the demands of the Association, which included clearing 16 pending installments of COLA 2006, 18 installments of 2007, 26 installments of COLA 2008, 35 installments of COLA of 2009, 31 installments of COLA upto 2010, pending arrears since 1999 and 6th Pay Commission arrears with effect from January 1, 2006, Surinder Singh appealed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene personally to release the dues of VRS/GHS employees.
The Association also appealed the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi to sanction a package to the tune of Rs 30,16,10,673 for VRS/GHS employees.
Army distributes furniture to Govt schools
Excelsior Correspondent
AKHNOOR, July 18: In continuation with the Army’s efforts to contribute towards the development of society at large, ‘Crossed Swords Division’ handed over the furniture items to Government Primary Schools Kandyal and Dhanger and Government Middle School, Rakh Malal, today.
These problems were projected by the concerned schools and village authorities during various liaison meetings. Keeping their needs in mind, the Army provided the required furniture items to the schools.
On the occasion, Principals of the schools and Sarpanchs of these villages appreciated the Army’s efforts and conveyed their heartfelt gratitude.
ASCOMS Employees Welfare Association holds protest
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: ASCOMS Employees Welfare Association, Sidhra held a protest here today.
The protestors assembled at ASCOMS Sidhra and raised slogans in favour of their demands.
They warned the management that if their demands are not considered at the earliest, the association will start strike.
The gathering was addressed by Bushan Sharma, Sanjay Sharma, Parkash Singh, Sachin Bali and Vishal Gupta.
Villagers threaten protest over failure of power supply
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: Irate over the snapping of power supply due to breakdown of power transformer, residents of Channochak village near Jhiri today threatened the administration of a strong protest demonstration if the power supply is not restored in the area.
The villagers said due to the breakdown of the power transformer they are reeling under darkness for about last eight days but despite assurances by the concerned PDD officials, the power could not be restored in the village.
“We are passing sleepless nights for last eight days due to snapping of power supply. The position of old, infirm and children is worst as they can’t resist the scorching heat”, they added.
The villagers accused the PDD authorities of not replacing the transformer despite many pleas and warned to hold a strong protest in case the transformer was not installed immediately.
They also accused the local MLA of not taking any steps in solving the problem.
Purse lost
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: Rakesh Kumar Koul, S/o Bansi Lal Koul, R/o Paloura Dhok has lost his purse while traveling from Srinagar to Jammu.
The purse contains ATM Card of J&K Bank, Election Card and Rs 2,700 cash.
If anybody found the same, he can may kindly inform on Mobile numbers 94191-50847, 94192-83025 or 97973-85515.
Man hangs self
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, July 18: A man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence in Patoli area, falling under the jurisdiction of Janipur police station.
As per police sources, 35-year-old Ameek Kumar alias Babu, son of Uttam Chand of Patoli, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence.
Finding him hanging, family members informed the police and shifted the body to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where after conducing autopsy, the body was handed over to legal heirs for last rites.
A case under relevant sections has been registered at Janipur police station and investigation started to ascertain the reason behind such extreme step.
Kabaddi League’s Vizag franchise launched
Visakhapatnam, July 18:
`Telugu Titans’, the Visakhapatnam franchise of Pro Kabaddi League, was launched here today.
The team is owned by Srini Sreeramaneni of Core Green Group, Mahesh Kolli of Greenko Group and Gautham Nedurumalli of NED Group.
The team jersey, the anthem and the logo were unveiled at the function.
The city will be hosting seven matches of PKL at Port Trust Indoor Stadium from August 16 to August 19.
The team comprises nine Indian players and three foreigners including two from Pakistan.
PKL has eight city-based franchises — Vizag, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Patna and Bengaluru. (PTI)