Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 8: Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Department of Higher Education, Ashok Thakur today held a video conference with the Vice-Chancellors of the Central Universities, Directors and officers of other educational institutions across the country.
From the Central University of Kashmir (CUK), the conference was attended by the officiating Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mehraj-ud-Din, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Finance Officer, Dr Irshad A Jan, Controller Examination, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Gilkar, and other administrative staff at its academic block located at Zainakote.
Addressing the participants, Ashok Thakur conveyed the message of the Prime Minister and the President of India (Visitor of the Central Universities) to all the heads of the institutions. The salient features of the message included immediate action on filing up of vacant teaching positions, introduction of new programmes in the institutions of higher learning on emerging areas of education and technology and striving for creation of centres of excellence.
Besides strengthening the traditional areas in Yoga and Environmental Sciences, enhancing skills to cater to the supply demand of the country and world, creation of national e-library, proposal of appointing nodal officer by the Universities for providing the data for world ranking systems, and efforts to promote the interests of science and mathematics subjects at the school level were the other key areas reported by the Secretary as having been identified by him during a presentation before the PM and the President earlier.
The Secretary also emphasised upon the heads of the institutions to make the campuses wifi enabled and take the signing of MoUs, particularly with foreign Universities, seriously and make them result oriented. “These MoUs should be taken to its logical end,” he added.
He also emphasised to increase the usage of the NKN-connectivity optimally. Further the process of awarding degrees like honoris causa should be taken seriously and not awarded in ordinary way. He also stressed upon the Universities to fill up the statistics of the institutions on All India Survey of Higher Education) AISHE portal and MHRD website for the information of the students and stake holders.
Secy MHRD addresses Central University heads
Painting Competition organized
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Aug 8: The Udhampur Unit of Directorate of Field Publicity, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India organized a Painting Competition entitled ‘Save Environment-Save Future’ at Platform-1 Railway Station, here today.
This Competition was part of Science Express-Biodiversity Special which was thrown open for general public for three days and concluded today.
On this occasion, about 30 students of Brahmrishi Bawra Shanti Vidya Peeth, Udhampur took part and projected their ideas through paintings regarding preservation of Environment. Km. Maniya, Km. Medhavi and Km. Mehreen were adjudged 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in order of Merit.
The Judgment was made by a team of experts headed by Arun Sharma, Art Teacher.
While addressing the participants, Gurnam Singh urged upon them to act as messangers of peace and prosperity and spread their ideology among other colleagues too.
Prizes among winners were also given away on this occasion.
BJP has taken Assembly elections of J&K seriously: Rajasthan Minister
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Under party’s State wide series of constituency level programmes, BJP unit of Jammu West Assembly constituency organized booth level Karyakarta sammelan at Eden Garden, here today.
Hem Singh Bhadna, Minister of Food & Civil Supply, Government of Rajasthan, chaired this Sammelan. Those on the dais were State general secretary, Bali Bhagat and Jammu West district president Subash Jandial.
Hem Singh Bhadana, while addressing a large gathering of booth level workers, said that after splendid victory of BJP in Lok Sabha elections, the party is now concentrating on Assembly elections in four states, including Jammu & Kashmir, where elections are scheduled later this year.
He said that the party is taking J&K elections very seriously and has set a target of farming the first ever BJP Government here. He said that it is a challenge but we are sure that our activists at the grass roots level will contribute in converting this challenge into victory. “Ours is a cadre based party, which is our real strength,” said Bhadana and added that BJP has inner democracy where every activist can rise to the highest post in organization whereas most of the other political parties are run and controlled by a family.
Hem Singh Bhadana said that there is lot of enthusiasm among the people as well as party activists across the country and the same is visible in all the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
He asked the booth level activists to put more efforts for the next three to four months in mobilizing public opinion in favour of the party besides ensuring enrollment of new voters and strengthening the booth level committees by regular interactions with the party leaders and ground level activists.
He expressed hope that the BJP will form the Government on its own in J&K and provide a people friendly administration.
Earlier, Hem Singh Bhadana had direct interaction with the booth level activists and sought their suggestions for better organizational coordination and smooth conduct of all the election related activities.
The sammelan was organized by Chander Mohan Gupta, Rajni Sethi, Munish Sharma, Lalit Moza (Adv.), Balbir Ram Rattan, Arun Chhibber, N.D. Rajwal, Surinder Bhagat, Bawa Sharma, Mohan Singh Rana, Anil Gupta, Surinder Choudhary, Er. Ashwani Khosla and others.
Plantation drive launched in Janipur Colony
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Advocate Maheshwar Singh Manhas, general secretary Congress Committee kick started plantation drive in Janipur Colony by planting sapling and distributing plants among participants, today.
On the occasion, Singh stressed the need to plant as many plants as possible to save the ecology which is the need of the need of the hour. He appealed the people to follow the old Indian ancient tradition of saving plants and even worship of some trees.
Singh was accompanied by Jyoti Parkash Gupta (chairman Asha Kiran Welfare Society Janipur Colony Jammu) and its members. They pledged to carry forward this drive in every nook and corner of the area with zest and zeal.
Prominent among those who participated included Pawan Kumar, (Raju Mahajan) Joyti Kohli, Sanjeev Verma, Sham Bali, Pawan Dubey, Abhishek, Rajesh Gupta, Om Prakash Sharma, Pankaj Sharma, Pankaj Chib, Nandu Baba, Rakesh Gupta, Bodh Raj and others.
One dies, 10 injured in road mishaps
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 8: One person died and 10 others were injured in different road accidents across the valley.
An LP Truck JK02AB/3873 hit a Maruti car JK18/7312 on NHW near FCI Mir Bazar in Mir Bazar, Kulgam, resulting in injuries to eight passengers. Among the injured persons Ashok Kumar son of Jodh Ram of Jammu succumbed to his injuries at District Hospital, Anantnag.
An ECO vehicle JK05D/0838 hit and injured Shahid Showkat Dar, 11, of Nowpora at Nowpora crossing in Sopore. The injured was shifted to Sub District Hospital, Sopore for treatment.
A Tata Sumo JK09/5950 turned turtle at Khudi in Sogam, resulting in injuries to two passengers, Saif-ud-Din Khatana and Abdul Rashid Khatana of Khodi. Both the injured have been shifted to Sub District Hospital, Kupwara for treatment.
The spokesman said police has registered cases.
Sidhant Cricket Academy honours players
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Sidhant Cricket Academy organized a function to honour its players who represented the State in National Level, District Level and other Tournaments in different categories during its inaugural season (2013-14).
The Academy honoured young cricketers Pavit Singh Ishar, Akshay Mahajan, Rohit Kumar and Abhishek, who participated and performed in National Level events including Vijay Merchant Trophy, 2013-14.
Ashok Sharma, SSP Airport Jammu was the chief guest and Dr Gurdeep Singh, Deputy Superintendent, Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu was the guest of honour.
Avneet Singh and Anshuman Pratap Singh were awarded for participating in Inter District Under-16 category.
Selected players of the Academy also went to Jalandhar and Chandigarh for Under-12 and Under-16 matches.
In Under-12 category, Partyush Mangi was awarded best bowler of the tournament, while Pavit Singh Ishar was awarded as the best All-rounder. Jatinder Pal Singh was awarded as upcoming player of the tournament, besides Prince as the best bowler and Aryan Dogra as the best fielder.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were Sanjay Mahajan, Chairman Atman College of Education and Sidhant Sanmotra, owner of Sidhant Cricket Academy.
Sangakkara, Jayawardene plunder Pakistan
Galle, Aug 8:
Kumar Sangakkara rose to fourth place in the list of century-makers as he and the retiring Mahela Jayawardene plundered Pakistan’s bowlers on the rain-hit third day of the first Test in Galle on Friday.
The hosts, who began the day at 99-1 in reply to Pakistan’s 451, carried their first innings to 252-2 by tea before heavy rain wiped out the final session of play.
Just 46 of the stipulated 90 overs were bowled during the day, leaving a draw as the likely result with just 12 wickets having fallen over the first three days.
Sri Lanka will resume on Saturday trailing by 199 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Left-handed Sangakkara — who turns 37 in October — was unbeaten on 102, his seventh three-figure knock in the last 14 Tests, taking his overall tally to 37 centuries. (Agencies)
DC inspects new admn units; 47 officials posted
Excelsior Correspondent
Kathua, Aug 8: Deputy Commissioner Kathua Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary accompanied by ACR Suraj Parkash Rukwal, Asstt Commissioner Development and other senior officers of various departments inspected the buildings selected for operationalisation of new administrative units in Kathua, Hiranagar and Marheen.
Meanwhile, 47 officials were today posted in different administrative units in the district for immediate establishment of offices. These include Patwaris, Junior Assistants, Senior Assitants, Orderlies and other essential staff of various offices. More than 200 other officials are being posted in addition to the staff already deployed.
The DC inspected the office buildings of SDM Hiranagar, Tehsildars Hiranagar and Marheen and BDO Hiranagar and Marheen apart from administrative units in Kathua Tehsils and directed the executing agencies and Departments of Revenue and Rural Development to carry out the repairs and renovation as well as furnishing of buildings within three to four days time.
Meetings with Sarpanchs, Panchs and prominent citizens were also convened at various places and the Deputy Commissioner informed that all the administrative units are being made functional within a period of one week. SDMs and Tehsildars as well as BDOs and Naib Tehsildars posted in new administrative units have been directed to make the units functional on Independence day and organize ceremonies in their respective offices. Logistics and infrastructure for all the offices have been finalized by the administration.
Offices of SDMs, Tehsildars and BDOs across the district are being equipped with various facilities for effective grievance redressal and quick service delivery for which plan is being finalised by the district administration.
Later, the DC inspected various departmental offices in Kathua and Hiranagar and also inspected attendance in Government offices and condition of ongoing developmental works. Officers of Revenue, Municipal Council, Planning, Horticulture and Forest accompanied the DC for assessing the developmental needs of Dream Land Park Kathua which is being developed as Model Park shortly.
Distt hospitals to be made medical colleges: Govt
NEW DELHI, Aug 8:
In a bid to improve manpower in the medical sector, Government has taken a variety of steps including upgradation of district hospitals into medical colleges, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed Lok Sabha today. The Centre has, however, not laid down any standard regarding minimum facilities to be provided at district hospitals as Health is a state subject, he said. Vardhan said the Centre provides financial assistance to State Governments to strengthen their healthcare system.
He also said there is no specific scheme under the National Health Mission for strengthening and upgradation of the existing district hospitals.
He said 200-bedded district hospitals will be upgraded to medical colleges if there are none in the area.
The existing medical colleges will be upgraded to the level of super-speciality hospitals. It will help increase the number of medicare personnel. (PTI)
Woman teacher crushed to death
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Aug 8: A woman school teacher was crushed to death by a rashly driven truck on the National Highway near Kendriya Vidyalya, here today.
The deceased was identified as Palvi (26), wife of Vikas Chander Mohan of Billan Babli, near Head Post Office Udhampur. She was a teacher in the KV -1.
The accident took place when a rashly driven truck JK14B-7257 hit Scooty of Palvi near Chinar around 7.30 a.m. The victim reportedly died on the spot while truck driver managed to flee the spot after the accident.
Police has registered a case in this connection.
Meanwhile, in another road accident, one person sustained injuries when his Maruti car was hit by a bus near Dogera under Kud Police Post.
The injured was identified as Gurcharan Singh, son of Late Makhan Singh of Kud. He was rushed to Chenani Hospital where doctors referred him to District Hospital Udhampur.