Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 22: France Ambassador Francois Richier today called on Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, MoS in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Space & Atomic Energy, at his North Block office and conveyed the French Government’s desire to work in close collaboration with the Narendra Modi Government in different areas including Science and Technology.
Responding to the French Ambassador, Dr Jitendra Singh said, India has all along shared a consistently healthy relationship with France regardless of the geo-political situation at any given time and proposed a new innovative idea of having a “Joint Indo-French Science & Technology Council”.
Dr Jitendra Singh accepted the French Ambassador’s suggestion to set up a Pasteur Institute in India which would be funded by the French Government. He also referred to two joint satellites namely “Megatropic” and “Saral” which are already in place and said the joint scientific collaboration between the two countries can also be extended to the field of medical science particularly the research on metabolic diseases and diabetes.
Referring to the various joint training programmes between the two countries, Dr Jitendra Singh expressed satisfaction at the recent launch of “Raman Charpak” Fellowship for exchange of doctoral students on annual basis between the two countries.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, Ministry of Science and Technology under him has opened up new areas of research and scientific work as a part of which, in the years to come, not only young Indian scientists will be accorded fellowship to work with some eminent French scientists but French scientists will also be offered opportunity to visit India and benefit themselves from the enormous research potential available in this country.
As a part of the new Government’s mission to use Science and Technology as a medium of social transformation, Dr Jitendra Singh said, closer collaboration with progressive countries like France can also help to bring about greater harmony among diverse societies in order to be compatible with the requirements of a global world.
Dr Jitendra proposes Jt Indo-French Science Council
Woman dies of fall from tree
Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, July 22: A middle aged woman was killed after she fell down from a tree in Arnas area of district Reasi this afternoon.
Reports said the mishap took place when 32-year-old Sushma, wife of Munshi Ram, resident of Bakal village in Arnas was cutting leaves for the cattle from a tree. She slipped from the tree and fell down. With serious head injuries she was rushed to Arnas Hospital where doctors declared her as dead.
National Highway remains blocked for several hours
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: The vehicular movement on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway came to standstill for several hours due to landslide, triggered by rains in the upper reaches of district Ramban.
Official sources told Excelsior that Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was blocked early this morning at 0530 hours near Khooni Nallah in Ramban district after the landslides on the highway due to rains.
Around 100 meters stretch near Khooni Nallah was blocked due to landslides, leading to stranding of thousands of people, including Amarnath pilgrims at various places, sources added.
On getting information, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Traffic, National Highway, Haseeb Mughal along with cops of the Traffic Department rushed to the spot and informed the BEACON about the highway blockage, they said.
After the information, BEACON men and machinery reached the spot, started restoration work and by 1200 hours, the vehicular movement was restored, they added.
However, the people especially tourists have to face tough time due to blockage of National Highway.
SSP Traffic National Highway Haseeb Mughal confirmed that the vehicular movement was closed on the National Highway due to landslide near Khooni Nallah early morning.
“BEACON men and machinery were pressed into service to clear the debris. AFCON machine was also used to unclog the highway. Around 1200 hours the vehicular movement was restored”, he added.
SSP said that soon after the landslide Jammu and Srinagar traffic units were informed and traffic was stopped at several places including Udhampur, Kud, Chanderkote, Qazigund, Banihal, etc on the highway to avoid snarls.
When asked about stranding of Amarnath Yatra, SSP stated that the yatra convoy was halted at langar sites at Tamatar Morh near Kud in the morning, and when the convoy started its onward journey to cave and reached Chanderkote by that time the blockade was removed.
District Jammu dominates in State level swimming competition
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: District Jammu dominated day-2 of the State Level Inter-District Swimming Competition, being organized by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, under the patronage of its Director General, Navin Aggarwal and under the overall supervision of Deputy Director Jammu, Vaid Prakash at Jodhamal Public School, here.
A total of 59 boys and 14 girls drawn from various districts of the State are taking part in the Competition to vie for the top honours.
Earlier, in Under-17 boys 100 mtrs breast stroke, Sanand Sharma of Jammu bagged gold in 100 mts breast stroke by taking 1: 42: 46 minutes, while the silver in this event went to Idrees Hussain of District Srinagar, completing the event in 1: 51: 84 minutes and the bronze medal was claimed by Dilawar Abbas of Srinagar by taking 2: 00: 74 minutes.
In Under-17 boys 100 mtrs back stroke, Abhinav and Rasagya Tandon of Jammu bagged gold and silver medals by completing the event in 1: 55: 97 and 2: 06: 50 minutes respectively, while the bronze medal was bagged by Dilawar Abbas of Srinagar, taking 2: 15: 60 minutes.
In Under-17 boys 200 mtrs free style, Sidhant Sharma and Nabhaya Saraf, both from Jammu won gold and silver medals respectively, while the bronze medal went to Sajid Nazir of Srinagar.
50 mtrs butterfly gold went to Aditya of Jammu, while Dilawar Abbas of Srinagar and Raghu Nandan of Kathua claimed silver and bronze medals respectively.
Meanwhile, in Under-14 boys 200 mtrs free style, Karan Dhar of Jammu won gold, Divyam Sharma of Jammu clinched silver medal and the bronze medal went to Aadil Hussain of Srinagar.
Basharat Ali of Srinagar clinched gold in Under-14 boys back stroke, while the silver and bronze medal in this event were claimed by Dhairya and Daksh, both from Jammu district claimed silver and bronze medal respectively.
In Under-14 boys 50 mtrs breast stroke, Yawar Abbas of Srinagar claimed gold, while Yuvraj and Aamil both from Jammu bagged silver and bronze respectively, while in Under-14 boys 50 mtrs butterfly, Advay Gupta of Jammu bagged gold, while Basharat Ali and Gandhar of Srinagar and Jammu claimed silver and bronze respectively.
IGP reviews security for Machail yatra
Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, July 22: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone Rajesh Kumar today reviews security arrangements for forthcoming Shri Machail Yatra. He was accompanied SSP Kishtwar.
IGP also met members of Sanstha/Prabhandak Committee of Shri Machail Yatra and took review of security and other issues related with yatra.
Thereafter, IGP visited Kishtwar and took review of security and other law and order arrangements in connection with forthcoming festivals with officers of district police.
He also paid informal visit to police station Kishtwar, and took stock of working of Police station and Police control room.
IGP also interacted with prominent citizens at police station Kishtwar belonging to various political/religious public-social organizations, NGOs, trade union bodies and transport unions and deliberated on various issues having bearing on law and order/security in the district and also listen their grievances.
Among others present were Akshay Sharma, Chuni Lal Shan, Kishori Lal Shan, Ashish Kumar, Jalal-ud-Din Quazi, Imtiyaz Ahmed Zargar, Bansi Lal Shan, Kuldeep Gupta, Ravinder Kumar Gupta, Pyari Lal Shan, etc.
PM Modi wishes Indian contingent for Commonwealth Games
New Delhi, July 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wished the best of luck to Indian athletes for the Commonwealth Games beginning in Glasgow tomorrow.
“My best wishes to our athletes participating in the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow. Am sure they will do our nation very proud,” tweeted Modi.
“Apart from providing a wonderful opportunity for sportspersons to shine, events like CWG bring a spirit of unity & brotherhood among nations.
“We will certainly witness a celebration of both sports and sportsmanship in the coming days during,” added Modi.
A 215-strong Indian contingent will take part in the Games.
India finished second behind Australia with a record 101 medal haul at the 2010 Delhi Games. (PTI)
Road connectivity must for all round development: Manohar
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, July 22: Saying roads are vital foundation to rural development Minister of State for Fisheries, Cooperatives, Finance and Planning Dr Manohar Lal Sharma said that Government has put the road connectivity sector on priority to improve the living conditions of rural and isolated communities during the last five years. He was speaking after dedicating two new roads to the public in tehsil Billawar today.
The 1.5 km Ramkote-Powerhouse road has been constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 113.50 lakh funded by NABARD. Whereas 2 km Gurha Kalyal-Dandian link road is completed with an estimated cost of Rs 177 lakh, the road work is executed by PWD (R&B).
Dr Sharma said road connectivity opens up commercial opportunities and services that make farming more profitable livelihood for rural inhabitants. He said roads gives wider social benefits, giving rural & isolated communities vital access to schools, hospitals and other civic amenities.
The locals of Ramkote and Gurha Kalyal also thanked the Minister for taking efforts to connect habitations through link roads.
Sarpanch Ramkote Budhi Singh apprised the Minister about the problems and demands of the people.
At Gurha Kalyal Minister also met with number of deputations and assured every help to mitigate their genuine problems.
Besides larger number of people, officers of PWD, Flood Control, Fisheries and other departments and Sarpanchs of Galak, Kashed, Amala and Dharamkote were present on the occasion.
56 PoK guests arrive for Eid
SRINAGAR, July 22:
As many as 56 residents of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) arrived here to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their relatives, separated in 1947 while only four Kashmiris crossed over to other side of the Line of Control (LoC).
Official sources said today that 16 returnees also crossed sides at Kaman post, the last Indian military post on this side of the LoC in Uri sector. They said 56 PoK residents, including 16 women and 22 children, arrived at Kaman post after crossing the Aman Setu, peace bridge on LoC to meet their relatives separated due to partition.
The guests will celebrate the Eid festival in Kashmir before leaving for their homes in PoK. They said nine Kashmiris, including three women, who had crossed over to PoK also returned to their homes after completing stay there.
Sources said four Kashmiris crossed over to other side of the LoC also to celebrate Eid with their relatives there. Seven PoK residents, including two women and three children, who had arrived here in previous buses also returned to their homes after completing their stay in Kashmir. The Karvan-e-Aman bus service, started on April 7,2005, has helped thousands of divided families to meet each other after their separation in 1947.(UNI)
Female foeticide biggest sin against humanity: Omar
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 22: Terming female foeticide as the “biggest sin against humanity”, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said his Government has taken several measures but it alone cannot eradicate the menace.
“When I saw the alarming reports of female foeticide in Kashmir, I was highly surprised as I had never dreamt that such a sin will be performed in a society where protection, security and well being of girls and women is a cultural trait,” Omar said at a function here.
Addressing a three-day workshop on ‘Gender and Child Rights’, organised by Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy in collaboration with the State Government, Omar pin-pointed the menace of female foeticide and said that he is deeply concerned about this “highest sin against humanity” which would ruin the future of the society.
“Government alone cannot eradicate it by enforcing laws. Public awareness and participation of civil society is imperative in this regard,” the Chief Minister said.
“The civil society in close coordination with the Government have to address this menace,” he said and referred to the various steps taken by the State Government for the growth and well being of women and children.
The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the deteriorating situation of children rights in the state due to violence, militancy and a host of other factors.
In a state like Jammu and Kashmir, law and order and security situation coupled with incidents of violence badly tell upon the rights of children to enjoy active and joyous childhood, he said.
The Chief Minister said the security and rights of women and children have been underlined as priority areas in the state’s development policy and planning.
“Under all circumstances, the security and rights of children and women should be protected,” he said.
He expressed hope that the workshop would ponder upon these issues and come up with viable expert recommendations for the Government for implementation.
Omar also touched upon the important role played by the State Government initiative ‘UMEED’ in women empowerment.
He said UMEED scheme implemented in some blocks in the state has yielded encouraging results and it is being extended to all blocks of the State.
“UMEED at one hand has given economic strength to the women and on the other strengthened their voices to highlight their rights,” he said maintaining that women self help groups organised under this scheme could easily raise their voice at all forums particularly at the district and block levels to obtain their due share in the development programmes.
He said UMEED has also generated remunerative economic activities for its members in the blocks where it is under implementation.
Ammunition seized
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, July 22: Police today recovered 41 rounds of ammunition from Malyalan forest range of Keri sector.
SSP Rajouri Mubassir Latifi said on specific inputs a team of SOG conducted a search operation at Malyalan forest range of Keri sector in this district.
During search, the SOG team recovered 41 bullets of AK-47, he said, adding that the recovered bullets are rusted and might have been hidden in the forest area by terrorists, when the militancy was at its peak in this sector.
The rounds have been seized and further investigations were on.