Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: Demanding complete absorption of unemployed dental youth, dental surgeons continued their protest for the second consecutive day.
Amid slogans, large number of dental surgeons assembled at Ambphalla Chowk under the banner of Dental Surgeon Association.
While speaking, Dr Asif Iqbal Chowdhary, president, DSA said that the association will continue this protest for the next three day and warned the Government of dire consequence if their demands were not redressed at the earliest.
He added that the main purpose of the protest is to convey message to the Government to resolve the issues regarding unemployment of the dental surgeons of the State.
“There are more than 1300 unemployed dental surgeons in the State and more than 300 students are completing their graduation from within and outside the State every year in the field of dentistry”, he said, adding that recruitment of dental surgeons was conducted in the year 2008 and after that no recruitment has been done, which is grave injustice with dental surgeons.
“We apprised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din about the problems of the dental surgeons, but no step has been taken by them till today”, he alleged.
Dr Chowdhary demanded complete absorption of unemployed dental youth, recruitment of dental surgeons on yearly basis and establishment of separate directorate for dental health in the State.
He requested the Chief Minister to look into the issues of the dental surgeons and redress the same at the earliest.
“If Government failed to redress our genuine demands at the earliest, then dental surgeons will launch hunger strike and fast unto death and for any untoward incident, the Government will be responsible”, he added.
Dental surgeons continue protest for second consecutive day
Facebook in process of monetising in India: COO Sandberg
NEW DELHI, July 2:
With over 100 million users and 900,000 small and medium businesses on board in India, the world’s largest social networking site Facebook is in the process of monetising its business in India, Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said today.
India has the second-largest user base for Facebook, after the US.
“We have invested heavily in India. India is one of the big bets for us. We are in the process of monetising here,” she told reporters. Sandberg did not disclose details.
“India is our second-largest market and it has a lot of potential. US is our largest market, but in terms of people on our network, there is a huge opportunity for us,” she said.
Globally, Facebook has more than 1.2 billion users.
She added that about 900,000 SMBs have pages on Facebook on which they can advertise and reach out to potential customers. These pages appear in news feeds of users, which the company claims are “personalised”.
“Some percentage of these SMBs are paying for the page product. This explains lot of growth here. Business here contributes globally,” she said.
Sandberg added that the company wants to “enable commerce” — help small and medium businesses to find customers and expand their business, in turn helping Facebook grow.
Facebook has set up one of its four global operations centres in India, the others being in Dublin, Austin and California.
“India is not just contributing to development but also business,” she said.
Sandberg said Facebook is engaging actively with various stakeholders such as the government, NGOs, companies, telecom operators and handset makers to provide access to the Internet for the next billion population.
“You can expect more. We want to ensure that access to Internet is faster, better and cheaper. We are making serious investments,” Sandberg said, adding that Facebook’s mission is to help people across the globe “connect and communicate”.
Talking about her experience in India as a World Bank associate working on a leprosy health initiative, Sandberg said India has changed a lot since her first visit.
“When I came in 1991, I remember sending faxes to family and friends. India has changed a lot. It’s a part of the global economy,” she said. (PTI)
Open rear gate of Raghunath Temple: PDP leader
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Bharat Choudhary today demanded opening of rear gate of Raghunath Temple.
He said citing security reason authorities had shut the rear gate of Raghunath ji Temple, 14 years ago and even after various deputation and memorandums authorities are not willing to open the gate.
He said that on hand Government is removing bunkers form populated areas in Kashmir while on other side imposed unwanted restriction in peaceful Jammu.
Choudhary was addressing the media persons at PDP Office, Hari Market, Jammu.
Chowdhary said he will personally meet Director General of Police and Home Secretary and push the demand of reopening the gate at soon as possible.
He said PDP will fight for each and every problem of Jammu East Constituency.
Slathia reviews Baba Sidh Ghoria Mela arrangements
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, July 2: MLA Vijaypur Surjeet Singh Slathia today inaugurated various development works at Baba Sidh Ghoria at Swankha ahead of the annual mela being held at the shrine on July 6.
The newly created facilities dedicated to the devotees in presence of Mahant Girdhari Nath of Baba Sidh Ghoria has been completed at the cost of Rs.80 lakh, which include Ladies Bath Room Complex, Sarai, Conference Hall and entry gate.
Later, Slathia convened a meeting with the members of Baba Sidh Ghoria Mela committee and local prominent citizens and discussed various issues regarding the arrangement. He assured them that all possible help shall be extended to the people by the Government administration.
He directed the concerned officers to ensure all basic facilities to the devotees who shall visit the mela like water & Power supply, adequate number of buses and medical facilities.
Among others Mahant Girdhari Nath of Baba Sidh Ghoria, BDO Vijaypur, Sarpanchs and Panchs were also present in the meeting.
DDC discusses Budha Amarnath Yatra arrangements
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, July 2: The District Development Commissioner (DDC) Rajouri, Hemant Kumar Sharma today discussed the arrangements for Budha Amarnath Yatra commencing from August 1, 2014 at a meeting of the officers of line and works departments.
The meeting, among others, was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Saleem Malik, Superintending of Police Mubassir Latifi, Chief Medical Officer, Rajouri, ARTO Rajouri, District Information Officer, Tehsildar Rajouri, X-Ens PHE, PWD and members of Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra Swagat Samiti Rajouri.
The DDC had detailed deliberations on various aspects of the Yatra and its smooth and successful conduct. He issued direction for maintaining adequate supply of drinking water at the venue while the Municipal Committee was asked to take up measures to ensure cleanliness and also make provisions for temporary toilet facilities. It was decided that PWD Department will construct temporary sheds for langar and storage of ration, while Border Road Organisation was asked to take measures for better maintenance of road and start repair wherever required.
The Superintendent of Police (SP), Mubassir Latifi told the meeting that fool proof security arrangements shall be provided enroute from Sunderbani to B.G.
In addition to this, the CMO was asked to keep provision for ambulance along with medical facilities enroute from Sunderbani to B.G and put banners at prominent places to make Yatris aware about the venue for medical facilities. The District Information Centre Rajouri shall provide the Public Address System.
As thousands of Yatris are expected to visit Budha Amarnath from other parts of the State, the DDC directed Chief Handicraft Officer, Rajouri to put up a stall of local handicraft items on display to promote the local craft.
The DDC called upon all the line departments to ensure that the requirements of the simiti are met, while the works to be started as part of the arrangements are completed well before the commencement of the Yatra.
Bookies laid ‘Honey Trap’ during ICL in 2008, reveals Vincent
Wellington, July 2:
Banned for life for match-fixing, disgraced New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent revealed how an “Indian bookie” posing as a sports equipment sponsor laid ‘honey Trap’ for him during the now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) back in 2008.
In interviews to New Zealand radip channels ‘Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport’, Vincent revealed how he was taken aback to find that his “hero” was involved in fixing and how he was unable to refuse him from taking part in the ‘big fix’.
“I looked at ICL as a great way to get away from New Zealand, take the family and live overseas. And it was good money. Throughout our NZ career, we got proper education regarding bookie approaches. Here I go to ICL and I was trying to get comfortable, trying to get excited playing with new team,” Vincent said.
“Then the phone rings. Happens all the time when you are in India. On other end of the phone was an Indian guy, who wanted me to use his (sports) gear. His batting equipment and I said “yeah I will be interested.
Vincent then revealed how different he felt as he walked into the hotel room of this so-called bat manufacturer from the ones he had visited on earlier tours.
“It has happened before on other tours as well, where you walk into the room and see all the equipment spread across and you pick up bits and pieces. You then negotiate a deal and come out saying ‘thank you’.
“But here, I walk into the room and see there was nothing there. A young gentleman was sitting and a lady whom I thought at that point was his wife at the end of the bed,” the former right-hander said.
So she wasn’t his wife, the RJ questioned, to which Vincent replied, “No she wasn’t. She was the ‘Honey Trap’. It took me about half an hour to realize that. As I was speaking to him, I asked him where’s the gear and he said that it was at the Conceirge (hotel lobby).
“Then, when I tried to go to the bathroom and he put his foot on the door and said that that she (lady in question) is gift to you from our company. That’s when the penny drops. This looks a bit dodgy. I declined,” Vincent stated. (PTI)
Disposable linen, automatic doors in premier trains planned
NEW DELHI, July 2: Disposable linen in Rajdhani trains, automatic closing doors in Shatabdi and fire suppression system in passenger coaches are some of the proposals set to be announced in the Rail Budget 2014-15.
Besides, announcement of manufacturing high capacity milk van and light weight wagon for transporting salt are also likely to find mention in NDA Government’s first Rail Budget on July 8.
Heeding to the demand from the manufacturing sector, the Railways is also finalising its budgetary plan to develop high capacity wagons to transport more steel coils. As per the plan, the state-run transporter is proposing to develop wagons which can carry upto 3944 tons of coils. Currently, the carrying capacity of wagons is 2346 tons.
Aiming at generating more revenue from parcel movement, the Rail Budget is likely to propose development of high capacity parcel vans.
According to sources, better passenger amenities and strengthening of safety and security in trains are likely to be focus of Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda in his maiden Rail Budget.
In a step towards providing better amenities and hygienic condition in trains, railways have decided to start a pilot project of providing disposable bedrolls in Bangalore Rajdhani Express.
There have been complaints regarding the quality of linen provided to Rajdhani passengers.
“So, it has been decided to provide linen made of non-woven polyester fabric which can be disposed off after use. It will be carried out in an experimental way in Bangalore Rajdhani and after getting feedback from passengers a decision will be taken to adopt in in other Rajdhani trains,” the sources said.
Railways will also start a pilot project to equip Shatabdi coaches with automatic closing door system as a fool-proof safety device. The automatic door system will also be installed in EMU trains for suburban service, as per the plan.
Keeping the increased demand for dairy products and milk output, railways is proposing to develop higher capacity milk van which can carry 44,600 litres as against the current 40,000 litre.
Though the carrying capacity of milk van will be increased, the weight of the new design milk van will be reduced from 37 tons to 29.7 tons, as per the plan. (PTI)
A roadside vendor taking cover of a sheet to protect himself from showers on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
A roadside vendor taking cover of a sheet to protect himself from showers on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Yatris waiting in long queues in front of Exhibition Ground registration counter at Jammu on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Yatris waiting in long queues in front of Exhibition Ground registration counter at Jammu on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah handing over inspecting relief cheque to a beneficiary at Srinagar on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah handing over inspecting relief cheque to a beneficiary at Srinagar on Wednesday.