Excelsior Correspondent
Ganderbal, June 30: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) officiating Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj-ud-Din today inaugurated a mini browsing centre and a micro-study centre inside the site office of the varsity here.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Mehraj-ud-Din said the main objective of establishing the browsing centre was to provide a platform to the local student community to get connected to the outside world through World Wide Web.
By availing the facilities, the students can fill application and admission forms for the programmes offered by various educational institutions outside Valley and can also participate in the online examinations conducted by these institutions, Prof Mehraj-ud-Din added.
He said the students can remain updated with the advancements in the field of education and other allied subjects and current affairs across the globe by using the internet.
Prof. Mehraj-ud-Din said the mini study centre would prove highly beneficial to the students preparing for competitive examinations and other tests. He said books on diverse subjects have been kept at the disposal of the student community.
More and more books will be added on the demand of the locals and students visiting the study centre, he said.
Dean of various faculties, heads and coordinators of various departments, officers of the Registry, Finance and Examination wing were present at the inauguration.
CUK VC inaugurates browsing, micro study centre
Enough space in world for rise of India, China: Ansari
BEIJING, June 30:
There is enough space in the world for the rise of India and China, Vice President Hamid Ansari said today while asserting that the two neighbours have transcended bilateral scope in ties as they view each other as partners for mutual benefit and not as rivals.
On the global stage, the two countries, that account for about 37 per cent of the world’s population, are at the forefront of the emergence of a “more democratic global order” to resolve global issues in an equitable manner, he said while delivering a speech at the prestigious Chinese Academy of Social Sciences here.
“There is enough space in the world for the development of India and China, and the world needs the common development of both countries. As two large developing countries, our common interests far outweigh our differences,” Ansari said in his speech on ‘Calibrated Futurology: India, China and the World’.
Ansari said India admires China’s achievements in terms of development and hopes to see the country become a developed country soon.
He noted that it is very rare in history that two large neighbours have become rising powers at the same time.
“Our destinies are linked by geography and history. We welcome China’s peaceful development and regard it as a mutually reinforcing process,” Ansari said.
He said the relations between the two neighbours have transcended the bilateral scope and acquired regional, global and strategic significance.
“We both view each other as partners for mutual benefit and not as rivals or competitors. It has been customary to focus on bilateral issues although both our nations face similar global challenges today. The inter-dependence for dealing with these issues will only grow,” Ansari said.
“Our primary interest is to pay attention to the task of development. For it to succeed, both countries need a peaceful periphery and an environment of tranquillity. And thus it has been the objective of both our countries to seek tranquillity and stability in our immediate neighbourhood and extended region. Only then can we bring prosperity and stability to Asia and the world,” he said.
Ansari noted that the record of Sino-India relations is a mixed one, but improving.
“The border clash of 1962 left a scar on the Indian psyche and led to a brief interregnum in the growth of ties. Both countries renewed high-level exchanges in the late 1970s. These paved way for expanding cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges,” he said.
Ansari is on a five-day visit to China to take part in the 60th anniversary of Panchsheel.
“The resumption in early 1980s of the pilgrimage to Mount
Kailash and Lake Mansarovar generated goodwill amongst the Indian people,” Ansari said.
Referring to the role the two countries could play in the near future, he said in climate change negotiations, India and China have maintained that burden sharing has to be fair and must take into account historical emissions.
“We must adhere to this principle in future negotiations. As two populous and fast developing nations, food and energy security are of vital concern to both out countries. We need to find ways of cooperating in clean energy technologies and also sharing experience in managing our respective food economy,” he said.
“Terrorism continues to be the greatest threat to our development goals. We need to find ways to jointly tackle this scourge,” he added.
Ansari said the UN Security Council should be expanded as it “no longer reflects reality”.
He said in the years ahead, a trend of multi-polarity is emerging in the global political landscape and India and China should cooperate for mutual benefit in this evolving and developing framework.
“We are also seeing the gravity of world economy shifting towards Asia. Could the 21st century be an Asian Century? For that to happen, India and China will have to play a decisive role and create a world based on good-neighbourliness and mutual prosperity rather than one based on the balance of power calculations and animosity,” Ansari said.
Ansari opined that the responsibility for taking bilateral relations to new heights is a shared one.
He argued that while the role of governments is important, equally relevant would be the contribution of social scientists in different disciplines in the realm of ideas, perspectives and policy options.
To convey New Delhi’s position, Ansari quoted from Rabindranath Tagore’s poem :”In front lies the Ocean into that ocean of peace, my friends, let us launch our boats.”
He said as China and India together account for about 37 per cent of the world’s population, there will be a competition for resources.
“These, together, throw up contradictions that need to be resolved in a manner that is peaceful rather than laced with violence, inclusive rather than exclusive, mutually beneficial rather than discriminatory,” he said.
During his visit here, Ansari took part in the 60th anniversary of Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful coexistence propounded by the two countries along with Myanmar in 1954, and held talks with the top Chinese leadership. (PTI)
PDP to launch mass contact programme
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 30: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) today said that it will launch a mass contact program to expose the misdeed of the present National Conference-Congress coalition regime in the State.
In a meeting of the senior leaders which was held to devise strategy for the coming Assembly elections, it was decided that party would approach every section of the society to educate the people about misdeeds of the present Government headed by Omar Abdullah and revolutionary agenda of the PDP.
General secretary of the party, Yash Pal Sharma, former Rajya Sabha member, Trilok Singh Bajwa, Ved Mahajan, Daman Bhasin, Surinder Choudhary, Jagjit Singh Jagga and other senior leaders attended the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Yash Pal Sharma flayed the State Government for its failure on all fronts. He said that miseries of common masses have been mounting with every passing day but the Government is adopting casual towards addressing basic problems.
He regretted that developmental activities have come to standstill while corruption has crossed all limits. While pointing towards rampant corruption in the administration, PDP leader said that legalizing corruption was the only noticeable achievement of the six year tenure of this Government.
He said that the State has been plunged in to unprecedented crises due to wrong policies of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who has failed to connect himself with the common masses.
In his address, Trilok Singh Bajwa that this regime was formed without any programme and policy and instead of solving basic problems of the common masses, leaders of NC and Congress have been befooling the people by making false promises.
KK Srivastava interacts with faculty, research scholars of SMVDU
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 30: Former Member, Traffic, Railway Board, India KK Srivastava interacted with the faculty and research scholars of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Jammu.
Prof SK Jain, Vice Chancellor of the University was also present during the session.
After brief introduction, the interaction began with the discussion on Railway Budget. The eminent guest elucidated the causes behind Railways running in loss. Focusing on cost per passenger kilometer and freight charges, Srivastava explained the chief reasons for the deficit in Indian Railways as being the large gap in demand-supply as well as massive cost inflation over the period.
While answering queries related to the fluctuation in the performance of Indian Railways, he clarified that the system does not change overnight, it needed time and the whole system had to function in tandem to have the changes take place.
Srivastava also highlighted upon some of the major technical aspects related to understanding of the often misconceived notions like delays, unscheduled stoppages, speed, sanitation, water supply and other related safety issues that is seen as not being up to the mark and also the main reasons behind these shortcomings. He expounded that though passenger comfort and facilities had improved over time, more investment and budgetary support was needed for modernization of this sector.
While sharing his experience, he opined that punctuality, safety and sanitation are the three focused area to be addressed for bringing Indian Railways upto the world class standards. With his rich experience, the ex-railway board member thus gave a useful insight into the internal functioning of Railway system.
Vice Chancellor expressed his interest in having a Railway reservation counter inside the SMVDU campus and inquires about its procedure from Srivastava.
Srivastava elaborated on the procedural steps and necessary formalities to be initiated for having the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) facility within the Campus.
APS Srinagar Bags 1st Prize in Debate Competition
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 30: Army Public School Srinagar made a clean sweep in an English debate competition which was organized at Burn Hall Higher Secondary School Srinagar.
The topic of the debate was “Is India ready for FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in multi brand retail chain”.
Army Public School, Srinagar with other prominent schools of the Valley – Delhi Public School, Srinagar, Presentation Convent, Green Valley Higher Secondary School, Oasis Public School, Iqbal Memorial, Islamic International School and the hosts Burn Hall school participated in the event. Firm arguments were raised both in favour and against the motion.
Tavleen Kaur of XII (For the motion), Darakshan Sajad of XI (Against the motion), Megha Dhar of XI, Hibba Ishtiyak of X, Kiranjot Singh of IX (Interjectors) – represented Army Public School, Srinagar. The magic team of APS escorted by the teacher incharge, Muzafar Ahmad Bhat marked their presence and won chearls of the jury members, Prof. Lily Want and Prof. Imtiyaz Ahmad from Kashmir University.
The School Principal, Sandeep Marahatta congratulated the team for their commendable efforts and encouraged them to show the same zeal in the forth coming events.
Rajniesh Duggall begins shooting for ‘Direct Ishq Ho Gaya’
MUMBAI, June 30:
After winning reality show ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’, actor Rajniesh Duggall is set to star in a romantic comedy titled ‘Direct Ishq Ho Gaya’.
The 32-year-old actor has already begun shooting for the film, which is being helmed by ‘My Friend Ganesha’ fame director Rajiv Ruia.
Rajniesh will be seen playing Bicky Shukla, a boy from a Uttar Pradesh village, with a carefree attitude and a Bohemian style of living.
“The character I am playing in this movie is a big challenge for me. I never wanted to play the sweet nice guy and hence wanted to do this role,” Rajniesh said in a statement here.
The shooting is currently in progress in Banaras and the next schedule is planned in Mumbai Dockyard.
The film also starring Nidhi Subbaiah is produced by Baba Motion Pictures. (PTI)
HC resumes work after vacations
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 30: State High Court today resumed work after 15 days of summer vacations.
The High Court and Subordinate Courts in Summer Zone, Jammu division observed summer vacations for 15 days from June 16 onwards.
Today, State High Court resumed work while as Subordinate Courts in Jammu division will start functioning on July 1, 2014 after summer vacation.
Meanwhile, work in the High Court remained suspended on the call given by the J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu to mourn the demise of Advocate Zahoor Ahmed Pir.
Rural Sports Competitions to begin soon
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 30: The State Level Executive Committee of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan headed by Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey Monday approved Rs 4.69 crore Action Plan for holding Annual Sports Competitions during 2014-15.
To build sports infrastructure at grass root level and to promote sports as a way of life, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan- a 100 % centrally funded Scheme will facilitate development of Sports Complexes in every Block Panchayat with facilities for both indoor and outdoor games besides encouraging sports and games in rural areas through annual sports competitions at Block, District, State and the National Level.
“To identify and hone talent in rural Jammu and Kashmir, various Competitions are scheduled to be held at Block, District and State level in the coming months and the selected teams will later participate in the National Level Sports Competition Games at the end of the year” DG Sports Navin Agarwal informed the meeting.
The disciplines in which competitions will be held include Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Handball, Hockey, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Table Tennis, Volley ball and Judo, Wushu, and Taekwando.
Meanwhile, the Committee also approved the proposal for hosting National Women Sports Competition 2014-15 in Athletics, Badminton and Table Tennis disciplines.
Ration scam: CAPD official among two held, 5000 kg more ration seized
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 30: In the much publicized ration scam, which was unearthed two days back in Sari Rakhwala area of Pouni Chack, Domana police today arrested two more persons including a Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) official taking total number of arrested persons in the scam to eight.
However, reacting on the news item published in Excelsior, Assistant Director, CA&PD, Jammu Rural-I suspended the distribution license of Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS), Bhadore dealing with the distribution of the food grains and sugar and directed Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO), CA&PD, Jammu West to make alternate arrangement for distributing the rationing items among the rationees through adjoining dealer.
As per police sources, during the investigation of case FIR number 243/2014 under Section 409, 407, 109 of RPC and 3/7 Essential Commodities (ECA) Act registered with police station Domana, police arrested Naresh Kumar, son of Kaka Ram of Patnayal and Storekeeper, Central Store, CAPD Jammu, Raj Kumar, son of Nanak Chand of Circular Road, Peer Mitha Jammu.
On there disclosures, police recovered 100 bags of floor/rice weighing 50 kilograms each (totaling 5000 kilograms) and also seized the ration depot of Dwarka Nath, son of Kaka Ram of Patnayal, they added.
Moreover, Madan Lal Sharma, TSO, CAPD, Pawan Singh Jamwal, Supervisor and Ashish Kumar, clerk were also quizzed to unveil their possible involvement in the scam. Arrest of some officer/officials of CAPD shall be affected in the near future, they said.
They further stated that accused Dwarka Nath and Ram Lal, Naib Sarpanch Badrore are still absconding and manhunt has been launched to arrest them.
Further investigation into the case is going on.
Police teams headed by SHO Domana police station Jai Pal Sharma made the arrests under the supervision of SDPO Domana Sanjay Parihar, Additional SP Jammu ML Kaith and SSP Jammu Uttam Chand.
As reported, six persons namely Raghubir Singh, son of Baldev Singh, a resident of Pouni Chack, Sarpanch of village Patrore, his brother Sanjeev Singh, Subash Chander, son of Kartar Chand, Sari Rakhwala, Pouni Chack, Om Parkash, son of Ram Lal of Patrore, Moti Lal, son of Bua Ditta of Jourian, tehsil Akhnoor and Tarsem Kumar, son of Bua Ditta of Nai Basti were arrested in misappropriation of Government ration after repacking the same on the name of other brand and seized over 20,000 kilograms of CAPD floor and rice from a mill at Sari Rakhwala in Pouni-Chack area, falling under the jurisdiction of Domana police station on June 28.
Police had seized 335 bags of floor weighing 50 kg each, 60 bags of rice weighing 10 kg each, 43 empty bags, one sewing machine, two tata mobile vehicle bearing registration number JK02T-2672 and JK02AL 4137. Both the vehicles were being used for transportation of the ration to market. When calculated, the Government ration seized was over 20,000 kilograms.
The modus operandi of the racket was that they store the Government ration in the mill and further sell it into the retail market after repacking the same in new bags under the brand of “Gokul Chakki Atta”.
GLTs protest in support of demands
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, June 30: A protest was held by General Line Teachers (GLT) against decision of Government in which ReT teachers got the benefits of five years service inclusion for seniority benefits and transfer policy at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park, here today.
The decision is totally against the norms of selection of ReT teachers under SSA in which ReT Teachers had given Government affidavit in which they agreed to teach the student in their villages and would not demand for transfer till promotion. This will abolish the SSRB of a huge selection burden for the appointment of General Line Teacher through district level competition.
ReT teachers compete through a village level while general line teacher get their job through district level competition.
The Association also enquired from the leaders of J&K Government that whether this decision is to be implemented all over the nation or just to be imposed over the teachers of J&K State, as ReT teachers are appointed under Flagship Programme (SSA) of Government of India, to get political benefits from a section of ReT teachers .
This decision has created a difference between the general line teachers and ReT teachers which is not good for the education system of the State.
The Association further appealed to all general line teachers to get united for their right and protest against the decision taken by the Coalition Government in the favour of the ReT teachers.