NEW DELHI, June 13:
India today became a permanent member of the Washington Accord, which would enable global recognition of Indian degrees and increase the mobility of engineers to the USA and other countries for jobs.
The accord requires that member nations set up suitable accreditation standards which would ensure a minimum quality of attainment for their engineering graduates.
India, which has been a provisional member of Washington Accord since 2007, was working for several years to become a permanent member.
The breakthrough came at a meeting of the International Engineering Alliance in Wellington, New Zealand, this morning where the members voted to induct India as a permanent member of the select group.
Congratulating her ministry’s officials, HRD Minister Smriti Irani said that the development will “ensure that highest quality assurance standards (are) implemented in our technical and engineering programmes to provide global mobility to our engineering graduates”.
“Degrees which have been so accredited… Will substantially enhance (Indian graduates’) employment opportunities around the world,” she said in a statement.
Congratulations also poured in from her predecessor and former HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju who said that membership of the Washington Accord would be a good facilitator as it would give greater flexibility to Indian students and provide recognition to their degrees.
“Congratulations to the Ministry, after a seven-year effort by the Ministry, India has gained permanent membership of the Washington Accord!,” he tweeted.
Now, degrees awarded by institutions accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) would be recognised by all Washington Accord member nations, he said.
The Accord was signed in 1989 as an international agreement among bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes. Some 17 countries are signatories to it.
The Washington Accord was signed by the National Board of Accreditation with the mandate for accrediting engineering and other technical programmes at all levels in the country and for making technical education outcome-based.
For its part, before granting it the full member status, the International Engineering Alliance (IEA), which is the Secretariat of the Washington Accord, had sent a review team in December, 2013, and January, 2014, to carry out a comprehensive review and audit of NBA’s accreditation systems and practices.
The review team had submitted its report in March, 2014.
Higher Education Secretary Ashok Thakur had earlier said that once the country acquired full membership of the Washington Accord, employability of Indian engineers in other countries would go up substantially and it would also help students pursuing technical education. (PTI)
Boost for techies as Ind now full member of Washington Accord
SHO Domana shifted
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 13: SSP Jammu Atul Goel today ordered transfer of SHO Domana Inspector Vijay Choudhary to the District Police Lines (DPL), Jammu.
With this, the post of SHO Domana had fallen vacant.
New SHO at Domana police station would be posted shortly.
Protests against power, water crisis continue
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 13: The protests against the power and water crisis under which the Jammu region is reeling for over last fortnight continued in various parts of city today.
Jammu & Kashmir People Democratic Party (JKPDP) along with shopkeepers of Kacchi Chawani held strong protest demonstration at Kacchi Chawani Chowk against the Government, PDD and PHE Departments for their wrong policies and held them responsible for prevailing power crisis.
They said it’s a total discrimination with the people and total failure in all aspects. The protest was led by Vikram Singh Distt Vice President PDP, Jammu, Pankaj Gupta, Chaman Angral, Mohan Choudary, Vinod Kumar, Salman Patti, Zahid Munia, Sachin, Ritesh, Mahesh Bakshi, Divam Bhardwaj, Rahul Dogra, Shubum Gupta, Surinder Singh, Honey, Vikrant Singh, Aman & Gokul leaders of PDP.
PDP activists assembled at Kacchi Chawani Chowk and raised slogans against the PDD, PHE and State Government. The accused the Government for over eight hours cut by PDD in Jammu city and its outskirts. They demanding proper power supply in Jammu City. PDP leaders also burnt the effigy of Government.
Led by BJP Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary Constituency incharge, Yudhvir Sethi a deputation of people from Prem Nagar and Rani Park areas of Jammu West Constituency called on Assistant Executive Engineer Ashwani Khajuria at PHE office at Panjtirthi to apprise him of the problems being faced by them due to irregular supply of water.
Yudhvir Sethi, while briefing the PHE official about the grievances of a large population of people belonging to weaker and poor sections residing in Prem Nagar, Rani Park and other areas, said that these people do not get drinking water for days together. In these days when the mercury level is going up with each passing day, non supply of water for two to three days is causing problems in most of the localities of Jammu city and the department should take the matter seriously.
Woman wing of the Dogra Front and Shiv Sena under the leadership of Ashok Gupta took out a procession from Medical College to Resham Garh Colony with lanterns, hand fans, electrical fans, clay pots, buckets in their hands raising slogans against coalition government against the 10 hours cut in Jammu city and 14 hours cut in rural areas.
Since there is no electricity the PHE Department is not able to provide water to the people, said . Ashok Gupta. In the recent Parliament election the mandate of the people has been against the current government and still they are not providing the basic amenities of water and electricity, he added.
The people of Jammu & Kashmir elected 16 members of the Congress out of which the maximum number of the MLAs is from Jammu and still the people of Jammu are not having the basic amenities.
Scooterist killed in road mishap
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, June 13: A scooterist was today injured after his two wheeler was hit by a motorbike at Guda Kalyal in Billawar tehsil today.
He has been identified as Roshan Lal S/o Saran Dass of Bhaddu Billawar. He was 62.
According to police Lal, who was driving his scooty was hit by a motorcycle at Guda Kalyal. He was rushed to Billawar Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The Billawar Police has registered a case and launched a manhunt for motorcyclist who is absconding.
Uchhad Club faces Mendhar Superstars in Police T20 final
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
MENDHAR, June 13: Outplaying their rivals convincingly in the semifinals, Uchhad Cricket Club and Mendhar Superstars have qualified for the finals of the Police T20 Cricket Tournament, being organized by Poonch Police at OP Hill Stadium, here today.
Now the final match will be held on June 16, 2014 at the same venue.
Earlier, Uchhad Club prevailed over Pir Panchal Cricket Club by 19 runs, with Uchhad scoring 130 runs in the allotted overs and Pir Panchal collapsing at 111 runs.
In another semifinal, Mendhar Superstars defeated the formidable team of Five Star Cricket Club by 5 wickets. Batting first, Five Star scored 117 runs in the stipulated overs, while in reply, Mendhar Superstars surpassed the target in 18 overs by losing 5 wickets to win the match by 5 wickets.
President Press Council of Mendhar, N S Nazki was the chief guest on the occasion, while Nazim Manhas and Majid Khan were the guests of honour.
Summer Camp concludes at I-learn
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 13: 10-days long Summer Camp concluded at I-learn, an institute that has specialization in teaching French and English languages, here.
The Camp offered various opportunities for campers to become fully immersed in a collaborative, supportive and incredibly fun artistic community. Artistic disciplines were taught and explored through self-expression, awareness and teamwork, creating an engaging, safe, and rewarding summer environment for both students and the staff.
Campers were classified in small groups with participants of their own age, who attended daily classes in spoken English, paper quilling, best out of waste, no flame cooking, an alternating nail art and a special class for pottery making.
Main focus was given on the first aid smile workshop headed by Dr Rajesh Ahal (pediatric dentist), who helped the campers to maintain better oral health while keeping it affordable.
Through spoken English classes, campers were enriched with vocabulary, correct pronunciation and speaking fluently.
The arts classes introduced campers to a variety of painting, drawing, story writing and reading.
The classes helped campers to explore knowledge in various fields.
Tahir XI, Marmat XI outplay rivals in Champions Trophy T20
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
BHADERWAH, June 13: Tahir XI and Marmat XI defeated their respective rivals to advance into the next round of the ongoing 2nd Edition of Champions Trophy T20 Cricket Tournament, being organized by Rashtriya Rifles located at Bhaderwah, under the aegis of the Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) and Youth Combined Cricket Club Bhaderwah at Degree College Ground, here.
Earlier, in the first match, Tahir XI got better of Paryote Club by a narrow margin of 6 runs. Batting first, Tahir XI scored a fighting total of 146 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 8 wickets in the process. Farhan and Asif contributed 44 and 36 runs to the total respectively. For Paryote, Manjeet was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 important wickets, while Vijay claimed 2 wickets.
In reply, Paryote Club managed to score 140 runs in 20 overs by losing 5 wickets, thus lost the match 6 runs. Manjeet scored 58 runs, while Manjeet Junior contributed 22 runs to the total. For Tahir XI, Rahib Khan bagged 2 wickets, while Jahanzeb claimed one wicket. Manjeet was declared Reliance man of the match for his all-round performance.
In another match, Marmat XI got better of Malnai XI by 23 runs in an easy contest. Batting first, Marmat XI scored 114 runs in the stipulated 15 overs by losing 8 wickets. Irshad top scored with 47 runs, while Pawan contributed 22 runs to the total. For Malnai XI, Bablu scalped 3 wickets and Javed claimed 2.
In reply, Malnai XI bundled out for a paltry total of 91 runs in 16.3 overs, thus lost the match by 23 runs. Bablu top scored with magnificent 57 runs. For Marmat XI, Pawan and Ravi claimed 3 wickets each. Pawan was declared Bajaj Allianz man of the match.
The matches were officiated by Usman and Ahmer as umpires, while Faisal was the scorer.
Sameer Shoket Malik, Video Analyst BCCI is the convener of the Tournament, while the organizing committee included Zaheer Khan, chief organizer, Touqeer Bhagwan, Babar Mughal, Irfan Shapoo, Zair Sheikh and Muzzafar Hussain.
Dr Jitendra emphasizes reforms for good governance
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, June 13: Continuing with the process of visiting each and every department attached to his Ministry, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel Public Grievances & Pensions, Science & Technology (I/c), Earth Sciences (I/c) Atomic Energy and Space, today undertook a detailed round of the office complex of Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (ARPG) at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi, where he interacted with the officials of all levels and held a joint meeting of the entire staff to discuss administrative reforms envisaged by the new Government to fulfill its promise of good governance.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said, good governance can be ensured only through innovative ideas to raise the level of administration and make the administration people-friendly. Referring to Prime Minister’s reply to Presidential address in Parliament on Wednesday, he said good governance across the country can be effective only when the States also realize their responsibilities and the Center also plays a facilitatory role towards the States in order to usher in era of “cooperative federalism”.
Underlining the importance of administration of Department of ARPG, he said that though this department is not so-much in the media, the matter of fact is that any new reform to improve governance has to be researched and developed from here which makes this department a seedling of good administration across the country.
He emphasized the importance to reduce the red tapism and enable the people to approach administration without undergoing any inconvenience or hardship. For this, he suggested, encouraging the use of e-governace, single window disposal and workshops on public relations so that the workers can discharge their responsibilities with their full potential. He hoped that with the kind of honesty the new Ministry has started working and with the team work from bureaucracy, people will soon realize difference in the atmosphere in Government offices.
Earlier, Dr. Jitendra Singh, visited each and every room of the office complex engaged himself in meeting with each and every official beginning from the Union Secretary to the lowest employ. He was joined by Union Secretary of Department of ARPG and his office team of Joint Secretaries, Dy. Secretaries and Directors.
District Police Rajouri organizes ‘Run for Fun’
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
RAJOURI, June 13: District Police Rajouri organized ‘Run for Fun’ Marathon at Nowshera to mark Police Raising Day, here today.
The run was divided into three categories of senior citizens, youngsters and kids.
A large number of participants took part in the race and the best performers in each category were provided with a trophy.
The motive behind organizing the event was to bring improvement in Police public relation, awareness among the public regarding disadvantages of drug and alcohol, taking part in social activities and helping poor and needy persons, curbing menace of corruption and to bring transparency in every spare of life. The participants were also advised to co-operate police in maintaining law and order, prevention and detection of crime.
The winners in senior citizen was Dev Raj Gumbal, in youngsters it was Ajay Damral and in kids category Mohit Damral.
The event was organized under the supervision of Additional SP Nowshera, Rakesh Kumar.
Family narrates ordeal of police inaction, urges DGP to intervene
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 13: Despite repeated requests to police by a family hailing from Khundwal area of Satwari for implementation of the stay order, no action has been taken, which has raised the level of confidence of the land grabber and his associates, who use to harass the family.
Narrating her ordeal to media persons during a press conference, Anita Devi, daughter of Mool Raj Thakur, a resident of village Jodhpur, Tehsil and district Doda stated that she had purchased a house constructed on 7 Marlas 7 sarsai at Rapar Satwari, Khundwal by paying full payment of Rs 3,27,997 to the owner namely Ayuab Khan, son of Late Sabar Ali Gujjar of Upper Bathindi about 3 years ago.
While showing the documents of the purchased land signed by Ayuab Khan in front of the City Judge in 2012, Anita Devi alleged that due to rise in the land prices, Ayuab Khan started harassing her and her family members. He (Ayuab) also involved various persons, who also harassed them and forced to hand over the land back to Ayuab Khan, she added.
“When he (Ayoub Khan) crossed his limits at last then on 02-6-13, I brought stay order on that property, which the family members of Ayoub Khan/Yakuf Khan refused to receive and sign.
She added that finding no way out, Ayuab Khan broke the locks of our house in Khundwal and took the possession forcefully.
We reported the matter to Satwari police station and also submitted application to IGP Jammu, who ordered SDPO Gandhi Nagar to take action. SDPO further ordered SHO Satwari to look into this matter.
“Police reacted to the stay order of Ayuab Khan which he managed on forged documents on June 5, and not on our stay order, which was already passed on June 1, 2014”, which is grave injustice with us, she said, adding that on June 7, 2014, the Judge also passed special order to investigate the whole matter.
Making a request to DGP for his personnel intervention, she demanded implementation of the stay order vis-à-vis inquiry and action against the culprits. Feeling fear from Ayuab Khan, she also demanded security cover for her family members.