JAMMU, June 21: Finally, the four years long wait for the CT Scan machine in the District Hospital, Ramban has come to an end.
The announcement about providing CT Scan machine to this hospital was made in the year 2010 but thereafter nothing happened and process of referring patients requiring this facility to the hospitals in capital cities of the State continued unabated.
The issue was highlighted by EXCELSIOR in its edition dated June 17 following which the files started moving at the concerned level and last evening CT Scan machine reached the District Hospital, Ramban.
“We have been told by the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu that installation of the machine would begin very shortly and Radiologist would also be provided”, a doctor of the District Hospital said.
It is pertinent to mention here that this District Hospital is not only catering to the population of Ramban district but also providing medicare to the victims of the accidents on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway from Patnitop onwards up to Jawahar Tunnel.
SRINAGAR, June 21: Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department kicked off Paragliding Festival, an initiative to attract adventure-seeking tourists to the State.
The Festival was kick stated by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar at Asthanmarg Dara, on the outskirts of Srinagar city.
Secretary Tourism, Zaffar Ahmad Bhat, Director Tourism, Talat Parveez and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.
Divisional Commissioner said “although paragliding was done in other parts of the country, the beautiful mountains and vast areas of the Valley also offer tremendous scope for the adventure sport.
He added that we would like the youth of the State to adopt such kind of adventurous activity which has the potential to attract more tourists.
Secretary Tourism said “We are trying to train local youth so that they adopt this activity to enhance tourism”.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 21: Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, based at Kalal, in collaboration with Regional Fish Farming Development Agency (RFFDA) constructed a fishery pond and handed over to Om Prakash, a poor unemployed resident of village Gagrote, tehsil Nowshera, today. Free fish seeds and medicines were also provided to him.
This initiative by the Indian Army will enable him to earn livelihood for himself, his parents and family. This endeavour has encouraged other unemployed youth of the area to make use of such low cost methods to overcome their problem of unemployment.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 21: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) today issued show cause notice to party leader, Sayeed Irfan Naqasbandi for indulging into indiscipline.
In a statement issued here today, PDP spokesman said that youth leader Sayeed Irfan Naqasbandi, a youth leader of Kangan, had some issue with another party leader but instead of taking up this matter with the party, Naqasbandi took this internal matter to the media with malafide intension, so a show cause notice has been served to Naqasbandi and a week’s time given to reply.
SRINAGAR, June 21: A group of 38 Indian Forest Service Probationers of the 2013 Batch from the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, currently on a tour to Jammu and Kashmir, called on N. N. Vohra, Governor, at the Raj Bhavan.
The Governor, while interacting with the IFS Probationers, observed, “we must protect our forest wealth as it is very important for the survival of human and animal life on the planet earth”. He stressed that the preservation of forests is deeply connected with protection and preservation of environment and ecology and issues of climate change.
Replying to the queries from the Probationers on a wide range of subjects, the Governor observed that the unfortunate situation which had prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir in the past years had resulted not only in huge human and economic losses but also caused severe damage to forest wealth. He said that, with the return of normalcy, high attention is now being devoted to the conservation and regeneration of forests in the State. The Governor, who is Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, referred to the initiatives being taken by the Board for the conservation and promotion of green cover in the entire Shrine area in the Trikuta Hills.
Urging the future Forest Administrators to work with dedication for the conservation and enlargement of forests, the Governor said that there is immediate need for devising and enforcing appropriate strategies to effectively deal with the issue of Global Warming.
The Governor enquired from the Probationers the places which they had so far visited in J&K and other States during their tour and shared with them his own experiences of working in the high altitude areas in the years past.
Abhay Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Rakesh K. Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, were present on the occasion.
Minister for PWD, Abdul Majid Wani chairing a meeting at Doda on Saturday.
DODA, June 21: Focussed approach and attention is essential for timely and speedy completion of infrastructural developmental works and implementation of welfare schemes.
This was stated by the Minister for PWD (R&B) and Mechanical Engineering Abdul Majid Wani while reviewing the achievements made by the different departments under Annual District Plan and other Centrally sponsored schemes.
Chief Engineers of PWD and PMGSY, MD JKPCC, District Development Commissioner Doda Mubarak Singh, ADC Doda Imam Din, SSP Doda M.S Chouhan, District and Sectoral Officer besides SDM Gandoh, SDM Bhaderwah and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
While reviewing the pace of developmental projects and activities, Mr. Wani directed the officers to expedite the pace of works in the region for their time bound completion. He said surface connectivity is the prime requirement for the socio-economic development of the un-connected and far flung areas. He also directed the officers to ensure speedy and timely completion of land acquisition process wherever required so that neither the pace of developmental works get affected nor the project effected people suffer any problems in receiving compensation.
Minister asked the executing agency to float the tenders for the works which have been sanctioned / approved by the Government and ensure early starting of construction and speedy completion so that the people of the area get benefited.
While reviewing the status of welfare schemes, Minister said that special focus must be laid on the development and upliftment of socio-economic condition of the weaker sections of the region besides target oriented schemes which have been implemented in the district are required to be monitored and it must be ensured that the benefits reach to the deserving and poor people.
Minister also expressed concern over the shortage of staff in District Hospital Doda. He said the matter will be taken up with the concerned authorities and all efforts will be made to ensure that adequate staff is made available in the District Hospital Doda and other health care institutions in the district.
He also stressed upon the timely completion of Doda – Dessa Water Supply Scheme which will address the water shortage problem besides directed the officers of PHE Department to ensure proper treatment of drinking water supply to prevent any outbreak of water borne diseases.
He also reviewed the progress of RGGVY, IAY, MGNREGA, SSA, RMSA and other social assistance schemes being executed by various agencies in the District.
While culminating the meeting, Minister enjoined upon all the line departments to have inter-departmental coordination so that any duplication of works and their slow progress is prevented.
JAMMU, June 21: As part of the series of programmes to highlight work of one particular poet, Dogri Sanstha organized a ‘Geet-Sandhya’ based on the poetry of well-known Dogri poet Usha Kiran ‘Kiran’.
The musical composition based on classical ragas was rendered with perfection by Manju Bala, Karan Dev Singh, Shyam Manjal, Apoorva Jamwal and Sham Sajan. The accompaniment on Tabla and Guitar was provided with masterly touch by Karan Malhotra and Sanjay Paashi respectively. The audience, consisting of writers, music lovers and prominent citizens, were highly appreciative of this aesthetically presented programme.
Another attraction of the programme was the recital of a few poems by the writer herself in the programme.
Vijay Singh Sambyal, Director Radio Station, Jammu, himself a nationally renowned and reputed classical singer, was the chief guest in this function. He assured to do his best to promote the local artistic talent and literature by providing the platform of All India Radio, Jammu. He also commended the efforts of Dogri Sanstha in promoting Dogri literature and culture.
Anjali Sharma, Incharge Director Door Darshan, Jammu, who was the guest of honour on this occasion, said that it is a pity that such beautiful and standard programmes are limited to a small gathering in Jammu only and are not available to the large population of villages and other towns of Jammu province. She assured the audience that Jammu Doordarshan Kendra will do its duty in filling this gap and make such programmes available for viewers all over the region.
The programme was conducted by Raj Kumar Behrupia who provided very pertinent and useful information regarding the poetry of Usha Kiran.
Prof Veena Gupta, general secretary, Dogri Sanstha, presented vote of thanks.
JAMMU, June 21: A meeting of Jagti inmates was held under the chairmanship of Veer Ji Belove to discuss various burning problems being faced by Jagti inmates.
He said despite of many representations and reminders to relief authorities regarding the felling of electric poles and their re-installation, but nothing was done and the poles are still lying on the ground, resulting in continuous failure of power supply and water supply for about five days. The children, old aged and sick people are suffering a lot due to callous attitude of authorities.
He said the Jagti inmates have also so many times appealed for installation of generator at Hr. Secondary. School Jagti, but nothing was done to provide relief to children.
He further said, that bifurcation files are pending since long and no team has been formulated for bifurcation, but nothing tangible has emerged. Since two years miseries have added due to the callous attitude of the authorities. The inmates have never come across such problems.
Using of corpse fund, issuing of RBA certificates, bifurcation, inclusion has been stopped by Chief Minister which is nothing but a human rights violation.
While addressing the meting Pintoo Ji criticized the relief organization for non-functioning of Ambulance at Jagti Primary Health Centre. One of the ambulances has been lying at Republic Motors Narwal for lack of payment of the repair. Due to non-availability of Government ambulance, the inmates of Jagti suffer a lot. The authorities only make hollow promises regards with the general public that supply of ration would be available before 10th of every month.
Others who participated in the meeting included Posjhkar Nath, Ashok Kumar, Mahraj Krishen, Kudan Lal, Roshan Lal, Ravinder Raina, Moti Lal, Ashok Kumar Pandita,Vir Ji,Triloki Nath, Pawan Ji Bhat.
A scene from the play ‘Padaav’ staged by Shivani Cultural Society at Jammu on Saturday.
JAMMU, June 21: Entitled as ‘Padaav’ – The Sojourn, the Hindustani play that journeys through different shades of woman in the contemporary milieu was presented by Shivani Cultural Society.
Vikram Sharma, the name synonym with art and culture of the state has very intelligently woven the contemporary subject in perfection while authoring and directing the show.
A collage of playwright’s earlier journeyed courses on the theatrical idiom, Padaav, was woman’s insight into the world’s perspective through male’s vision.
A girl, who often frequents a wayside restaurant, is attended upon by Nandu, the steward who serves her the drinks while she unfolds the mystery of woman subjugation under the male ascendancy.
She journeys down her own thought process of a woman’s reflection in the world, probably a very small indication of a nurturing feminism which is generally revealed as the providence of the eve.
While the opening ushers in a restaurant, it follows through the storyline knitted on the female integrity where she has to undergo the litmus test of life. How she faces love, later to be a wife to someone, then an entity desirous of her own identification and ultimately sometimes holding onto the reins of the male chauvinism was the essence of Padaav.
The play was a Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi grants production presentation.
Neha Lahotra, as usual, gave a scintillating performance in five different roles of a maturing woman. Rafeeq Ahmed as lover, Rohitashiv as Abhilash, Mukteesh as Rahul and Ashish as Nandu were equally impressive.
Pradeep,Yogeshar and Pragati as three elements of nature viz water, fire and earth joined in chorus for overall impetus of the play.
JAMMU, June 21: Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth Services and Sports Raman Bhalla today dedicated Rs. 3.05 crore Water Supply Scheme (WSS) to the people of Nowabad, Bhatindhi, Vidhata Nagar, Malik Market and its adjoining areas.
The scheme has been developed under Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme (JKUSDIP) by Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), financed by the Asian Development Fund (ADB) through Multi Tranche Financing Facility.
The scheme is aimed at to benefit over 10000 souls of four localities namely Nowabad, Bhatindhi, Vidhata Nagar, Malik Market and its adjoining areas of Gandhi Nagar constituency.
Chief Engineer, PHE, Sushil Aima, Managing Director Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board Ram Paul Sharma besides various officers of ERA and PHE were present on the occasion.
Addressing largely attended public meetings at Malik Market in Narwal (Bye Pass), the Minister said that Government has earmarked Rs. 30.77 crore under JKUSDIP for digging of 19 deep drill tube in the drinking water deficit areas of the Jammu city. He further informed that out of 19, today fifth tube well kick started in the Malik Market in Mosque Complex to provide adequate drinking water facilities to the people of Nowabad, Bhatindhi, Vidhata Nagar, Malik Market and its adjoining areas.
He said that Government was committed to ensure better basic facilities to the people, especially in rural and far-flung areas. He said drinking water, road connectivity, education, electricity are the key areas on which the Government had given focused attention during the past over five and half years. He said the infrastructure in these sectors has been upgraded to overcome the difficulties of the people.
He said that for creating durable assets in every corner of the State, Government has provided liberal funding under development sectors to meet the development related issues of the people.
The Minister said the people can judge the overall development scenario of the State on ground. He said the Government has launched several people friendly schemes which will benefit the people in the long run. He asked the people to come forward and avail the benefits of such schemes.
Responding to the Channi Himmat Sector-3 and Channi Rama people, Mr. Bhalla informed that Government has also earmarked Rs. 55 lakh under PHE sector for construction of 50000 gallon additional drinking water storage tank at Channi Rama and installation of 50000 gallon pumping machinery at Channi Himmat Sector-3 tube well, adding that both the projects could be completed within week time. He said instructions has been issued to the PHE officers to gear up their men and machinery in completing the projects within stipulated time frame.
Later, the Minister also inaugurated multipurpose community hall at Malik Market in Narwal.
