Baba Jitto Mela gets underway

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June 13, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent

Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, DDC Reasi inaugurating three day mela on Thursday.

KATRA, June 12: Three-day historic Agar Jitto Mela got underway, amidst beating of drums with full cultural and religious ambience, here today.
The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Reasi, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, inaugurated the mela. Complimenting people of the area and pilgrims from across the country, the DDC said such type of festivals provide an opportunity for all of us to see the rich culture and traditions of the area, which further help in strengthening the bond of brotherhood and communal amity.
While speaking on the occasion, DDC appealed the participating devotees to take part in the mela which is playing a pivotal role in promotion of local culture, brotherhood and communal harmony in the society.
The DDC said efforts would be made to add more attractions in this historic mela in the near future so as to make it a popular and vibrant event.
A Dogri play ‘Baba Jitto’ by famous Natrang Theatre Group, traditional dangal by the J&K Indian Wrestling Association and free medical camp by Keshav Ashram would be the main attractions of the mela. Besides, stalls by different departments like agriculture, horticulture, handloom, employment, rural development and various banks were set up so as to educate people about various schemes and also to display their products.
The Reserve Bank of India in collaboration with the State Bank of India had set up an awareness stall to educate people about fake currency. The district administration has made adequate arrangement of drinking water, power supply, sanitation and security, said mela officer Dajeet Singh.
Senior Superintendent of Police Reasi Vivak Gupta, DTO Arshad Choudhary, GM DIC Krishan Lal, P O DRDA, Dr Jagdish Mehra, A D employment Sulakshana Thakur, DIO Reasi Parvinder Kour, AD Handicrat Mahu Hansa, DSWO Rafiq Ahmead, members of mela committee, prominent citizens, Sarpanchs & Panchs of Agar Jitto, local people and a large number of pilgrims attended the first day of the mela.

SRRA Station set up at SMVDU

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Daily Excelsior

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June 13, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent

VC SMVDU inaugurating SRRA Station on Thursday.

KATRA, June 12: A Solar Radiation Resource Assessment (SRRA) Station by C-WET (Centre for Wing Energy Technology, Chennai) has been set up at School of Energy Management in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.
The project is fully sponsored by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India and is being implemented by Center for Wind Energy, Technologies, Chennai. The SRRA station is an automatic stand-alone system using high quality, high resolution equipment/instruments to assess and quantify solar radiation availability along with weather parameters to develop a Solar Atlas.
The SRRA station set up on the roof top of academic block D of the university was inaugurated by Prof Sudhir K Jain, Vice Chancellor, SMVD University. He congratulated School of Energy Management for this initiative and suggested that the School of Energy Management should look into the possibilities of other centrally funded schemes in the areas of renewable energy.
Dr Sanjeev Anand, Assistant Professor, School of Energy Management stated that this station will be extremely useful for the professionals working in the area of Renewable Energy as the data required for any Research & Development activities of the University can be accessed from it. He added that these stations are established to estimate reliable ground solar radiation and meteorological data that are crucial for planning and implementation of solar power plants and other devices. Solar radiation assessment is a critical activity for setting up solar projects. The quality of the resource also impacts the type of technology which may be used at a specific place for solar power generation.
Dean faculty of Sciences Prof V K Bhat, Dean of Students Dr Yugal Khajuria and others were also present on the occasion.

Budget session likely from July 2nd week

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June 13, 2014

NEW DELHI, June 12:
Budget session of Parliament is expected to start from the 2nd week of July amid indications that the Union Budget 2014-15 could be presented by July 11.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters that plans are afoot to start the Budget session in the second week of July. The Cabinet will decide the dates, he said.
The talk in Government circles is that the session could start by July 7.
“That is the system”, remarked Naidu when asked whether the practice of presentation of Rail Budget, economic survey and General budget in the first week of the Budget session will be followed this time.
The vote-on-account budget approved by the previous Parliament ends on July 31 and a new budget has to be in place before that date.
Naidu steered clear of questions on the issue of Leader of the Opposition status to the Congress saying the matter is with the Speaker.
“The matter is with the Speaker. I do not want to say anything about it”, he said.
He said that the election of Deputy Speaker will take place during the Budget session.
The ordinances promulgated recently in the wake of the division of Andhra Pradesh and the one facilitating the appointment of former TRAI chief Nripendra Misra as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister will be taken up during the Budget session.
Naidu said the just-concluded session was fruitful. He appealed to the opposition to cooperate with the Government inside and outside Parliament after Prime Minister’s assurance that his Government will not go by numbers but would take everyone along.
He said the “just and meaningful” demands of the opposition will be given due consideration.
60 bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha. (PTI)

Saroori reviews development works in Doda, Kishtwar

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June 13, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent

MLA Inderwal G M Saroori at a public meeting in Bhalessa.

BHALESSA, June 12: Senior Congress leader and MLA Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori convened a public meeting at Bhalessa to review the status of ongoing development works in Goila, Malanoo, Bitolla, Chabba, Kanoo, Tanta, Kencha, Draman, Wani Pura, Nagni, Kansoo and other areas of Bhalessa in district Doda.
Several deputations also called on MLA during his visit and apprised him of their problems. The demands which were projected by the locals pertained to repair and renovation of lanes, drains, sanctioning of IAY cases, link roads, Health Sub-centre, electrification of remaining villages, up-gradation of schools, improvement of drinking water and other day to day problems.
Saroori gave a patient hearing to the deputationists and assured them that their genuine demands will be addressed at the earliest. He issued on-the-spot directions to the concerned officers to attend the burning issues.
Addressing various public meetings Saroori exhorted upon the officers to ensure enhanced basic amenities to the people across the Inderwal constituency. He asked the concerned authorities to ensure timely and quality completion of development works. He sought early completion of schemes and programmes launched for their welfare.
He said that an effective monitoring mechanism has been put in place to enforce accountability and transparency in implementation of development works in the State.
Exhorting upon the Sarpanchs and Panchs to perform their duties with utmost care and concern, he said that Government has given them adequate powers to ensure better development at the grass root level. He said that the developmental activities initiated by the Government have changed the socio-economic profile of the people of the State.

Kings Bhaderwah, Youth Bhallessa emerge victorious

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June 13, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, June 12: Kings XI Bhaderwah and Youth Cricket Club Bhallessa registered resounding wins over their 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, Kings XI Bhaderwah defeated Shinning Star Doda by 9 wickets in an easy contest. Batting first, Shinning Star Doda scored a fighting total of 169 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 7 wickets in the process. Sajid and Abrar contributed 49 and 34 runs to the total respectively. For Kings XI Bhaderwah, Mohsin and Deepak Kumar claimed 2 wickets each.
In reply, Kings XI Bhaderwah chased the required runs in 19.3 overs by losing just one wicket, thus won the match easily by 9 wickets. Zamin and Sameer were the major contributors with 46 and 44 runs respectively. For Shining Star Doda, Sajid claimed the lone wickets to fall. Zamin was declared Reliance man of the match.
In another match, Youth Bhallessa got better of HSS Bhaderwah by 8 wickets in an easy contest. Batting first, HSS Bhaderwah scored a 138 runs in the stipulated 20 overs by losing 9 wickets. Sanjay Manhas top scored with 30 runs. For Youth Bhallessa, Shahnawaz scalped 2 important wickets.
In reply, Youth Bhallessa managed to score 139 runs in 16.2 overs by losing 2 wickets, thus won the match by 8 wickets. Mushtaq and Asif scored 40 and 27 runs respectively. For HSS Bhaderwah, Mudasir captured 2 wickets. Mushtaq was declared Bajaj Allianz man of the match.
The matches were officiated by Abid Mushtaq and Hinan Mir 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.

Karra demands probe into JK Bank recruitments

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Daily Excelsior

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June 13, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 12: Senior PDP leader and Member Parliament, Tariq Hameed Karra has sought a thorough probe into the revelations by a senior National Conference (NC) leader that hundreds of backdoor appointments were made in J&K Bank by the present Government on the behest of the Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather.
“As the charges of favouritism in appointments in JK Bank against the Finance Minister have been levelled by a senior NC leader and former Member Parliament Dr Mehboob Beg, these need to be probed thoroughly as the people have every right to know the truth,” Karra said in a statement issued here today.
He said unemployment being the major concern of every stakeholder in the State, nobody can be allowed to play with the future of educated unemployed youth by resorting to nepotism in recruitments. “By resorting to alleged backdoor appointments in J&K Bank, the State’s Finance Minister is not only promoting mediocrity in the Bank, but is striking at the very foundation of this premiere financial institution which is already under cloud because of the surfacing of various shady dealings,” he said.
Reiterating his demand for a white paper on the functioning of J&K Bank, Mr Karra said the disturbing reports appearing in a section of the press over the past few days regarding the messy state of affairs in the Bank have set the alarm bells ringing and people must know what is going on inside the Bank.
He said as J&K Bank touches everybody’s skin in the State, the Government and the Bank authorities must come clean on the alarming reports of backdoor appointments, manipulating profits, massive discrimination in deposits and advances within and outside the State and deteriorating fiscal health of the Bank.
“It is the responsibility of the Government and the Bank authorities to come clean with a ‘white paper’ on the issue, Mr Karra said.

CM unveils ‘Jammu: The Enchanting Sparkle’

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Daily Excelsior

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June 13, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 12: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah unveiled a coffee table book on Jammu titled ‘Jammu: The Enchanting Sparkle’, a joint initiative of Jammu Links and Aircel, that showcases the vibrant, rich and culturally exclusive city and the winter capital of the State.
In his message carried in the book, Chief Minister refers to the potential that Jammu has for offering myriad opportunities and surprises besides being popular as the land of temples. He further states that Jammu personifies an enchanting and multi-dimensional portrait of cultures and faiths not seen elsewhere.
The coffee table book has been conceptualized by Gaurav Sharma and Sudivya Dubey, designed by Arun Kumar and edited by Dr. Komal Nagar and Ritika Pachnanda.

Construction of Railway Station at Kathua demanded

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June 13, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent
Kathua, June 12: “Nav Kathua Railway Station Nirman Samiti has demanded the construction of Railway Station behind the Ramleela Ground near Boliyan and urged Dr Jitendra Singh to plead the long pending genuine demand of the Kathua people for the construction of a new Railway Station behind the Ramleela Ground, near Sadhu Ki Boliyan at Kathua.
While speaking to the media spokespersons, Samiti office bearers Sanjeev Verma, Er.Varinder Sharma, Raj Kumar, Pankaj Chalotra, Rajinder Pacifist, Vikas Singh, Amrish Sharma, Sunil Kumar, Sachin sharma, Advocate Kasturi Lal and Bunty Bhola said that the demand which is pending for the last more than six decades. They said in 2005, Samiti was organized by some educated volunteers and I made hard efforts to evolve a concrete and comprehensive DPR for the construction of Railway Station in the heart of Kathua town, they added.
Finally, railway’s technical concerned wings have declared the viability of project and Okayed a feasibility survey. They said the survey shows that as many as 30 villages of Andar area including Kharkra, Jarai, Kokhyal, Nagri, Jakhbar, Narote, Bamyial, Padiyari and many more and the town Kathua with a collective population would benefit from the new track as the distance from the nearest railway station would be reduced by 78%.
Now the Samiti has urged the new MP Dr. Jitendra Singh and Minister of State in Union Government led by Narendra Modi to take the issue with Railway Minister

Feroz visits remote areas of Kargil

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June 13, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 12: Minister of State for Information Technology, Science Technology, Medical Education, School Education and Youth Services and Sports Feroz Ahmad Khan, who is on weeklong tour to district Kargil, today visited Community Health Centre, (CHC) Sankoo and took stock of the functioning and the medicare facilities available in the Centre.
MLC, Sayed Ahmad Rizvi and a team of senior officers of district administration accompanied the Minister.
Mr. Khan also visited village Lankarchay and inspected the ongoing work of a road taken up under Prime Ministers Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY). The Minister was informed that an amount of Rs 1.68 crore has been incurred on the road so far.
The Minister directed the concerned executing agencies to expedite the work by pressing additional men and machinery into service in view of limited working season and ensure that the work is completed within the stipulated time.
The Minister also chaired a meeting of Rogi Kalyan Samiti at Sankoo also. The Chief Medical Officer, Kargil, briefed him about the activities being carried out in the district under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) besides other schemes being implemented by the Health Department in district Kargil. The Minister sanctioned 2 computer sets for CHC Sankoo for registration of the patients.
The Minister also inspected Government Middle School Lankarchay and took stock of its functioning. He sanctioned Rs 2.00 lakh for repairs and renovation of the school building out of his Constituency Development Fund.

LS polls a macrocosm of the best of twitter in India: Jaitly

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June 13, 2014

WASHINGTON, June 12:
Describing the just concluded Lok Sabha elections as a microcosm of the best of Twitter in India, the social media giant has now set the ambitious target of reaching out to every citizen of the country.
In the just concluded elections, wherein Twitter very often became the source of news for millions of people, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading from the front, Twitter experienced a phenomenal growth.
For instance, in the entire of 2013 there were about 25 million tweets about elections, governance and politics.
“This year till May 16, the counting day, there were 58 million tweets regarding Indian elections,” Rishi Jaitly, India market director of Twitter, told.
He was in the US on a visit – the first after the polls, which he described as India’s first Twitter election.
“It is our fastest growing market in the world. It is our most strategic market,” Jaitly said.
“Twitter in India is working on distribution and its accessibility to the people, so as to reach out to every citizen of the country. The thrust of our work has been growth, growth and growth,” he said.
“I think, the Lok Sabha election of 2014 is a macrocosm of the best of twitter in India,” Jaitly said.
Responding to questions, he acknowledged that Modi, as the prime ministerial candidate, played a key role in the expansion of Twitter in India, along with other major players like Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Admi party.
“In Modi, we have a leader who understands what Twitter is about. That is about personal communication through mobile,” he said. “This is why he has set many record on Twitter in India.”
And now he is replying directly to world leaders, he added. Conversation on Twitter about politics and elections, governance and public issues has always been at the top of the list, he noted.
In addition to political parties, leaders and candidates, there was hardly any media outlet which did not use Twitter as a means of dissemination of information. “Twitter became the platform where news broke during the election,” he said.
Referring to the series of tweets by Modi during and after elections, Jaitly described them as “Twitter First” for breaking news.
“What we have seen in India is a world class use of Twitter by the users, who came to the platform in drove,” he said.
Jaitly said the best practices from Indian elections are already being implemented by media outlets, political parties and candidates countries around the world.
“We are the world’s only platform at scale that is live, that is public and conversation. That is what Twitter is,” he said. (PTI)