Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Feb 4: A hunter died due to accidental fire from his own rifle in forest area of Kund Khandari, under the jurisdiction of Pouni Police Station.
The deceased has been identified as Balwant Singh (28), son of Chamel Singh of village Laid in Reasi.
He had gone to the forest area along with some friends and relatives for hunting of wild animals. His 12-bore rifle accidentally went off and he reportedly died on the spot.
Those who were accompanying the decease were taken into custody for questing as Police has registered a case in this connection for investigations.
Hunter dies in accidental fire
Heritage School holds Cancer Awareness Prog
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: Heritage School organized a special assembly on the occasion of ‘World Cancer Day’ and became part of the global awareness programme to fight against cancer, a disease which is quite widespread and usually fatal.
This Cancer awareness campaign was initiated as a part of ISA under the aegis of British Council with the aim to inculcate in them sensitivity regarding the world’s diversity and environment, problems confronted by it and make them responsible global citizens.
On this day, the Primary Department presented a drama ‘Say No to Tobacco’ in which they highlighted the ills of consuming tobacco and encouraged the students to adopt a healthy life style and eat a lot of vegetables.
Later, the primary section solved worksheets based on the information imparted.
Earlier, in the morning assembly of the Senior Wing, information was shared with the children about different kinds of cancer and they did a worksheet after the assembly.
Students also presented a very informative skit where in they discussed various kinds of cancers, their causes and preventive measures. The message of the skit was that cancer can not only be fought but also prevented if one follows the four primary habits – eat healthy, don’t smoke, be active and get screened regularly.
Cancer Awareness was spread through a multitude of activities which were conducted during these 3 months. As a part of these ISA activities, students of class IX were also taken for a visit to Jammu Medical Hospital’s Oncology and Radiology Department where they were addressed by Dr Sandeep Kaur and taken to OPD. Students of Std. VI – VIII researched, exchanged information and made a list of habits harmful for them as well as those which would boost their immune system.
Inculcate scientific temper
In the course of his interaction with students at Police auditorium Jammu, the former President, Dr.A.P.J. Kalam advised them to inculcate scientific temper in order to make India one of the most developed countries of the world. Himself a world renowned scientist, he has always shown keen interest in meeting and talking to young students in schools, colleges and universities advising and prompting them to put life on track of scientific thinking and prepare themselves for service to the nation. He has been a great exponent of building scientific temper among student community from very young age. Building scientific temper does not mean only to pursue researches and innovations but also to build mindset that can think and decide scientifically. Emphasising that knowledge is power, the former President said that the budding scientifically minded student community should address issues like energy, water, agriculture, rural life, value system etc to build a strong country. According to him five areas namely agriculture, health, industry, infrastructure, and rural connectivity can lead India to the status of a developed nation. He stressed on improving electronic and knowledge connectivity between rural and urban areas.
7Cabinet clears budget proposals
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: State Cabinet today cleared budget proposals for the financial year 2014-15 in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here this afternoon.
Sources said that Cabinet thoroughly discussed the budget proposals prepared by the Finance Ministry headed by Abdul Rahim Rather.
The budget proposals were prepared by the Finance Ministry after detailed discussions with the stakeholders across the State during the exercise spread over a month.
After threadbare discussion, Cabinet cleared the proposals. The budget would be presented in the State legislature on February 13, 2014.
Revenue official knocked to death by DMU
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Feb 4: On Jammu-Udhampur railway track, another young man has died after being hit by DMU, near Miya Baag, here today.
The deceased was identified as Romesh Kumar (35), son of Raja Ram of Fagyal Udhampur. He was an employee of Revenue Department.
The incident took place this morning at 10.30 a.m when the deceased was crossing the railway track.
This was the second such incident during the last three week.
Pertinent to mention that another youth had died after being hit by train engine while crossing the track near Satyani on January 16.
J&K to participate in multi-state Chess C’ship
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 4: The Jammu and Kashmir chess team is going to participate in 34th mutli-state Chess championship for men in Kanpur Uttar Pradesh to be held from February 14 to February 20, 2014.
According to a press statement of J&K State Chess Association, five players of the state will be participating. The team would be accompanied by the coach and the manager.
Purse lost
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: Bharti Bhat a working lady lost her purse containing valuable documents i. e PAN Card, driving license, I Card, ATM Card etc.
Any body having any clue about the missing purse and the documents should contact 9419107579. He or she would be suitably rewarded.
Farooq felicitates JK Ranji Trophy team, support staff
Lack of proper cricketing infra in J&K: Rasool
Rajesh Dhar
Jammu, Feb 4: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and President Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Dr Farooq Abdullah felicitated the team members and the support staff of the Parvez Rasool-led Jammu and Kashmir Ranji trophy team in an impressive function at Hotel Fortune, here today.
Dr Abdullah gave away mementos and cheques worth Rs 35 lakh to players, officials and selectors for reaching quarterfinals in Ranji Trophy this season.
The team members were presented a cash award Rs 23 lakh besides mementos, while the senior selectors including Abdul Rauf, Shiban Lal Trakroo, Shahid Parvez, Iqbal Shah and Tilak Singh were presented Rs one lakh each. Parvez Rasool and Shubam Khajuria were presented a cash award of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Abdullah said,”I am proud how Jammu and Kashmir team has fought and defeated big teams this time and kept their State’s flag high–I have full faith in them and I am hopeful that one day they will win Ranji Trophy final”.
The JKCA president promised that he will speak to former India captains Bishan Singh Bedi (who has already coached the state side) and Mohammed Azharuddin to guide the players of the State.
“We will not leave any stone unturned in helping you. We will request both Azharuddin and Bedi to help us with their coaching in order to improve the performance of the team”.
Praising the selectors, Dr Farooq said that they have done a commendable job and did not succumb under pressure, adding that they will fix elections for constitution of new team of JKCA soon.
On Tendulkar being honoured with Bharat Ratna today, Farooq said that it is the greatest moment for the people of the entire county, adding that cricket has given a lot to India.
However, taking a dig at the poor cricket infrastructure in the State, Jammu and Kashmir skipper Parvez Rasool voiced his concern about lack of quality facilities, which is a hindrance for the talented cricketers to hone their skill to perform at the higher levels and come into national reckoning.
“There are number of problems (with regards to cricket in J&K). We do not have proper infrastructure. We do not have a number of grounds also. We have only two grounds —one in Jammu and another in Srinagar,” Rasool, who is an India A regular and was also first cricketer from State to be selected in the national team, said.
Asked to elaborate, Rasool said,”When we go to Srinagar in November, we cannot play there for six months (due to snowfall). After that when we come to Jammu, we are left with only one ground. We do not have good turf wickets (natural grass).”
Rasool, who was named in the Rest of India squad for Irani Cup that will take on Ranji champions, Karnataka, at Bangalore from February 9, said “If we ought to perform well, we need to have good infrastructure. We should first have grounds for practice and there should be better facilities”.
Asked as to how he felt in being felicitated on the day when his cricketing idol and now his mentor, Sachin Tendulkar is being honoured with prestigious Bharat Ratna, Rasool said it is an ecstatic and blissful moment for me and my childhood coach Rajesh Dhar.
“During Under-17 and Under-19 Nationals, Dhar Sir and me often used to talk about the temperament, skill, attitude and aptitude of cricketing icon Tendulkar on an off the field and I grew up watching this genius (Paaji),” Rasool said.
“It feels good to be selected in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup game. I hope that I will perform well in both batting and bowling,” Rasool said.
Earlier, Manzoor Wazir, in his welcome address highlighted the achievements of the Association during last two seasons and said that the performance of the team was the best thing to happen in the history of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were working committee members of JKCA including Ramesh Mahajan, Chaman Lal Charangoo, Ashutosh Sharma, Mehboob Iqbal, Ranjeet Kalra, Ashinder Kaul, Ankush Abrol, Sham Saroop Kalsotra, Sudershan Mehta, Rajesh Dhar and Rajan Singh, besides former Ranji Trophy cricketers Vijay Sharma, Kavaljeet Singh, Surinder Singh Bagal, Vivek Sharma and Sanjay Sharma.
Rajiv Gandhi case: SC reserves order on convicts’ plea
NEW DELHI, Feb 4: The Supreme Court today reserved its verdict on the plea of death row convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case seeking commutation of their sentence to life imprisonment, which was vehemently opposed by the Centre.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief justice P Sathasivam reserved the order after hearing the arguments of counsel appearing for three convicts — Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan, and Attorney General G E Vahanvati who represented the Central Government.
The AG contended that it was not a fit case for the apex court to commute death sentence on the ground of delay in deciding mercy plea.
Admitting that there has been delay in deciding the mercy petitions, Vahanvati, however, contended that the delay was not unreasonable, unexplainable and unconscionable to commute death penalty.
He further submitted that the apex court’s recent verdict, holding that inordinate and inexplicable delay can be ground for commutation, is not applicable in this case as the condemned prisoners did not have to go through agony, torture and dehumanising experience as it was held in the January 21 judgement.
The counsel, appearing for the convicts, opposed the arguments of Vahanvati, saying that they have suffered due to the delay by the Government in deciding the mercy petitions and the apex court should intervene and commute their death sentence to life term.
The convicts, in their petition, submitted that mercy plea of other condemned prisoners, which were filed after them, were decided but their petitions were kept pending by the Government.
The apex court had in May 2012 decided to adjudicate the petitions of Rajiv Gandhi killers against their death penalty and had directed that their plea, pending with the Madras High Court, be sent to it.
The court had passed the order on a petition by one L K Venkat seeking transfer of their plea out of Tamil Nadu on the ground that free and fair hearing would not be possible in the state due to the surcharged atmosphere in favour of the convicts.
The Madras High Court had earlier stayed their hanging slated for September 9, 2011 and issued notice to the Centre and the Tamil Nadu Government.
Their main contention was that the delay of 11 years and four months in disposal of the mercy petitions made the execution of the death sentence “unduly harsh and excessive,” amounting to violation of their right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The apex court had on January 21 ruled that delay by the Government in deciding mercy plea of death row convicts can be a ground for commuting their sentence and had granted life to 15 condemned prisoners, including four aides of forest brigand Veerappan.
The court had held that prolonging execution of capital sentence has a “dehumanizing effect” on condemned prisoners who have to face the “agony” of waiting for years under the shadow of death during the pendency of their mercy plea. (PTI)
Former President A P J Abdul Kalam replying to query by a student during inaugural function of Children Science Congress at JU on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Former President A P J Abdul Kalam replying to query by a student during inaugural function of Children Science Congress at JU on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh