Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Jan 10: Elite Sports Body of the State, Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council, initiated the development of huge infrastructure in the State and constructed major portion of the same in almost all the districts of the State in the year 2013.
While, the construction work is in progress on over a dozen projects, the same has been completed on half a dozen other projects.
Sources said, that the Sports Council has taken-up laying of synthetic turf for football at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) ground, Srinagar at the cost of Rs 450.00 lacs and the base for laying of the turf has been constructed and turf is expected to be laid shortly.
The renovation work of Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex, Srinagar at the cost of Rs 5.00 crore has been initiated by the Council to make it functional and update the same on modern lines. This complex was badly damaged due to the occupation of Security Forces for many years. Central heating system, electrification and change rooms will also be taken by the Council shortly, sources added.
When contacted by EXCELSIOR over this major initiative by the Government, Secretary State Sports, Dalip Thussu said that the development of sports infrastructure in the State was the need of the honour, with regard to providing sufficient facilities to the budding sportspersons to hone their skill and talent at the grass-root level. He further said that the State Government is keen to develop sports infrastructure in nooks and corners of the State.
The ongoing construction of New Indoor Complex at MA Stadium in Jammu at a cost of Rs 7.00 crores, under USIS Scheme of Government of India is one of the mega projects that State Sports Council has taken-up. The establishment of this infrastructure has overcome the long pending problem of holding indoor activities in a hall vacated by Agro Industries. Construction work for the same is still in progress. This Complex will enable the sportspersons of this region to polish their skill at standard infrastructure.
Roller skating being one of the medal winning sports disciplines in the State was lacking standard infrastructure. Athletes of Jammu have the proficiency in this sports discipline and possess all that is required to blossom at the higher levels. For that matter, a new Skating Rink constructed at a cost of Rs 26.00 lacs at MA Stadium will cater to the needs of the budding skaters of Jammu and help them in excelling at the highest level. Otherwise, the existing Rink at MA Stadium was not of standard specifications.
Sources said that the swimming pool at MA Stadium Jammu has remained non-functional for last 10 years due to defects as a result of which the activity has suffered a lot and to overcome this problem, the Council has initiated renovation of Swimming Pool at a cost of Rs 177.89 lacs and the construction work is under process.
“Apart from these projects, the State Sports Council has initiated the construction work of synthetic basketball court at Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Complex, Srinagar, pavilion at Sports Stadium, Tulibal in Sopore, Pavilion at kabaddi court Jammu, basketball court at MA Stadium Jammu, Indoor halls at Bana Singh Stadium, RS Pura, pavilion at KK Hakhu Astroturf Hockey Stadium Jammu, Sports Stadium at Anantnag, Indoor Stadium at Baramulla and Multi Sports Activity Centre Rajbagh in Srinagar at a cost of 25.50 lacs, 238.00 lacs, 40.00 lacs, 25.80 lacs, 1.00 crore, 130.62 lacs, 18.00 crores and11.50 crores respectively,” sources further added.
Meanwhile, Heads of many Sports Associations and young sportspersons of the State were ecstatic over the development of sufficient sports infrastructure in the State and hoped for better results of Jammu and Kashmir contingents at the national scene. Talking to EXCELSIOR, Heads of some prominent Sports Associations praised the State Government, Sports Ministry and the Council Head for their commitment in building sports infrastructure in the State.
Sports infrastructure being upgraded in J&K
Rasool takes 5-wkts as Punjab-J&K match heads for close finish
Vadodara, Jan 10:
Jammu and Kashmir skipper Parvez Rasool continued his brilliant all-round performance with a five-wicket haul as their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match seemed heading for an exciting finish with Punjab leaving them with a target of 324 for a historic victory here.
At stumps, J&K were 77 for two needing another 247 runs with eight wickets in hand to make it to their maiden semi-final appearance in the national championship. Hardeep Singh (20) and Ian Dev Singh (17) were at the crease at close on an eventful third day’s play.
Although two days are still left in the match, an outcome is expected tomorrow with Jammu and Kashmir batsmen showing a lot of positive intent in the 20 overs they batted today.
After scoring a sparkling century to keep the first innings lead down to 24, Rasool grabbed five for 58 in 14.2 overs, polishing off Punjab’s middle and lower-order to bowl them out for 296. This was Rasool’s sixth five-wicket haul in 29th first-class match.
Mandeep Singh (101) and Gurkeerat Singh (66) had a 113-run partnership for the seventh wicket after Punjab were reduced to 112 for six with the dismissal of India discard Yuvraj Singh (40).
Rasool got into the act with his classical off-breaks as he first dismissed Yuvraj, who after hitting the offie for a six tried to repeat the the shot only to be caught by Samiullah Beigh at long on. Yuvraj hit six fours and a six in his 58-ball knock.
Mandeep and Gurkeerat scored runs at a quick clip as they added 113 runs at an average of over four runs per over.
Mandeep in his 151-ball knock hit 14 boundaries while Gurkeerat faced 77 deliveries to hit nine fours and a six.
Gurkeerat was finally dismissed when Rasool got one to turn enough as the batsman missed the line to be adjudged leg before.
Harbhajan Singh tried to play an ugly hoick across the line and was caught plumb in-front as Rasool had his revenge in the ‘battle of captains’ after being hit by his opposite number in the first innings.
At 225 for eight, Mandeep found an able ally in Manpreet Gony (31), who used the long handle to good effect spanking four boundaries and a six.
Mandeep-Gony duo added 52 runs for the ninth wicket before Gony was caught behind to give Rasool his fourth victim.
En route his seventh first-class centuries, the 22-year-old Mandeep hit some lovely pull-shots as he reached the century with last man VRV Singh for company.
He was finally bowled when he went for a slog shot and missed the line of the ball to give Rasool his fifth victim of the innings.
Starting the chase of 324, Adil Reshi smacked six boundaries in his knock of 34 as J&K batsman showed a lot of positive intent without being bogged down.
Reshi’s opening partner Bandeep Singh (4) was caught by substitute fielder Vinay Choudhary.
But that didn’t deter Rishi from going for his shots as he played the cuts and drives at will in company of Hardeep before VRV got an outside edge to keeper Gitansh Khera.
Ian Dev Singh, who hasn’t had a great season, started off well hitting Harbhajan over mid-wicket for a big six and also hit a boundary taking 12 runs off the only over he bowled on the day. (PTI)
More infiltrators killed in J&K this winter: Shinde
NEW DELHI, Jan 10: India’s most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim is in Pakistan and joint efforts with the US were being made to nab him, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said today.
“As per our information, Dawood is in Pakistan. When I went to America last year to discuss inland security, I met the Attorney General who looks after the FBI.
“I talked to him and we decided that we will pass whatever information we have on Dawood amongst each other. We decided we will make joint efforts,” Shinde said when asked about the whereabouts of Dawood who is wanted in a number of cases by Indian agencies including the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
The minister was addressing his monthly press conference here.
The Home Minister, on the same question about Dawood last year, had said all such wanted elements will be brought back “one by one”.
“All will come. Just wait,” he had said.
Dawood, who heads a vast and multifaceted illegal business, has emerged as India’s most wanted terrorist after the 1993 Mumbai bombings, which he allegedly organised and financed.
An INTERPOL red corner notice is still pending against him.
According to the US, Dawood maintains close links with terror outfit Al-Qaeda. As a result, the US declared him a “global terrorist” and pursued the matter before the United Nations in an attempt to freeze his assets across the world and crack down on his operations.
During the tenure of Shinde as Home Minister, security agencies successfully brought back several wanted terrorists including Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, key plotter of Mumbai attack terrorists Fasih Mahmood aka Fasih Mohammed, Abdul Karim Tunda and Yasin Bhatkal.
Shinde became the Home Minister on July 31, 2012.
The NIA probe into the circumstances leading to the arrest of alleged Hizbul Mujahideen militant Liaqat Shah is still on, Shinde said.
Without elaborating further on the case, Shinde said any decision on the role of officials of Delhi Police or security agencies in the matter could only be taken once the probe was completed.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the circumstances leading to the arrest of Shah, who was nabbed while returning from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) last year as per the surrender policy of Jammu and Kashmir Government.
Talking about the security situation in J&K, Shinde said that Indian forces had killed more infiltrators this winter as compared to the last.
“We have alerted local police and central paramilitary forces in this regard,” he said, adding that the infiltration this winter in the area had come down as compared to the last.
Replying to a separate question during the Minister’s monthly press conference here, Home Secretary Anil Goswami said that a “detailed investigation” was underway into the role of senior Delhi Police officers during the December 16, 2012, gangrape case in Delhi.
“We will soon be giving a report in this regard to the Home Minister,” Goswami said.
The Centre will ask all State Governments to set up review or screening committees to assess role of minority youths languishing in jails on terror charges without trial.
Shinde said he will again write to the Chief Ministers this time asking them to set up screening or advisory committees on the lines of Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) to review cases of minority youths languishing in jails.
“I am again writing to all Chief Ministers saying we will appoint a screening or advisory committee like in the case of POTA. These will be state-level committees,” he said in reply to questions after presenting his report of Ministry for December.
Shinde said that he had earlier asked all Chief Ministers to ensure that no innocent minority youth is wrongfully detained in the name of terror.
“I had written to all Chief Ministers to be careful while arresting youth of minority community. That I said in my earlier letter and it was not one community but all those who are concerned.
The Government will push its six anti-graft framework bills during the short Parliament session next month fulfilling the agenda set by Rahul Gandhi.
Shinde said the bills would be pushed when Parliament meets next month to pass vote on account.
“Rahuljee Gandhi”, as Shinde referred to the Congress Vice President, “has been working for passage of these bills and it was only to fulfil the promises made to the people rather than scoring any political points”.
He said the decision was taken at the Core Group meeting of the Congress party held earlier in the day.
The Bills likely to be pushed during the session are the Public Procurement Bill, the Prevention of Corruption Act (Amendment) Bill, the Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organisations Bill, Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, The Right of Citizens for Time-bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill and the Whistleblowers Protection Bill.
To a question as to whom did Congress find as bigger challenge — Narendra Modi or Arvind Kejriwal, Shinde said “none” and elaborated further that Congress had weathered many storms during its 128-year-long history.
“We were ruled out of power in 2004 as we had just faced defeat in six states. However, we came to power and continue till date,” he said and also referred to the anti-Congress wave of 1977 which lasted only three years till Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980.
Asked whether the AICC session on January 17 was to announce Rahul as Prime Ministerial candidate, Shinde said the party is of the view that he is a natural choice for the post. “We have always been saying this that we need him and so does the country,” he said.
Shinde said a security cover is being provided to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal without his knowledge and despite his repeated rejection for it.
This was being done as it was the “duty” of the Government and the Home Ministry to take care of the security requirements and protection of VVIPs and others based on threat perception, he said.
“It is the duty of any State Government and the Centre to protect such VVIPs. When he (Kejriwal) was elected as the Chief Minister he was immediately provided with security. We are now giving him security cover without his knowledge,” the Home Minister told reporters here during his monthly press conference.
Shinde said the security agencies have thrice asked Kejriwal to take security and he has refused twice.
He said the task of ensuring security to Kejriwal is being carried out by the Delhi Police even as the Police Commissioner of Delhi has talked to the SP of Ghaziabad to take care of security requirements in his area as the CM lives there and also the office of Aam Admi Party is located in the neighbouring district.
“Recently there was an attack on AAP office in Ghaziabad…. We have asked the local police that if not directly they can post their men in the vicinity of these locations,” Shinde said.
The Home Minister agreed with the view that the common man has to face difficulty when traffic is held up for VIP movements but he said he has asked the police to make sure that regular movement is resumed as soon as possible.
To a question on the increase in the number of vehicles in the Home Minister’s security apparatus, Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami, who was present at the press conference, said it has been done on the basis of threat perception.
Goswami said new vehicles (Tata Safaris) were included based on security requirements and threat perception to the Home Minister. As the SUVs were not immediately available off-the-shelf, they were included in his cavalcade recently, he said.
Shinde said he has never taken security in his political career of 40 years and even during his stint as the Union Power Minister, he only had one personal security officer (PSO).
“I am a Home Minister who remians with the ‘janta’. But due to some action and activities in the Home Ministry, my security is like this,” he said, hinting at the execution of terrorists like Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab and arrest of some terror masterminds since he took over in July 2012.
Shinde said that based on the inputs received on security “risk” to Gujarat Chief Minister Narenda Modi and BJP leader L K Advani, they have been given appropriate security cover.
He also said the Home Ministry will examine the issue of security arrangement if the AAP-led Delhi Government decides to hold a Delhi Assembly session in Ramlila Maidan.
“I have not heard something like this before but we will see when it comes to us,” he said. (PTI)
Taj asks Scouts organization to intensify activities
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 10: Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services & Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din today asked the Scouts organisation to intensify its activities and enrol more and more students in the peripheral and rural areas.
Chairing a meeting to review the activities of Scouts movement in the State, the Minister asked the office bearers of Bharat Scouts movement to include many youth development programmes within the ambit of their activities.
Mr. Taj asked the Scouts & Guides organisation to integrate their activities with Red Cross Society for optimal yield of results.
The Minister also suggested the active involvement of Government schools in the activities of Scouts movement. In this connection, he suggested that 50% of Grant in Aid to Scouts organisation be utilised for activities in Government schools.
The meeting was told that at present the enrolment of Scouts movement stood at 25,000 and it is targeted to reach 50,000 in the coming year.
Director General, Youth Services & Sports, Navin Aggarwal; Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, Dileep Thusu, former Minister, R. S. Chib; officers of District administration; office bearers of Bharat Scouts & Guides, Roma Wani, I. D. Soni, Wg Commdr. Joshi were present in the meeting.
Extension lecture on ‘fad diets a possible danger to young women’ held
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 10: Shrimati Shanti Gupta Centre for Women Studies (SSGCWS), MIER organized an extension lecture on the topic ‘Fad Diets a Possible Danger to Young Women (Youngsters)’.
The resource person was Dr Irwinder Kour, Associate Professor, Department of Home Science, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar. Dr Renu Gupta, Principal and Director, MIER, presided over the function.
Dr Renu Gupta, addressing the audience, said that today it is a matter of great concern that the younger generation, especially the girls are falling prey to the trend of fad diets which is causing lot of health problems. She further elaborated that in their enthusiasm to imitate the film actresses; young girls go for diet programmes which promise radical weight loss and become victims to various side effects and deficiency diseases.
HoDs of various Departments of the College also graced the occasion besides the staff and students of the B Ed and B Ed Special Education.
Dr Irwinder Kour, in her address told the audience that fad diets are basically fashionable diets which are in vogue today and out of trend tomorrow. She informed about the significance of diet which plays a pivotal role in all the aspects of the health of a person namely physical, mental, spiritual and social at all stages of life.
The lecture was followed by an interactive session in which the audience participated enthusiastically and posed their queries.
The programme was organized and coordinated by Mrs Monika Rathore, Coordinator CWS. She also presented formal vote of thanks in the end.
Montessorie Senior Secondary School celebrates “bonfire festival”
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 10: Lohri , The “bonfire festival” was celebrated in a grandiose manner at JKMS Tirth Nagar in school premises .
The Programme commenced with a special assembly by the students with the reason why Lohri is celebrated. After that, JKMS students presented a skit exhibiting how Lohri marks the end of bad deeds and hatred and ushers in brother hood all over the country. This program was coupled with songs and gidda by the students.
Management, vice principal and staff members of the school lit pious Lohri fire and the entire staff took parikrama of the fire.
The programme concluded with message by vice principal who conveyed that we should put all our efforts to spread love and peace so as to make this earth a place worth living.
VCC Pathankot, Kings President’s XI Sunderbani log wins
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 10: Vicky Cricket Club (VCC) Pathankot and Kings President’s XI Sunderbani registered victories over their rivals to advance in the ongoing 4th Police Martyrs’ Memorial North Zone T20 Cricket Tournament at District Sports Stadium, Kathua.
The first match was played between Vicky Cricket Club Pathankot (VCCP) and HFCC Panipat. VCC Pathankot won the toss and decided to bat first.
Batting first, VCC Pathankot set a target of 141 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 9 wickets. The highest scorer from VCC Pathankot was Gurvinder Singh , who scored 39 runs from 30 balls with the help of 3 fours and 1 six. Anku from HFCC Panipat took 4 wickets for 16 runs in 3 overs. Chasing the target of 141, HFCC Panipat got all out in 15.1 Overs after scoring 87 runs. The highest scorer from HFCC Panipat was Sarwan, who scored 27 runs from 14 balls. Kunal from VCC Pathankot took 4 wickets in 4 overs for 24 runs. Thus VCC Pathankot won the match by 54 runs. The man of match trophy was awarded to Kunal who took 4 wickets in 4 overs. He was also awarded with a cash reward of Rs. 1500/- and man of match trophy.
The second match was played between Vansu Cricket Club Delhi and Kings President XI Sunderbani.
Kings President XI Sunderbani won the toss and decided to bat first. Playing first Kings President XI Sunderbani set a target of 202 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 8 wickets. The highest scorer from Kings President XI Sunderbani was Vivek Rana and Himanshu. Vivek Rana scored 87 runs from 56 balls with the help of 8 fours and 3 sixes and Himanshu scored smashing 53 runs from 20 balls only. He hit 7 fours and 3 Sixes. Vivek of Vansu Cricket Club Delhi took 2 wickets in 4 overs. Chasing the target of 202, Vansu Cricket Club Delhi got all out in 14.2 Overs after scoring only 80 runs. Kings President XI Sunderbani won the match by 122 runs. Himanshu the main bowler from Kings President XI Sunderbani side took 5 wickets in 3.2 overs, he was also awarded with the man of match trophy and cash reward of Rs. 1500 by Shaheed Welfare Committee Kathua.
Govt HSS (B) Udhampur, holds symposium
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 10: A symposium was organized at Government HSS (B) Udhampur on the topic “right to education”, here today.
On the occasion, Balbir Singh, Chief Education Officer, Udhampur was the chief guest, while Sunil Sharma, principal, Government HSS(Boys) Udhampur presided over the function wherein 24 students of different schools participated and shared their views.
The chief guest threw light on the topic and explained the importance and need of its implementation in real sense.
The best five position of the symposium were adjucated by the judges who included Usman as first, Jay Vikas and Vijay Lakshmi as second, Waseem Ahmed and Sarita Sharma as third, while Mokshi Devi and Reeya Thakur were adjusted with fourth and fifth.
Inspects Republic Day preparations
JAMMU, Jan 10: The Director General Youth Services and Sports inspected the preparations of Ladies Cultural Programme as part of Republic Day Celebrations at the Auditorium of Guru Harkrishan Public School, Nanak Nagar, here today.
Mr Aggarwal was accompanied by Seema Aggarwal, besides Deputy Director Youth Service sand Sports, Kanchan Bala and DYSSO Jammu Tirath Ram.
14 cultural and allied items are part of this mega programme which will be held at Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground on January 27, 2014.
NGOs, women organizations and other associations are part of the programme.
Mahore CC drubs Ransoo by 6 wkts
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 10: Mahore Cricket Club defeated Ransoo CC by 6 wickets in the ongoing Sadbhavana T20 Cricket Tournament, being organized by Reasi Cricket Club at Sports Stadium, Reasi.
Earlier, batting first, Ransoo Club bundled out for a paltry total of 79 runs in 17.3 overs, with extras contributing highest 26 runs, while Ravi chipped in with 12 runs. For Mahore CC, Happy was the wrecker-in-chief, who bagged 5 wickets, while Munna claimed 3 wickets.
In reply, Mahore chased the target in 10.5 overs by losing 4 wickets to win the match by 6 wickets. Extras contributed 26 runs, while Waseem and Aijaz contributed 22 runs each. Parveen took 2 wicket, while Sahil and Ravi claimed one wicket each. Happy was adjudged man of the match for his 5-wicket haul.