Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Apr 30: Organized by J&K Cultural Academy, the seven-day long ‘Tagore Theatre Festival’, concluded with dramatized Hindi version of Tagore’s famous story Kabuliwala, by Theatre Mitra, at auditorium of Government Women College, Gandhi Nagar, here today.
Adapted by Rajneesh Gupta, designed and directed by Sanjay Kapil, the play  ‘Kabuliwala’ was the heart warming story of a Pathan from Kabul, who comes to Calcutta to earn money and befriends four-year-old Mini from a middle class family since she reminds him of his own daughter back home.
The Pathan decides to go back home after collecting his dues from a man who has bought a shawl from him. When he asks for his money, the man abuses the Pathan, who feeling angry and insulted, takes out a knife and kills him accidentally and is imprisoned for 10 years.  On his release, he goes to see Mini, but the now grown-up girl has forgotten him. Stunned, he realizes his own daughter too may have forgotten him by now. He longs to go there but has no money. Eventually, helped with cash by Mini’s father, he leaves for Afghanistan in the hope of being reunited with his daughter.
Today’s production design with suggestive window and the street alluded through minimum use of sets, succeeded in creating the ambience of a middle class home of a writer. Ajay Kohli helped by his own bulky countenance was affective in portrayal of the huge but tender ‘Kabuliwala’. He also successfully maintained the Pathani accent throughout the play.
Chander Sharma as writer with passionate heart also gave a good performance. Shagun Kapil as Mini won the hearts of audience for enacting the role of an innocent and curious child. Other members of the cast included Litika as Razia as Kabuliwala’s daughter, Sudesh Kumar as policeman, Sanjay Kapil as Das Uncle.
The background music by Surinder Manhas and songs sung by Chander Sharma supported the emotive import of the scenes. The lights were handled competently by Aditya Bhanu, costumes by Shagun Kapil and make-up by Shiv Dev Singh.
Dr Sudhir Mahajan, Senior Instructor Drama, the overall in-charge of festival, thanked the audience on behalf of the Academy. He also thanked Prof Nalini Kohli, Principal, Government Women College, Gandhi Nagar, for full cooperation and support.
(PIX- A scene from Hindi adaptation of Tagore’s ‘Kabuliwala’, staged by Theatre Mitra on Monday)

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation  Raman Bhalla today said Government is committed to develop every corner of the State on modern lines.
The Minister addressing a gathering at Rani Talab near Sanjay Nagar after laying foundation of Rs. 50 lakh development projects like construction of parking slot, two-toilet blocks and interlock tiles in community hall in the locality.
Mr. Bhalla asked the R&B engineers to complete the project within prescribed time frame so that the inhabitants of the locality could avail the benefits of such facilities during religious as well as social function celebrations.
He said Government has prepared a detailed project report costing Rs. 5 crore for face lifting of all the open space in Sanjay Nagar and Rani Talab in Digiana that has been available on embankments of nallah by constructing slab and recreational parks.
Taking serious note on the seepage of drinking water supply pipes at Preet Nagar and Sanjay Nagar, Mr. Bhalla asked the accompanied executive engineer to immediately stop the leakages that causes damage to the road.
Listing the measures taken by the Government for improving the living standard of the Sanjay Nagar, Digiana, Nanak Nagar and Preet Nagar, Mr. Bhalla said that Government has earmarked Rs. 4 crore for construction of receiving station and Rs. 5 crore for parking slot near cremation ground at Shastri Nagar. He said the construction works of both the projects have been under progress on war-footing and would be completed within stipulated time frame.
Regarding matador services to upto Preet Nagar, the Minister asked the RTO Jammu to personally look into demand of the people, adding that Government has issued 50 route permits for the convenience of general masses but matadors are not plying on the routs.
At Preet Nagar in Digiana, Mr. Bhalla kick started upgradation work of lanes and drains, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 4.50 lakh. He asked the JMC to complete the project within stipulated time frame by using quality material.

Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Apr 30:  Senior Congress leader and MLA Inderwal G M Saroori has  said that the Coalition Government is committed to provide connectivity to every nook and corner of the state especially hilly areas, so that the basic amenities are  available to the people at the door steps.
Addressing a public rally at Chhatroo today, Mr Saroori said that Chatroo is emerging as well known tourist destination as the basic infrastructure was also put in place well in advance for tourist visiting Kashmir valley via Chatroo Singpura.
He said that coalition Government under the leadership of  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to give Panchayats constitutional status shortly, so that Sarpanches and Panches can  perform their duty effectively.
He  conveyed his displeasure to the District Administration regarding slow progress of construction of school buildings under RMSA.
Mr Saroori  inaugurated the Hydraulic Sub Division PHE at Chatroo and distributed cheques amounting Rupees 10 Lakhs among the beneficiaries of Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) at Chatroo.
Earlier, he inaugurated Asraria Computer Institute and distributed cheques amounting Rs 25 lakhs among Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) beneficiaries at Mughal Maidan.
Saroori also visited Deller and other adjacent areas where he provided 105 Solar Lights among the beneficiaries of Dellar, Mughal Maidan and Chatroo  District Officers, Sarpances including Haji Ghulam Qadir, Piyaray Lal Sharma, Gh Mohd Kohli, Ch Noor Din, Mohd Amin, Abdul Rashid Bhawani, Taraq Hussain, Gh Mohd Reshi, Daleep Kumar, Roshan Lal also accompanied MLA.

* Seek Pay Comm implementation

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Seeking implementation of the 6th Pay Commission report, JAKFED employees went on indefinite strike today.
The employees under the banner of All JAKFED Employees Welfare Association (JEWA) assembled at the main office of Managing Director here today and held protest demonstration, followed by day long dharna. Several senior members of the Association also addressed the gathering.
While they lauded several decisions taken by the management under the chairmanship of  Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, minister incharge Cooperatives, but at the same time expressed strong resentment for not taking any decision regarding the most genuine and highly projected demand of the employees viz implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations. They alleged that management deliberately avoided  this point in the agenda during Board meeting on May 28, despite the fact that Association had strongly pleaded with the management to take up the issue.
They further pointed out that JAKFED was earning its revenue which is adequate to meet the expenses on account of Pay Commission implementation. They maintained that JAKFED has earned Rs 585.52 lakh as gross profit during the year 2011-12 which is sufficient for disbursement of salaries to the employees of the JAKFED in the 6th Pay Commission as the revenue is increasing day by day. They strongly urged the Board Management to consider their demand as price hike of all commodities has badly hit the workers class.

Excelsior Correspondent
new Delhi Apr 30:  Minister for CA&PD and Transport, Qamar Ali Akhoon met Union Minister for CA&PD, Prof KV Thomas here today.
The Minister discussed Food Security Bill with the Union Minister and demanded additional ration quota for the remote areas of the state, adding that since Jammu and Kashmir is border State, it often experiences shortage of food grains.
He urged the Union Minister to provide food grains quota to the state under special category. He also asked the Minister to provide special ration quota to the requirements during ensuing Amarnath Yatra.
Mr. Akhoon asked that ration quota for migrant pandits, Gujjar and Bakerwals, nomads, orphanages, Bal Ashram and schedule tribe and schedule caste hostels need to be enhanced in view of increased requirement.
He also demanded enhancing ration quota under BPL category.