Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 28: “My school was four kilometers away from my home and I along with my friends used to cover this distance on foot every day in order to reach in time. My focus was not only to get education but also involve myself in extra curricular activities, which are imperative for good health”.
These are the fond memories of Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who rose from a small village in Bhaderwah tehsil and carved out his space in the political arena both at national and international level.
Mr Azad got an opportunity to recall his childhood memories during an interaction albeit one that is altogether different from numerous interactions he is regularly participating in his political life.
This interaction with the students of Banyan International School not only led Mr Azad to his childhood days but also provided an opportunity to the students to have a peep into the fond memories of such a politician, who during his short stint as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, made inroads in the hearts of the people.
“Though I along with my friends used to go to school on foot yet we never felt tired. One thing that I feel missing in present day schooling is one hour long break”, Mr Azad said when asked to share some memories from his childhood, adding “we always used this break not only for lunch but also for pursuing many other activities like swimming and badminton”.
When asked whether one needs a mentor to be successful in politics, the Union Minister said, “yes, everyone needs a mentor to be in politics…not only in politics but other fields also. Like being a student you need a teacher as mentor”.
About the query of students regarding retirement age in politics, Mr Azad said, “yes, I think so. It should have started earlier”.
Responding to a question regarding his job, he said, “my job is full of challenges and I am a busy man. I sleep at 2 am and wake up at 6 am. When I was the Chief Minister, I used to sleep not more than three hours. The time for entertainment is relegated to midnight for one hour. Watching news is something I really enjoy. Inspite of an extremely busy schedule I try my best in every field”.
About queries regarding some impending packages for J&K, he said, “not only for J&K, there are a number of special packages for the entire country. We have shown tremendous improvement in bringing down infant mortality rate and through Janani Suraksha Yojna”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Banyan International School publishes news letter “Clarion” every fortnight. The Students’ Editorial Board under the guidance of teachers interviews personalities, who have made a difference to their lives.

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Apr 28: The two days seminar on “enhancing Jammu and Kashmir’s pride” finally culminated today after an exchange of ideas on the subject by a versatile league of speakers from all parts of the country.   Maj Gen. Gurdeep Singh, General Officer Commanding, Counter Insurgency Force (Victor), Samir Yasir, Dr Shah Faisal, Nitin Pai and Ajai Shukla today focused on ‘Role of Security Forces, Civil Administration, Awam and Media in enhancing Jammu and Kashmir’s Pride and Dignity’.
Maj Gen Gurdeep Singh,  highlighted the role of Security Forces in further enhancing the Pride and Dignity in Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Shah Faisal dwelt on various aspects which are needed by the Civil Administration and the Awam to contribute in enhancing the Pride and Dignity and Sameer Yasir from IUST spoke on Media’s role in Jammu and Kashmir whereas Ajay Shukla deliberated upon the role of National Media in Jammu and Kashmir. Nitin Pai highlighted issues of conflict management in the age of connectivity.
Audience and the speakers shared the invaluable contribution made by Security Forces in development of Jammu and Kashmir and in Enhancing Jammu and Kashmir’s Pride.  Role of Media as a watchdog was again appreciated by speakers as well as audience.  Speakers projected the need for Security Forces and Media to work together towards peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir.  Awam’s invaluable contribution in enhancing Pride and Dignity can never be under estimated as people of Jammu and Kashmir are the bed rock of Kashmiriyat and same was aptly highlighted.
In the end Lt Gen SA Hasnain, Corps Commander of Chinar Corps, expressed his satisfaction over the culmination of a profound and historic event in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The Corps Commander highlighted that the aim set for the Seminar was more than accomplished, wherein the two days of free and frank opinion received from the speakers and the august gathering focused on some of the crucial issues of understanding Jammu and Kashmir’s Pride, the security challenges and way ahead for the coming years. He reiterated that it was time, to fulfill the expectations of Awam in the post stablisation period.
The Corps Commander also exhorted Civil Administration and Media about the important role to be played by them. He felt that the social harmony clubbed with overall development and creation of employment opportunities, including self employment, were the need to bring back and enhance Jammu and Kashmir’s pride.
The seminar ended with a vote of thanks by Maj Gen Gurdeep Singh to the speakers who had come to be part of the Seminar and the most inquisitive audience. This initiative of the Chinar Corps was appreciated by one and all.  College students were pleased by the efforts put in by Army to make them realise their own ethos and cultural heritage and hoped that more such Seminars will be conducted in future to further broaden their horizon.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: Principal Sessions Judge Jammu, Jang Bhadur Singh Jamwal today awarded 20 years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 1 lakh to a narcotics smuggler.
According to the police case, on October 11, 2007, the accused namely Ashok Kumar Koul, son of Prithvi Nath Koul, a resident of Badgam was arrested along with three kilograms of charas by Bakshi Nagar Police team.
After hearing Public Prosecutor for the State whereas Advocate P N Goja for the accused person, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “let a deterrence message should go to the persons who are intending to join such kind of nefarious activities that the end of these kinds of activities is landing in the jail for quite a long time”.
“The accused/convict has indulged himself in the transportation of the narcotic substance in a commercial quantity. The person who is dealing with the business of commercial quantity in narcotics has to be dealt more severely”, the Court further said while rejecting the request of the accused for taking lenient view.
With these observations, Court awarded rigorous imprisonment for a period of twenty years and  fine of Rs. 1.00 lakh to Ashok Kumar Koul.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28:- Minister of State for R&B Javed Ahmed Dar today assured the Kashmiri Pandits that Government is committed to solve their problems and many steps were taken in this regard.
Addressing a convention of Kashmiri migrants at Anand Nagar Bohri here today, organized by NC Minority Cell, Mr Dar urged the Pandits to strengthen the Party and hands of Omar Abdullah.
He said Chief Minister is keen that migrants problems should be solved and he recently chaired the Apex Committee meeting of migrants here. “Don’t think that Government is not concerned about your problems. Your issues are discussed in highest foras’’, he added.
He said Pandits in past have also supported the Party and secular forces in the state and it is hoped that they will continue to do the same in future too. He cautioned the people against those forces who are trying to destabilize the Omar Abdullah led Government in the state.
“The communal forces are trying to destabilize the NC led coalition in the state and they tried a hard in 2010 in this regard but their all plans were dashed to ground’’ he said, adding some people are hell bent to destabilize the State Government even today but they will not succeed in their designs.
Mr Dar said expressed the hope that peace will return to the state and the day is not far away when Pandits and Muslims will live in peace as before.
Highlighting the achievements of NC led coalition he said Rs 250 crore were spent on upgradation of roads and Public Services Guarantees Act (PSGA) was also implemented in the state. Many developmental projects are in progress and the Tawi lake in Jammu is one among them, he added.
He lashed out at those who criticize the Government for raising the water and power tariff and alleged that these people are engaged in maligning the image of the coalition for their vested interests.
Addressing the meeting NC Minority Cell president and MLC Vijay Bakaya said Pandits have always stood by secular policies of NC and they will continue to do so. He also highlighted the various problems of the community and said the Cell is continuously raising them before the concerned quarters.
Som Nath Dhar coordinator of the Cell submitted a memorandum to Minister highlighting various problems and demands of the people of the area. Others who addressed included M K Yogi working president of the Cell, Ved Lal , Pushkar Nath Bhat, M L Bhat, Bansi Lal Pandita, Ashwani, Ashok Kumar and K K Suri.

Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Apr 28: A large number of youth hailing from district Poonch today came out on the road and staged strong protest demonstration against the Border Security Force (BSF) authorities, disrupting movement of vehicular traffic on main Jammu-Poonch road for about two hours. The youth in large number assembled near Khanetar on main Jammu-Poonch road this morning and raised barricades at around 8 am today. The movement of traffic on the busy road came to halt. These boys who had participated in recently concluded BSF recruitment rally at Poonch were alleging bungling and unfair means. The boys alleged that BSF authorities called applications for the post of Constables and nearly 180 posts had been advertised. Nearly 7000 boys from the area participated in this five day long recruitment process. The qualification was mentioned as Matric. In written examination the questions were very tough and equal to the standard of Graduation. They said yesterday a list of mere 28 candidates was pasted on the Board. These boys demanded an inquiry into the whole episode and alleged that unfair means were adopted during this whole process. These boys were raising loud slogans against the IG BSF Jammu Frontier, BSF Recruitment team and the Union Home Minister. They demanded that the select list be cancelled. A large number of vehicles got stranded on the busy highway. Later SHO and Tehsildar Poonch reached the spot. They assured the agitating youth to take up the issue with the concerned higher authorities. The youth then lifted their protest dharna at around 10.15 am.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: In the interest of administration, Director Economics and Statistics, B R Lachotra today ordered promotion of 41 Statistical Assistants as Incharge Statistical Officers in their own pay and grade.
The promotees are Qalam-ud-Din, Sunil Dutt, Surida Choudhary, Pamposh Talashi, Deepshika Amla, Syed Raiees Ahmad, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Syed Raiees Ahmad, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Subash Chander Abrol, Gh Mohi-ud-Din Tak, Tazeem Ah Wani, Sanjay Kumar, Farida Kounser, Popinder Singh, Showkat Ahmad Mir, Gh Rasool Mir, Shafiq Ahmad Shah, Maryam Jameela, Sulekha Bhan, Manzoor Ahmad Parray, Wahid-ur-Rehman, Sajad Ah Kockay, Nazir Ahmad Bhat, Altaf Hussain Bhat, Rafiq Ahmad Dar, M Yousaf Dar, Anis-ur-Rehman, Javeed Ah Zargar, Nazir Hussain, Jagdeep Singh, Lovely Singh, Kalishwar Singh, Mohd Jaleel Malik, Parveen Kour, Tanveer Ahmad, Monika Jain, Aijaz Hussain Shah, Angrez Singh, Bhopinder Singh, Dharam Paul, Vikesh Kumar and Ravi Kumar Sharma.
With these promotions, the long pending demand of the Statistical Assistants has been met by Director.
Meanwhile, the NGSEA in a statement issued by P S Jamwal, president and Sanjeev Gupta, State Publicity Secretary, has appealed the Director to address the other issues of the cadre in the same pace.