Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: An impressive function was held here today at KL Saigal Hall of Cultural Academy in connection with the release of ‘Mandarpan’, a book in Hindi by Maharaj Krishen Santoshi.
The function was organised by Rashtra Bhasha Prachar Samiti (RBPS), Jammu in collaboration with Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
The function was presided over by Prof Ved Kumari Ghai, while Ex-deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma was the chief guest.
Dr Savita Bakshi, Additional Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and Prof Satya Pal Srivatsa, president of RBPS were the guests of honour.
A galaxy of writers of Hindi and other languages participated in the function.
Speaking on the occasion, Santoshi said ‘Mandarpan’ is 2nd attempt in Hindi by him. Besides, he has written six books in Urdu and two in English.
Mangat Ram Sharma, Prof Ved Ghai, Dr Savita Bakshi and Prof Satya Pal Srivatsa also presented their views on the Book.
The function concluded with vote of thanks by Dr Bharat Bhushan.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: The students and their parents studying in Republic Academy Students-Parents Association, New Plots Jammu held a demonstration against the closure of the school by the management suddenly.
The protestors said as the school management has issued advertisements of starting the new Academic session from April 9 and students and their parents who were studying in the institute were shocked to know that school management has suddenly stopped admissions process asking the parents to shift their wards to other institutions, which was impracticable and impossible for them.
They said the School management has taken the letter issued by BOSE asking it to fulfill certain formalities otherwise the recognition will be cancelled. But the said letter was issued in 2009 and why the management remained silent till date and why did not it intimate the parents prior to start of next session about their decision to close down the school.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: Shiv Sena and Dogra Front (SSDF) today took out a procession against price hike by the UPA Government, under the leadership of its president, Ashok Gupta.
The procession, with rehris of vegetables and raising slogans, started from Prade Chowk to Shalimar and concluded at City Chowk.
Addressing the activists, Gupta said there is total confusion and chaos over price hike in the Centre and at the State by the Governments. Both are busy in shifting the responsibility to each other and no one is interested to ease the people from price hike.
He alleged that price rise in the country is due to the corrupt politicians, ministers and bureaucrats in the present scenario, adding that the ruling party in J&K figures at the top in the list.
Gupta warned the MPs who are not debating in the Lok Sabha for price hike, saying that if they want to remain in the power, they should strive to control the price hike, otherwise the poor men who are burdened with price hike will be the reason of their downfall.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 7: Army Ordnance Corps is celebrating its 237th Raising Day to commemorate its raising as the “Board of Ordnance” in 1775, here today.
On this occasion, GoC-in-C Northern Command has Lt Gen KT Parnaik, extended his greetings to all ranks, civilians and families of the Corps and lauds their committed efforts to provide effective logistic support to one of the largest forces spread across the length and breadth of the country.
Maj Gen S Vayaboury, MG AOC Northern Command complimented all ranks and civilians of Northern Command Ordnance fraternity and exhorted them to rededicate themselves to a more efficient and integrated service and continue their march towards excellence.
The supreme sacrifice of Lt Navdeep Singh of Army Ordnance Corps in the line of duty during a fierce encounter with the militants along the LoC in J&K on Aug 20, 2011 while on attachment with 15 Maratha Light Infantry is remembered with honour and pride. The Gallant Officer has been awarded Ashok Chakra posthumously on the occasion of Republic Day 2012.

Excelsior Correspondent
CHANDIGARH, Apr 7: Vijay Oil Mills, a company promoted by Vijay Kakkar and his son Rakesh Kakkar (also promoters of renowned real estate business house RK City Developers) have announced their association with Sonali Bendre as the Brand Ambassador for their brand ‘VERA’, a kacchi ghani mustard oil.
Sunil Ghai, national sales head, said, “we will target to the health conscious consumers in the urban markets. VERA is made from pure musrtard seeds and is processed in a way that retains the natural flavour of mustard oil while keeping the overall cholesterol low. In its launch phase the brand will be immediately available in North Indian markets like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and J&K. It will subsequently be rolled in other markets. The brand will be available in pack sizes of 15 ltr, 10 ltr, 5ltr, 2 ltr, 1 ltr, 500 ml and 200 ml”.
The company has signed up with the vivacious Sonali Bendre as the Brand Ambassador for VERA. Sonali, an actress par excellence, is also well known for her fitness and beauty. A versatile personality, she seamlessly balances her professional and personal roles (as a homemaker) with élan. Speaking about association with VERA, she said, “I am delighted to be associated with VERA as at this time when everyone is becoming increasingly health conscious, this is the ideal mustard oil to cook all the delicious Indian food with”.
While highlighting the launch plans of VERA and its association with Sonali Bendre, the Managing Director, Rakesh Kakkar, said, “we are extremely happy to announce VERA’s association with Sonali Bendre. The fit between the Brand and its Ambassador could not have been better, while Sonali represents the new age consumer who is conscious of keeping the balance between taste and health, VERA being a mustard oil low on cholesterol, is the ideal choice of cooking medium for such a consumer. A media campaign (TV commercial) with Sonali has been shot and will be aired in the target market by mid-April 2012”.
The brand launch with Sonali will be followed by a cultural evening featuring multi-talented singer, composer Raghav Sachar and actress Sonali Bendre. National Sales Head, Sunil Ghai was alos present in the function.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 7: Accusing the State Government of neglecting the genuine issues of the Sikhs living in the state the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) today threatened to launch an agitation in support of their demands.
The APSCC also asked the ministers and legislators of National Conference and Congress to pull up their socks or face music at the hands of Sikh community during the next Assembly elections scheduled to be held in 2014.
Taking dig at the functioning of the National Conference-Congress Coalition Government in the state, APSCC Chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina said that the State Government has failed to solve the problems being faced by the Sikh community in the state. He said the community members would launch agitation in support of their demands adding that the government would be responsible for the consequences thereof.
“Justice has been denied to the Sikhs of the state since 1947 and the time has come when there is a need for carrying out a full-fledged agitation in this respect. All the legal means of registering the protest and raising our demands have never been taken serious by the State Government. Time has come to stand up and register our protest against the Government,” said Raina.
Referring to the issues confronting the Sikh community, Raina said these include employment package for Sikhs, immediate issuance of State Subject through Central Authority, minority status as per National Commission for Minorities Act, filling of Punjabi vacant posts, timely inquiry in 36 killing of Sikhs at Chattisinghpora and compensation of agriculture and horticulture losses suffered during turmoil.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7:- Panun Kashmir (PK) organized a seminar on the topic Invasion & Accession of J&K –crucial & fateful days at Press Club here today.
The leaders academicians, journalists and prominent citizens belonging to the refugee and internally displaced communities from PoK , Kashmir Valley and Jammu province participated in the seminar to discuss the crucial days leading to invasion on the state by regular and irregular troops of Pakistan as also the historical facts of the accession of the state with India.
Those who spoke included Dr M K Teng, chairman of the Advisory Committee of PK, Prof Hari Om, historian, Yuv Raj Gupta chairman POJK Sangarsh Morcha, Mirpur, V K Sehgal, journalist and chairman SRVA and Dr Ajay Chrungoo chairman PK.
The seminar was organized as a step towards documenting unknown facts about the invasion of the state in 1947 and its accession to India, said Mahesh Kaul who acted as anchor of the programme.
Speaking on the occasion Dr M K Teng said that the details of the invasion of the state were available to the then leadership at the helm of affairs right from its preparatory stages towards the end of August 1947 and asked that why GOI did not act after the real invasion on ground started on October 27, 1947 and why the state was left undefended till actual accession took place.
He said as Indian state from very beginning left the Northern Frontiers of the country undefended and the genocide of Hindus in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Rajouri, Poonch and Kashmir Valley has been a result of this attitude.
Dr Ajay Chrungoo said that a conspiracy of Hindus genocide is still on and it has not been recognized so far. This game has been more gruesome than the holocaust of Jews or American Christians, he added.
Dr Chrungoo said what has befallen on the Hindus and Sikhs of the state in 1947 and subsequently in 1989-90 is continuation of the same ruthless and murderous game.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: The ongoing Cultural Event and Sport Festival “Resurgence” entered its next phase today at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and saw a series of yet more adrenaline generating events.
The day started with Mime, Mimicry and continued with street dance, western vocal, theme dance and Bollywood enact.
The students participated enthusiastically in all the events. The whole campus was abuzz with activity. The main attraction of the day was Rock Nite in which the College Band “Paradox” gave stupendous performance.
The Inter University Literary and Cultural Events will start off tomorrow with students participating from various institutes across the nation.
The carnival is being supported by VLCC, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, KC Residency, Javid Habib, Abhinandan Caterers, Sanjeev Caterers and Jehlum Resorts.
Earlier, Annual Youth Festival of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Resurgence started with great enthusiasm.
The gala event was inaugurated by Prof ML Garg, Dean, College Of Engineering.
The opening ceremony witnessed a Gaudiya Dance by Prof Mahua Mukherjee and her team from Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata, followed by a Punjabi folk dance by SMVDU Bhangra Club.
To increase the participation of students in these events, the student community is grouped into 5 houses called Aakash, Agni, Jal, Prithvi and Vayu. The teams of these houses are competing with one another and the winner will be given chance to participate in the Inter University events to be organized on April 8.
Various Universities /Institutions have been invited to participate in the cultural events whereas Jammu University, SKUAST, MBSCET and BGSBU have confirmed their participation.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: Reiterating Government’s resolve to provide all the basic amenities to the rural populace at par with urbanites, the Minister for Industries and Commerce, S. S. Slathia today said that all the available resources are being mobilized to fulfill the urges and aspirations of the people in connection with redressal of their grievances.
Speaking at a public gathering, after inaugurating a computer lab at Government Middle School Chak Salarian in Vijaypur, the Minister said people of the State have pinned high hopes on the Government for solving their day to day problems, adding that all the promises made to the people will be fulfilled during the remaining 3 years stint of the present dispensation.
The Minister also inaugurated newly constructed lane and drains in Chak Salarian village which have been completed at a cost of Rs. 6.50 lakhs under MGNREGA. He also announced installation of a transformer in the village and black topping of Salarian to Shamshan Ghat road. He said two BPL families of the village will be provided assistance for construction of their houses under IAY during the current year.
Mr. Slathia also inaugurated three additional class rooms in Government Middle School, Man Dalyal along with kitchen and lavatory facilities, which have been constructed at a cost of Rs. 9.45 lakhs under Sarv Shikhsha Abhiyan (SSA). He also inaugurated 3 newly constructed lane and drains and announced to provide 31 new electric poles and upgradation of existing power transformers from 52 KV to 100 KVs in the village.
Mr. Slathia sought people’s whole hearted corporation to the present Government for accomplishing its people friendly programme and cautioned them not to get swayed away from the hollow sloganeering of the opposition.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 7: Police recovered a girl from Jammu five months after she was kidnapped from the Boniyar area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Giving details, a police spokesman said that on October 27, 2011 a girl of Alhootra-Panzla, Rohama as per her family members left her sister’s home for PHC Boniyar for treatment as she was not feeling well. The girl, however, did not return and subsequently her sister lodged a missing report at police station Boniyar.
The spokesman said that father of the missing girl stated that her daughter has been kidnapped by one Tariq Ahmed Najar son of Abdul Ahad resident of Alhootra-Panzla.
“Due to the strenuous efforts of Baramulla Police, the girl was recovered from Jammu on April 6, 2012. The accused Tariq Ahmed was also arrested. After fulfilling the medico-legal formalities, the girl was handed over to her legal heirs,” said the spokesman.
Meanwhile, in a separate action the west zone of Srinagar police recovered four boys who went missing few days back from the Khonmoh area of Srinagar city.
They have been identified as Aadil Gulzar Bhat son of Gulzar Ahmad, Ahmad Chopan son of Ali Mohammad, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Rashid and Irfan Shafi Ahanger son of Mohammad Shafi, all residents of Khonmoh.