Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is organizing first ever “Shree Jaganath Rath Yatra” in the city of temples on April 30.
This was disclosed by Navyogendra Swami Ji, during a press conference here this afternoon.
He said that the ISKCON has finalized the arrangements for the upcoming “Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra” on April 30 which will begin at 12 noon.
He said that this is the first ever Rath Yatra in the history of J&K and thousands of devotees across the State and outside are going to participate in this event.
He said that the Lord Jaganath is so merciful that he himself comes out of the temple for those who do not come to the temple. He said that his brother Baldev and sister Subhadra will accompany the Lord and a beautiful chariot has been made for the Lord.
He said that, Amrit Malhotra, Chairman, Legislative Council, will be the chief guest while Madan Lal Sharma and Choudhary Lal Singh, Members of Parliament, will be the guests of honour.
“The Rath Yatra will commence from City Palace, Kachi Chawni and will pass through Parade, Shalamar, Kanak Mandi, Rajinder Bazaar, Shahedi Chowk, Raghunath Mandir, Indra Chowk, Gumat, Vinayak Bazaar, Dogra Chowk, Jewel, Canal Head, Guest House, Gole Pully, Bohri and will culminate at KK Resort, Udheywala Bohri”, Swami ji said, adding, that the Maha Aarti Utsav is going to be held tomorrow at City Palace, Kachi Chawni from 5 pm onwards till mid night.
Highlighting the importance of the Rath Yatra, Swami ji said that the Rath Yatra festival of chariots originates in Puri, Orrisa and it is the oldest known festival and has been celebrated for over thousands of years.
“To give benefit to the people of the world, the founder Acharya of ISKCON, C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada introduced the Rath Yatra festival throughout the globe”, he maintained.
Swami Ji appealed the people of Jammu, to participate in the Rath Yatra and have the Darshan of the Lord Jaganath as “One Who Sees Lord Jagannath on his Rath will not take Birth again in this Material World”.
Among others present were Vikram Malhotra, president Rath Yatra, Jai Keshav Dass, organizing president, SC Bali, president reception committee, HG Sarvbhaum Bhattacharya Dass, general manager, ISKCON Jammu, Surinder Peshin and Sanjeev, festival coordinator and Rohit Bali, general secretary.
ISKCON organizing first ever ‘Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra’ tomorrow
Khoda releases “Pensioners’ Journal 2012”
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda today released ‘Pensioners’ Journal 2012’, a useful document published by Central Government Pensioners’ Welfare Association (CGPWA), on the occasion of Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of the Association held here at Police Officers’ Mess, Gulshan Ground, Gandhi Nagar.
Addressing the gathering, chief guest lauded the efforts being put in by the Association for the welfare of civil society, particularly senior citizens and pensioners. He assured full cooperation of J&K Police department in furtherance of Association activities.
Besides Khoda, 80 CGPWA members, a large number of special invitees comprising distinguished senior citizens and social activists also attended the meeting.
Presenting the Annual General Report for the year 2011-12, general secretary of the Association, JK Vaid, informed the house that CGPWA has been accorded nomination to Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) by Government of India and the annual grant-in aid to the Association has also been enhanced by GoI from Rs 60,000 to Rs 75,000 from 2012-13 FY.
“CGPWA has been notified as Nodal Association for central pensioners of J&K State and is one of the 28 Pensioners’ Associations in the Country to get such recognition. On the basis of proactive welfare activities and after an exhaustive scrutiny by the Income Tax Department, the Association has been registered as Social Charitable Society u/s 12AA(1)(i) of Income Tax Act, 1961 and also the certificate issued qualifying all donations to the Association for Income Tax Rebate u/s 80G (5) of the Income Tax Act, 1961”, he said.
President of the Association, SS Wazir, in his welcome address greeted the chief guest, special invitees and the members’ fraternity and briefly touched upon the welfare activities being pursued by the Association.
Patron, CGPWA, VP Sharma, gave an illuminating and well-illustrated power point presentation on the topic ‘Himalayan Mountain Chain and its Impact on Water and Food Security’.
Three senior members of the Organisation were also honoured on the occasion by the chief guest. RN Sharma was honoured as Sarv Sreshth Vrishth Nagrik on completion of 100 years of age, while DN Kotwal and Tara Mani Sharma were honoured with Jeyshth Vrishth Nagrik on attaining plus 80 years age.
Copies of Journal were also distributed among all the dignitaries.
5-day disaster preparedness, civil defence camp ends
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 28: The five day disaster preparedness and civil defence basic training course organized by Civil Defence, Srinagar and Divisional Disaster Management Authority, Kashmir concluded today at Government High School Pantha Chowk. The course was organized under the Urban Risk Reduction Project.
An official spokesman said that around 100 participants including students and teachers took part in the course. During the training two senior civil defence volunteers, Mohammed Sultan Mir and Zahoor Ahmed Mir, Proprietors of HRCC Pvt. Ltd Athwajan voluntarily deputed their men, machinery and material including tractor, tipper and road roller for up-gradation of the link road from main road upto the school.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Baseer Ahmed Khan, who is also the Controller of Civil Defence and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Civil Defence, Home Guards and SDRF, Mubarak Ahmed Ganai and the Principal of the School have appreciated the gesture.
Campaign for enrollment drive held
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: State Project Director (SSS) under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan held door to door campaign for motivating the masses for bringing more and more students in the schools for enrollment drive, besides enrolling never enrolled and dropouts.
Organizing symposium and sports meet was also a part of the campaign. Special attention was being focused in the areas of population of SCs, STs and OBCs with the help of banners, drum beating, distributing of pamphlets etc.
District level symposium was held at SRML HSS Parade, Jammu. The first prize was given to Rama Jamwal, student of MS Kotli Bhagwan Singh zone Miran Sahib and the second prize was won by Mansi Jolly GMS Rehari, Jammu while the third prize went to Maney Verma GMS Grand Zone Bhawal. The Chief Education Officer, Jammu presided over the function.
Axis Bank’s Q4 Net Profit rises to Rs 1277 crore
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, April 28: Axis Bank today announced its financial results for the fourth Quarter as well as for the Financial Year ended on 31st March, 2012
MD and CEO, Axis Bank, Shikha Sharma informed that the Bank’s net profit during Q4 FY12 rose to Rs 1277 crores from Rs 1020 crores in Q4 FY11, registering a growth of 25% year on year (YOY) while the net profit for FY12 stood at Rs 4242 crore up by 25% from Rs 3388 crore for FY11.
The Operating Revenues for Q4 FY12 stood at Rs 3733.71 crores, up by 18.48% YOY from Rs 3151 crores for Q4FY11 while the Operating Revenues for FY12 stood at Rs 13437.97 crores, up by 20% YOY from Rs 11195.12 crores for FY11.
The deposits of the Bank grew by 18% YOY to Rs 91422 crores for FY12 from Rs 77767 crores during FY11, with Saving Bank deposits growing 8% YOY. The YOY growth in Net Interest Income and Fee Income during FY12 was 22% and 25% respectively. Net Interest Margin during FY12 was 3.59% compared to 3.65% in FY11.
The asset quality was healthy with Net NPAs, as a proportion of net customer assets were 0.25% on March 31,2012 against 0.26% as on March 31,2011.
The bank is well capitalized with a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 13.66% as at the end of FY12 compared to 12.65% as at the end of FY11. Tier-I capital was 9.45 % as at the end of FY12, as against 9.41 % as at end of FY11.
During the Q4 FY12, the Bank added 129 branches and 16000 ATMs.
Omar expresses concern over huge transmission losses
Grid Station inaugurated at Pounichak
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Apr 28: Underlining the importance of power sector in the economic development of the State, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that financial self-reliance of the State is directly linked with harnessing of huge potential of about 20000 MWs of hydro electricity available in the State.
“My Government is working on a comprehensive plan to make remarkable dent in this direction”, he said, adding that considerable thrust is on the generation of power along with upgradation of distribution and transmission system. He said in a State where the total income from all resources is Rs. 6500 crore and expenditure on salaries of Government employees is Rs. 13500 crore, the only hope for financial self-reliance can be pinned to the power sector.
The Chief Minister was inaugurating Power Grid Station at Pounichak in Jammu district today. The station is of 50 MVA capacity with 132/33 KV voltage level. The construction of the Grid Station is accompanied with the installation of 1.78 kilometres feeding line.
The construction of the station was taken in hand in 2010 at a cost of about Rs. 16.72 crore. It will benefit the population of about one lakh inhabitants in Marh and Raipur-Domana Constituencies besides people living in Talab Tillo, Trilokpur and adjacent areas.
The station will also improve and regulate quality power supply at 33 KV level feeding the sub-transmission system in Tehsil Jammu. It will relieve the overloading of existing network and Grid Station at Janipur and Canal. The transmission line constructed along with the Grid Station is of 1.7 kilometres long with 7 towers of B+6 and D+0 types.
The Chief Minister said that improvement and upgradation of power supply to the consumers is being ensured by construction of new Grid Stations, Receiving Stations and Sub-Stations across the State. He, however, showed concern over the huge transmission losses the State has to bear due to misuse of electricity. He said that the yearly losses on account of misuse and transmission leakage of electricity have touched over Rs. 2000 crore which should be serious concern to all. He said that this amount if procured from the consumers could be utilized on various development projects and employment generation for youth. He asked the consumers to pay the electricity charges in accordance with the consumption they make.
Omar Abdullah said that the government has put R-APDRP schemes to execution to reduce T&D losses by 3 percent annually. He said upgradation and power reforms project R-APDRP has been taken in hand at a cost of Rs. 1909 crore. He said that the project envisages improvement in HT/LT system in towns and cities with a population of 10,000 and above.
Omar Abdullah said that 7 Grid Stations have been completed in 2011 in the State while two have been completed this month and another 7 more are in pipeline.
Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan, Legislators Sukhnandan and Ajay Sadhotra and Principal Secretary Power Development Department, Sudhanshu Pandey were present on the occasion.
Azad shares fond memories of childhood with students
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.
Army organizes seminar on enhancing J&K’s pride
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.
Court awards 20 yrs RI to narcotics smuggler
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.
Communal forces hell bent to destabilize coalition: Dar
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.