46 students qualify screening test on first day

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: About 46 students qualified the screening test on the first day of the Wipro Recruitment Drive organised by Dean Students Placement, University of Jammu, under Project “UDAAN”.
The Wipro recruitment team included HR Managers Viraj Mangotra and Rahul Bhatia who presented interactive presentation about Wipro and informed that Wipro welcomes fresh perspectives and young minds with new energies and a passion to excel, unyielding integrity, sensitivity, and intensity to win.
Later they clarified the queries of participating students with regards to issues of career and growth prospects at Wipro.
The session was presided over by Prof MP Singh Ishar, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu. In his address, Prof Ishar appreciated the initiative of Central and State Governments for project “UDAAN”. He also lauded the efforts of the Office of Dean Students Placement in coordinating the corporate drives resulting in placements and job opportunities.
Earlier, Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Student Placement and Coordinator of the Project “UDAAN”, informed that the Wipro drive shall continue tomorrow as well wherein the youth and the students may Walk-in at Jammu varsity.
Prof Rohmetra said that “UDAAN” is targeted at helping the youth of J&K who are seeking to enhance and grow in their careers through an action-oriented agenda.
“UDAAN aims to enhance the employability skills set and consequently provide employment to 8000 youth from J&K per annum over a period of 5 years, Prof Neelu Rohmetra said adding, that “UDAAN” seeks at providing jobs to the trained manpower in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode through MoU between National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the corporate houses.
About 70 undergraduate students across disciplines from various colleges and institutions of Jammu province turned up for the walk-in, wherein about 46 students qualified the screening test.
The final round of selection TAC (Talent Assessment Centre) was held telephonically in which each qualifying candidates was tested for their capabilities and communication skills by the Senior Operations Managers sitting at different locations across India.
The selected students shall be undergoing fully supported and funded training for three months in Wipro training studios located in North India as trainees. After the training the tests will be conducted and the qualifying students will finally be on the rolls of Wipro as permanent employees.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, May 17: A 7-year-old school boy was crushed to death under a mini-bus in Jakhol area of Dhani in district Kathua today.
The mishap took place during early morning when some school going children were packed into a mini-bus which was being driven by an untrained youth/owner, namely Ram Singh, son of Faqir Singh of Jakhol. As the mini-bus ( JK08B/0279) was moving through a `khud’ on kucha road, the boy was thrown away from the door and fell down. He came under the rear wheel of the mini bus. The other children cried. The driver sensing trouble jumped out and escaped. The driver of the mini-bus had to board from Dhani, which was a few kilometers away.
The police reached the spot and shifted the body for postmortem. The vehicle was also seized. It said that the youth driving mini-bus had no license. A case has been registered against him.

Certificate distribution ceremony of IHM held

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 17: Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora today said that Jammu and Kashmir is emerging a premier destination in the world, adding that the tourism has now become cutting edge of the economy of the State, which needs skilled manpower under hospitality and protocol sector.
Speaking at Certificate distribution ceremony function of Indian Institution of Hotel Management (IIHM), Srinagar here at SKICC on Thursday, the Minister said that the State has received record number of tourists during last season. “This only became possible by the endeveaor of the Government and whole hearted cooperation of the people which they rendered for maintaining peace and normalcy in the State”, he added and hoped this year State would surpass all previous records of tourist arrival and usher towards era of economic prosperity.
Mr. Jora said that thousands of people are interlinked with tourism trade and need of the hour is to impart quality skilled trainings to the youth not for only for their employment in and outside the State but to facilitate tourists with quality hospitality& Protocol.
The Minister said that the endeavour of the Government is to impart skilled professional trainings to more and more youth of the State under the sector and for the purpose, Hunar Say Rozgar Scheme is under implementation in the State, which provides ample chances to the desired youth to skill themselves with various tourism and hospitality professions.
The Minister on the occasions distributed certificates among 14 passing out students of the institution. He also released textbook of “Hotel Communication” written by Nisheeth Srivastava and Amrit Pal Singh Jolly
Secretary tourism and Culture, Atul Dulloo, who is also chairman of IHM Srinagar in his address, said that the institution during the last year has offered skilled trainings to 1909 youth in hospitality and protocol besides tourism professions, adding that this year the institution would also impart such trainings to over 2000 youth of the State in different trades.
Principal IHM Nisheeth Srivastava gave a detailed resume of activities of the institution and re-affirmed that the institution would continue its efforts to make it more vibrant in preparing the youth of the State in different professions.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Farooq Ahmed Shah, who was former Director Tourism Kashmir, Director Tourism Kashmir Talat Parvez, Senior officers of the Tourism department and IHM , representatives of tour and travel trade besides students and staff of IHM attended the function.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pradeep Gupta convened a meeting today to review the procurement of wheat in Jammu division.
Senior officers of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution and Food Corporation of India participated in the meeting.
It was informed that procurement centres have been established at Sanji Morh in District Kathua, Swankha in district Samba, R.S.Pura, Gajansoo, Channu Chak, Khour, Pargwal in district Jammu for procuring the marketable surplus of wheat from the farmers during the Rabi season 2012 at a procurement price of Rs. 1285 per quintal.
The FCI would also accept wheat from the farmers at their Food Storage Depots at Kathua, Chatha, Nagrota, Udhampur and Rajouri.
It was decided that while the State Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department will facilitate procurement of wheat from the farmers by ensuring that the wheat is packed as per the quality specification of FCI, the Agriculture Department will provide Tarpaulins, Weighing Machine, Winnowing/ Cleaning Machine at the procurement centres. The FCI would provide the empty gunny bags and also reimburse the cost of cleaning and packing etc.
The meeting was informed that all the requisite arrangements have been tied up and procurement of wheat has commenced at all the procurement centres. As of date 3031 quintals of wheat have already been procured.
The Divisional Commissioner exhorted upon the officers of FCI, Agriculture and CAPD Departments to work in close coordination to ensure that the marketable surplus of wheat available with the farmers is procured by FCI and the farmers get a reasonable price of their produce and are not compelled to resort to any distress sales.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla, convened a high level meeting of ERA, NBCC, JMC and UEED to review progress of various ongoing ambitious projects being executed in Jammu city, at summer secretariat here today.
During the meeting, threadbare discussion was held on early completion of ongoing sewerage and other projects under ERA, NBCC, JMC and other departments being executed in Jammu city. Besides, the participants also suggested several effective strategies to remove the bottlenecks hampering execution of various projects.
Mr. Bhalla directed the executing agencies involved in various projects to complete the ongoing works in a time bound manner.
The meeting was informed that sewerage work on 700 meter B C road being executed by NBCC is in progress and expected to be completed by July 15 this year.
Mr. Bhalla directed the NBCC to gear up their men and machinery to ensure that the work on same would be completed well in time for the convenience of the people. He also directed the Jammu Municipal Corporation to start the necessary process for construction of slaughter house on modern line.
Seeking information about the under execution projects of sewerage in old city, Mr. Bhalla asked the NBCC to expedite the pace of these works at Karan Nagar, Shakti Nagar and Sewerage Treatment Plant Bhagwati Nagar so that it could be completed at the earliest. He asked the authorities to personally monitor the works and ensure the completion of the same in stipulated time frame.
It was informed that Vikram Chowk Fly over project is in advance stage and hoped that the work on this ambitious project would be started soon. He asked ERA to complete the ongoing construction works of various projects including Over Head Tanks, receiving stations, Tube Wells and laying of water supply pipes at the earliest.
Referring to forthcoming Amarnathji Yatra and present increasing tourist influx to Mata Vaishno Deviji, the Minister said that all these ongoing projects need to be completed within the shortest possible time so that the pilgrims do not have to face any inconvenience.
He also reviewed the progress of various projects being done under Urban Sector like Tube Wells, OHTs and GLSRs, Boria Intake-1.8 MGD, Water Supply Pipe Laying, Horizontal Centrifugal Pump, Augmentation of 33/11 KV Receiving Station in Jammu, Drainage, Sanitations-Public Toilets, etc.
Later, the Minister visited Karan Nagar, Rehari Chungi, B. C. Road, Shakti Nagar, Bakshi Nagar and Sewerage Treatment Plant Bhagwati Nagar and inspected the pace of progress.
During the inspection, the Minister also stressed for timely restoration of the dug up roads and asked the authorities to ensure that the roads where pipes have been laid are not let unattended.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: Jammuites today took out a candle march in the memory of Sanjay Gulati and his friend’s wife, who became the victim of BMW hit and run accident at IFFCO Chowk, Gurgoan, Haryana, on May 5.
Holding candles in their hands, hundreds of people assembled at Amphalla Chowk and took out a candle march to District Jail Chowk. Two minutes silence was observed at the culmination point to pay homage to the department souls.
Both Sanjay and his friend’s wife became the victim of BMW hit and run accident at IFFCO Chowk, Gurgoan, Haryana on May 5. In the beginning, police tried to dumb the issue as the BMW car was driven by Surah Sherawat, the son of high profile businessman of Haryana.
Mounting pressure on the police, forced them to register FIR at concerned Police Station and to start investigation. The police was tight lipped and failed to take action against Suraj Sherawat, who is still at large and police has failed to arrest him.
The family members of Sanjay Gulati and husband of deceased lady are completely shocked, as police and concerned investigating authorities are not taking any appropriate action in this regard, as Suraj belongs to a high profile businessman family of Haryana.
Wife of Sanjay Gulati, demanded CBI inquiry and Narco analysis of the Suraj Sherawat, as police has showed very lenient approach right from the beginning of the case and were trying to make safe passage for Suraj Sherawat.
The people and the family members of Sanjay Gulati including husband of deceased lady has appealed the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene in the matter and take up the issue with Chief Minister of Haryana, so that stringent action under Law could be taken against Suraj Sherawat.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: A number of organizations, associations including Young Lawyers Association of Bhaderwah met Member Legislative Assembly Naresh Kumar Gupta and apprised him about the slow pace of developmental works going on in Bhaderwah.
They said that the work on roads has not seen much progress since the ouster of GM Saroori. They added that this area including erstwhile Chenab region is un-represented for the last many years, despite contributing a huge number of legislatures. No Cabinet Minister, State Minister bothered to visit this area after the exit of Saroori, they said.
They also highlighted various other demands including shifting of district officers of Agriculture, Horticulture and Fisheries, from Doda to Bhaderwah, visit of Superintendent Engineer to Bhaderwah to monitor the developmental work in the constituency, etc.
MLC gave a patient hearing to their demands and assured that he will take up their issues with the Chief Minister and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, for early redressal.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: Massive enthusiasm has been witnessed in the elections being held for Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress Committee which began across the State on May 16.
On the second day of the four-day election process for the booth level committee members, a lot of enthusiasm was seen among the Youth Congress workers. Not only in the Jammu East segment, but in the border Assembly segment of Suchetgarh also Youth Congress activists also displayed lot of interest in the poll activity. Though the number of the young women activists was not so much encouraging but at several booths, they too were seen exercising their right.
State Returning Officer for J&K Youth Congress elections, Pankaj Punia disclosed that on the second day of the poll process, the booth level elections were held in nearly twenty segments in the State. By and large, the poll process remained peaceful. At PCC headquarters Jammu, some activists tried to disrupt the election process but they were not allowed to suspend the polling activity as police intervened timely. Some youth had objected to the entry of some people in the premises, however, the matter was resolved. He said in Kishtwar segment, the election was cancelled on the first day and it is likely to be held tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
The Returning Officer further said nearly one lakh voters are participating in this polling exercise in the State and this process will be completed by May 19. The over all exercise of framing PYC will be over by the end of this month. After booth level, block/ segment and Parliamentary Constituency-wise committees will be framed. Each booth level committee will comprise of five–members.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: Reiterating that the two month long holy Amarnath yatra will commence as per tradition on Jeshtpunima falling on June 4 and culminate on Sawan Purnima, VHP today asked the Government to refrain from creating any controversy on the date and duration of the Yatra as same should be left to Hindu bodies to decide.
Talking to reporters here today, VHP state general secretary, Dr Sham Lal said that VHP which is supported by other Hindu organizations will not budge an inch from its stand on yatra and first batch of pilgrims will leave from, Jammu to Holy Cave on June 3 to have Darshan there on Jeshtpurnima.
He said to create mass awareness about the Amarnath yatra a Maha Samelan will be held at Jammu on May 20 in which besides the Jagat Guru Shankarachariya Swami Vasudevanand Ji Maharaj of Bhadrik Peeth Ashram, Mahamandleshwar, Gyanandnad Ji Maharaj of Bindrawan who is also member of SASB Sub Committee and VHP international leader Ashok Singhal will also participate.
He accused the Shrine Board of unnecessarily creating controversy over Amarnath yatra and alleged since Governor N N Vohra took over as chairman of the SASB the controversy was created on Amarnath yatra. Since then the duration of yatra has been curtailed for the appeasement of separatists.
He said VHP supported by various Hindu organizations is committed to run the yatra for two months from Jesht-Purnima to Sawan Purnima and it will make no compromise on the same come what may.
He warned that use of force against the pilgrims will lead to serious repercussions and widespread protests across the country.