Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 10: Legendry singer and heart- throb of millions of music lovers Vijay Malla who breathed his last yesterday after a massive heart attack was given a tearful adieu today.
Hundreds of his fans including prominent people participated in his funeral procession, which took place from Sarwal where Mr Malla was putting up at present to Bantalab Cremation Ground where his mortal remains were consigned to flames amid chanting of Vedic mantras.
The people started gathering at Malla’s residence from early in morning to pay their tearful homage to this great singer of the State. They included members of artistic fraternity, officials of Song and Drama Division J&K, DD and Radio Kashmir artists, and leaders of various social, religious and political organizations. Some of the shell shocked fans of the ghazal singer had also come from Kashmir Valley to attend his funeral procession and bid last adieu to him.
“It was unbelievable for us that this golden voice has silenced once for all as we used to hear and enjoy his songs like “Zind Rozneh Bapth Lukh Chi Maran Cheti Markah Naa’’ , “Harmukh Bartal Praray Madano’’ etc. said some of his fans from Valley in a chocked  voice. “He was Mehdi Hassan of Kashmir and the void created by his sudden death can’t be filled up for years to come’’ they added.
Malla’s contribution to the music world can’t be forgotten, said his colleagues and friends for whom his death came as a bolt from blue.
The representatives of Panun Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, ASKPC, All India Kashmiri Samaj, Bhagavaan Gopi Nath Ashram, Athwas Foundation, Nagrad Adbi Sangam, Aahroi Sangeet Vidayalaya, Nagrai Literary Forum, Pt Prem Nath Sanskritik Shodh Sansthan, Pir Panchal, Prem Sangeet Niketan, were among the prominent personalities who participated in his funeral procession.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 10: Bharti Walmart is celebrating “Earth Month” at its Best Price Modern Wholesale stores.
The key objective behind this initiative is to increase awareness about environment-friendly products and inspire the customers to buy these at low prices, thereby supporting efforts to conserve the earth’s environment.
Commenting on the campaign, Arvind Mediratta, Chief Operating Officer, Cash and Carry, Bharti Walmart said that they are committed to sustainability initiatives that save people money, so they can live better.
During earth month and beyond, we will work with our members towards promoting products, which not only save our members’ money but also are environment-friendly, he added.
He said that Bharti Walmat’s Earth Month campaign is spread over green products, green packaging and organic products. Under green products, the raw materials are either from recycled or reused sources.
Green packaging category comprises of products that have recycled materials used in its packaging, or the packaging is being recycled after use.
Coinciding with the Earth Month, the store associates and members are undertaking clean and green drive at public places around the stores.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Postal Circle was awarded Speed Post award for its excellent performance in Speed Post. The award was given to John Samuel, Chief Post Master General, Jammu and Kashmir Circle by Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology at Delhi.
At the all India level, the Jammu and Kashmir Circle has stood first in Post Office Saving Bank and it has secured second position in Speed Post. Speaking during the function, Samuel said that the post offices in the State are on the path of recovery. He said this is the first time that Speed Post awards have been instituted at the National level.
He said during 2012 all the 800 Post Offices in the Kashmir valley will be revamped and the services would be improved. He said the objective is to go for total financial inclusion especially in the rural areas. He added that in the next two months Speed Post services will be made available in all the Post Offices in the State.
Samuel said that next day delivery services will be extended to tehsil headquarters soon. He said as part of improving speed post services Department of Posts has introduced Same Day Speed Post within Srinagar and Jammu cities.
Meanwhile, School Stamp Show-2012 was inaugurated today at Burn Hall School, Srinagar by the CPMG along with Fr Ivan Perera, Principal, Burn Hall School This exhibition of rare stamps is being held at various schools in Srinagar during May 2012.
This exhibition displays more than 5000 rare stamps from India and abroad. Stamps on Lady Diana, Harry Potter, Animal Kingdom, special cover collection are major attractions.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 10: Three persons died while as three others were injured in different road accidents across the Kashmir valley.
Reports said that a bus bearing registration number JK01/0611 hit a pedestrian Abdul Gani Rah son of Jamal resident of Chanapora-Srinagar at Main Bazar, Awantipora, resulting in his on the spot death.
A Truck hit and injured a girl Dilshada daughter of Mohammad Iqbal resident of Kalakote-Rajouri, at present Nowgam near Railway Crossing Nowgam, Srinagar. The injured was shifted to SMHS Srinagar for treatment, where she succumbed to her injuries.
A Maruti Car bearing registration number JK09/2016 coming from Shrant towards Khurhama driven by Manzoor Ahmed Mir son of Abdul Samad resident of Khurhama-Kupwara skidded off the road and rolled down, resulting in injuries to the driver and other person Mushtaq Ahmad Khatana son of Shams-ud-din resident of Shrant. The injured were shifted to hospital. The driver Manzoor Ahmed succumbed to his injuries on his way to hospital.
A Toyota Qualis vehicle bearing registration number JK01F/1607 driven by Irfan Ahmed Pandoo son of Abdul Hamid resident of Soura on way to Awantipora from Srinagar, hit and injured a labour Muzamil Ahmed Rather age 22 years son of Ghulam Hassan resident of Chandhara, working with National Highway Authority of India at Galander Chowk, Pampore. The injured was shifted to SKIMS-Soura for treatment.
A Tipper, bearing registration number JK09/4962 hit and injured a pedestrian Javid Ahmed Gani son of Nazir Ahmed resident of Zehanpora. The injured was shifted District Hospital Baramulla for treatment.

Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, May 10: A deputation of Association of Industries, Samba led by its president, Bharat Bhushan Raina, called on Industries and Commerce Minister, SS Slathia, and apprised him of various problems faced by the Industry.
General secretary of the Association, Ashwani Abrol appealed the Minister to issue orders for construction of passenger sheds on SIDCO GT Road so that the passengers and labourers might get relief from scorching heat in summer and rain in monsoon season.
Moreover a request to lay the foundation stone of Industrialist Association Bhawan at Samba was made to Slathia.
The minister gave a patient hearing to the deputation and assured his full cooperation. He urged the industrialists to focus on the generation of employment particularly for the local youth.
Among others who were part of the deputation included Vikram Puri, Ravi Kumar, Akshay Sethi, Sardar Tajinder Singh and Sardar Charanpreet Singh.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, May 10:  The famous 3-day Shiv -Parvati   Mela held every year  at Sardabbar in Moungri village of Panchari block in Udhampur district would start from May 14, 2012.
This was disclosed by the Additional District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Ram Rattan Sharma during an interaction with the media persons here today.
He said local festivals, duly supported by District Administration, are not only playing a significant role in evolving peaceful atmosphere , but also help in preserving and promoting the priceless multifaceted cultural heritage.
Briefing about various arrangements already put in place by the administration for the successful conduct of the local fair, the ADDC said that the instructions regarding various arrangements like security, sanitation, health care, transport, drinking water and power supply, checking of rates, ration supply, cultural programme and sports events, have already been issued to the concerned officers.
He said that to aware the common masses about various schemes, especially designed to raise the socio-economic status of the people, the concerned departments have been asked to set up awareness stalls at the venue of the mela.
Adequate arrangements of transportation have been made for the general public during the mela days. For the purpose Assistant Regional Transport Officers, Udhampur, has been asked to deploy additional buses from various locations to the mela site for the convenience of the general public, the ADDC said.
To entertain the pilgrim-visitors and further strengthen the warm ties of mutual love and understanding amongst different sections of the society, the Department of Youth Services & Sports, in collaboration with other agencies would organize cultural programme highlighting local folk culture. A Wrestling event involving famous wrestlers would also be organized by J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association.
Among others, Joint Director Planning, Rakesh Jamwal and Chairman, Lord Shiv Parvati Caves Shrine, Advocate S. D. Kotwal were present.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 10: In order to enhance employability as well as improve the quality of life, INSET, the Institute of Engineering and Technology, which had recently launched a new division in the name of INSET, Institute of Professional Grooming (INSET IPG), today inaugurated its first Centre in the State at House No 236, Adbi Kunj, Top Sherkhanian, Jammu.
Addressing a press conference, Director, INSET, Piyush Shukla said, “This is a project related to Education and Training in the field of Professional Grooming, Spoken English, Call Centre Training, Marketing and Retail Management Training”, adding that the courses were designed keeping in mind the needs of people from various age or mental levels as well as work profiles like housewives, students, working professionals, would be brides-in short people from walks of life.
He further said that INSET Institute of Professional Grooming was a chain of Education and Training centers offering complete Professional Grooming courses under the umbrella of INSET IET Ltd.
Professing that INSET IET is India’s leading Education and Training Company with a proven track record, Shukla said it was the only institute in India offering ‘100% Job Guarantee in writing on Stamp Paper to its students of career courses, which ensured that the student would get the job after the successful completion of the course.
Briefing about the courses, he said in the beginning INSET IPG would be offering one-year career Course in Marketing and Retail Management under the Job Guarantee Scheme but very soon it would also start Nine Months Call Centre Training Program under the said scheme.
“Seeing the demand of trained man power in the fields of Computer Hardware, Networking, Advance Networking and Telecommunication Engineering field, INSET has also designed a unique Two Year Course covering all the latest technologies of today. All the students enrolled under this course will be offered appointment letter from the company at the time of admission itself with a minimum guaranteed salary of Rs 10,000 per month and this course will be offered at INSET IET RO cum Centre located at 39 C/C, Gandhi Nagar”, said Director.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 10: High Court today issued notice to Commissioner /Secretary Revenue Department, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu and Tehsildar Settlement Jammu directing them to maintain status -quo of 41 kanals and 13 marlas of state land at village Lalyal in Jammu tehsil.
The directives were passed by Justice Mohammed Yaqoob Mir of High Court in a petition filed by Satish Sharma son of Madan Lal Sharma Member Parliament challenging his eviction over this land. The Court has also issued notices to these officers returnable within four weeks and directed them to file the objections within the notice period.
Satish Sharma filed the writ petition through Additional Advocate Amit Gupta and Court after hearing the senior advocate K S Johal assisted by Advocate Amit Gupta directed the maintenance of status quo.
In the petition it has been alleged that the petitioner is cultivating position of the State agriculture land for the last over 10 years. The petitioner’s, case for regularization under Roshni scheme was rejected by the district Collector Jammu on March 30 this year on the ground that the land is “Gair Mumkin Darya’’ as per copy of Khasra Girdawari.
The petitioner has questioned his eviction on several grounds and the court after considering the arguments directed to maintain status -quo.
It is worthwhile to mention here that petitioner Satish Sharma has enclosed a certificate dated November, 29, 2010 issued by Tehsildar Akhnoor wherein it is certified that Satish Sharma, son of Madan Lal Sharma of Pallattan tehsil Akhnoor has been the owner of land in village Dhanger (18 kanals and 9 marlas) and in village Ambaran (06 kanals and 06 Marlas). So the total land measuring 24 kanals and 15 marlas in tehsil Akhnoor is possessed by him.
It may be also recalled that the name of Satish Sharma also figured in fresh status report filed by then Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal in PIL titled Prof S K Bhalla vs State wherein it was mentioned that claims of Satish Sharma for regularization of his illegal possession was rejected on the ground that same was not covered under Roshni Act.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 10: National Panthers Party MLA and former Education Minister, Harshdev Singh, has been invited to attend an International Conference in Brussels, Belgium, which is scheduled to be held from June 25 to 28.
The invitation has been extended by Fredrick Nauman Foundation (FNF) in collaboration with Germany’s Free Liberal Party, which is currently a part of Germany’s Coalition Government.
The FNF is organising the said programme in partnership with ‘Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation’ (CDR), which works for peace building in Jammu and Kashmir.

Harsh to attend Int’l Conference in Brussels

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, May 10: A 20-year-old youth was cut into two pieces under a train near Palli village in district Kathua today.
A police spokesman said that mishap took place when young Rohit Kumar, son of  Raj Kumar, resident of Palli was passing the unmanned railway track at the village. He was carrying large `Trangarhi’ of  wheat crop fodder (Poh) on head. Due to huge head-load, the boy could not judge the train arriving so nearer and came under its trap and was cut into two pieces.
The Railway police men noticed the body after the Dhruv Express train passed the village. The body was the handed over to local police which registered a case and started investigation.