Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: Thakur Master Bhagat Ram, a renowned teacher of Doda-Siraj area and a complete institution in himself, breathed his last at his native village ‘Ganika’ located on Doda-Dessa road at the age of 97 after a brief illness. He is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Born in a poor peasant family in 1915, Master Bhagat Ram did his primary schooling from Government Primary School, Doda, sixth from Government Middle School, Udhampur and later with the upgradation of Primary School to Middle School his seventh and eighth from Government MS, Doda and Matriculation from Government High School, Bhaderwah. He passed FA from the then University of Punjab. With poverty coming in his way, he could not continue his studies.
He was appointed as a teacher on 15th October 1935. His first appointment was in Government Primary School, Chinta (Bhaderwah) and worked in many other schools at Khalani, Trigam, Batote, Ramban and Udhampur. He served for a major part of his service spanning over 19 years in Government Higher Secondary School, Doda where he attained superannuation in 1970.
As a teacher, Master Bhagat Ram was known for its strict discipline and dedication besides high moral values. He was a model of simplicity and high thinking. The best teacher award was conferred on him by the then Governor Jammu and Kashmir Mr. Bhagwan Sahai, on the Republic Day in 1968.
Though he is gone, his plantation that he nurtured with so much care and commitment is blooming and flourishing in this vast area of Chenab valley.
Acknowledging his services, the citizens of Doda organised a function in 1997 to express their indebtedness to this great saint teacher who used to teach his students English, Math, Persian and Sanskrit with ease.
Th Bhagat Ram no more
Bhalla dedicates Rs. 30 lakh CFC building to people
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla on today dedicated Rs. 30 lakh Community Facility Centre (CFC) building including Rural Sanitary Complex to Bhour Camp people.
Director Rural Development Shafiq Ahmed Raina, Assistant Commissioner Development K K Sidha besides other senior officers of RDD, PHE and R&B accompanied the Minister.
Addressing a large gathering, Mr. Bhalla said that the CFC building would facilitate the people of Bhour Camp, Bhour Kothey and its adjoining areas in arranging their social as well as religious functions there on nominal fee.
The Minister said for the convenience of Upper Gaddigarh people, instructions have been issued to RDD to identify suitable place for construction of Community Facility Centre in the area. He said a multipurpose community hall is under progress on war-footing at Bhour Kullian at an estimated cost of Rs. 25 lakh, adding that the project would be completed by September this year with the facilities of kitchen, toilet and lawn.
Responding to the locals demand, Mr. Bhalla asked the PHE to prepare estimates for construction of one more deep drill tube well at Bhour Camp so that the people could get relief from drinking water scarcity.
Regarding upgradation of 14-km Karan Bagh-Chatha Mill approach road, he said Government has released Rs. 1.50 crore for this purpose for speedy completion of widening and blacktopping works adding that the projects are under execution and would be completed within prescribed time frame.
The Minister said Government has earmarked Rs. 2.20 crore for construction of 45 meter span trussed bridge over Landoi Choi nallah near to Flouriculture garden at Bhour Camp.
For construction of 3.5 meter long road including 12 box type culverts from Matador Stand to Cremation Ground at Bhour Camp, he said Government has earmarked Rs. 1.92 crore under NABARD RIDF-16 funding, the work on the projects are under progress on war-footing.
Earlier, Mr. Bhalla laid foundation stone of Panchayat Ghar at Bhour Camp, coming up at an estimated cost of Rs. 20 lakh.
Later, Mr. Bhalla visited Digiana Camp and Dashmesh Nagar in Gangyal and kick started modernisation work of local nallah, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 4 lakh.
Govt committed to equal development : Lone
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, APR 15: The Omar led Coalition Government is committed to equal development of all the three regions of the State.
was stated by the Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Mohammad Akbar Lone while addressing a public gathering in Ajas Bandipora today.
The Speaker said that the Government is making every effort to provide all the basic amenities to the people of Ajas in a phased manner. He further said that a hospital would soon be constructed in the area to cater to the health needs of the locals.
Mr. Lone asked the people to cooperate with his Government which has always worked for the upliftment of the downtrodden.
MLA, Gurez, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi and Senior Leader of National Conference, Ghulam Rasool Naaz also spoke on the occasion.
Empowerment of people Govt’s goal: Slathia
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15:- Asserting that the Collation Government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah was keen to empower and make the administration accountable and responsive to the people’s aspirations, the Minister for Industries and Commerce, S. S. Slathia today said that PSG and RTI Acts are landmark initiatives in this regard.
Addressing public meetings at Teli-Basti, Bari Brahmna, Buchri, Platian, and Dollian village in Vijaypur constituency, Mr. Slathia said history of the State is testimony to the fact that such serious and practical initiatives have never been taken before by any Government for de-centralization of power and ensuring practical involvement of common masses in plan formulations at gross roots level.
He said each Panchayat of the State has been authorized by the Government to formulate its budget proposal up to a minimum of Rs. 1 crore from this year, adding that adequate allocations have been earmarked under MGNREGA for this purpose.
” Panchs and Sarpanchs now have to formulate development plan of their respective areas as per the basic requirement and needs without any interference”, said Mr. Slathia, adding that onus lies on the Panchayat bodies to serve the people to come up to their expectations. He said PSG guarantees delivery of notified Public Services in a time bound manner, adding that fourteen services of six important department including Power, CA&PD, PHE, Education, Revenue have been brought under the purview of the Act. He said delivery of passports and character antecedent reports by police are also being brought under the PSG to redress people’s grievances in this regard.
Mr. Slathia said providing all the required basic services to the people is the main agenda of the coalition Government and sought people’s cooperation to supplement Government efforts in this regard.
The Minister also inaugurated newly constructed lanes and drains at a Teli-Basti completed at a cost of Rs. 70 lakh and assured the people that all possibilities would be explored to get this private housing colony regularized. He asked the Naib-Tehsildar and Patwari concerned to remain present in village Buchri twice a week to attend the problems of the people, adding that black topping of roads in the village will be taken up shortly. He further assured the people of the village to arrange availability of cooking gas on regular basis besides play fields.
Mr. Slathia announced a new 63 KVA power transformer for village Platian. He also visited and addressed public meeting at Dollian village in Vijaypur constituency and interacted with the people to redress their grievance.
Woman knocked to death on NH
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 15: A middle-aged woman was knocked to death on Jammu-Pathankote National Highway near Hatli Morh here today.
A police spokesman said that a Scorpio vehicle bearing registration No. PB58C/1111 hit a woman when she was crossing road at Hatli Morh at around 11 am today. The people raised alarm but the driver escaped and then at some distance he abandoned the vehicle and escaped. The police party reached the spot and shifted the woman in serious condition to hospital where she was declared as dead. The police seized the vehicle and started manhunt for its driver. A case has been registered in this connection. Identity of the deceased could not be known till late this evening.
KPs take out procession to Raj Bhawan, demand constitution of Shrine Board
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: Demanding promulgation of an ordinance for constitution of a Board for management of Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Temples in Valley, Kashmiri Pandits took out a procession from KP Sabha Ambphalla here to Raj Bhawan this afternoon.
Over 300 Pandits including men, women and children participated into the procession, which culminated into a protest demonstration outside Raj Bhawan. The procession was organized by Pt Prem Nath Bhat Mermorial Trust.
The procession was led by Dr K L Chowdhary and Dr K N Pandita. The protestors with banners and placards in hands were demanding constitution of Shrine Board immediately by promulgating an ordinance.
Raising slogans in support of their demands they accused the Government of hoodwinking the public opinion on the issue.
Earlier addressing the gathering of KPs Dr Choudhary and Dr Pandita said that Government should not further delay the constitution of the Board, which will act as a major CBM among the community.
They said the temples in Kashmir are not mere religious places but linked to thousands year old rich heritage and culture of Valley and their preservation is must for posterity. They said the sentiments of the Pandits all over the globe are attached to these shrines and temples and delay in constitution of the Shrine Board has led to a lot of resentment among the community.
Addressing the gathering Dr R L Bhat another scholar gave account of last one year’s struggle of Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust, which has launched the crusade for passage of the Temples and Shrines Bill.
He said besides four major meetings, 40 corner meetings were held at different bastis by the Trust. Eight delegations of the Trust met ministers and political leaders of different parties seeking their support for passage of the Bill, he added.
Dr Bhat said the Trust launched a general awakening campaign in the community and also a seminar on the issue. He said despite the assurances given by ministers the Bill was not passed in the just concluded Budget Session of Assembly generating a lot of resentment among the community.
The KP leaders resolved to take the present struggle to its logical conclusion. H L Bhat a senior leader of the Trust warned the Government not to test the patience of the Pandits by delaying the constitution of Shrine Board and restore the land of all shrines and temples encroached during last 22 years of turmoil to them immediately.
‘Kunwari Chotti’ staged at Natrang’s Sunday theatre
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: ‘Kunwari Chotti’ a new play written by Balwant Gargi and directd by Neeraj Kant featured in Natrang’s Sunday Theatre Series this week.
The play opens at a small home of one ‘Chandi’, a young girl residing in a remote hilly village. Suddenly, a young man from city arrives there. He is on adventure tracking and wants to conquer the highest peak. As he is tired, he seeks a place for resting for a while. In his conversation with Chandi, he tells his plan to reach to the highest peak on which she warns him as there is a belief in the village that no one shall reach to the highest virgin peak as this will invite the wrath of ‘Lalji Devta’ and the whole area will be covered by snow.
The young man laughs at it and terms it as pure myth. By the time some ‘Bhairo’, Chandi’s lover comes there and young man hides. In her conversation with Bhairo, Chandi expresses her desire to go beyond the mountains and see the other side of the world and feel the life of city. She also asks that person to go and search her father as its been long that he had left the home. When he goes, the young man tells Chandi that he can take her where she wants to go. He will show her everything she wanted to see. He motivates her to go with him. She agrees to it as it was fulfilling her dream. After she leaves, her father and Bhairo come back home only to find that ‘Chandi has taken a leap towards city. They are afraid that she will be cursed by the wrath of the Mountain God, and suddenly a thunderous storm arrives to end the play in a mystery.
Sajra Qadir was successful in putting life in the character of ‘Chandi’, Balwinder Singh as ‘Tracker’ was also very impressive. Atin Tikka as ‘Bhairo’ and Ashwani Bali as ‘Baap’ also supported the play with their balanced acting. The Music was operated by Sachin Saini. Neeraj Kant operated the lights. The show was coordinated by Sumeet Sharma who also conducted the presentations.
Coordination imperative for enhancing better performance: Rajindra
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 15: Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed/Law & Order, K. Rajindra Kumar today held a meeting of police officers to review the arrangements of deployment of armed police personnel for law and order duties and forthcoming Shri Amar Nathji Yatra. He stressed upon the officers for adopting a comprehensive deployment plan to maintain peace and security in the valley so that people can carry out their day-to-day activities in a secure atmosphere during the summer season.
Addressing the meeting, the ADGP said that armed personnel have to assist the executive police in maintaining law and order in the State, adding joint efforts need to be taken to make the system more effective. He said that coordination among all the agencies involved in maintaining the peace is imperative and frequent meetings among these agencies would enhance their performance. He said that armed police has played an important role in maintaining law and order besides performing other duties and the force has to remain vigilant to help the people in all areas of the State. The force has always remained in the service of the people in the State and has shared its responsibilities effectively to minimize the miseries of the people during odd times, he added.
During the meeting preparedness for deployment of manpower for forthcoming Amar Nathji Yatra also came up for discussion. The ADGP told the meeting that sufficient deployment would be made in consultation with other agencies, along the yarta routes in the valley and in this regard preparations have already been stared. He said that logistic equipment should be sorted out to make the arrangements in advance so that manpower could deal with any situation firmly.
Earlier, Mr. Rajindra visited Commando Training Centre (CTC) Lethpore and took stock of the training activities being carried out in the Centre. He was told that 942 recruit constables are presently undergoing basic training course in the Centre. He asked the training staff to complete the syllabus within the time frame and ingrain moral values and firm will-power in the recruits. He also addressed a darbar of the trainees and asked them to get ready for exhibiting their capabilities in the field with a sense of public service, patience and discipline.
Among others, the meeting and the darbar were attended by Inspector General of Police Armed, (Kashmir), Rauf-ul-Hassan, Deputy Inspectors General of Police, P. Namgiyal and K. L. Bhagat, Principals, CTS, Lethpora and STC Shree, Sanjiv Khajuria and Fareed Ahmed Khan and all Valley based Commandants of Armed/IRP battalions besides other police officers.
Urdu conference concludes
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, April 15: Two-day historic Urdu conference organised at the campus of Himalayan College of Education, by Tehreek Baqaie Urdu (TBU) in collaboration with Himalayan Education Mission Society (HEMS) concluded today.
The program was presided over by Deputy Chairman Mohd Yousaf Taing whereas Arab poet, Dr Zubair Farooq Alarshi, vice-chairman of Pahari Advisory Board, Mushtaq Bukhari, MLA Darhal, Zulfikar Choudhary, Vinay Kapoor Gafil, Tehreek Adab Chief Editor Javeed Anwar, renowned Educationist, Abdul Aziz Wani and many others also graced the occasion.
The programme was divided into two sessions. The first session comprised of debate on the future of Urdu language.
Vice president, TBU, Mohd Sageer Mirza, read out the report of TBU while the musical session was also held in which Parvaiz Malik and Ashfaq Mir presented Gazals. Many eminent personalities like Nazir Hussain Quershi and Mohd Nazir Qureshi commented on the future of Urdu.
In the second session various awards viz Maharaj Partap Singh, Master Abdul Aziz Wani, Moshin Urdu and Maharaj Partap Singh medal were given by the Himalayan Education Mission Society and Tehreek Baqaie Urdu. Various media persons were also awarded on the occasion for their contribution in their field.
Meanwhile, TBU released its first Newsletter namely ‘Murasla’ by Mohd Yousaf Taing and other dignitaries. [caption id=”attachment_2691″ align=”alignleft” width=”300″ caption=” Dignitaries of TBU releasing its first Newsletter namely 'Murasla' at Rajouri on Sunday.”
NC for better Indo-Pak relations : Rana
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Devender Singh Rana today said that National Conference has always played a pivotal role for better Indo-Pak relations and continue to do so in the future as well in the interest of the two countries and the welfare of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
He said healthy Indo-Pak relations are pertinent for peace not only in the state but in entire south-asian region and it should be the effort of all right thinking people to facilitate the process of cordiality between the two neighboring countries.
He said those living on the border are testimony to the sufferings they had to face every time Indo-Pak relations touched their northern point. He said it is the endeavour of the National Conference to work for harmony between the two nations to ensure lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
Rana, who was addressing a public meeting at Badyal Brahmana in Suchetgarh Assembly constituency, said that the political forces which have no ideology and agenda for the welfare of the people of the state indulge in communal politics and damage the society as a whole which has far reaching wider ramifications for the generations to come and such communal politics and parties need to be rejected out rightly.
He said National Conference right from its inception has laid the foundation of secularism, brotherhood and communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir and is committed to strengthen the state’s pluralistic ethos by strengthening the bonds of amity between various sections of the society.
The Political Advisor said that under the leadership of Omar Abdullah, the state coalition Government is pursuing the agenda of equitable development and harmony in the state. He said achievements registered and measures taken during the last three years on socio-economic and political fronts to accelerate development and bring in peace and stability speak for themselves.
He said that Coalition Government led by Omar Abdullah is committed to a robust Three Tier Panchyati Raj where the process of planning will start from the village level so that the benefits of the Government’s politics reach the last mile. He urged the Panchs and Sarpanchs to keep a close eye on the delivery mechanism at the grass root level and make it accountable and sustainable.
Addressing the gathering, Provincial President National Conference, Jammu province Rattan Lal Gupta said that National Conference is committed to fulfill the commitments made in the election manifesto and will come to the expectations of the people of the state who have reposed full faith and confidence in the dynamic leadership of Omar Abdullah.
Among others who addressed the gathering on the occasion included Taranjeet Singh Tony, Balwinder Singh Sarpanch, Raj Kumar Sarpanch, Tarsem Lal Sharma, Sarpanch, Capt. Om Parkash Sarpanch, Kulwinder Singh Sarpanch, Jogindro Devi Niab Sarpanch, Rakesh Sharma, Choudhary Yashpal, Dhan Raj, Behari Lal, Jagdish Lal, Janak Singh, Sudershan Choudhary, Master Amarnath, Sultan Mirza, Lovely Singh, Raj Kumar and Kala Ram Khullar.