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Chronicle conducts test series for IAS aspirants
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: The Civil Services Chronicle Group today conducted test series at S R College of Competitions, Gandhi Nagar here.
The series was part of Chronicle IAS All India mock test series wherein 100 students participated.
It was beginning of over a month-long exercise for Civil Services aspirants, who are going to appear in this year’s Civil Services examinations slated to May 20.
Director of the College, Parveen Sharma said the students will undergo 10 Sectional Tests in addition to two Current Affairs tests.
The series will also have five mock tests each for Paper-I (General Studies) and Paper-II (CSAT) for the target students.
The Sectional Test conducted today was of two hours duration with having a total of 200 marks. The number of questions and negative marking criteria will be identical to one adopted by UPSC.
The Director added that the test series held at the same time and schedule on PAN India level.
The results along with correct answers and their analysis will be displayed at ias100.in or the same could be collected from SR College of Competitions.
AC rooms, no sunlight aggravate diabetes: Dr Jitendra
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: “Spending too much time indoors in air-conditioned rooms coupled with inadequate exposure to sunlight aggravate the risk of developing diabetes”.This was stated here today by renowned Diabetologist and National Professor of Diabetes, Dr Jitendra Singh while speaking at a Doctors CME update programme. The occasion was the launching of Jammu and Kashmir chapter of “Endocrine Society of India”(ESI).
The scientific session was chaired by Dr R P Kudyar and there were three faculty update lectures. While Dr Jitendra spoke on the topic “Diabetes and Vitamin D”, he was followed by Col (Dr) Narendra Kotwal from AFMC Pune who spoke on “Osteoporosis” and Dr Ashraf Ganai from SKIMS, Soura who spoke on “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome”.
Dr Jitendra referred to changing lifestyle, spending too much time indoors in air conditioned rooms, less of sun exposure, unhealthy dress code and less of calcium intake in diet as common causes of Vitamin D deficiency which has been recently implicated in contributing and aggravating diabetes. In case of Type 2 Diabetes, Vitamin D deficiency increases insulin resistance thus predisposing to high blood sugar levels while in Type 1 Diabetes Vitamin D deficiency acts by altering auto immunity, he said.
Dr Narendra Kotwal dwelt on increasing prevalence of Osteoporosis, bone degeneration, bone problems and bone pains due to Vitamin D deficiency and suggested measures as well as pharmacological remedies to overcome these. Dr Ashraf Ganai spoke on the current common problem of “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome”among young women. He said there is nothing to be dejected by it because there are modern day treatments available for it.
Specialist doctors, MD scholars and senior faculty from Government Medical College Jammu, ASCOMS and other private institutions attended the programme and participated in an interesting question-answer session at the end of three faculty lectures.
Dr Krishan Lal Gupta, veteran medical practitioner and Retd Director Health, Dr Mohan Lal Cardiologist, Dr Rakesh Kakkar, Dr Virendar Dhar, Dr Vipin Gupta and Dr Pandita were among those who participated in discussion.
Jammu drama fest opens with ATG’s ‘Oma’ Dogri adaptation of ‘Othello’ entertains
By Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Mar 18: Organized by Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Annual Drama Festival 2012, opened with Amateur Theatre Group’s performance of Rajneesh Gupta’s Dogri adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic drama ‘Othello’, at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.
Directed by Mushtak Kak, the play titled ‘Oma’, though retaining the main plot of Othello, was a clever collage of traditional and the popular which for its entertaining quality won the appreciation of the audience.
Today’s Dogri version although retaining Othello’s original structure-like the love angle between the beautiful girl and an ugly but honest, hard working young man and the villain who through his vile mechanizations succeeds in creating doubt about the fidelity of the young lady in the mind of her lover who ultimately kills her and later also ends his life-laced with colloquial as well as modern expressions came out as an independent production.
The fast pace of the unfolding event supported by competent acting and the well knit background music-a mix of catchy old and contemporary numbers engrossed as well as amused the spectators.
The minimal sets and effective light design also came out as strong points of the production.
The cast of the play included Sunil Sharma as Oma, Aparna Kapoor as Raani, Sandeep Verma as Fanna, Rahul Kumar as Kaku, Indu Kerni as Rajji, Mohit Mehra as Moolraj, Shabnam Dogra as Makhani, Mohit Chib as Desa Papa, Janak Khajuria as Sarpanch, Pooja Langeh as Laali, Vishal Mahajan as Bonsi. Other members of cast were Vimal Mehra, Sourav Verma and Deepak Singh Jamwal.
The background music was designed by Surinder Manhas and lights by Junaid Kak. Sandeep Verma was the assistant director.
Today’s function was inaugurated by Nwang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture while Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, was the guest of honour. Atal Dullo, Secretary Cultural Academy, Savita Bakshi, Additional Secretary, Sudhir Mahajan, Senior Drama Instructor, were also present on the occasion.
Tomorrow the Hindi play, ‘Tees Din Sitamber Ke’ by Lakshya-The Aim. will be staged at 5.30 pm.
Bhalla flags off Charri yatra for Sukrala Mata
Excelsior Corresspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla today flagged off 13th annual religious Charri yatra from Lucky Bawa Mandir (Vaishno Mata Mandir Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu) here today.
Over 1000 pilgrims are participating in the yatra.
The yatra, commenced from Lucky Bawa Mandir (Vaishno Mata Mandir Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu) for Sukrala Mata ji temple in Kathua district amidst chanting of Bhajans and religious sermons.
Local administration accorded a warm send off to the pilgrims. The State Government has made all arrangements of security, health care, transportation and civic amenities for smooth and peaceful conduct of the yatra.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister hoped that this religious pilgrimage will culminate in a smooth and successful note. He appealed the people to optimally utilize religious events to promote peace, brotherhood and communal harmony in the society.
Meanwhile, Mr Bhalla dedicated ` 12.80 lakh recreational park to Trikuta Nagar people.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bhalla said, it is the duty of every citizen to cooperate with the Government in making the Jammu and Kashmir as a model State, adding that several projects are in pipeline for the benefit of general masses across the State.
Regarding upgradation and expansion of Jammu Airport, the Minister informed that Central Government has approved Rs. 71 crore for this purpose, adding the project envisages upgradation of facilities at par with international standards.
At Mahajan Sabha, Mr. Bhalla attended 2nd round of Shri Chandi Mata Bhajan organized by Shri Chandi Mata Trust.
About 60 budding artists of Kishtwar, Padder, Batote, Ramnagar, Udhampur, Akhnoor, and Jammu participated in the bhajan competition.
Chairman of the Trust, Bansi Lal Gupta and people in large numbers were present on the occasion.
On the occasion the Minister said that district administration Kishtwar has been directed to upgrade all the basic facilities at Shri Chandi Mata shrine at Padder like approach road, drinking water, electricity besides toilet blocks so that the devotees do not feel any inconvenience during yatra period.
Army organises Sadbhavana Chaupal
Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, Mar 18: Army today organised a Sadbhavana Chaupal in Suru Valley wherein 65 Sapranches and Panches drawn from 35 villages participated.
Haji Amir Kamran, Executive Councilor was the chief guest. Syeed Kazim Sabeery and Syedaga Abbas, Councilor, Suru Valley and CEO Kargil, Haji Ghulam Mohammad Lone besides Army officers were also present on the occasion.
Brigade Commander, 118 Engineer Regiment, Anil Duvedi welcomed the guests. Various items like UV Polysheet, Solar Lanteens, Kitchen items, Computers, table, chairs, besides other items were distributed amongst people of Suru Valley.