Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 30:  Two  person died and five other were injured in different road accidents across Kashmir valley today.
Police said that one Mohammad Yaseen Wani, 45, son of Gulam Ahmad Wani resident of Khanday Pora, Kulgam who was injured at Parigam yesterday, succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Soura today.
Police said that one Rayees Ahmad Thoker, son of Bashir Ahmad, resident of Chakoora, who was injured at Shirmal on April 27, succumbed to  injuries at SMHS Srinagar today.
Police said a truck bearing registration number JK13A/5411 turned turtle near security post Jawahar Tunnel resulting in injuries to five persons, Zahoor Ahmad Ganie, son of Gulam Qadir, resident of Sadawari, Shameema, wife of Mohammad Ramzan, Saifeen, son of Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Ramzan, son of Mohammad Shasan, resident of Banihal and Zahoor Ahmad Shah, son of Gulam Qadir, resident of Qazigund. All the injured were shifted to Emergency Hospital, Qazigund for treatment. Police have registered a case in this regard.

Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Apr 30: The Bhimber Gali Brigade of the Army, observed Shahidi Divas at Shahidi Yadgar in the border township of Mendhar here today.
Besides Army officers, several officials from the Civil administration and local people from all walks of life participated in this programme. They paid their rich tributes to those who laid down their lives for the cause of the country.
This day is observed every year to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of the six gallant sons of the soil while assisting the Army on the war front during 1965 Indo-Pak conflict.
The function commenced with the wreath laying ceremony by the Army and Civil officers, followed by cultural programme by school children and people of the town.
Commander, Bhimber Gali Brigade, while addressing the gathering saluted the extra ordinary courage of these martyrs and impressed upon the public to emulate the rich and gallant legacy left behind by these patriots. The ceremony concluded with presentation of gifts to the next of kin of the martyrs by the Commander as token of respect.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Several employees who retired from Government services today on attaining age of superannuation were accorded warm and affectionate farewell by their officers and colleagues at respective places of posting.
A warm send off was given to Mr P C Sharma, senior manager, State Bank of India, Udhampur, on his attaining age of superannuation today. He was wished happy and healthy life after retirement by Chief Manager and staff members.
An impressive function was held at District Hospital Samba to bid farewell to Dr Raghunandan Amla, B-Grade Physician on his retirement. CMO Samba Dr Sunil Kaila and Medical Superintendent Dr Vijay Kumar Sahni also spoke high of Dr Amla. All wished a happy and prosperous post-retirement life to him.
A function was organized at FCI Regional Office Jamu to bid farewell to Protocol Officer, K K Dhar by the officers and colleagues on his attaining age of superannuation. General Manager FCI lauded the services rendered by the retiring officer and wished him a happy post retirement life.
Mr J S Manhas, Senior Lecturer, Mathematics, Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu, who attained age of superannuation today, was accorded a warm and affectionate send off by the staff members. He was wished a happy and healthy life after retirement.
SIE Jammu organized a function on the superannuation of Mrs Sarla Pandita (Accounts Section) from Education Department. All wished her a happy and healthy post retirement life.
A warm and touching send off was accorded to renowned poet Rattan Lal Bhan (Pamposh), senior auditor, Roshan Lal Koul, senior auditor and Kanta Devi Thappa, Record Keeper of Indian Audit and Accounts Department, at a function organized for the purpose by the members of Audit and Accounts Recreation Club of Principal AG Office Jammu.
A warm farewell was given to Shamusuddin Malik, Flock Inspector by the staff of the Sheep Husbandry Department on his attaining age of superannuation today.
Director Animal Husbandry Department Jammu, Dr S L Tickoo, was accorded a warm and affectionate farewell on his retirement on attaining age of superannuation today.
J&K Non-Gazetted Handicrafts Employees Association Jammu province, organized a function to bid farewell to Baldev Singh, Handicrafts Training Officer and Sudesh Kumar, Assistant Handicrafts Training Officer of district Jammu, on their retirement on attaining age of superannuation today. Both were wished a happy and healthy post retirement life.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 30:  In order to create awareness among people, health functionaries and mainly the field functionaries like FMPHWs, ASHAs and AWWS who are directly associated with the implementation of various  schemes/programmes under  National Rural Health Mission at ground level, Department of Health organised NRHM Sammelan at Saheed Bhagat  Singh Yadgaar Hall here today.
Minister for Health, Floriculture and Horticulture Sham Lal Sharma presided over the function.
Minister of State for Cooperatives, Finance, Planning ,Printing & stationery  Dr. Manohar Lal sharma, MLA Kathua Charanjit Singh, MLA Basholi Jagdish Raj Sapolia,  MLC Subhash Gupta, Ex-MLA Girdari Lal Chalotra, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Zahida Parveen Khan, Director Health Services Jammu Dr. Madhu Khullar, Director NRHM J&K Dr. Yash Paul Sharma, CMO Kathua Ajay Khajuria, BMOs and many others were present on the occasion.
While addressing gathering comprising of ASHA workers, panches and sarpanches and other people, Sham  Lal Sharma said that Health sector is the top most priority of the State as well as Central Government as a result of which health  services in the State have  improved manifolds.  He said that department is providing free health facilities to senior citizens, pregnant women and  children upto the age of 5.
Minister said that main thrust of the Government is to provide health facilities in the rural and remote areas of the State. He said that 95% of the patient care/ treatment is provided by the Government health institutions.
He asked the CMO, Kathua to make a project of 50 bedded maternity and child hospital and submit it to the department for approval.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma said that under National Rural Health Mission, health facilities have improved much but still there are many villages where people have to go far off for health facilities.
Earlier, Minister for Health inspected the stalls put up by various blocks of the district displaying their achievements.
Mr. Sham Lal Sharma gave away memento and  cash award of Rs. 5000/ to the national award winner ASHA Worker  Darshan Devi. Mementoes were also presented to the meritorious ASHA workers.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) appealed Government of India to fulfill the assurance of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, that in the due course of time, Article 370 of Indian constitution will stand abrogated in total.
In a statement issued here Kundan Kashmiri, KPC Chief, demanded resettlement of KPs and their rehabilitation at safer consolidated places in Kashmir valley, one time compensation to over-aged KP youth, shops in their localities as well and enhancement of relief upto Rs 120 per day.
He also demanded passage of KPs’ Temples and Shrine Bill, protection, promotion and development of religious places and permit to visit Sharda temple located at Muzaffarabad, POK, for Darshan.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: All J&K Pensioners Association today flayed the Government for its callous attitude towards the demands of the pensioners.
The core committee meeting of the association was held under the presidentship of Mukand Lal Sharma.
While speaking, Madan Lal Abrol, general secretary, said that the pensioners have been struggling for their demands including sixth pay commission arrears, enhancement of medical allowances to Rs 1,000, besides many other demands.
He said that if the Government will not redress their demands at the earliest, they will adopt agitational path.
Among others present were Dev Raj Gupta, Ram Paul Sharma, Pitambar Dev Sharma, Jagdish, Surat Singh, etc.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Several communities are celebrating congregations at their respective places of worship with religious fervour and enthusiasm.
The bi-annual congregation of Abrol Biradari (Sohal Wale) is going to be held at Jia Potta, Akhnoor, on May 2, 2012. All biradari members have been asked to participate in the male and seek blessings of Kul Datti.
The bi-annual congregation of Jamwal Pandit Biradari is going to be held on Thursday,May 3 at Kuldatti Satyawati Temple Deevsthan, Purmandal. All Biradari members have been asked to participate along with families to get invoked blessings of Kuldatti Satyawati Ji and also partake Parshad at Bhandara.
Kabotra Mahajan Biradari is going to celebrate Murti Sthapana Divas on May 6 at Kuldevi Sheetla Mata M<andir, Rakh Burn (on Jammu-Akhnoor road). All the members of Biradari have been asked to participate with families and seek blessings of Kuldevi Ji. Hawan will start at 9 am followed by community Bhandara from 12 noon onwards.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Sri Monglishwar Asthapan Committee today held a meeting and discussed various issues regarding the Asthapan at Geeta Bhawan Muthi.
The meeting commenced with the chanting of religious Bhajans in the praise of Lord Monglishwar Bhairav, in which scores of Kashmiri Pandits from Sirnoo and Monghama, district Pulwama, participated. They took pledge to dedicate their services for upkeeping the pristine glory of this Bhairav Asthapan.
They also announced adhoc members of the committee namely Sunil Bhat, DK Ganjoo, Sudesh Bhat, Bhaskar Nath Bhat, Nana ji, PN Razdan, Moti Lal Raina, Tej Krishan Bhat, Hari Krishan Koul, Veer ji Koul, Chaman Lal Bhat and Rajinder Pandita.