Fayaz Bukhari

Srinagar Apr 24: As the foreign countries like United States, United Kingdom and Europe have been overused by Bollywood, Kashmir is becoming number one destination for the film shoots the Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan said here today.
Saroj Khan, while choreographing the film Kash Tum Hote in Tulip Garden, Srinagar today, said that it is because of the security situation in Kashmir that forced the Bollywood to move towards United States, Europe and United Kingdom for film shoots.
Mesmerized with the beauty of Kashmir, Khan said “even if we put together four Europe’s, we can’t get the variety and location that we get for film shoots in Kashmir”.
She said that now the doors of Kashmir have opened and more film units will return to Kashmir. She said that film units were going out for the green backgrounds but these types of valleys, flowers and beauty is out of question. “Kashmir was always in our dreams”, she added
She said that she was just 11 years of age when she came to Kashmir neither as dance director nor choreographer but group dancer. She said that she did open dance for the first time in film Kanaya that was shot here with Raj Kapoor and Nutan as lead characters.
“Ruk Ja O Jane Wale Ruk Ja was the song and from here our connection with Kashmir began”, Khan said, adding during those days every second film was being shot here.
She said that such was love of Shammi Kapoor and Dharminder for Kashmir that they used to stay here for six months and used to call film units one by one. She said that she has lot of sweet and unforgettable memories of Kashmir.
Khan said that Kashmir has changed a lot over the decades as natural beauty has faded away. She advised Kashmiris not to go for concrete structures as they are ruining this place.
She said that Bollywood has over used Europe and other foreign countries and there is no excitement left in them now, adding that Kashmir is Number one destination for film shoots.
Film Kash Tum Hote was shot in Gulmarg and for last two days it was shot in Tulip garden with tourists and weather playing spoilsport. They are moving to Sonmarg after finishing their shoot in Tulip garden.
The film is being directed by Israr Ahmad with Priyanka Kapoor as its producer and actress and Mukesh Bharti as the main actor. Both the actor and actress are making their debut.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Mohibul Haque, a politician turned film maker from Assam is currently shooting in the Valley his second film 18.11 – A code of Secrecy. His first and only Assamese film Juman-Suman (2003) has won the best film award in 2004. His present film is in Hindi.
Fascinated by the beauty of Kashmir, and pleased with the kindness and generosity of Kashmiris, the film maker said apart from the natural beauty God has given to this land, its people are laudable for their exemplary hospitability.
In the meantime, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan who watched the trailers of Qasam Se Qasam Se, is eager to shoot in Kashmir. Salman was so impressed with the beauty of Kashmir that he has told his brother Arbaaz Khan that the second schedule of Dabangg 2 should be shot in Kashmir.
Amir Khan shot for incredible India early this year in Kashmir and showed his eagerness to shoot in Kashmir.

Lalit Gupta

JAMMU, Apr 25: On the second-day of ongoing Tagore Theater festival, the dramatic adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s story ‘Raasmani Ka Beta’, was performed by Lakshya, The Aim, at Gandhi Nagar Government Women College Auditorium, here today.
Adapted and written by Shashi Bhushan and directed by Aditya Bhanu, the play is about human greed and the divine justice.
The plot revolves around one Kalipadh, the son of Raasmani, who goes to Kolkotta for studying Law and also to locate lost will of his grandfather.
In fact the ‘will’ was stolen by Kalipadh’s uncle who had moved to Calcutta. Incidentally Kalipadh shares the hostel room with Shailendra, his cousin. When Kalipadh gets sick, Shailendra admits him in hospital and also calls his father from whom he comes to know about loss of the ‘will’ and that his own father had stolen the ‘will’.
Kalipadh dies and a letter containing the ‘will’ arrives. His grief stricken father now chastened does not want the wealth and tears away the ‘will’.
Mainly enacted by team of young actors, today’s performance was a mediocre affair. The limitation of the lights resulting into ghost like shadows proved to be quite a damper for the actors. Low-key dialogue delivery, especially by Atul Sharma as Kalipadh, came as a drag for the play.
Other members of the cast included Aaditya Bhanu as Bhawani Charan, Reetu Manhas as Raasmani, Vinay Taggar as Shailendra, Supriya Chouhan as Maa, Sakshi Dogra as Dadi, Abhijit Khajuria As Tarapadh, Tarun Sharma as Manoj, Sumit Madan as Rajesh, and Kannav Chopra as Pankaj.
The music was designed by Padam Nath Kotwal, lights by Ankush Lakhotra, make-up by Ritu Manhas.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: All J&K Scheduled Caste Welfare Association, NGO, has highlighted various demands and problems confronting the community and urged the Government to take corrective measures at an earliest.
The association, a NGO formed in 1987 has taken up an initiative to be an inter-force between people and the Government providing grievances redressal and to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions and the laws for SC/STs.
Addressing a press conference, Association chairman, B R Kundal, said that in the State generally atrocities surface not on age-old caste prejudices but due to economic disparities, social backwardness and lack of education. The remedy was provided by Baba Sahib Dr B R Ambedkar in the Constitution but its implementation was seen nowhere in this State.
Mr Kundal said job reservation that “ in order to accomplish the benefit granted throughout India on 14th October 1947 late Bhagat Amar Nath the then president Depressed Classes League sacrificed his life and attained martyrdom while sitting on hunger strike unto death in front of Civil Secretariat, Jammu in 1970. Then 8% reservation was granted and Reservation Act passed after 60 years during the year 2004. But the reserved vacancies are clandestinely being de-reserved since then for which no remedy is on the anvil in the near future.
He said the non-formulation of special component plan for SCs was another story of misuse, misappropriation and diversion of billions of rupees since 6th five year plan to the end of 11th five year plan.
On illegal ejectment of allottees and tenants, Mr Kundal said the tenancy and allotted lands are clandestinely, under one pretext or the other, being reclaimed and resumed in which nexus of revenue, custodian, police, gang of land grabbers and property dealers could not be ruled out.
J&K Scheduled Caste Welfare Association expressed its complete solidarity and full agreement with National Dalit Movement of India and resolved to fight for the rights under the constitutional mandate in future.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: A delegation of Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust a nodal organization for passage of Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Temples Bill held a meeting with Minister for Revenue Relief & Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla in his office chambers here today and discussed the latest position of the Shrines, temples and other religious places in Kashmir Valley with him.
The delegation demanded that the promulgation of an ordinance for constitution of a Board for management of Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Temples in Valley must be in the true spirit of the Bill. The members while lauding the role of Minister for supporting the sacred cause stated that it will be a real Confidence Building Measure (CBM) for the community living in exile.
Mr Bhalla assured the delegation that he will take care of the community’s concern and make sure that the Bill is passed in the next Assembly Session and also orders have been issued for making the inventory of all the religious places, temples and Shrines in the Valley. The delegation comprised of Dr R L Bhat, Dr Rajiv Bhat, Dr Roshan Saraf, H L Bhat, B L Bhat, C L Pandita, M K Raina, Advocate Villa Koul, Advocate Jai Kumar Bhat, J L Dassi and P L Razdan.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: State High Court has stayed the selection list of 82 constables in photographic cadre of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The selection has been challenged in two writ petitions on the basis that rather than making selection on the basis of merits of candidates obtained in the selection through out the State, the Police Headquarters has issued the list on the basis of the merit of candidates in each district, which is unwarranted and in violation of the advertisement notice.
After hearing Advocates Sudershan Sharma and AM Malik for the petitioners in two writ petitions whereas AAG Gagan Basotra for the State, Justice J P Singh observed, “the AAG is not in a position to explain as to how selection was made district wise. There appears prima-facie merit in the petitioners’ submissions”.
With these observations, the Court issued notice to State through Commissioner Secretary Home Department and DGP. The respondents may file their response to the writ petition and also to the CMP within three weeks.
Meanwhile, High Court restrained the respondents from operating upon the select list.

PATNA, Apr 24:
Former Bihar Assembly speaker and Congress MLA Sadanand Singh today recorded his statement before Special CBI court in connection with RC-A 63/1996, a case of multi-crore rupee fodder scam involving RJD chief Lalu Prasad and former Bihar Chief Minister Dr Jagannath Mishra.
Mr Singh deposed before the designated CBI judge V K Srivastava hearing the cases of fodder scam committed in the animal husbandry department of Bihar.
During his deposition, Mr Singh said while serving the post of Bihar assembly speaker he had granted permission for prosecution of the then MLAs Dr R K Rana and Jagdish Sharma in 2002.
Mr Singh said before granting permission he had gone through the documents and had found prima facie case against the two MLAs.
The case, RC-63-A 1996 was relating to the fraudulent withdrawal of over Rs 40 lakhs in animal husbandry department of Bihar from Bhagalpur and Banka treasuries on the basis of forged bills.(PTI)

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: Principal Sessions Judge Jammu, Jang Bhadur Singh Jamwal today rejected bail application of Deepak Kumar, son of Tara Chand of Dhara, Akhnoor, who was involved in rape with minor girl.
According to the police case, on May 5, 2009 mother of the prosecutrix lodged a complaint with police that her younger daughter was kidnapped and raped by Deepak Kumar.
While rejecting the bail application of accused, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “the rate of crime against women has increased marginally during the past some years. I am conscious of the fact that if these kinds of people are allowed to be escorted free and are given the privilege of bail there is every likelihood of repetition of same kind of offence”.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 24: Additional Sessions Judge M K Sharma today awarded ten years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 5000 to accused Mohd Shafi alias Gudda, son of Bagh Ali of Birnoo Ramnagar, who was the main accused in kidnapping and rape case. Three years rigorous imprisonment each was awarded to Feroz Din, son of Nawab Din and Gushan son of Saraj Din, who helped the main accused for kidnapping the prosecutrix.
According to the police case, on October 6, 2005 the accused with criminal intention entered into the house of the complainant Saraj Din at village Rasain and kidnapped his minor daughter. They wrongfully confined her in the house of accused Mohd Shafi at village Birnoo where accused Mohd Shafi allegedly committed rape upon prosecutrix.
On October 8, 2005 Siraj Din lodged a written complaint against the accused about the kidnapping and wrongful confinement of her daughter and extortion against the accused at police station Ramnagar.
Accordingly, police registered a case and started investigation during which the prosecutrix was recovered and her medical examination was conducted. The allegation of extortion was, however, not proved so the commission of offence under section 380 RPC was dropped. On completion of the investigation, police presented chargesheet.
After hearing Additional Public Prosecutor for the State whereas Advocate Anil Vijay Kumar for the accused, Additional Sessions Judge observed, “the prosecutrix, who is minor, has spoken in unequivocal words that she was confined by the accused in the house of the accused Mohd Shafi who raped her. There is nothing to suggest reasons for false implication”, adding “her statement therefore does not require any corroboration”.
With these observations, the Court awarded 10 years rigorous imprisonment to Mohd Shafi for commission of offence under Section 376 RPC, rigorous imprisonment for three years under Section 363 RPC, rigorous imprisonment for six months for the commission of offence under Section 451 RPC and rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence under Section 342 RPC.
Feroz Din and Gashan were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years for the commission of offence under Section 363 RPC, rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence under Section 451 RPC and rigorous imprisonment for six months for the commission of offence under Section 342 RPC.
“All the sentences shall run concurrently”, the court said.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24:  Police arrested one person, involved in two burglary cases and recovered the stolen items worth Rs 2 lakh.
Police spokesman said that, on October 16, last year, one Balraj Bakshi, son of Late Deena Nath Bakshi of 271 Friends sector Subash Nagar lodged a written report at PP Sarwal that some unknown thieves trespassed into his house and had stolen the gold ornaments including one necklace set, one pair of lady tops, one gent’s ring, one lady ring and some cash.
He said that, police registered case under FIR No 148/11 at Police Station Bakshi Nagar and started investigation.
He added that one Vikram Kumar, son of Harish Kumar of 45 Green enclave Rehari Colony, also lodged a written report at PP Sarwal on January 20, this year, that some unknown burglars trespassed into his house and fled away with gold items including one Mangal Sutar, one pair of gold bangles, one pair of ear rings, one locket besides some cash.
He added that, in this connection FIR No 06/12 under Section 457/380 RPC was registered at Police Station Bakshi Nagar.
During the course of investigation, one suspect namely Raj Kumar alias Bantu alias Sonu, son of Shanker Dass of Neeli Nalla Jib Thathi, Udhampur, was put to sustained interrogation.
He said that the Raj Kumar broke down and admitted that he had committed both the burglaries and on his disclosure police recovered the stolen items.
The arrest was made by Incharge PP Sarwal, SI RS Parihar under the supervision of SHO Bakshinagar and SDPO City West.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: Member of Parliament, Dr Shashi Tharoor, today presented Brands Academy Education Excellence Award 2012 to Gulzar College of Engineering for ‘the best upcoming private Engineering College’ in North India.
The Brands academy exemplified Gulzar College’s commitment to excellence in education as the Institution not only understands but excels at delivering the best quality of education and ensuring student satisfaction.
The Awards were based on a comprehensive market research study and opinion surveys conducted by BIG Research, one of the top market research agencies in India. The survey was done on various parameters like facilities, teaching staff, placements, etc.
Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director, Gulzar College, Gurkirat Singh said he is delighted with the honour. He expressed gratitude to the students, their parents, faculty and staff of the College for their support.
He added that the Award entrusts them with a new responsibility in terms of living up to standards and we are committed for that.