Governor inaugurates sculpture art exhibition

Governor N. N. Vohra inaugurated a sculpture art exhibition by Vikas Khajuria, a Jammu-based local artist, at the Rinchen Bzangpo Art Gallery at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu, here this evening.

Usha Vohra, First Lady, was present on the occasion.

The Governor and the First Lady went around the exhibition and evinced keen interest in the sculptures. They enquired from Mr. Khajuria about the ideas behind his various sculptures and complimented him for the high quality of his artistic creations.

Recording his observations about the exhibition in the Visitors' Book, the Governor observed "I am impressed with the imaginative use of wood, metal and glass in manifesting varied themes and moods. This is the sculptor's first exposition and very impressive".

In all, 19 art creations in mixed media on varied themes sculptured by Mr. Khajuria are on display at the exhibition which will remain open for public viewing from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. upto 20th April, 2012.

Earlier, on arrival at the University, the Governor was received by Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, senior functionaries of the varsity, prominent citizens and art lovers, who were present on the occasion.

Prof. Ved Kumari Ghai, Savita Bakhshi, Additional Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Prof. Nilamber Dev Sharma and Raj Bharti were among those present at the inaugural function.

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Kissan Mela cum exhibition held

Under "Support to State Extension programmes for Extension Reforms (ATMA) Scheme" one day Kissan Mela cum exhibition programme was organized at Village Kangwala, Zone Rehiyan of block Samba today with the active participation of Agriculture and other allied departments, besides keen participation of more than 1000 farmers.

The Kissan Mela was inaugurated by Yash Pal Kundal, MLA Samba in the presence of guest of honour Swarn Lata, Vice Chairman J&K State Board for the Welfare and Development of SC and attended by Mubarak Singh District Development Commissioner, Samba, Nirmal Kumari Sethi ADDC Samba, Sant Ram CPO-Samba, besides participation of officers of the Agriculture and allied departments.

Various stalls highlighting the new technologies and achievements in the field of Apiculture, Mushroom Development, Seed Testing, Seed Analysis, Agriculture Engineering, Agriculture Machinery, Irrigation/Spray Pumps, Horticulture Sector, Sericulture Sector, Animal and Sheep Husbandry were showcased and highlighted in the well laid out stalls. Live crop and fruit samples brought by the farmers were the center of attraction of the Mela. On site Soil Testing facility was provided by Mobile Soil Testing Van, which analyzed Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash on the spot from soil samples brought by the farmers.

Mr. Kundal, appreciated the work of different agencies carrying out the noble work for the development of farming community and stressed for organizing more of farmer friendly programmes so as to apprise the farmers of new technologies and innovations. He also discussed the problems faced by the farmers particularly regarding the non availability of fertilizer during the cropping season and the initiatives proposed. Mr. Singh, DDC, congratulated the Agriculture Department for organizing Kissan Mela, laid stress on intensive extension and asked the farmers to avail the benefits of ongoing various schemes and to adopt diversification approach so as to increase farm income and mitigate the misery.

Chief Agriculture Officer Samba A.K Malhotra while welcoming the guests, apprised the gathering about concentrated efforts of department of Agriculture.

During the event, Subsidy and prize distribution was held by Mr. Kundal and Swarn Lata distributed cheques worth ` 2.65 lakh among the beneficiaries of Samba district under various Centrally sponsored schemes and 175 prizes for the live samples displayed by farmers were distributed and 4 Kissan Credit Cards were issued on the spot by the JK Grameen Bank, branch Pungdor during one day Kissan Mela.

Others who were present include K.S.Sambyal District Agriculture Officer, Karanjit Singh Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer Samba.

Exhibition begins at Kala Kendra

Six -day long State of art exhibition started at Kala Kendra here today. Organized by Jammu Kashmir Centre for Creative Arts in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages the exhibition will conclude on December 4.

Over 60 artists belonging to different parts of J&K participated in the exhibition and displayed their painting sculpture, drawing, photograph etc for public view.

During the inaugural function former Director Cultural Academy and MLC, M Y Teng was the chief guest while general secretary Press Club Jammu, Sohail Qazmi was the guest of honour. The function was attended by a large number of people including art lovers.

In his welcome address O P Sharma, Director Jammu and Kashmir Centre for Creative Art gave details of various activities initiated by JKCCA. He said functions for promotion of art were not only organized in J&K but different parts of the country i.e Chandigarh, Amritsar, Shimla, Delhi, Jaipur etc.

Stressing the need to encourage new talent, he disclosed that the main objective of JKCCA is to promote art, culture and literature with missionary zeal so that a platform is provided to the artists of the State to display their talent and latest creative works of art.

Speaking on the occasion, M Y Taing lauded the efforts of organizers. He said such events are in the interests of artist fraternity. There is dire need of organizing such more events so that people get closely acquainted with art and culture of the State and artists get chance to display their creative work and talent, he added.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Savita Bakshi, Additional Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages

Horticulture Expo 2011

Expo-2011 empty after inauguration

The scene at the Horticulture Expo-2011 was amusing after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other ministers left the venue. Within few minutes there were hardly one dozen people at the venue and most of the stall owners were either seen chatting with others or had left their stalls.

The Horticulture Expo-2011 was of three days and was scheduled to be started on November 18, but the stall owners informed that they got stalls on November 18 evening and on the morning of November 19 they had put their items on display. They further said that the gathering was witnessed only for two hours, only till the ministers were present at the venue.

“There were hardly any fruit growers in the Mela and the people gathered there were not actually fruit growers but had come for the lunch to be served there. The department has asked us to close stalls at 12:00 on Sunday” stall owners informed and added that the Mela was actually a show off by the department to gain publicity.

Horticulture Director JL Sharma informed that all the arrangements were made on November 18 and this morning at 8 AM, the stalls were ready for display. He further added that they were inviting farmers of Marh area tomorrow.

27th District Level Science Exhibition concludes

The 27th District Level Science Exhibition organized by District Institute of Education and Trainings (DIET), Jammu concluded at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar here today.

The Exhibition was based on the theme "Science Society and Environment" where in models from different schools of district Jammu were displayed.

Director School Education Jammu G. A. Qureshi was the chief guest on the occasion. Director (Trgs)/Principal, SIE, Jammu A. C. Aima, CEO Jammu N. R. Dhingra were also present.

At elementary level, Middle School Shikliguram Kullian bagged top honour while GMS Rehari and Middle School Girls Narwal had to contented with second and third position respectively.

In Secondary Level, GGHS City Chowk secured 1st position followed by GGHS Shama Chak and GHS Boys Janipur with 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

SRML HSS Jammu stood first at Higher Secondary Level whereas GGHSS Shastri Nagar and GGHSS Mubarak Mandi clinched 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.

On the occasion, Director School Education Jammu distributed prizes among the winners.

Earlier, Principal DIET, Jammu Virender Kumar Sharma presented the annual report of the Institution.

A colourful cultural program was also presented jointly by the students of GHSS Shastri Nagar, GHSS Nowabad and GHSS Bakshi Nagar.

The proceedings of the programme were conducted by HoD DIET Jammu D. P. Dutta and K. P. Singh.