Sarpanch locks school

Sarpanch shows power locks school, seizes official records

Showing his powers a sarpanch on wednesday locked the high school and seized the official records at Nagbal, Yusmarg in central kashmirs Budgam district. Reports said that a sarpanch, Ghulam Mohammad Ahangar this afternoon locked the school and seized the attendance register of the staff after he found some teachers absent from duty," sources said.

They said that the sarpanch with out listening to the teachers present locked the school and took the arrival along forcing the hundreds of students to return to their homes. Though the sarpanch claims that he took the step for the benefit of the students, the officials maintain that he is unnecessarily interfering in the administrative matters of the school. "The school is not only short of staff but the teachers posted there always remain absent from the duty. After the authorities failed to solve the problem despite repeated representations to them i decided to lock the school,"Sarpanch said. He said that when he visited the school this afternoon he found only three teachers present there.

Jethmalani at dinner

Jethmalani's tongue in cheek

Former Union Minister and BJP MP Ram Jethmalani almost rocked a dinner hosted by Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik here Wednesday night in honour of his foreign minister Hina Rabani Khar here for talks with counterpart S M Krishna.

The "feel good" factor that Khar and Krishna laboured in their two-and-a-half hour talks to sustain optimism for continuing the talks was almost overturned by the acerbic Jethmalani.

Just when everybody had finished the meals, he took the mike and praised former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. Not stopping at that, he then went on to attack China in the presence of Chinese ambassador Zhang Yan. He said China was an enemy of both countries and asked them to join and defeat the Beijing hegemony.

An embarrased High Commissioner Malik took mike from Jethmanali to clarify that these views were not shared by Pakistan. The Indian government too scrambled. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao were seen rushing to Chinese Ambassador’s table to clam his nerves and apologise for the remarks. Zhang was seated with the US charge d’ affairs Peter Burleigh.

Jethmalani even blushed the 34-year-old foreign minister of Pakistan, calling her charming lady. He said he had secured invitation for the dinner after looking at pictures of Khar in the morning newspapers.

Meanwhile, Khar's visit to the dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty in Ajmer on Thursday before flying back to her country ran into difficulty. Her helicopter ride to Ajmer got  delayed due to monsoon clouds around Jaipur.

Her special Pakistan Air Force plane had earlier landed at Jaipur and waiting at the airport was an Indian Air Force helicopter to take her to Ajmer. She, however, could make it in the afternoon. She offered a "Chadar' at the dargah and paid obeisance at Aastana Sharif. In the morning, she also visited the dargah of famous Sufi saint Nizamuddin

New Tourism destinations

Lolab, Bangus, Drangyari open new vistas of tourism

Bringing of Lolab, Bangus, Drangyari on the tourism map would open new vistas of tourism activities in the State and help to boost the local economy and provide a healthy environment for tourism trade in Kupwara district, which has been conferred a status of Tourism Development Authority.

The views were expressed by the Tourism and Culture Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora while chairing maiden meeting of the Authority members held here on Thursday.

Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Nasir Aslam Wani, who was also Vice Chairman of LBDDA was present in the meeting.

Mr Jora said creation of tourism related infrastructure at these destinations would remain priority. He said this fiscal year Rs one crore under State sector is being expended on creation of varied infrastructure in these destinations, adding the Government would soon submit Rs 5 crore project for creation of modern tourist facilities at Lolab and Drangyari spots to the Centre for approval. He directed the concerned authorities to formulate more projects reports for approval of the Centre under central schemes so that holistic tourism infrastructure building would be ensured in the area.

Legislators of Kupwara district, Ch Mohammad Ramzan, Haq Nawaz, Er. Abdul Rashid, Commissioner/Secretary Tourism, Atul Duloo, Director Tourism Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director General Finance, Mangotra, Special Secretary Tourism, Altaf Ahmad, Additional Dostrict Development Commissioner Kupwara, Itrat Hussain, Chief Executive Officer LBDDA, Mr Mohammad Yasin, besides senior officers of Forest, PHE, R&B, PDD were among others attended the meeting.

The meeting deliberated upon the modalities, jurisdiction and infrastructure development under the Authority.

The legislators gave their view points and suggestions for exploring fully the tourism potential of their areas.

Mr Jora assured the legislators that focused attention would be given for promotion of tourism activities in all potential areas of the district in a phased manner, adding the matters like upgradation of road connectivity, electricity and drinking water facilities, besides land acquisition and forest matters would be taken up with concerned Ministries to solve impediments confronting for creation of tourism infrastructure facilities in the area.

Placement drive by Kashmir University

University of Kashmir conducts placement drive

University of Kashmir today organized second placement drive for "Wipros Wista Programme". In the placement drive, selected students will get MS Degree from VIT, Vellore and a confirmed job offer besides monthly stipend during the training period.

In the drive more than 200 students from various colleges registered online and a written test was conducted. The qualified students appearing in the HR interview around one fourth of the total who appeared for the interview were likely to be selected for various jobs.

Dr Mehraj-ud-Din Dar, Director, IT and SS expressed satisfaction with the event and said that the next placement drive will be held in September/October. He said that the placement drive for the engineering graduates is also under negotiation with Wipro.

Ovais Chisti, Regional Campus Head (North), Wipro Technology Limited, Sai Kumar and Lavanam represented Wipro.

Suhaib Hassan from IT and SS coordinated the programme.

Aharbal project

Govt to submit Rs 9.56 cr Aharbal project to New Delhi

With a view to create added infrastructure facilities at Aharbal tourist destination, State Tourism Department is going to submit Rs 9.56 crore Detailed Project Report (DPR) to Union Ministry of Tourism for approval, under which besides construction of other tourism related infrastructure, 20-room bud-geted accommodation would be also constructed.

This was stated by Tourism and Culture Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora while chairing 3rd meeting of Aharbal Development Authority (ADA) held here today to review physical and financial achievements of the Authority.

Chief Executive Officer ADA presented a power-point presentation depicting physical and financial achieve-ments registered by the authority for development of varied tourism infrastructure facilities in the area.

The meeting approved current years action plan of Rs one crore for the authority and action taken report on decisions of 2nd meeting of ADA were also confirmed in the meeting.The meeting was informed that the exercise for formulation of Master Plan has been completed and base plans prepared. Due to inclusion of some more areas, the exercise would take some more time and draft Master Plan of ADA would be ready by this year.The meeting was told that the construction of cafeteria, four huts have been completed, and are ready for inauguration. It was also told that work on Rs 2 crore TRC building is in progress and would be completed during this financial year.The Chief Executive Officers also informed the meeting that Red Accounts of the authority upto May 2011 have been cleared and contingent bills laying under objection from April 2006 till date have been got adjusted and cleared from the books of accounts of Principal Accountant General A&E.The Minister laid stress on completion of all ongoing projects with judicious use of funds and quality material for laying durable and attractive infrastructure for the tourists. He also directed all Chief Executive Officers of the authorities to register number of tourists visiting at tourist spots under their jurisdiction.Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner/Secretary Tourism and Culture, Atul Duloo, Director Tourism Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director General Finance, Mangotra, also attended the meeting.

Fai released on bond

Prominent Kashmiri separatist leader Ghulam Nabi Fai who was produced before a US court today has been released on US $100,000 bond.
Fai, who appeared before the US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia for a detention hearing today, was released into the custody of his wife and placed under home detention.
The FBI, which arrested Fai last week on charges of being an ISI agent who lobbied for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue in the US, had carried extensive search of his home in Fairfax, Virginia – a suburb of Washington – and the office of Kashmir American Council (KAC) in Washington, a few blocks away from the White House.
62-year-old Fai, headed KAC, which espoused the cause of Pakistan on Kashmir and campaigned against India in the US.
US Attorney Gordon Kromberg informed the Alexandria court and defence attorney that he "intends to offer into evidence" or even disclose in proceedings information obtained and derived from electronic surveillance and physical search conducted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The FBI has alleged that Fai received money from the Government of Pakistan, the ISI in particular, to lobby on their behalf in the US.
FBI says he violated the law as he did not register himself or the KAC as registered agent for foreign government.
While neither the FBI nor the Department of Justice were willing to divulge any details of the material seized from his home and office.
However, it is learnt that federal agencies have obtained huge cache of material from Fai's residence and office which would strengthen its point that Fai worked for the foreign government in violation of the rule of the land.
US will not let Kashmiris down: Fai
Ghulam Nabi Fai, charged with illegally lobbying for Pakistan and its spy agency ISI to influence US policy on Kashmir, has said that people of Kashmir have no reason to fear from America.
"I say with fullest possible consciousness that the people of Kashmir have no reason to fear that the world powers in general, and the United States in particular, will let them down," Fai said in a written statement.
62-year-old Fai's attorney Khurram Wahid distributed copies of the written statement of the separatist Kashmiri leader after he was ordered to be released from prison and instead put under house arrest under electronic surveillance by a US District court judge.
"It has been my lifelong commitment to the people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religious background and cultural affiliations to help achieve the right of self-determination to decide their future. God willing I will continue to do that in days, weeks, months and years to come," Fai said.
In the statement, Fai lauded the traditional support of the United States to the basic principles of fundamental freedoms and democratic process and President Barack Obama's vision about the region of South Asia.
Wahid said that the statement was prepared after the court's order of his house arrest.

Army organises Konser Naag Yatra

Pir Panjal Range and the mountainous area falling within the Jurisdiction of Rajouri and Poonch districts is dotted with several exotic lakes of which Konser Naag is one. Konser Naag lake is considered to be holy by many people. With the beginning of the month of 'Shravan' Konser Naag Yatra for the current year commenced from July 19 and the Yatra culminated with the return of pilgrims on July 21. Indian Army for the welfare of the locals of insurgency affected areas of J&K arranged a pilgrimage to Konsar Naag lake in the higher reaches of Pir Panjal belt.

A total of 155 civilians including 137 males, 16 females and 2 children participated in the Yatra. The Yatra by road passed through Chasana, Mamankote and Ichni. The responsibility of security of the devotees was given to Rashtriya Rifle battalion at Samote under aegis of Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform). The battalion deployed more than 100 Army personnel. Besides Army, Police was also involved in the security of the Yatra. DySP Reasi inspected the site to inspect the security arrangements. Protection parties were deployed at various locations of Lungatung, Mamankote, Ichni, Malikot and Katgali by the Army.

A medical team was also provided for medical cover to the pilgrims. The pilgrims expressed their gratitude towards Army for providing them the medical facility and security arrangements enroute. 

Diabetic Foot project launched

"Diabetes India", an internationally reputed organization of Diabetes professionals, researchers and diabetologists, in collaborations with "Merch Serono", a Multinational Company (MNC), today launched for the first time in India, an All- India project on "Diabetic Foot" which will prepare a detailed guideline document for evaluation and management of diabetes related problems affecting the feet in Indian population.

The project was formally launched by Dr. Jitendra Singh, National Executive Member "Diabetes India" and nationally known Professor cum author of Diabetes, at a press conference in the presence of Merck Regional Sales Manager Anil Dubey and Area Business Manager Manoj Sharma.

In his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that there is virtually a diabetes epidemic sweeping the globe and even in Jammu and surrounding areas the prevalence of Diabetes is over 15 percent. The major challenge for the next decade would be diabetes in the young as more and more people in younger age group get afflicted by Diabetes and need to be protected from complications of heart, kidneys and eyes for longer number of years, added.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said that "Diabetes India" has earned for itself a place in the world arena for having pioneered several diabetes research initiatives in the past and for also starting free insulin schemes for poor children across the country. It was in recognition of Diabetes India's distinguished achievements in the field of diabetes research that Merck Serona, a reputed MNC had come forward to collaborate on an All India Project on "Diabetic Foot", he added.

Highlighting the importance of the project, Dr. Jitendra Singh said it is an irony that the commonest cause of foot amputation in India next to accidents is diabetes although it is a totally preventable cause. Dr. Jitendra Singh said that diabetic neuropathy causing numbness and lack of sensation in feet is as common as over 60 to 70 % in diabetes patients and also constitutes major factor for foot injuries, foot ulcers and foot infections in Diabetes.

Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that in the Diabetic Foot Project, a mass survey will be undertaken across the country to assess the level of diabetic foot problem and the local medical practitioners will be asked to fill a questionnaire which will form basis of treatment guidelines in the Indian setting.

He said a 14 member diabetoligists penal across India has been constituted and he was appointed incharge North India.

Amritsari shawls

Amritsari shawls being sold on name of Kashmir

Selling Amritsari shawls in the name of Kashmiri shawls outside State is a common thing. But selling them in Kashmir in exhibition is unheard of.

The exhibition on the bank of Dal lake in Tangbagh is going on for past two weeks and it is selling Amritsari branded as Kashmiri shawls. "The stall holders sell cosmetics, garments and other things. There are some who sell Amratsari shawls in the name of Kashmir. This is a malpractice and needs to be stopped. This brings disrepute to Kashmir and Kashmiri shawl businessmen," said Javed Ahmad, a shawl businessman.

"Kashmir is known for its shawls and other handmade articles, but exhibitions like the one going on at Tangbagh are not good for the health of Kashmir art. It is imperative that such exhibitions are properly monitored and the violators are accounted for their actions," said Mohammad Ayub, another shawl businessman.

The shawl businessmen demanded that Department of Handicrafts should immediately carry out raids on the exhibition so that action is taken against the violators.

The person organizing the exhibition is going to organize similar exhibitions at Doda and Kargil areas. The shawl businessmen apprehend that he might carry out the malpractice at these exhibitions as well.

When contacted Director Handicrafts, Munshi Muzaffar Hussain said he would depute a team of the officials to the exhibition. He said the Handicrafts Department will ensure that quality is maintained as far as sale of shawls is concerned.

Aggarwals health center raided

The Drug Controller authorities today raided ‘Vishwa Swasthya Dham’ at Ragunath Bazaar and handed over a questionnaire to its owner Madan Lal Aggarwal alias Bania, who claimed to be running a health center having treatment of various diseases.

A strong pose of Drug Controller authorities joined by protection teams of police officers raided ‘Vishwa Swasthya Dham’ of Bania at Ragunath Bazaar and wanted to know about the source of experience gained by him in treating diseases, authorization for treatment, raw material used in the ‘drugs’ given by him to the patients and equipments used in his laboratory and the health center.

After subjecting Aggarwal to questioning for several hours, the Drug Controller authorities handed him over a questionnaire with a direction to submit a detailed reply to it within two days failing which action under law would be taken against him.

Official sources said Aggarwal told the raiding teams that he had shut down his ‘Swasthya Dham’. However, he was asked if his health center was legal and drugs prescribed by him were genuine then why he had closed the center. To this, Bania had now answer, they added.

Authorities said they would wait Bania’s reply for next two days before initiating action against him.

Assistant Controller, Drugs, Surinder Tickoo led the Drugs team in the operation while police protection was given by SP City (North) Jatinder Singh Johar, SDPO City S S Samyal and SHO City Vishal Sharma.

Chhari Mubarak to leave on August 8

Chhari Mubarak to leave for holy cave on August 8

* Yatra likely to touch 6 lakh today

The holy mace (Chhari Mubarak) of Shri Amarnath Ji will be taken from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar to holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji by Mahant Depender Giri Ji Mahraj on August 8 morning.

Informing this to Excelsior today Mahant Ji said that on its way to holy cave the Chhari poojan will be held at all the haltage places were the Chhari Mubarak prior to onset of militancy in the Valley used to stay for the night.

He said enroute to holy cave from Dashnami Akhara, Chhari Poojan will be held at Durga Nag temple, Pampore, Awantipora, Bijbehara, Nagbal Anantnag, Mattan, (Martand), Ganeshpora, Aishmuqam respectively and it will reach late in the evening to Pahalgam.

He said the holy mace after two days stay at Pahalgam i.e on August 8 and 9 will leave for Chandanwari next day. It will have a night halt at Chandanwari on August 10, Sheshnag on August 11 and Panjtarni on August 12. At all these places the Chhari Poojan will be performed in the traditional way, he added.

He said the holy mace will leave for darshan to cave shrine from Panjtarni on Shrawan Purnima falling on August 13 and after the performance of darshan it will return from the traditional route to Pahalgam and later to Dashnami Akhara Srinagar.

With this the 46 day-long holy Amarnath pilgrimage which started on June 29 will culminate. Besides Mahant Deepender Giri the Chhari Mubarak will be accompanied by a large number of Sadhus and devotees.

Prior to leaving for holy cave on August 8 the holy mace will be taken to historical Shankaracharya temple from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar by Mahant Ji on Shrawan Amavasiya falling on July 30 for the traditional Chhari Poojan. It will return back to Dashnami Akhara in the evening.

Next day on July 31the holy mace will be taken to Sharika Bhawani temple Parbat in Srinagar for the Chhari poojan while on August 2 the Chhari Sthapana will be performed at Dashnami Akhara by Mahant Ji and other Sants.

To keep the centuries old tradition alive later on Naag Panchmi falling on August 4, the Chhari Poojan will again be performed at Dashnami Akhara Srinagar by the Mahant Ji and Sants.

Meanwhile, on the 29th day of yatra today 5,897 pilgrims left for holy cave from base camps of Nunwan and Baltal today. According to a Yatra Officer, 3,142 pilgrims left via shortest Baltal track while 2,755 left via traditional Nunwan Chandanwari route.

He said besides hundreds of pilgrims who had stayed for night at Sheshnag and Panjtarni also left for their onwards sojourn this morning.

He said 8,000 pilgrims performed their obeisance in holy cave till late tonight, while 5, 80, 625 pilgrims had performed darshan in holy cave till late last night. With this total number of pilgrims visiting the holy cave in last 29 days has touched 5, 88, 625. The yatra will likely touch 6 lakh mark tomorrow and this will be the highest number of pilgrims ever visiting the holy cave in a single year for darshan, he added.

All the pilgrims are in an upbeat mood and the yatra is progressing smoothly, he said.

Besides 28th batch of 911 pilgrims left for the holy cave under the tight security arrangements from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas Jammu this morning.

Comprising 472 males, 132 females, 10 children and 297 Sadhus, these pilgrims left in a cavalcade of 27 vehicles. They had reached to Nunwan and Baltal base camps in Anantnag and Ganderbal districts respectively till last reports came in where from they will leave for cave shrine at the height of 13500 feet in deep Himalayas next morning.

Meanwhile, at a meeting held here today with R K Goyal, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, (SASB) Preet Pal Singh, Additional CEO, and other concerned officers, N N Vohra, Governor, reviewed various aspects of the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra.

The Governor, who is the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, reiterated his earlier directions about the effective maintenance of sanitation and cleanliness at all the camps in the yatra area and, besides, cleanliness along both the yatra routes. The CEO informed that a good number of workers are currently engaged for carrying out cleaning on round the clock basis and, besides, all the camp directors have been asked to launch a week long special cleanliness drive in their respective camps and ensure the appropriate disposal of all bio-degradable and non-bio-degradable wastes. The Governor asked the CEO to ensure that all the camps are cleared of all types of solid wastes by 20th August i.e. within a week of the conclusion of the Yatra. The Governor observed that he shall be personally visiting all the camps in the coming days to view the level of cleanliness.

Mr Goyal informed the Governor that the officials of the Shrine Board, various State Government Departments, Army, Para-military Forces and the State Police have been performing their duties in close coordination, for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. He added that the Shrine Board would be undertaking a Post-Yatra Review involving senior officials of each of the concerned agencies soon after the conclusion of the Yatra with a view to eliciting their views and suggestions for bringing about progressive improvements in the future Yatras.