Kashmiri Saffron by Post

The Department of Posts these days launched 'Saffron Post' theme that may deliver the famous Kashmiri saffron at the doorsteps of the purchasers anywhere within the world.

The Saffron Post was launched by Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir at Saffron city of Pampore, in Pulwama district of Kashmir valley.

Saffron Post is on the market in packets of zero.5 grams, one gram and 5 grams at choose post offices in Kashmir, a political candidate of the Department of Posts said.

He said customers should purchase the product face to face at India Post shops in Jammu and Kashmir.

"They may also place orders of Saffron through the Post Master (Saffron Post division), GPO, Srinagar and therefore the product are going to be packed and delivered through Speed Post across India and round the world," he added.

Addressing the perform on the occasion Mr Mir appreciated the involvement of the Post workplace in promoting saffron.

At the inaugural perform the Chief Post Master General of J&K, John Samuel declared that whereas this new service are going to be a significant boost to the Saffron growers and dealers, it'll conjointly facilitate them across India to urge top quality Saffron through the postal network in convenient and economical manner.

He said this new initiative of the Department of Post brings Kashmir into the lime light-weight, as Kashmiri Saffron is sold and delivered the postal network.

Bhalla Nasir review progress on 4 lanning of NH

In order to scale back the hold up the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and supply respite to the commuters from the frequent traffic jams, the Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla together with Minister of State for Revenue, Nasir Aslam Wani these days conducted a busy tour along the National Highway and took stock of the progress of land acquisition on the sixty five kms long four lanning Qazigund to Lasjan Bye-pass road project.

Commissioner-Secretary Revenue, B.A Runyal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Samoon, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Baseer Ahmed Khan, District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, Farooq Ahmed Shah and alternative high ranking officers conjointly accompanied the Ministers.

At Lasjan- Bypass (Budgam), the Minister was informed that out of eleven.7 kms from Gallander to Lasjan, compensation of 10 kilometers has already been disbursed among the landowners, whileas the remaining land acquisition method is in progress.

The Ministers directed the involved officers to planned out the bottlenecks and acquire the remaining land for early construction of road project.

The Ministers later visited Galender-Pampora and enquired regarding the progress of the land acquired for the said project.

They were informed that in Pulwama district, Rs 65.24 crore are disbursed among the land homeowners. They were any informed that Rs 252.02 crore are distributed amongst the 3181 beneficiaries of Anantnag and Budgam districts as compensation.

It was conjointly given out that out of sixty five kms, work on thirty five kms is currently in progress, whereas on the remainder, work are going to be started soon.

During the visit, the Ministers were informed that the compile work of newly Sangam Bridge has been completed and therefore the any work is below progress. The District Development Commissioner, Anantnag informed the visiting team that regarding a hundred and twenty structures are dismantled and work on the project is below progress.

The Ministers conjointly visited Pujtang (Bijbehara) together with NH-I and inspected the progress of the continued land acquisition work.

Meanwhile, Bhalla whereas taking a powerful note of the slow pace of the work on the project directed the involved agencies to expedite the pace of labor on war footing in order that the project is also completed in time. He said whereas an honest portion of land has already been acquired for the project there's no any question of hurdle within the progress of finishing the project.

Shrine Board reviews ongoing Amarnathji Yatra

Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board met here today under the chairmanship of Governor N.N. Vohra, who is also the Chairman of the Board. The meeting reviewed the ongoing Yatra and expressed satisfaction over the strenuous efforts made under the Governor's sustained direction for ensuring satisfactory management of the pilgrimage despite serious constraints arising from the heavy snowfalls in the preceding winter and bad weather for several weeks before the commencement of the current Yatra which commenced on 25th June 2012.

The Board Members, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Pt. Bhajan Sopori, Justice (Retd) G.D. Sharma, Dr. (Prof) Ved Kumari Ghai, Sunita Narain and Vijay Dhar visited the holy cave shrine early morning alongwith Navin K. Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, to pay obeisance and to inspect the arrangements made for the Yatris. The Board Members interacted with the Yatris and Doctors running the Medical Aid Centres (MACs) to review, the obtaining arrangements for providing suitable treatment to the Yatris.

The Board meeting, attended by the CEO and the Additional CEO, Preet Pal Singh, expressed satisfaction over the enlargement of the network for the Registration of pilgrims. The Board was informed that 4,07,815 pilgrims had secured Registration uptil 22nd July 2012 as against 2,59,897 Yatris during the entire Yatra 2011 in which 6.35 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the Shrine. The Board was further informed that as against 99,315 pilgrims who had secured On-Spot Registration during Yatra 2011 as many as 93,902 had secured On-Spot Registration up to 22nd July 2012 in the ongoing Yatra.

After detailed discussion, the Board observed that while the Registration process had gained considerable headway and a significantly higher percentage of the pilgrims were arriving only after procuring Registration based on Health Certificates, further efforts would be required to ensure that 100% pilgrims arrive after procuring Registration based on valid Health Certificates in future Yatras.

As regards the casualties suffered by pilgrims, the CEO reported that, on the basis of statistics being maintained by the Shrine Board, as uptil 23rd July evening 90 pilgrims had lost their lives, 84 due to medical reasons and 6 on account of accidents within the Yatra area. Besides, 22 pilgrims had lost their lives outside the Yatra area, of whom 18 were killed in accidents.

The Board was informed that consequent to the directions of the Supreme Court in a recent Suo Motu proceeding, the Governor, as Chairman Shrine Board, had nominated Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi and Navin K. Choudhary, CEO, to represent the Shrine Board on the Special High Powered Committee (SHPC) established under the Supreme Court's order. Ms Narain will advise the SHPC on environmental issues.

The Board expressed grave concern and deep regret over Yatris losing their lives and desired the CEO to prepare a detailed critical report on the various contributory causes where after, as necessary, the Board may convene a Special Meeting to discuss this matter in full detail. The Board observed that while all necessary steps must be taken to ensure against loss of life in the coming years it is imperative to reckon the harsh climatic conditions of the high Himalayan altitudes through which the pilgrims have to trek. In this context the Board observed that the implications of early commencement of the Yatra would have to be seriously revisited.

The Board observed that more vigorous measures may require to be enforced to prevent the loss of pilgrims' lives.

The Board expressed satisfaction over the measures taken to ensure progressive improvement in sanitation and maintaining of cleanliness at all Camp locations and along the tracks. In this context, Chairman requested Sunita Narain to pay an early visit to the Yatra area, before the conclusion of the ongoing pilgrimage to review the sewage treatment at first hand and advise regarding further improvement.

Chhari Mubarak to leave for holy cave on Saturday

‘Chhari-Mubarak’, Holy Mace of Lord Shiva will start its journey from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on Saturday for a final darshan of self-made Ice-Shivlingam in the Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas on Sawan Purnima (Rakshabandhan) day on August 2.

With this the annual pilgrimage, which commenced on June 25, will culminate and Chhari Mubarak will start return journey.

The Holy Mace will remain at its abode in the Dashnami Akhara temple till July 27 for the darshan of the devotees, said Mahant of Chhari Mubarak Mahant Deepinder Giri.

Mahant Ji, who performed traditional Chhari-Pujan on the occasion of Nag Panchami in the temple yesterday, which houses the Holy Mace said hundreds of saint (Sadhus), locals and other devotees participated in the special prayers and had darshan of Holy Mace of Lord Shiva.

The devotees also participated in religious function (Bhajan-Keertan) programme on the occasion till late in the evening.

He said the journey of the Chhari Mubarak will start from here on July 28.

The Chhari Mubarak will pass through various temples en-route to holy cave.

Traditional worship Pujan will also be performed at Surya temple Sonwar, Durga Nag temple Srinagar, Shiv temple at Pampore, Shiv temple Bijbehara, Martand Tirth Mattan, Ganeshbal and will stop for night stay at Pahalgam.

The Chhari-Mubarak will leave Pahalgam the next day and make a night halt at Chandanwari and then onward journey to Sheshnag, Panchtarni and finally for holy cave shrine on the Sawan Purnima.

Traditional rituals will be performed and prayers shall be offered the whole day at Holy cave. However, before dusk, Chhari-Mubarak start return journey and will have night halt at Panchtarani.

From Panchtarani, Chhari-Mubarak will leave at 0700 hrs for night halt at Pahalgam.

Worship (Pujan) and immersion ‘Visarjan’ ceremonies will be performed at 0915 hrs on the bank of river Lidder in Pahalgam. Thereafter, traditional ‘Kari-Pakouri’ religious feast Bhandara will be organized for saints (Sadhus).

With this last ritual, annual pilgrimage of Amarnath will culminate.

Chhari-Mubarak will return to its abode at Srinagar.

Meanwhile 6,550 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave of Swami Amarnath situated at an altitude of 3,888 meters in South Kashmir today. With this the total number of pilgrims performing darshan in cave shrine has touched 5,90,214 during last 30 days.

A total number of 5.83 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan in the cave shrine till late last night and majority of them have returned to their homes states, an official spokesman said.

He said 569 pilgrims are staying at holy cave and they will perform darshan early tomorrow morning.

He said 2,507 pilgrims left from shortest Baltal track for holy cave this morning while 2,946 left the Nunwan –Pahalgam base camp via traditional Chandanwari track.

The yatris having night haltage at different camps also started their ongoing journey early this morning, he added.

This is the lowest number of pilgrims leaving from Nunwan and Baltal base camps for holy cave or performing darshan since the 39 day long yatra started on June 25.

Besides a fresh batch of 888 pilgrims comprising 545 males, 178 females, 16 children and 149 Sadhus left for the Amarnath Shrine in a convoy of 33 vehicles including 27 State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses, two private and four light motor vehicles, from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas an official spokesman said.

These yatris after a night halt at Baltal and Nunwan base camp will leave for holy cave tomorrow morning.

Finally the tough measures taken by the authorities have started yielding results as no yatri death was reported during the past 48 hours.

The toll is still 98 deaths, including two locals, a yatra official said today.

He said no yatra death was reported from any part of the yatra route.

Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma said the Government was planning to set up medical boards from next year, where doctors would examine yatris’ fitness before allowing them to undertake the pilgrimage.

This, he said, would be done with the consultation of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and others, connected with the annual pilgrimage.

Official sources said this has been because of strict measures taken by the authorities who had decided not to allow any unfit yatri to undertake the pilgrimage.

Shri Budha Amarnathji Yatra 2012

A batch of 1016 pilgrims, majority of them from Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab reached Poonch from Jammu in 29 vehicles here this evening.

The pilgrims were given receptions at Sunderbani, Rajouri, BG and at Poonch town where they will take night halt today.

The batch of pilgrims was received at Poonch by SSP Shamsheer Hussain, Addl SP, Poonch, Yougal Manhas, Yatra Nodal Officer Ashok Kumar besides SD Sabha president, VHP district body members, Akhara Mandir management committee and other prominent citizens.

District Administration, management committees of various religious bodies of Poonch have made elaborate boarding and lodging and other logistic arrangements for the yatris. ‘Langars’ have been set up by Akhara Mandir committee and Baba Biram Shah shrine management committee with the support of social organizations. Many locals are offering their services in the Langars.

These pilgrims have been accommodated at college, Higher Secondary schools, Geeta Bhawan and ITI building. These pilgrims will leave for Mandi town in the morning where shrine of Budha Amarnathji is located.

Michael Phelps in another Olympics

In those terribly public nevertheless somehow personal moments together with his mom at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps counted down his eight seminal swimming races.During every victory lap round the Water Cube pool deck, he would notice Debbie Phelps within the stands, hand her his medal-stand flower bouquet, lean in to provide her a hug, then whisper in her ear, "Seven a lot of to travel," "Six a lot of," "Five a lot of," on right down to history.

He never spoke publicly of the eight gold medals till they were all in hand. He offered insights on such things as his starts and turns however little or no on the mini-series of surpassing greatness during which he was starring.Yet simply because the world knew it absolutely was watching history within the creating — the primary athlete to win eight golds in one Olympics — he obviously knew he was creating it.

"Yes, I even have been ready to rewrite history a bit bit," Phelps told USA these days Sports recently, "and do some things that people haven't done before. that is one thing that from Day one, I invariably needed to try and do."The medals, though, are simply a live of his place within the record books. they're not his focus, whilst Phelps, 27, heads to the London Olympics, able to pass another medal milestone."It's not regarding medals for Michael," his mom says. "It's regarding the sense of accomplishment."He wants 3 medals, of any color, to become the foremost embellished Olympian in history. In what he says are going to be his last Games, he plans to swim in seven events — four individual and 3 relays.Golds are going to be more durable for him to win than in 2008, with competitors like U.S. teammate Ryan Lochte rising, and the U.S. men less dominant within the relays.

"When i am finished in London, hopefully, if I will relive on my career and say I've done everything I've needed to try and do — with putting the medals, the records and this which aside — if I will say i am happy, that is all that matters," Phelps says.He is back to happy when briefly considering retirement in 2009, smarting from the scrutiny he got when a photograph surfaced of him with a marijuana bong. At competitions in 2010 and 2011, he lost virtually as consistently as he had once won.Only within the last eleven months, when he lost to Lochte in their 2 head-to-head races eventually year's world championships, did Phelps' dedication to coaching approach pre-2008 levels. eventually month's Olympic trials, Phelps won 3 races to Lochte's one in their matchups.

"I assume he is a lot of centered to prove one thing — that he is not done and he is not simply reasonably floating through this Olympics and seeing what sort of medals can come back," says Phelps' trainer, Keenan Robinson. "The portrayal is that he does not care as much. however I see him a bit bit a lot of centered."

Phelps doesn't provide specifics on his goals for London, aside from to stress that he is not in it only for the hardware."He still has some things in his individual events he desires to accomplish," says Bob Bowman, his longtime coach. "Most
importantly, he desires to lift the profile of swimming. And he is aware of by swimming in London and swimming well, that he'll continue to try this."Phelps claims he failed to apprehend, till interviewers began asking him within the last year, that Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina held the all-time Olympic record with eighteen medals, won in four Olympics through 1964. Phelps has sixteen, together with six gold and 2 bronze from the 2004 Games.

His mom failed to understand Latynina, either, till she saw footage of Phelps meeting the gymnast, during a hr piece that
aired this spring."I failed to apprehend who had the foremost medals. I failed to sit and calculate," she says. "Did Michael sit and figure that out? I would say no."Love of sports has deep roots

Even when he was a youngster, when he used winnings to induce specialty rims for the used Cadillac Escalade his mom allowed him to buy, Phelps wasn't in it only for the bling. His vision then appeared beyond his age and beyond the reach even of his
paranormal wingspan.The first time his agent, Peter Carlisle of Octagon, met him, he asked Phelps what he needed to try and do in swimming outside of the pool. The 16-year-old Phelps, who through most of the meeting had been silent, looked directly at Carlisle and said, "I want to change the game of swimming."

Says Bowman, who was within the meeting: "At the time, I thought, 'I'm not therefore certain this one.'"Phelps needed it to be a sport his friends knew and revered the maximum amount as soccer. He needed his academics and classmates at Towson (Md.) highschool to understand what it meant that at fifteen he had set a world record. He needed it to be as cool to possess swim
practice before faculty because it was to possess basketball apply when.He wanted, he told Carlisle, to ascertain swimming on SportsCenter."He had a chip on his shoulder, that i believe is nice," Carlisle says. "I assume that is what drives him."The chip was such that at one purpose, Phelps told his mom he needed to do another sport.She did not outright reject the notion, however she did remind him that swimming had place him on a worldwide stage and will be a years-long pursuit that will take him to multiple Olympics — opportunities that top faculty sports probably would not open for him.

"He needed to be like his buddies," says his mom, a principal at Windsor Mill Middle faculty in Baltimore. "They were transitioning from middle to highschool. That transition is incredibly arduous for kids. they need to travel into highschool and they want to be accepted."Phelps stuck with swimming. He signed with Carlisle. He got an endorsement take care of Speedo, that offered him a $1 million bonus if he matched Mark Spitz's 1972 Olympic record of seven gold medals at one Games.
The hype of that chance place him on magazine covers and, yes, on SportsCenter, leading into the 2004 Olympics.Phelps never created any daring medal predictions. His public mantra was that he needed to win one gold.He won six. The bronze medals came within the 200-meter freestyle and 4x100-meter freestyle relay.Phelps did not get the $1 million, however swimming did get a bump from the publicity surrounding his pursuit. USA Swimming membership grew seven.2% in 2005, up from a four.9% increase the year when the 2000 Games.By the 2007 world championships, Phelps seemingly had no peers. He won all his individual races at worlds, some by body lengths, and came up in need of eight golds solely as a result of the U.S. men defaulted during a relay.The story line was set for Beijing. As events there unfolded, as Phelps counted down every race together with his mom, the  spotlight on swimming grew brighter.

"He broke barriers and walls for us that i do not assume the other athlete may have ever done," two-time Olympic swimming
relay champion Brendan Hansen says. "When he won those eight gold medals in Beijing, he place swimming in superstar tanding."
Standing up for his sport NBC broadcast the 2008 Olympics finals live in prime time on the East Coast, and Phelps and his U.S. teammates provided daily drama, with such feats as Jason Lezak's superhuman anchor leg within the 4x100-meter freestyle relay and Phelps' by-a-fingernail finish within the 100-meter butterfly.

Swimming is currently the No. one Summer Olympics sport within the USA, displacing track and field and overshadowing gymnastics.The upshot of Phelps' success: the tv ratings for the recent U.S. Olympic swim trials were up ninety one from four years earlier."That's nothing (added in promotion or marketing) we've done," Carlisle says. "It's eight gold medals, viewed at the proper time by the complete world. you cannot manufacture it."Phelps, of course, did get his $1 million bonus when Beijing. He used it to determine the Michael Phelps Foundation, which provides swim programs at Boys & women Clubs nationwide likewise as funding for up-and-coming swimmers. He can devote a lot of time to the inspiration and also the swim programs post-London, likewise as travel and perhaps even a bit golf."Competitively, it's arduous to place variety on it, however plenty has been accomplished," Phelps says of the proportion of his career goals he has reached. "But outside of the pool, it's a lot of up within the air. Obviously, it's getting to take time on behalf of me to accomplish everything with my foundation and my swimming colleges."Phelps has said for years he would not swim in an Olympics past thirty. Bowman is convinced he is finished when London.Others are not therefore certain this can be the last lap.

"I would not be stunned if he came back in '16," says Cathy Bennett, Phelps' initial swim teacher at the North Baltimore
Aquatic Club, where he still trains, and a detailed family friend.Says Carlisle: "If the game starts to fade in relevance from the overall public, that competitive switch may well be turned back on, and what will he do? that is where it may get extremely attention-grabbing."For now, Phelps can stir interest anew together with his march to the all-time medal mark in London. maybe he can share another countdown together with his mom.

But the medals themselves probably can find yourself just like the others, in no special place.He has lost one from 2004. His mom had not seen all along till this spring, when he came back from a media interview with them during a backpack.He laid them out on her kitchen counter to indicate his 6-year-old niece, Taylor, who recognized one that was "dirty.""That's a bronze medal," Phelps told her.Then he packed them away, and that they ate lunch.

Sustainability of defence are crucial for India

The Indian hockey team is riding on the wings of hope once more. Back within the Olympic line-up when missing out of the Beijing Games in 2008, India are once more where they have to be compelled to be and also the entire country's best needs are with our players as they appear ahead to the stiff take a look at that the Olympic Games can offer.

India's performance has shown signs of promise, however a sensible assessment is important for the boys to seem at the challenge ahead. India's hopes of manufacturing a fine show can depend on how well the defenders deal with rival strikers and penalty corner specialists.

The Indian strikers forever fancy themselves in making possibilities upfront, however it's the defenders whose performance are the key to what the team manages to attain within the finish.

As always, it'll be sustainability of the Indian defence returning into focus from the instant the team enters the hockey arena at London's Olympic Park.

Let us not get overawed by slogans or boastful claims that will tend to convey that the Indian team is within the rummage around for a gold medal. Where we tend to stand at the instant, each little success is welcome.

There is a tricky road ahead for the Indian team because it strives to regain a number of the lost status of Indian hockey. Success never comes simply. Having played in 3 Olympic Games, I think {about|contemplate|take into account} myself competent to speak about the challenge ahead.

When the Indian team's defence comes fraught, its sustainability becomes crucial to the tip result. things goes to be no totally different. The pressure are acute and it'll be a take a look at of the team's mettle.

Looking back at the draw, the pattern indicates that India tends to urge a stiff gap match at the Olympics. things are no totally different this point united of the strongest European groups, The Netherlands can open the Olympic campaign against India on July thirty.

The Netherlands might not be constant force they once were, however the Dutch are forever a formidable opposition. One should additionally not forget that India's international ranking isn't one thing we are able to boast of within the hockey circles.

The Netherlands have, in recent years, not been ready to reproduce their best, that was evident within the 1996 and 2000 Olympics and nevertheless their strikers tend to provide dazzling stickwork.

The gap outings tend to supply a sign of where groups are headed. throughout my Olympic days, it absolutely was the gap match against Germany that delivered a giant blow to us in 1992, whereas four years later we tend to missed qualifying for the semifinals primarily attributable to the shock defeat we tend to suffered within the gap outing against Argentina.

After that, it absolutely was a tricky climb and that we simply fell wanting securing entry into the semifinal. A spot within the semifinal has continued to stay elusive for India.

India has not simply didn't win a medal since clinching men's hockey gold at the 1980 Olympic Games, however it's not secured passage to the semifinals in seven Olympics thereafter. That, of course, included the 2008 Olympic Games where India wasn't even within the beginning lineup of countries.

Everyone connected to sport in India is hoping for a decent show from our hockey team. For that to materalise, the Indian team must manufacture its finest show against the Dutch team, which might set us up nicely within the Olympic hockey competition.

There are not any simple opponents of late. investigate who we've in our cluster. Defending Olympic champions Germany and also the Netherlands are each multiple time Olympic gold medallists, whereas New Zealand and South Korea are equally robust.

Belgium is that the solely team India may hassle, however the approach they rallied from a two-goal deficit to draw parity within the dying minutes underscored their newly found confidence.

A medal after all are wonderful, however we tend to should be realistic.

GDA introduces Water Walking Ball at Gulmarg

Gulmarg Development Authority has introduced Water Walking Ball, conjointly known as Dancing Ball or Hydro-Zorbing facility at Gulmarg. the power was inaugurated by the Chief government Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority, Mahmood Ahmad Shah.

Speaking at the inaugural operate Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) President, Rauf Tramboo said that these form of journey activities can boost not solely {the journey|the journey} tourism however will inculcate the spirit of adventure among the native youth particularly among those college boys and women who visit and camp at hill resorts like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.

The facility was inaugurated in presence of tourists, college youngsters who had come back on excursion and GDA officers. The spokesman said that the activity is being operated through a neighborhood travel agency, journey decision Tours and Travels (ACTT). ACTT has the specialization in operating the journey tourism.

It is for the primary time that such a sports activity is introduced at Gulmarg. The CEO, informed said that efforts are afoot to introduce additional journey tourism connected activities at Gulmarg for the interest of tourists. He more informed that the kids Park is gaining additional popularity and is second favored place when Gondola in Gulmarg.

Director, journey decision, Muhammad Yusuf, informed that his agency is already operating the land Zorbing and Boating within the youngsters Park.

Centre sanctioned 14 tourism centers

Centre has sanctioned fourteen tourism mega comes of Rs seventy three.50 crore for the State throughout last three months of current fiscal, for creation of tourist connected infrastructure, development of potential spots and conservation of heritage sites within the State, revealed Tourism and Culture Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora whereas reviewing the pace of progress of various tourism connected comes being executed below Central monetary help (CFA) within the State.

The Minister said that nine tourism comes of Rs thirty eight.35 crore which has conservation of heritage corridor of Jamia Masjid Srinagar, construction of TRC at Yousmarg, budgeted accommodation at Aharbal, construction of Kashmir Haat at Chinar Bagh Srinagar, development of picnic spot at Pahalgam, Sarbal Lake at Verinag are being distributed in Kashmir valley.

Mr. Jora said that four tourism comes are sanctioned for Jammu Division by the Centre, which has Rs sixteen.92 crore for conservation of Mubarak Mandi heritage palace. He said a whooping quantity of Rs. 13.78 crore would be conjointly incurred on development of tourist infrastructure at Mansar, Sanasar and Natha prime, besides development of Darhal as Base Camp and Shikar Marg as gate manner of tourist destination of Pir Panjal. He said the centre has conjointly sanctioned a project of Rs four.45 crore for development of tourist infrastructure in Kargil.

The Minister directed the involved authorities for making certain timely completion of formalities for usurping of those comes well in time.

Commissioner Secretary Tourism and Culture, Atul Dulloo, Managing Director JKTDC, Satish Nehru, Director Tourism Kashmir Talat Parvaiz, Director Tourism Jammu, R.S.Mehta, Joint Director designing Tourism Department, Parvaiz Handoo, Chief government Officers of Development Authorities besides alternative senior officers and engineers of involved departments attended the meeting.

It was informed that out of 147 tourism comes the work on regarding sixty comes are completed whereas as work on remaining comes close toly|is sort of} near completion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister underscored the requirement for timely completion of all ongoing tourism comes. He stressed on involved authorities to submit utilization certificates of every project well in time for unharness of second instalment of funds from the Centre. He directed the involved authorities that tourism comes hampering for need of forest NOCs ought to be handed over to Forest Department for execution. He conjointly instructed that solely those comes to be taken where State land is obtainable, as there's no part of land price in funding of Central tourism comes.

Panun Kashmir welcomes Obamas statement

Welcoming US President Barak Obama's statement on Jammu and Kashmir, Panun Kashmir nowadays said it's in tune with India's position that no external intervention of any kind are often allowed within the affairs of the State.

"We welcome the statement of Barak Obama that no external intervention of any kind are often brought into the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir," Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president of Panun Kashmir, said in a very statement issued here nowadays.

Chrungoo said the PK in a very meeting of its affairs of state termed the statement of Mr Obama as in tune with the Indian position that J&K is an integral a part of India and no external intervention is needed in its affairs.

Ruling out any answer from "outside" to the difficulty of Jammu and Kashmir, Obama had yesterday underlined that disputes between India and Pakistan will solely be resolved by the 2 countries themselves.

He said the Simla Agreement of 1972 has categorically denied any third party intervention in J&K Affairs, Chrungoo said, adding subsequently the Parliament resolution of 1994 unanimously declared that entire J&K as well as the portion below forcible occupation of Pakistan and China is integral a part of India.

Virender Raina, national spokesperson of the PK, said that the overwhelming sentiment of the individuals has invariably been for the whole merger of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India and their aspiration must be kept in mind.

The meeting among others was attended by Upinder Kaul general secretary PK, J L Kaul vice chairman, Kamal Bhagati, N M Gadroo and Vijay Qazi.

Near five lakh perform darshan in twenty two days

Two additional pilgrims died on their thanks to holy cave taking the death toll in ongoing yatra to eighty six whereas eighteen,000 pilgrims performed darshan of Swami Amarnath cave shrine at an altitude of three,888 metres in South Kashmir district of Anantnag nowadays, officers said.

With this the overall range of pilgrims visiting the cave shrine since the annual yatra started on June twenty five has touched four, 98,301. until late last night four.80 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan in holy cave.

The officers said the frenzy of pilgrims is constant and thousands of yatris from completely different elements of country and abroad are daily reporting at Base Camps of Baltal and Nunwan –Pahalgam for his or her onwards sojourn to holy cave.

They said a recent batch of eight,014l yatris left the Nunwan Base Camp for holy cave via ancient Chandanwari track whereas five,610 pilgrims left from shortest Baltal track early this morning for darshan of Ice Lingam.

They said besides the yatris who had night haltage at completely different camps conjointly left for onwards journey this morning. The pilgrims who left via Chandanwari track when an evening halt at Sheshnag and Panchtarni can perform darshan tomorrow or the day when tomorrow whereas people who left via Baltal tack came back when paying obeisance within the cave shrine. Over 4.70 lakh pilgrims have came back to their home States, they added.

The two additional pilgrims died nowadays on thanks to cave shrine. they need been identified as Badri Prasad, twenty five resident of MP and Shimatha Navral of Bihar. They died at Rail Pathri and at Sangam prime respectively when cardiac arrest. With this the death toll in last twenty two days of yatra has gone to eighty six.

Meanwhile a recent batch of 2351pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu Yatri Niwas for holy cave early this morning in a very cavalcade of sixty nine vehicles below tight security arrangements. They embrace 1519 male, 473 female, sixty one youngsters and 298 Sadhus.

These pilgrims when an evening halt at Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps can leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.

The thirty-nine day long yatra can culminate on Sawan Purnima falling on August a pair of with the taking of holy mace of Lord Shiva to Swami Amarnath Ji by the Mahant of Dashnami Akahra, Deepender Giri Ji Mahraj. The day conjointly coincides with Raksha Bandhan pageant.