Monsoon active in Jammu Kashmir

Monsoon becomes active again, more rains likely

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) today said that with the monsoon becoming active again, more rainfall is likely in different parts of Jammu region during the next few days.

"During the past few days there was no rainfall in several parts of Jammu as the monsoon had turned weak but now it has become active again as a result of which there would be light to moderate rainfall during the next two to three days from tomorrow", Director of the IMD, Srinagar, Sonam Lotus said.

He said that though monsoon rainfall in the country is 49 per cent less than the normal yet in Jammu it has remained normal so far and in the coming days more spells of rainfall will lash this part of the State.

Meanwhile, short duration rainfall this morning provided some respite from the humid atmosphere in Jammu. While in some areas of the Jammu, the duration of rainfall was 5 to10 minutes, in other areas rain continued for nearly half an hour, report said.

However, the short spell of the rainfall exposed the tall claims of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) with roads in the low lying areas getting flooded with water due to chocking of the drains thereby causing inconvenience to the pedestrians as well as two-wheeler riders.

The dug up lanes in several parts also caused inconvenience to the people, who alleged that the black-topping of lanes has not been started even in those areas where the laying of sewerage pipes has already been completed.

MLA Bhaderwah inaugurates Bus Stand

To provide adequate transport and accommodation facility to the passenger and load carrier vehicles MLA Bhaderwah.Mohd. Sharief Niaz today inaugurated newly constructed Bus Stand Bhaderwah which was constructed by Police Housing Corporation at an estimated cost of Rs. 6.50 crores.

Deputy Commissioner Doda. Farooq Ahmed Khan, Tehsildar Bhaderwah. Sudershan Slaria, DSP Bhaderwah. Jameel Ahmed, DFO Bhaderwah. Basher Shah besides various District and Sectoral Officers , Newly elected Sarpanches, Panches and a huge gathering of the people were also present on the occasion.

While speaking on the occasion MLA Bhaderwah. Mohd Sharief Niaz said that Bhaderwah is endowed with natural beauty and has emerged as the tourist destination in the state so the number of passenger as well as goods carrier vehicles are increasing day by day and the old Bus Stand Bhaderwah is unable to cope the growing traffic and vehicles in the town so there was a dire need of the New Bus Stand. He also said that with the completion of Bhaderwah–Chamba Inter State road connectivity and Bhaderwah–Bani-Basohli inter District road Bhaderwah will become a hub of various activities in the State.

While congratulating the newly elected Sarpanches and Panches of the area. Niaz asked them to work with honesty, devotion and dedication for the welfare of poor and needy people.

Madan lays foundation stone of Computer Lab

Member Parliament, Madan Lal Sharma today laid the foundation stone of additional accommodations of Government High Secondary School Baji Bain in tehsil Sunderbani district Rajouri. The additional accommodation being constructed with an estimated cost of Rs.8.50 lakh shall house Computer Lab of the school under MPLAD. Later, the MP also chaired an awareness camp organized by Rural Development Department to aware the masses about centrally sponsored schemes for the benefit of the general masses at Village Barari in Rajouri district.

Speaking on the occasion,. Madan Lal said that Kissans being the backbone of country’s economy need focused attention. He said that adequate power supply is essential to meet the irrigation water requirements for the farmers during this paddy transplantation season. For this he suggested that BADP funds should be utilized in installing transformers for lifting water in border areas. He also said that New and Renewable Energy Ministry would be approached to install solar pumps of 5 HP for minor irrigation. He also demanded advanced research in potato cultivation.

Dy CM conducts tour Jammu City

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, heading Housing and Urban Development Department, today directed line departments of the ministry to immediately demarcate their land bank and fence the same, to avoid any encroachment. He firmly asserted that no body would be allowed to encroach upon the government land and strict action would be initiated against trespassers.

The land bank of various urban development authorities would be utilized to develop new colonies and create facilities for the city inhabitants, he added. Tara Chand passed these directions while conducting an extensive tour of Jammu city on Tuesday.

The Deputy Chief Minister was accompanied by Commissioner, JMC.S.C. Sawhney, Vice-Chairman, JDA. Vinod Sharma and senior officers and engineers of these departments. The areas visited include Roop Nagar, Janipur, New Plots, BC Road, Marble Market, Kunjwani- Bye pass, Nanak Nagar and Gandhi Nagar. While inspecting migrant colony at lower roop nagar,. Tara Chand directed the authorities to fence the land vacated after shifting of migrants to the new township at Jagti, Nagrota. He called for preparing fresh proposal for the site so as to properly utilize the same for benefit of city inhabitants. Assuring full cooperation to migrant families still residing in the colony, the deputy chief minister asked them to pursue their cases in Revenue department for early allotment, adding that the plot of land has to be the undertaken by concerned department for developing new projects. Underscoring the need to strictly follow the master plan.

Tara Chand said all new constructions in the city should be as per the land use allowed and rules in vogue. He directed the authorities to submit a status report within three days on various multi-storey complexes coming up in the city.

July 13 as Black Day

Kashmiri Pandits observed July 13 as a Black Day today.

Joint Forum of K P organizations held a demonstration here today and marched towards the UNO office at Jammu to register its protest on Black Day. The demonstration was led by A N Vaishnavi, president ASKPC, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president Panun Kashmir, H L Chatta, general secretary ASKPC, D N Kissu, chairman Non Camp, R K Raina senior vice president, ASKPC, Virender Raina, national spokesperson of the Joint Forum and S Prem Singh, president Kashmiri Sikh Displaced Front.

Addressing the demonstrators, Vaishnavi reiterated his demand that KPs be recognized as internally displaced people and their issues be settled as per international covenants applicable to IDPs. He alleged that the mindset of interlocutors is at a complete variance with the nationalist point of view on Kashmir issue who are creating a very unpalatable situation for the nationalist elements in J&K.

Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo said that July 13 reminds the KPs of the attempt of genocide that was committed against the community in Kashmir in 1931. A design to ethnically cleanse the Kashmir of its minorities was hatched at the behest of the communal forces, he added.

H L Chatta said that mere economic or employment packages’ can’t pave way for Kashmiri Hindus to resettle in Valley, unless their geopolitical aspirations are met, there is no possibility of the Pandits return to Kashmir.

A joint meeting was organized by Panun Kashmir and its women wing Kashmira Vahini today to observe the Black Day. The participants wearing black bands in token of a strong protest against persistent moves of State Government to call July 13 as martyrs’ day while in fact it was a day when frenzy mobs in Srinagar attacked and looted the shops and houses of Kashmiri, Punjabi and Dogra Hindus.

They said nine Pandits were done to death and scores of houses were looted on this day in 1931.

Dr Agnishekhar, convener PK, while paying tributes to the Hindu victims of 1931 expressed surprise and indignation that those Kashmiri Pandits who were killed by the frenzy mob have been left unrecorded and unsung by State authorities while their tormentors are continuously eulogized and bestowed tributes by the main stream political parties of the Valley. He said after brief lull of 123 years of Dogra rule during which Pandits felt a relief after being continuously persecuted since 14th century, had again to face persecution from this day in 1931 till date.

Others who paid tributes to Hindu victims of 1931 included PK president Vijay Bhat, its political secretary Sanjay Raina, national spokesperson Kashmira Vahini, Dr Khema Koul, Shiban Khaibri, media chairman PK and Sanjay Dattatrey, national coordinator PK.

Decrying the July 13 as the Black Day in the history of the State, Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM) in a meeting today called on the people of the State to recognize the communal agenda of July 13, 1931. The meeting took stock of the current situation in Kashmir and the challenges before the displaced Hindus from the Valley who were the primary targets of the rioters of 1931.

In his address Dr R L Bhat pointed out that the events preceeding the communal riots of July 13, 1931 and the events that took place on this day were communal in character and directed against the Maharaja not for his being a dictator but for being a Hindu. The rioters too targeted the Hindus, their houses and business establishments. The most unfortunate aspect of this has been the recent lionization of non Kashmiri instigator of July 13 riots, Abdul Kadir in Kashmir.

The meeting among others was addressed by Kashmiri Lal Bhat, M M Thaploo, M L Bhat, Chand Ji Pandita, P L Bhat, H L Bhat, national general secretary, JKVM, B L Bhat its state president and Dr AN Pandita chairman Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust.

Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) observed the day as Black Day and its activists wore the black badges besides the people switched off the lights on their respective houses and residences on the appeal of the organization this evening for one hour.

Besides to protest against the atrocities committed on the community on July 13 in 1931 the protest was held to draw the attention of Government, political parties throughout the country towards the problems of the KPs, said Kundan Kashmiri national president of the organization.

He, while addressing the gathering at Dwarika New Delhi appealed the community to be united at this crucial juncture and warned Government and its agents not to play with the aspirations of the community.

Jayanti of Bhagvaan Gopinath 2011

Jayanti of Bhagvaan Gopinath celebrated with religious gaiety

The 113th Mahajayanti of Jagadguru Bhagvaan Gopinath was celebrated at Bhagvaan Gopinathji Ashram, Udaiwala, Bohri, today with religious fervour and gaiety.

A large number of devotees thronged the Ashram from early in the morning and their number swelled to thousands in the afternoon. The Mahajayanti celebrations started with Paduka Poojan in the morning which was followed by serving of prashad to Sadhus. They were also offered dakshina (offerings in cash) which has been a tradition since Bhagvaanji’s lifetime.

After the Sadhu bhandar, the prasad was also served to devotees and this continued till late in the evening.

On the occasion devotional songs were recited by the devotees which continued till late evening. The celebrations concluded with Aarti at 7.15 pm. There was intense activity throughout the day in the Ashram.

The Ashram has become a Sidha Peeth for the devotees who visit there daily to pay obeisance to Bhagvaan Gopinathji.

The Ashram as well as the administration had made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. The activists of the Trust were deployed as sewadars to guide the devotees on the occasion.

As per a Bhagvaan Gopinath Trust handout, Mahajayanti was also celebrated at various Ashrams of Bhagvaanji throughout the globe. The functions were held at Bhagvaanji’s Ashram at Kharyar Srinagar in Kashmir Valley, Gole Gujral, Jammu, Pamposh Enclave and Vikaspuri, New Delhi, Chambur and Kandivilli, West Mumbai, Kashmir Bhavan, Kothrud, Pune, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jaipur and other places in India and abroad.

All these Ashrams and Satsang Mandals of Bhagvaanji are working to disseminate his ideas of spirituality and universal brotherhood, the handout added.

J&K Bank Bengal Tools ink pact

Committed to boost agriculture in the J&K state by making organized finance facility with superior features available to the famers, J&K Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengal Tools Ltd. (BTL), a Shrachi Group company engaged in manufacturing of power tillers, reapers and power weeders, here at Bank’s Corporate Headquarters  today.

R K Shah, BanK’s Vice-President for Strategy & Business Development signed the agreement on behalf of the J&K Bank while A K Tomer, Chief Operating Officer (Marketing) put in his signatures on behalf of the BTL, in presence of Tafazal Hussain, Bank’s President.

In his address, Tafazal Hussain described the pact as a step towards modernizing the farming in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. “J&K Bank, sticking to its tradition and commitment, has entered into this tie-up to boost farm mechanisation and provide hasle-free and viable financial assistance to the people directly associated with the agriculture sector”, he said.

Emphasizing on the need to apprise the farmers about the advantages of using these state-of-the-art machines, Tafazal said, “The purpose of the tie-up will be served only when you have an informed farming community eager to adopt technology and well aware about its efficiency and potential to enhance productivity”. He stated that awareness camps shall be jointly organized at major rural centres in this regard.

R.K Shah hoped that the pact would help the Bank reach aspiring farmers across the state. “J&K Bank would be extending finance to these agriculture equipments under JK Bank Kisan Dost Finance, a highly customized and hasle-free product”, Shah said.

A K Tomer expressed hope that the vast network and wide reach of J&K Bank will ensure these farmer-friendly products reach farming community across the state and help them enhance productivity. “The tie-up with J&K Bank was preceded by a thorough reasearch on J&K state, its financial landscape and its agrarian potential with special reference to viability factor”, he said.

Bose to change exam policy

To curb the menace of copying in examinations, State Board of School Education has decided to set separate question papers for each student in the coming exams.

Chairman BOSE, Professor Sheikh Bashir Ahmad said the decision to set different question papers was taken to negate the chances of copying. “In future the question papers will be different to every student so that there is no room left for copying,” he said.

He said that the change in the examination procedure had been supported by policymakers and board authorities. “It was after the discussions over the examination policy that we changed it,” he said.The Chairman said that question papers would be set in different series which will control copying internally as well as externally. “When question papers are set differently, there is no chance of copying,” he said.He said that framing question papers would be difficult but “will stop copying menace.” He said that they had had meetings with the civil society and police authorities to control the menace.

Prof Bashir said that Section 144 would be imposed outside the exam centers. He sought support from parents and civil society for this endeavor. “The policy will fail if people won’t support us,” he said.The Chairman claimed the miscreants who had exposed 10th class results via Facebook in 2010 were booked under

KP of Jagati want elections

Various KP organizations of Jagati for elections in township 

Various organizations of Kashmiri Pandits at Jagati tenements today urged the Government to solve the problems of the displaced people which included enhancement of cash relief and overall development of the township and mitigating the sufferings of the inmates there.

The meeting also demanded that immediate attention be paid towards the problems of overaged youth and providing of immediate accommodation to left over families. The meeting in an appeal to the Government urged it hold elections so that a democratically elected body for the township could come into existence which could project the problems of the community before the Government in a democratic way and the role of self styled leaders could end once for all.

The meeting appealed the Chief Minister to frame a Town Area Committee for over all development of the township. The meeting was chaired by Moti Lal Dhar and attended by Ravi Pandita, Chuni Lal Bhat Kuldeep Chopra and others.

In another meeting of Displaced Coordination Committee which was chaired by B L Raina, who while expressing satisfaction over the steps taken by the Government and Relief organization in implementation of PMs employment package demanded that remaining posts should also be filled up soon. It also demanded that an overall Committee be constituted for the township in a democratic way.

Displaced Welfare Committee Muthi in its meeting held under the chairmanship of Ravinder Raina while discussing the problems of the displaced people after shifting of the camp to Jagati stressed on formation of a coordination of all camps to project the problems in a democratic way.

2.88 lakh perform darshan

An unprecedented number of 2,88 376 pilgrims performed darshan in holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji situated at an altitude of 13,500 feet in deep Himalyas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag during first 13 days of Yatra which started on June 29.

According to a Yatra Officer, 2,58,000 pilgrims had performed darshan in holy cave till midnight yesterday and with additional 30,000 pilgrims paying obeisance in the cave shrine till late tonight this number has crossed 2.88 lakh. This is the highest number of pilgrims performing darshan of the holy Ice Lingam in a single day.

He said the unabated rush of pilgrims is continuing with thousands of yatris from other parts of country reaching the base camps of Nunwan –Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir daily.

He said there is total festivity and hustle and bustle at Nunwan and Baltal base camps with Yatris busy in purchasing the sticks, rain coats and other needy items for trekking.

The Yatra Officer said that the weather was pleasant on both the tracks to holy cave and the yatris were also in good spirits.

He said 11,685 pilgrims left Baltal base camp for holy cave early this morning while 10,769 left Nunwan-Chandanwari base camp. Besides thousands of yatris who were camping at Sheshnag and Panchtarni also left for their onwards sojourn this morning.

He said if this rush will continue till last day of darshan i.e. on Shrawan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan falling on August 13, the yatra will cross a record mark of nine lakh this year.

As per the available weather forecast for the next five days from July 12 to July 16, the sky is likely to remain cloudy in the Kashmir division.

According to the weather forecast provided by the Meteorological Department, the sky will remain generally cloudy on July 12 while it will remain partly cloudy on July 13 and 14. However, on July 15 and 16 light rain is expected at isolated places in Kashmir division.

R K Goyal, Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) has once again advised the yatris to ascertain the up-to-date weather conditions in the yatra area before embarking on the pilgrimage. He said the details of weather forecast are also available on the website of the Indian Meteorological Department.

Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 3,280 pilgrims left Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar Jammu for holy cave early this morning under tight security arrangements. Comprising 2124 males, 808 females, 76 children and 272 Sadhus, the yatris left in a cavalcade of 131 vehicles. They had reached their destinations till last reports came in.

Pul Doda Submerges into Chenab River

Finally, Pul Doda submerges in Baglihar dam waters

About 5 kms away from district headquarter, Pul Doda, the most crowded market of the district finally submerged into Chenab River due to the rise of water above the road level. The area starting from old Mosque via Mandir up to the old petrol pump of Pul Doda is completely submerged in 4 to 5 feet of water.

The people of both the communities setting an example of communal harmony and brotherhood shifted the idols and other things from Mandir to safer place. The last prayers in these religious places were preformed a couple of days back. The area once the busiest, now wears completely a deserted look. The people who are still living there have expressed great resentment towards the state government and district administration.

People alleged that the state government has fooled them by making fake promises of shifting them from Pul Doda to other places by allotting land and rehabilitating them.

Sardar Santokh Singh, a resident of Pul Doda, while talking to Kashmir Times told, “These promises have turned out to be fake as nothing has been done so far. As a result, the families here are facing great hardships and the future of their children also appears bleak”.

Another local resident alleged “The district administration alerted us a few days back that Dul Hasti dam is to release additional water into the river and nobody should move close to the Chenab river banks. But again they fooled us as this rise in water level is because of Baglihar dam and not because of Dul Hasti”.

However, there are still about 20-30 families living in Pul Doda under threat of water. Mohammad Amin Naik, while talking to Kashmir Times reiterated, “We are ready to die. But we will not shift from here to any other place because the state government has promised to rehabilitate us. Government has given only compensation but not the land as was promised by it”. The people of Pul Doda also alleged that it is the civil administration, political leaders and the state government’s’ policies that are responsible for all this.

It is important to mention here that Pul Doda is a historical place and is known for its communal harmony and brotherhood. Baisakhi festival is celebrated on the banks of river Chenab where people from all walks of life haling from the district celebrate the festival. But now it has put a question mark as to whether the festivals would be celebrated or not.