Jammu, January 29
A multitude of factors ranging from mental disorder, illicit relations, failed love affairs, domestic violence and failure in studies continue to take a heavy toll on the Jammu residents, as on average 30 persons commit suicide and more than 150 try to end their lives in a month here.

The figures of suicides reported in the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) revealed that most of the victims were youngsters, followed by migrant labourers and housewives. However, shocker of the last year were two such incidents, viz. young medico and daughter of a top cop Dr Aparna Saini; and president of the elite Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries Ram Sahai.

Though there are no authentic figures on the exact number of suicides in Jammu, but the police maintained that the city has witnessed over 350 incidents of suicide and over 1,500 failed bids last year. It means one suicide and four unsuccessful attempts continue to take place everyday across the Jammu region.

Sources in the police say most of the suicides are reported from the rural areas. Out of about 350 suicides reported last year, 36 per cent of the victims were found youngsters while 18 per cent of the victims were housewives followed by migrant labourers at 25 per cent of the total number of victims who killed themselves. About the youngsters, the police said 74 per cent of the victims were found to be students while rest of the victims belonged to different walks of life.

As per a survey report, in 1999 there were 800 minors who committed suicide in India, but the figures significantly rose to 5,857 in 2007.

On an average, 19 minors commit suicide in India every day, as per the report. It has been found that most of the suicide victims were from the age group of 14 to 30, indicating that the young generation is more prone to suicidal tendencies. As per the previous year’s figures, a large number of youngsters belonged to this age group. However, in the age group of 30 to 40, most of the men were found in the list, who killed themselves.

A prominent psychologist said, “This is modern era and people do not have much time for their families, thus the children in particular feel lonely and go astray.” Already overburdened with their studies and pressure to perform well in their academics increases stress among them, he said. 

Two students, Kanika Chauhan and Sonia Khajuria of the SP Smart Higher Secondary School joined The Tribune team with their queries.Jupinderjit Singh (JJS): You took over as President of the Chamber at a crucial time. Your predecessor Ram Sahai had just committed suicide, trade and commerce is in low gear.

YV Sharma: Those were difficult times. Sahai’s death was shocking. He did a lot for the trade and business of the state. I am trying to keep the focus and move ahead.

Ravi Krishnan Khajuria (RKK): What is the present status and future of industry and commerce in the state?

Sharma: We have come a long way and things are certainly improving but still a lot needs to be done. The protracted militancy had definitely cast its shadow on industry. Being at the tail-end of the country and plagued by militancy and geographical problems, we are certainly at a disadvantage, but then government has to take initiatives to bring the state on industrial map of the country.

We must have industrial incentives for a long term. The government had given excise refund in 2002, but it was partially rolled back in 2008 as a result some industries were shut. Now, the union government has announced a package for north-east and we strongly feel that it should also be extended to Jammu and Kashmir.

We have requested the Prime Minister to take a lenient view so as to bring industry back on rails in the state.

JJS: How successful was the government scheme of giving incentives to businessmen from outside the state to come and set units here?

Sharma: To realise the true benefits of a scheme, the govt should give time. The incentives were good, but many were stopped midway and industry lost momentum. We wish the present government evolves better schemes for a prolonged time to let industry flourish.

Dinesh Manhotra (DM): But the incentives, reports say, were withdrawn because of fake units that had come up. They were reaping benefits of incentives without actually doing anything.

Sharma: Black sheep are everywhere. I would not like to go into that. The government always had/have departments to check such persons. There is a system in place. As an industry representative, I would stress that benefit to real persons should always remain.

JJS: Cannot the Chamber check such persons? You can have some self regulation, some mechanism.

Sharma: No. this is not our job. The chamber is basically a bridged between the traders/industrialists and the government. We are elected to air the problems and grievances of the business community. The government has to check corruption, if there is any.

Archit Watts: What are your expectations from the state budget?

Sharma: Being a businessman and heading the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, I expect some special package for industry in the state from coming budget. The government should give some concession to the industrialists, because the state is much affected with the militants.

We are also hopeful of VAT remission. Apart from it, the taxation departments should work smoothly. We have already mooted a proposal to the state government to facilitate the traders and industrialists. Now, all depends upon the government.

Kanika Chauhan (student): The state is dependent on grants form the Centre. Why the industry cannot make the state self-sufficient?

Sharma: We have huge resources and potential. We have rich handicrafts industry as well as tourism. We also have dry fruit resources and horticulture. Still, because of terrorism and other issues, industry has lagged behind. It again depends on the government to provide us basic structure and resources to build industries on.

Sonia Khajuria: You are seeking everything from the government? Why cannot the industrialists do something on their own?

Sharma: See, the industry cannot raise infrastructure. That is government job. After all the government takes taxes and has to provide facilities. For example, the warehouse, which is the hub of industrial activity, was designed 50 years ago. If rulers of that era can have the farsight for providing such a facility, why cannot the successive or present government realise the warehouse space is, too, less. We need a new and larger space now. Every commodity that reaches here has to land at the warehouse first before it is transported further in the state. The space is, too, less now.

RKK: The state always reeled under erratic power supply coupled with low voltage. In the backdrop of such a grim power scenario how industry could flourish?

Sharma: Electricity is oxygen for industrial sector, but paradoxically from the past 20 to 25 years things have not improved much. Despite repeated requests, we are short in power supply. Considering vast hydel potential, we can become a hydel dollar state for which the government efforts need to be re-doubled.

If exploited to the fullest not only we can meet our requirements but also export electricity to other states, thereby becoming self-reliant in power sector. The CCI even suggested an atomic power plant to the Finance Minister. But because of rampant power cuts we the industrialists are virtually in tears.

RKK: Given the constraints in the form of poor power scenario, militancy and geographical location of the state, how the industry is going to flourish?

Sharma: The government has to bring its act together and improve things. Apart from poor power scenario, it has to promote indigenous trades like floriculture, horticulture, animal and sheep husbandry and fisheries.

The government has to create a congenial atmosphere and it has to devise ways and means to harness the available potential.

DM: Are you satisfied with the pace of industrial development in the state?

Sharma: The pace is needed to be accelerated. Industrial growth in the state has been going on snail’s pace. There are many reasons for that. Due to our geographical disadvantage investors usually hesitate to invest in this region and further more militancy is another reason for slow pace of industrial growth.

I want to say without hesitating that the government on its part is also not taking some effective steps. Instead of announcing incentives for short period, the government should announce a comprehensive industrial package for the fixed period. Furthermore, the government should also create adequate infrastructure for luring investors from other parts of the country in this region.

DM: Your predecessor late Ram Sahai has made the CCI a vibrant pressure group in the state. Don’t you think that it is difficult for the present team to maintain the same status?

Sharma: No doubt late Ram Sahai had contributed a lot for making the CCI a vibrant forum. It is all team effort. Being an elected body of the business community, our team will work hard to come to the expectation of the people, especially traders, businessmen and industrialists. The team is also competent enough to face any challenge. Our priority is to protect interests of those who have posed faith on us.

DM: Your short inning in the politics was not successful. Are you contemplating to join the politics again?

Sharma: I do not want to discuss my small inning in the politics. It was an experiment from which I have learnt many things.

Noorkah-Uri, January 29
In its endeavour to help people to set up micro units to encourage self-employment, the Centre for Environment and Education (CEE), Himalaya, and Welthungerhilfe (WHH-formerly German Agro Action), have offered diverse micro units to the people here.

“Mushroom is being cultivated for the first time here,” said Mubashir Ahmad, coordinator, CEE, Himalaya.

“It is profitable and people have started purchasing it,” said Naseema Bano, a beneficiary. Her unit has been set up in October last year. “I have sold the crop a couple of times so far and benefits are rewarding.”

Naseema cultivates button mushroom. It is cultivated in trays. Compost used for its cultivation consists of mule dung and paddy straw.

“We got spawn from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, (SKUAST-K) and gave her 30 trays, but due to less space available at her place, only 28 trays are placed in the room,” said Ahmad.

Naseema, while sprinkling water on the crop, said: “Three to four kg of mushroom is obtained per tray. Two crops are cultivated per season, March and October. It is sold at Rs 80 per kg.”

“The unit is helpful as it helps me in supporting the family financially,” she admitted. Naseema’s husband is a labourer and has a big family to support.

“Any hotel can take the supply from her, provided there is an assured supply,” said Dr Abdhesh Gangwar, regional director, North and North-East, CEE, Himalaya. He added: “Cultivation of mushroom is done in an organic manner. No fertilisers are used in it.”

In the same village, Shamshaad Begum, another beneficiary, was provided a cow by the CEE, Himalaya. “This has enhanced our source of income,” said Shamshaad and her husband, Mir Khan.

“Care of animals is important. Ventilation in cattle sheds is vital,” said Dr Abdhesh. He added: “Some beneficiaries sold cows that the CEE provided to them. Some argued that cattle died due to the lack of space, others put forth reasons like lack of fodder, cowshed and apprehension that their cattle, too, might face the same fate.”

Dr Abdhesh said we had insured all livestock. Some got insurance, some got it refunded, but most of them have not paid their premium.

A computer centre too has been set up in the village. “There are eight students availing the facility. As many as 113 persons have been benefited by the centre so far. Out of that, 53 are girls,” said Muntazir Mushtaq, instructor.

Mushtaq learnt computer from the same centre and now he teaches others. He is one of the 10 members of the self-help group that the CEE has extended the support. “Now, there is no teacher. The one who worked here got the better opportunity and left. Initially, we conducted the classes shift wise, now the classes are conducted in evening only.”

The centre was set up in December 2006. “We charge a minimal amount of Rs 50 per month from learners for this two-month course,” he added.

Jammu, January 29
The second phase of the mega theatre festival organised at Abhinav Theatre by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages began today.

The first phase of the festival opened with a play “Visarjan” in Dogri, the play, originally poetry, by Rabindra Nath Tagore in Bengali. The historical play is based on the greed of a king and a priest for power and supremacy.

“Natya Karmi”, performed on the second day, was devoted to the Kashmiri art. Basically a Kashmiri play, “Chopyeer Yee Gaash” (there will be light from all four sides), it is a satire on the Kashmiri community after they migrated. It portrayed the positive as well as negative effects of migration of Kashmiris living in exile. “Kandeyali Taar”, a Punjabi play by the ‘Punjabi Lekhak Sabha’, was the third performance in the festival. Written by S. Kirpal Singh Kasali and directed by Dr Jasmeet Kour, the play narrates the story of two soldiers, one Indian and the other a Pakistani ranger.

It was the time for familial relationships on the fourth day of the festival. A Hindi play “Ehsaas” was played by the Nav Durga Kala Manch. It was all about the conflict between the sentiments and reality. The play, written by Aditya Bhanu and directed by Shashi Bhushan, artistically sends the message that the love between a girl and a boy is not the ultimate love in life.

The last performance of the first phase given on Friday by the M. Jacson Cultural Institute of Society with a Hindi play “Chote Log” written by Rajneesh Gupta and directed by Rajesh Raina.

Meanwhile, artists rued that the lack of cleanliness and infrastructural support was posing problems to them. Frequent power failures were the major problem.

Jammu, January 29
The ongoing semester examinations in the University of Jammu has made students sit and study in hostels and homes giving a deserted look to the otherwise vibrant campus.

The examinations which started in the mid of January are scheduled to be over by February 10. Though the students keep the campus abuzz all through the academic year, they have to deviate from routine of daily activities in view of the examinations twice every year.

While the departments do not have rush of students these days, some of which are being renovated before the next classes start again.

Students are maintaining a low profile over the varsity's proposal for setting up a police post. Earlier, most of the student activists had opposed it tooth and nail but the protests have now started subsiding.

"The examinations have certainly impacted the movement but despite that students have been holding a candlelight march to lodge their protest. Last week, girl students of the hostel organised a candlelight march which was then emulated by boys on Thursday evening," said Rahul, president of the Progressive Students Association.

The regular protests against marks sheet tampering and mass copying being organised by the National Secular Forum (NSF) have also diminished. However, NSF president Vikas Sharma said: "Our movement is going on as usual. Several students are voluntarily boycotting one of their papers. So, it's a change in line of action and nothing else," he said.

On the other hand, the number of students sitting in the central library of the varsity has swelled up in the view of the semester and other competitive examinations.

"We get 3-4 days between each exam. So, we want to make the most of this time," said Mohit Gupta, adding that "it is the most suitable time for preparing the syllabus as the other daysare kept for other activities and competitive exams."

In view of the examinations, the daily business of canteens and eateries in and around the campus has also dwindled, with students conspicuous by their absence.