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Epidemic fear looms large
over Kandi areas
Army expedition with a message
Combine harvester a hit among farmers
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Abdullahs host glitterati in aid of quake-hit children
Bollards ease traffic movement on Jammu roads
J&K Bank official on board of CSC
Internet helps boost tourism in Patnitop
Rain brings down mercury
in Kashmir
jammu diary
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Epidemic fear looms large
over Kandi areas
Majalata, April 27 Some social organisations in collaboration with the Health Department have been advising people not to use
water from ponds and nullahs for drinking purposes, but locals have no other option. “We have been advising people to boil water before drinking, but there are many who do not listen to our suggestions,” said an official of the Health Department. Even as the government has repeatedly claimed that drinking water would be supplied through tankers in the Kandi areas, the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department does not have any tanker for this purpose in this belt. “I have written a letter to the authorities to
sanction a water tanker dedicated to our tehsil to cope up with the problem,” said Sapna Kotwal, tehsildar, Majalata, and hoped that action in this regard would be taken soon. Ironically, inhabitants of the Kandi areas bordering Samba and Udhampur districts are facing acute scarcity of drinking water during summer, but the authorities have not sanctioned even a single water tanker in Ramnagar and Majalta tehsils of Udhampur. “We are in dire need of at least six water tankers exclusively dedicated to Majalata tehsil so as to tackle the problem,” said Ramesh Singh of Batal Morh village. Airing apprehension that people would leave their homes if water supply is not streamlined, Ramesh pointed out that even in April, locals have to cover long distances to get a bucket of drinking water. “The situation would be worst in May and June and it is high time the authorities take some preventive measures,” he said. An epidemic was broke out in this belt last year in which some people had lost their lives and 100 fell ill due to the consumption of contaminated water. RS Pathania, a local political activist, regretted that it was ironical that even in this age, people were struggling for drinking water. “In Majalta, the tanker supplying water to the people as well as offices of tehsildar, police station, munsiff, bank, ZEO office and PHC and BMO office has no cover,” he said. The Majalata tehsildar, however, said the authorities had already taken some preventive to avoid the repeat of last year’s situation. |
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Army expedition with a message
Jammu, April 27 An Army spokesman said the team covered a distance of 162 km through the treacherous lesser Himalayas. The aim of the expedition was to spread the message of saving the environment and measures to prevent global warming, encourage youth to participate in adventure activities and to educate people and motivate them to join the Army. The team also interacted with rural population to impart information on various job opportunities in the Army and visited various schools and colleges for this purpose. The team was flagged off by Commander Gurj Artillery Brigade on behalf of the GOC Gurj Division on March 15. The Commander emphasised the need to protect and preserve forests in order to leave a safe environment for the future generation. Efforts being made to interact with local populace and educating them on a career in the armed forces were also appreciated by him. |
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Combine harvester a hit among farmers
Jammu, April 27 Until the advent of such machines, farmers were using threshing machines which was driven by traction engines by means of a large leather belt, to separate the grain from the straw and husk. The combine harvesters are far more economical as compared to the threshers. Though there are no such machines owners in the state, the operators have come from Punjab during the harvest. They have been charging Rs 200 per kanal. On the other hand, use of tractor-driven thresher costs Rs 100 per quintal. Another reason for the success of combine harvesters is that they are less labour intensive than the tractor-run-threshers, which was the only option till recently for the farmers. Considering the slump in the influx of migrant labourers and the high cost involved in engaging local labour, the new machines are a boon. Also, the farmers who don’t have livestock have been opting for the combine threshing machines. Though farmers in hilly areas are still sticking to the tractor-driven threshers, in plane areas like RS Pura, Marh block, Arnea, Ramgarh and Vijaypur combine threshing machines have a good presence in the fields of mature wheat crop. “The previous method was outdated and time consuming. The entire exercise of extracting wheat would get tedious. Now, it’s just a matter of a few hours and you are finished with the job,” said a farmer, Tarlok Singh of RS Pura. However, farm experts believe that the new technology will bring with it new problems. “As it leaves the stuble and just treats the corn, farmers have started burning the same, causing air pollution.” “They (farmers) burn remains on their fields under the impression that germs will get burnt down in flames besides the ash will fertilise the field. But they are wrong as fire not only kills water retention power of soil but also destroys several soil nutrients,” they said. “The state government should keep farmers abreast with the modern technology, but it should also focus on having indigenous combine machines that are built keeping in mind landholdings of farmers in the region,” said president of the Kissan Council, Tajinder Singh. Besides, the new machines doesn’t produce any husk, which is worrying farmers. “We cannot do away with the husk as it will cast impact on dairy production. So such machines should be invented which produce husk also,” he added. |
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Abdullahs host glitterati in aid of quake-hit children
New Delhi, April 27 The tables at Durbar Hall of Taj Palace were paid for by the 150-odd guests and the proceeds went to Payal Abdullah's charity foundation, Rahat, which is rehabilitating quake orphans, pregnant women, widows and destitutes, rendered homeless by the temblor. The focus of the organisation is education and mother-and-child care. "Glamour and politics lend meaning to a charitable cause," observed a guest as the first VIP couple trooped into Shah Jahan Hall for pre-dinner cocktails onSaturday night. The dress code was a fusion of power and the latest fashion on the couture street - high on sequins, chiffons, zardosi work, metallic shades and low cuts for women; while the men stuck to the formal black two-piece suits and trendy bandgallas. Payal Abdullah shone in a deep purple chiffon sari and a matching halter-neck embroidered choli. A bouffant bob completed the look. Husband Omar and father-in-law Farooq Abdullah were attired in western-style bandgallas while her sons sported casual school blazers. The guest list cut across Bollywood, the fashion industry, politicians and sports celebrities. While crowd-pullers like actors Sanjay Dutt, Rahul Bose, Pooja Bedi, designers Ritu Beri and Anjali Taneja and Olympic medallist Abhinav Bindra kept the media on its toes, the socialities were represented by the crème of the country's business fraternity and media barons. Politicians included the likes of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and several Congress MPs. But the thread that bound them all
was compassion for humanity. "Rahat helps underprivileged children. This year, we are trying to help children in Jammu and Kashmir. We are paying for the education of several children who have survived the earthquake and have set up schools in remote areas. We are also providing them with basic healthcare. The children are coping well in the aftermath of the earthquake because they have the ability to bounce back," Payal Abdullah told IANS. Rahat was set up in 2005, barely days after the earthquake that killed over 70,000 people. "It was one of the earliest relief organisations to rush aid to the victims," Payal said. In 2006, Rahat adopted Mohd Owais, a grade II student of the Air Force School in Jammu, who lost his father in the quake. Omar Abdullah said the fund-raiser, which would become an annual event from next year, "was a token of gratitude to all those who have stood by Rahat for the last five years". As the chief minister fielded volleys from an inquisitive media, actors Sanjay Dutt and Rahul Bose kept the lensmen busy. "Recently, I completed a 50-day shoot for a movie 'Lamhe' in Kashmir. I came across several children who were still in the grip of trauma even after five years. I photographed them and handed a CD of the images to Omar to highlight their plight," Dutt told IANS. Rahul Bose said he agreed to compere the event after Payal briefed him about Rahat as the "cause was close to my heart". The actor manages his own organisation, Foundation of Children's Education, which works for underprivileged children. Olympic medallist Abhinav Bhindra, who set up his own charity platform to promote sports in villages and among underprivileged children in Chandigarh last week, said: "I am happy to be associated with Rahat because I am a bit of a samaritan myself." —
IANS |
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Bollards ease traffic movement on Jammu roads
Jammu, April 27 Initiatives taken by the traffic police of installing bollards at Gandhi Nagar market, Nanak Nagar and Bikram Chowk are giving relaxation to the commuters by saving their time and scuffles on roads. The blocking of Bikram Chowk diversion to solve the problem of repeated jam at this ever-busy area is proving beneficial for commuters because earlier this chowk presented a chaotic situation. A senior traffic police officer said: “In the past one month, the number of road accidents has not only decreased, but also the vehicular movement has smoothened by the steps taken by the traffic wing of the Jammu police”. He further said public should also cooperate with the cops for maintaining the traffic. After visiting a number of places in the city, The Tribune team observed that the initiatives taken by the traffic police were proving as a successful effort. Though bollards have started felling at some places, the system was working to streamline the traffic. However, at Nanak Nagar, an intersection made with bollards was creating confusion to the commuters because they were not erected in the middle of the road. However, Ravinder Puri, a businessman at Nanak Nagar, said: “It was not possible to install bollards in the middle of the road because they would have reduced the turning area and minibuses would not be able to take turn”. He further said it had decreased the number of accidents. At other parts of the city where the traffic police has installed bollards were also speaking their success stories. “Earlier, it used to take nearly 15 minutes to go to Last Morh from Gole Market in Gandhi Nagar, but with the installation of bollards, it takes just 5 minutes,” said Harish Sharma, a resident of Shastri Nagar. Gulshan Khajuria, a resident of Janipur, said: “Bikram Chowk, which earlier took more than 10 minutes to go to the flyover, has now become more easy to cross and one can reach the flyover within a minute”. He added that earlier he used to reach late to his office due to traffic snarls at Bikram Chowk, but now the problem had been solved. Zahid Manhas, SP Traffic, said: “It was the need of the hour to take some steps because commuters were facing lots of problems”. He added: “Now our next step is to streamline the traffic scenario at the Dogra Chowk. It will take just two-three days and you will see a major change in vehicular movement here”. He further said the steps taken by the traffic police might be causing some adversely affect to shopkeepers or other section of people, but it was the need of the people and was proving its worth. |
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J&K Bank official on board of CSC
Jammu, April 27 The appointment comes in the wake of the bank acquiring a certain portion of the equity of the company. It is pertinent to mention that J&K bank is the only bank in the country mandated to implement the CSC project. Pandit heads this project named as Khidmat Centre. Pandit said he was honoured to have been nominated on the board of directors. “I am thankful to the J&K Bank management for keeping faith in me and I will try my best to respond to that faith. By being part of a national
initiative at the apex level, I will try my best to bring the best practices in e-governance to the state,” he said. |
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Internet helps boost tourism in Patnitop
Jammu, April 27 “We are overwhelmed with the footfall of tourists and the season has just begun,” said Suresh Kumar Pandit, manager, Jammu Kashmir Tourist Development Corporation (JKTDC). He attributed the heavy rush to Internet booking started few months ago. “Earlier, people used to come here through agents or when they hear about the place during their visit to Vaishno Devi. But as there was no direct link with us, bookings were never as good as now,” he said. The JKTDC website, he said, allowed for convenient booking and tourists don’t have the anxiety of being fleeced by any agent or whether they would get rooms now or not. “Heat wave in the country is forcing the people to opt for cooler environs and they rush towards mountains. With the peaceful situation in the state and many tourism development, people are coming in droves,” he said. Karan, a tourist from Amritsar, told The Tribune over the phone from Patnitop that he, along with his wife Meena, got the booking via Internet so that they can spend their honeymoon on cool peaks. The manager said booking was full for nearly 60 rooms and cottages, adding, “We have advanced booking for the next month and we are making plans to renovate some tourist huts and cottages”. Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture, also took stock of the facilities provided to tourists in a visit to the hill resort recently. The minister directed Satash Nehru, managing director, JKTDC, to construct two restaurants at Patnitop and Padoura. He also directed the officers of the Development Authority, Patnitop, for the construction of chain fencing at Padoura and instructed them not to allow any ponywalla to use undefined tracks. He also asked the concerned to identify the land for the construction of sheds for ponywallas. He also reviewed the funds utilised by the Patnitop Development Authority for various tourist developmental works. The minister was informed that the construction work of various tourist developmental activities, including park at Sudh Mahadev, toilet block at Patnitop, Padoura Chowk-Nag Temple road and other developmental works undertaken in Batote, are in full swing. Jora directed the concerned to speed up the pace of work and utilise the funds properly. While interacting with tourists at Patnitop, the minister asked them to share experiences and observations of their visit to Jammu and Kashmir with the people in their states. He asked them to visit the Kashmir Valley also. The tourists from Pune apprised him that sanitary units be reconstructed at the tourist spot. Jora directed on the spot to the authorities for the construction of at least two sanitary units each both for ladies and gents at the appropriate place. A delegation of the Kud Patnitop Development Society, Kud, also met the minister and appraised him about their problems. The minister assured them that their demands would be looked into. SM Sahni, director tourism, Jammu, Dr Kirmani, chief executive officer, and other senior officers of tourism, JKTDC, and Development Authority, Patnitop, accompanied the minister during his tour. |
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Rain brings down mercury
in Kashmir
Srinagar, April 27 Just last month, the daytime temperature in the valley had noticed a remarkable increase as it had gone 11 degrees above normal, but with the continuous rainfall for the past few days, the temperature has dropped more than 7 degrees. “Last month, it was so hot that we packed warm clothes and were even wearing half tee-shirts, but in April, the day temperature is so low that we have again taken our sweaters out,” said Abdul Hamid, a resident of old town Srinagar. The people associated with the state MeT Department say during March there was no weather system or no disturbance so the temperature kept on increasing, but now with the arrival of some weather system, there has been a continuous rainfall and drop in the temperature. This was not for the first time that people in Kashmir are experiencing cold in April. A few years ago, there was heavy snowfall on April 29, and in October 28, 1982, the valley also witnessed snowfall. “While the people of other parts of the country are suffering due to the heat wave conditions, the situation in Kashmir is entirely different and we are witnessing cold weather,” said Mazoor Ahmed, a local resident. Though there has been a remarkable decrease in the day temperature in the valley, the night time temperature continues to be above normal. “Even as the day temperature in the valley has dropped by around 7 degrees, the night time temperature is above normal by 1.5 degrees,” said an officer of the department. Meanwhile, the residents can be seen wearing woolen clothes, even jackets are also out. “After an increase in the day temperature in March, we had packed sweaters and jackets, but with a sudden drop in the temperature, we have once again taken them out,” said Firdous Ahmed, a resident of Lal Chowk, Srinagar. The department predicts that in the coming days, the people of the valley would have no respite from cold weather conditions and there would be more rainfall in the plains and snowfall in the higher reaches which would further bring the temperature down. |
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These docs need good manners
Doctors are supposed to be polite due to the nature of their job. More so for heart specialists but the staff of a private hospital near the city Airport seem to be just the opposite. Talking rudely to patients is one thing but having no concern for the condition of patients is quite another. The other day, an aged lady fainted in the waiting room as the reception staff made her wait too long for her turn. Another woman who had come from Pathankot was rudely shown the door as she was half an hour late for the appointment. All pleadings of the daughters of the woman fell on deaf ears. The reception staff loudly rebuked them, saying that they have to seek fresh appointment, insensitively ignoring the condition of the woman. One expected better service in private hospitals but the visit to this hospital was an eye opener. Colonial mentality persists
With the onset of RTI era the status of colonial law, Official Secrecy Act, 1923, has got diluted but bureaucrats tend to remain custodians of information. While seeking information, usually a reporter finds that bureaucrats hardly part with any. What you have got to do with it? This is their usual question on being asked for information. Though the RTI Act has superseded the colonial Act, it will take long to create an appreciable dent in the colonial mentality. As long as RTI remains selectively used by people, the bureaucracy's mindset is likely to remain the same. Un-civic morning walkers
Taking a walk in the morning is considered good for health and hence every morning several health enthusiasts, young and old, throng the park in historical Mubarak Mandi. If some old people could be spotted doing yoga Guru Ramdev's "anulom vilom" and other asanas, others could be seen taking a brisk walk and, at the same time, cleansing their teeth with time-tested datuns. Since Newton's third law (every action has an equal and opposite reaction at that particular moment) holds relevance these datun-brandishing health-freaks spit out saliva right in the park. Irked over their "un-civic" action a reaction followed as the park now has a board, which reads: "Park ke andar datun karna sakht mana hai." (See photo). No cellphone
in SSP office
If you want to meet SSP Basant Rath at his office, make sure that you are not carrying a cellphone. One has to deposit the mobile phone to a constable sitting outside his office. Though this might have been made obviously for the security reasons, yet the safety of one’s cellphone is not sure as the person collecting the mobile phones is not equipped with any coupons or a safe or a cupboard. It is better not to carry one’s mobile phone while visiting the SSP’s office. Rebels find way to escape action
Fearing disciplinary action, dissidents in the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) have devised a new strategy to continue their activities to strengthen their group. Instead of holding public meetings to criticise PCC chief Saif-ud-din and his loyalists, those owing allegiance to Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand have been organising "luncheon" meetings and "tea parties" to educate their loyalists. After holding a Baisakhi milan function, the pro-Deputy Chief Minister faction has announced to conduct private meetings in the houses of their leaders. Loyalists of the PCC chief don't have any reason to take action against the dissidents because it is the prerogative of the host to invite leaders of his choice to such functions. The first such tea party was held on Sunday where leaders of only one faction were invited. BOSE image takes
a beating
The State Board of School Education (BOSE) will have struggle hard to regain people’s trust. The BOSE has almost lost its credibility among the people due to the recent incidents of paper leakage and smuggling of answersheets. Involvement of its employees in these anti-social and anti-students acts has further tainted its image. A majority of the parents are now demanding a separate board for Jammu and Kashmir, which they think is the only way to save the careers of their wards. (Contributed by Ashutosh
Sharma, Ravi K Khajuria, Archit Watts, Dinesh Manhotra and Sunaina Kaul) |
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Jammu, April 27
Jammu, April 27
Doctors are supposed to be polite due to the nature of their job. More so for heart specialists but the staff of a private hospital near the city Airport seem to be just the opposite. Talking rudely to patients is one thing but having no concern for the condition of patients is quite another. The other day, an aged lady fainted in the waiting room as the reception staff made her wait too long for her turn. Another woman who had come from Pathankot was rudely shown the door as she was half an hour late for the appointment. All pleadings of the daughters of the woman fell on deaf ears.
