Jammu, May 25
Five accidents in a day recently in Jammu region, which claimed 27 lives and injured 87 persons, have once again highlighted the need to take immediate and concrete measures to make road travel safer.

According to the traffic wing of the Jammu police, more than 3,500 people lost their lives in road accidents from 2005-09. The highest death toll of 1,000 was recorded in 2006.

On an average, about 700 persons die in road accidents every year in the region. A total of 5,593 accidents have taken place in the past five years till 2009.

Srinagar, May 25
With heat wave conditions intensifying in the country, a large number of tourists are thronging the picturesque valley, which offers a pleasant weather.

According to an estimate, more than three lakh tourists have visited Kashmir so far this year. Almost all hotels and houseboats are witnessing full occupancy.

“Hotels have registered 90 per cent occupancy, which is a good sign,” said Rauf Ahmad Tramboo, president, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir.

“Weather has become unbearable in Mumbai. We came here for some respite. The pleasant weather here has given us much relief,” said Soniya, a tourist from Mumbai, who along with her family is staying here for the past few days.

She added that she had even enjoyed the rainy spell here. “It added to my happiness while I am here. Memories of lofty mountains and scenic beauty that I am carrying along would not have been complete without experiencing rain”.

A hotelier in Boulevard, on the banks of Dal Lake, says they expect more tourists this season. “Kashmir has been an all-time favourite tourist destination. We are receiving good number of tourists and expect the same to continue throughout the season. This is healthy sign for the tourism sector in the valley”.

Besides domestic tourists, foreigners are too enjoying their stay here. “It is nice to be here. I discover shikaras as something very beautiful,” said Ben Dek, a tourist from Belgium.

Shikaras are in huge demand. People related to the tourism sector are doing a good business. Few years ago, the number of shikaras was not more than 2,500, but with increasing tourist flow, their number also went up.

Shaista Akther, a frontline hotel executive in posh locality, said the tourist rush was increasing day by day. “Our hotel is fully occupied and we are referring tourists to guest houses and small hotels. Houseboats too are occupied”.

She added, “We are getting more bookings and some tourists have deferred their plans to visit the valley due to the lack of accommodation”. She pointed that people directly or indirectly associated with the trade were doing good business.

Ravi Kumar, a tourist, while commenting on the development of local tourism, said, “Kashmir cannot become an attractive tourist destination until a decent infrastructure is in place with budget hotels, accessible and clean restaurants, rent-controlled taxis and plenty of buses to tourist destinations”.

Another tourist, Amit Kumar, said controlled prices, conscious shopkeepers, welcoming and smiling public were equally important.

Jammu, May 25
In the absence of any concrete policy, the promotion of art and culture appears to be the least priority for the authorities. This is evident from the fact that the only multicultural complex, Kala Kendra, here, is in a shambles.

Set up over a decade ago with a mission to promote and disseminate rich art and culture of the state, the institution has remained neglected all these years, so much so that its land, measuring over 28 kanals is still under the occupation of the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC).

Sources said despite raising the matter several times with the authorities, the land continues to be under the occupation of the SRTC, which has converted the same into a departmental yard to dump junk items.

The sources said in the absence of society members to run the affairs of the kendra, no decision was being taken or implemented to promote cultural activities in the state for which the idea of having such a mega centre was envisaged by PG Dharchakaraborty, former vice-chairman of the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) in 1996.

Presently, Kala Kendra is under the twin control of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art and Culture and Languages and the State Archives Department. While the ground floor is in the custody of the academy, the Archives Department has put on display some redundant artifacts and photographs to woo public.

Ravinder Kaul, state’s noted art critic, said except for nominating administrator on a stopgap arrangement during the past five years, the agencies had neglected this prestigious cultural centre located in the heart of the city. “In the absence of any cultural policy, no one owns Kala Kendra,” he remarked.

The kendra was set up in 1996 with eminent personalities, Prof Ram Nath Shastri, Ghulam Rasool Santosh and Tashi Rabgyas, as its society members, representing Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions respectively. The JDA had provided over 71 kanals free of cost.

Since then, no serious work has been done, except the formation of the interim managing committee in 2005. “Now, the irony is that even the society does not exist as its three basic members have since expired. “Even after the death of Shastri, Santosh and Rabgyas, no member from the artist community was nominated to revive the defunct society,” the sources said.

Soujayana Sharma, administrator, Kala Kendra, said in the absence of a society, no major decisions on its present status could be taken.

Sharma also admitted that there were no funds even for the routine maintenance of the kendra.

Srinagar, May 25
No clue has been found about Syed Zuhaib Rizvi(23) who went missing about 10 days back.

Rizvi, a final year student at Batra Medical College, Jammu, went missing since May 14. According to his family, Rizvi left for his hostel after appearing in a practical examination of gynaecology. "In the hostel, he chatted with his friends, cracked jokes and left for the city but never returned".

A bright student, Rizvi wanted to be a psychiatrist as he felt that there was dire need for the same in the valley, said his sister.

The family learns that Rizvi had hired a taxi for Mansar lake, about 60 km from campus. "He had even asked for the driver's visiting card so that he could call him to return".

His wallet, identity card and the driver's visiting card was found by the police on the lake's bank. "Every effort was made to search him in the lake but he couldn't be traced". His father, Syed Nissar Rizvi, an executive engineer, died in a road accident 11 years back.

"After the death of my husband, he was my only hope and today he too has left me", says Rizvi's mother but adds "I know he is around. I will wait for him till he returns. Destiny can't be that cruel to me".

A missing report has been lodged in a Jammu police station but no breakthrough has been made in the case so far. The family says the last phone call he made to home was to his cousin asking him to get his cellphone recharged.

Srinagar, May 25
Writers from all regions in the state were awarded the 45th best book award 2009 for their literary contributions during a function organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages on May 20.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also president of the academy, gave away awards. The writers who received awards included Ved Rahi for “Lal Ded” (Dogri). During his career spanning over five decades, he has written and directed feature films such as “Pehchan”, “Aap Aye Bahar Ayi” and many other successful flicks.

He has written and directed various popular TV serials like “Gul Gulshan Gulfam”, “Katha Sagar” in addition to scores of short and documentary films. Apart from writing for cinema, he has authored several books in Hindi, Dogri and Urdu.

Dr. Farooq Fayaz was awarded for “Kashmiri Folk Lore” (English). He has authored seven books in English and Kashmiri, some of which have been given status of reference books at the postgraduate level.

Initiating his literary career early in life, Shyam Bihari has turned into a versatile writer who writes and translates in many languages with equal felicity and ease. He has one book of poetry to his credit, in addition to innumerable research papers, translations and poems. He was awarded for “Main Samandar Hoa Saksata Tha” (Hindi).

Muhammad Amin Kamil is one of the defining litterateurs of Kashmir language. Besides, being a seminal poet, he is an exceptional short story writer and novelist. He was awarded for “Yimieoni Sukhan” (Kashmiri). He has written scores of books, plays and has received a number of awards, including Padma Shri. Tsering Chospal was awarded for “Sharsems Kyi Melong” (Ladakhi). He has written many documentaries, some of which are on historical figures. He has edited biography of Lama Tsultin Nyima in Ladakhi and autobiography of Gergan Konchok Sodnam. He has edited Academy’s Ladakhi publication “The life and message of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)”.

Sabir Mirza, who was awarded for “Rang Rutan Gulzar” (Pahari,) has written a number of books, collection of Urdu, Pahari, Punjabi verses, Gojri poems and some research work. He has been honoured by various organizations for his contribution in the field of culture and literature.

Recipient of many awards, Harbajan Singh Sagar was awarded for “Band Darwaza Da Bartan” (Punjabi). He has authored dozens of papers on diverse topics in addition to translation of many Urdu, Hindi and Kashmiri short stories in Punjabi.

Tarannum Reyaz, awarded for “Mera Rakht Safar” (Urdu), has authored more than 10 books of fiction, criticism and poetry, including two novels and a collection of poetry. She started her literary career with publication of her Urdu translations of works of Anita Desai, Vishnu Prabhakar for the Sahitya Akademi.

Jammu, May 25
To facilitate students in the new academic session, the University of Jammu has decided to update its website. In this updated version, the website address will remain the same, but its contents and theme will be changed.

Presently, there are some problems while accessing the website, sources said.

Now, with the suggestions of students and officials, the authorities have decided to update and revamp the website. They have invited tenders from some software companies too.

Showing interest in updating the www.jammuuniversity.in website of the university, vice-chancellor Varun Sahni has directed his officials to modernise and update it, said a senior varsity official.

The official said besides important notices and notifications, addresses and contact numbers of all officials (teaching and non-teaching) would either be updated or added.

The sources said researches done by scholars or professors of the university would be updated time to time within a very short period. Campus portal will also be available in the updated version of the website.

Besides, all previous years’ results will be available on the website, the official said, adding that colleges affiliated to the JU would also be mentioned in the website.

The strength of team, which is monitoring, updating and operating the website, will also be increased.

PS Pathania, registrar, also accepted the fact that there are some errors in the website, which would be rectified from this session. He said, “The functioning of all departments will be covered on a regular basis in the modernised version of the website”.

Jammu, May 25
The shifting of primitive slaughterhouses from the residential areas to the outskirts of the city is still a distant dream for residents of Dogra Hall and Gujjar Nagar.

The two slaughterhouses, constructed in 1947 in these two residential colonies, are source of inconvenience for residents of these colonies.

However, residents complained that their problem increased tremendously with the arrival of summer.

Talking to The Tribune, Devanand, a resident of Dogra Hall, said, “During summer, foul smell coming out from the slaughterhouse spreads everywhere, thus making the life miserable for us,” adding that, “Despite our repeated pleadings to the authorities to shift the slaughterhouse, nothing has been done so far”.

Expressing annoyance against the Municipal Corporation, Manzoor Shafi, a shopkeeper at Gujjar Nagar, said slaughterhouse had become nuisance for residents of the area, adding that no one could pass through the road without holding breath.

The residents alleged that stinking water along with waste drained out of the slaughterhouse blocks the main drain at regular intervals.

Expressing apprehension that workers of slaughterhouse sometimes kills expectant goats, Tariq Mohammad, a resident of the area, said, “Many times I have seen premature lambs dumped inside the main drain, due to which foul smell emits out of it continuously”.

Besides, hindering frequent movement of pedestrians, the presence of slaughterhouse has also affected business of some shopkeepers in the area.

Faooq Shafi, a daba owner, whose daba is situated few steppes away from the slaughterhouse said, “Due to its presence I have suffered a slow down in my business as customers do not prefer to have food in my daba. The foul smell makes them uncomfortable to sit and have food”.

As the main drain of the area has its outlet in river Tawi, the entire wastage of the area along with the drained water of the slaughterhouse find its space into the river.

However, Municipal Corporation’s Commissioner Mubarak Singh said the proposal to shift slaughterhouses to the outskirts of the city was still in the pipeline.

He stated that the selected land for the construction of slaughterhouses were under controversy as the land falls under the Forest Department.

“When the department gives approval for the construction, we will start our work with immediate effect,” he added.

Srinagar, May 25
A seven-day Lukhnavi Food Festival was opened here at Pirzoo cafeteria located on the banks of Jhelum. The festival is organised by the Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar, in collaboration with the state Tourism Department.

Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora after inaugurating the festival stated that with an aim to providing entertainment facilities to the tourists in Srinagar city, the Tourism Department would soon start a river cruise from Pirzoo to Khan-kha-i-Mowalla soon.

Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani, Tourism director Farooq Ahmad Shah, senior officials of the Tourism Department and the Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar, were present on the occasion.

A large number of tourists participated in the festival and were delighted to taste the Lukhnavi cuisine.

Speaking on the occasion, Jora said the Tourism Department in collaboration with sister departments would also organise food festivals of other states at scenic spots in Srinagar for the attraction of visiting tourists.

He said the department would soon organise a mega Kashmiri Food Festival in the city for introducing the world-known Kashmiri wazwan.

The minister said Srinagar being the face of tourism industry in the state would be developed at a large scale, adding that facelift of scenic spots of the city and its vicinity was the topmost priority.

Tourists from other parts of the state were elated to see the ambiance of the restaurant and said they had been to many places, but the scenic beauty of Kashmir had no match anywhere. “Kashmir is really a heaven on earth and we love it. The food festival organised by the restaurant is also good and I am hopeful that it will attract more tourists to this part of the world,” said Elna, a tourist from France.

Srinagar, May 25
Coordinated efforts are required to preserve our rich biodiversity, said Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment during a seminar organised by the Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Science and Technology, in connection with the International Day for Biological Diversity celebrations.

Appreciating academic engagements of the university in issues related to environment preservation and climate change, the minister assured all help to the varsity to ensure dissemination of research conducted in this context. He proposed setting up of a committee comprising varsity scholars among others to help government to formulate its future plans regarding environment preservation.

Prof Riyaz Punjabi, vice-chancellor, said biodiversity and cultural diversity were interlinked. “The revival and preservation of our rich biodiversity is critical for our survival. We need a coherent policy to reclaim and restore biodiversity in Kashmir”. He added that globalisation posed a risk of increased homogenisation to both culture and biodiversity. “Culture holds the key to preserve our biodiversity”. Prof AR Yousuf, dean, academic affairs, and dean, biological sciences, said, “It is a time when we remind ourselves of what we’ve lost and that we need to do something about it”.

He cautioned that biodiversity of Kashmir was being lost at a fast pace. “Many rare species have been lost without us knowing it”. He regretted that the environmental management plan for Mughal road prepared by the varsity wasn’t being implemented. “The road will pass through one of the rich wildlife sanctuaries, but due to mismanagement, biodiversity may be badly affected”.

“We inherit one of the finest bio-resources,” said Prof S Fayyaz Ahmad, registrar, adding, “The development of Naseem Bagh as Chinar Heritage park is a glaring testimonial to university’s seriousness in preserving Kashmir’s biodiversity”.

Prof Zafar Reshi, head department of Botany, said, “An inventory of over 623 medicinal plant species has been done by the department. Besides, a list of 120 endemic plants (plants that are strictly native to Kashmir) has also been prepared”. Students of the varsity made presentations on UN official theme “Biodiversity is Life; Biodiversity is our Life”. A video prepared by the Secretariat of CBD, Canada, was also played followed by readout of a message on international biodiversity by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

The Department of Botany in collaboration with Markaz-e-Noor, Sheikh-ul-Alam chair had also organised a symposium “Sheikh-ul-Alam on biodiversity” as part of celebrations of the day. The vice-chancellor said Sheikh-ul-Alam’s poetry carried references to local flora and fauna of his times. “We need to prepare a glossary of these species to enhance knowledge of our glorious past”.