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Tender shoulders carry Jammu’s burden
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Tea with The Tribune
Workshop focuses on environment protection
Parking mess at Srinagar’s Press Enclave
Fake encounter case
Govt to promote floriculture
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Tender shoulders carry Jammu’s burden
Jammu, June 4 As per daily schedule, he leaves home by 8 am with a sack and returns after the sunset. During his march through the hidden pockets of the city barehanded, he sifts through garbage and domestic refuse in search of scrap. Occasionally, splinter pricks winnowing fingers or a nail or some sharp-edgy object plunges into foot piercing his rubber slippers. More painful than injuries are abuses that are hurled on him when he passes through a locality. “We are habitual of everything now. It’s nothing new for us. We are into it since childhood,” said his buddy and fellow worker Mohd Yousaf. Their recognition is that of ragpickers. But the real identity goes beyond the stereotype that is stick to the job. Hundreds of such children are working silently to preserve soil, though unknowingly, by collecting non-biodegradable refuse of the entire city and making a living out of it. Most of such ragpickers roaming in the city are below the age of 18. As they are not local, observers feel that the government is not sincere about their welfare. “Jammu city does not have any treatment plant. Both biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste goes untreated. Therefore the role of ragpickers in checking soil pollution is of paramount significance,” said environmentalist AK Sharma, and added that, “The government, however, cannot lose the sight of its moral and political responsibility that is protection of child rights”. On Narwal bypass, near Bhatindi, huge dumps of scrap are piled up by ragpickers. A dealer there has appointed a supervisor over these ragpickers. “I collect 10-12 kg scrap on a daily basis which earns me between Rs 150 and Rs 200,” said another ragpicker Mohd Ismail while discussing his daily routine. Do they get their due? Possibilities of exploitation and forced labour cannot be ruled out as a majority of them are said to have come here clandestinely from poorer states. There are more than 400 families of ragpickers living here in slums for the past 15-20 years. Prof Abha Chouhan, head of the Sociology Department, University of Jammu, recommends that such children should be in schools as elementary education has been made compulsory and it’s the fundamental right of every child. “It is culture of poverty and illiteracy that children are engaged in such work by their parents. It’s a vicious circle and needs to be broken for reforms,” she added. “The government does not have any data of children out of school. Part of the reason would be that these children are from outside, but still under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan they should be imparted education”. “The government should rope in NGOs as community participation is must for bringing them into the mainstream and to educate them. It should immediately conduct a survey of such children that will go a long way in policy formulation and implementation”.
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49 CRPF companies to guard Amarnath yatra
Jammu, June 4 "Though a clear picture of the total deployment of the CRPF across the state would emerge at the Unified Command meeting in Srinagar on June 6, 49 companies (6,615 troopers, including women constables) of the CRPF are likely to be deployed exclusively for this year's pilgrimage," highly placed sources in the CRPF told The Tribune. Eleven companies are likely to be deployed from Kathua to Ramban in the Jammu region while the remaining 38 companies would be guarding the pilgrimage on the other side of the Jawahar tunnel in Kashmir right up to the twin tracks of Baltal and Pahalgam, they said. The two companies of women along with Jammu and Kashmir police personnel would be assigned the task of frisking women pilgrims, they said, adding that they would be deployed as per the requirement projected by the state police. The district-wise deployment is yet to be worked out by the IGs and DIGs of the CRPF in Kashmir and Jammu zones with their counterparts in the state police, the sources added. The CRPF has withdrawn 49 companies from its training centres at various places across the state for the purpose, they said. It may be stated here that ever since the CRPF took charge of internal security in Kashmir from the BSF it had deployed 55 battalions (66,000 personnel)for maintaining law and order in the valley. Wherever required the 55 battalions would also be rendering their services in smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage, they said. In this context state DGP Kuldeep Khoda had convened a meeting with the CRPF for May 25. Sources said, besides 49 companies of the CRPF being withdrawn from their training to guard the annual pilgrimage the state police would also provide its personnel while the Army will also be contributing its bit in ensuring an incident-free pilgrimage. The state government initially had sought 70 companies of the CRPF from the Union Home Ministry, they added. The famous pilgrimage had been attacked by Pak ultras in the past. Meanwhile, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has decided to allow 4.10 lakh pilgrims this year to the cave shrine nestled amidst the south
Kashmir Himalayas. |
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KK GANDHI, painter ‘Art doesn’t give you licence to hurt others’ KK Gandhi, a well-known painter of the state, is an artist with a difference. He took to painting in the second innings of his life in forties. He believes that gone are the days when an artist would be happy by just making his painting and waiting for appreciation and buyers. These days artists no longer afford to live with the traditional approach, they have to market their creations like any other product if they want to survive and thrive, he says. Jupinderjit Singh (JJS): You emerged as a painter in later part of your life. Earlier you were into manufacturing air conditioners. How this shift came? KK Gandhi (KKG): I was actually painting since my childhood, but could not develop on the talent due to dearth of resources, guidance and talent. I was eight years old when Indo-Pak war broke out in 1971. Those were the days when I would be idle and started drawing on walls with charcoal. Later, to earn a living, I took to the business of manufacturing air conditioners and selling them. But when the branded ACs entered into the market, my business took a knock. After that I discovered myself and pursued painting as my profession. You would be surprised to know that I could not clear my drawing examination in class X as I was doing work on the answer sheet of a fellow student and was caught by the supervisor. Subsequently, a case of unfair means was registered against me. Rajesh Bhat (RB): What has been the dominant theme and prominent colour of your paintings? KKG: I normally use bright colours and depict nomadic life in my paintings. I also portray Jammu’s ancient monuments and heritage sites, but I try to paint them in good light instead of showing them as haunting places as they actually are. Sunaina Kaul (SK): Your paintings are exhibited in various countries. Do you think that people of the state have the same understanding of the art as people outside the state? KKG: People do appreciate art here, but they are comparatively less aware about the art, especially paintings. In other countries like Bahrain, people are more drawn towards this form of art. Bahrain has less population even than our state, but it has the Bahrain Art Society that organises painting exhibitions to encourage artists. SK: In your opinion, how this art can be promoted in our state? KKG: Artists have a responsibility in this regard. They need to organise exhibitions on their own to connect people with the art. It will help them in promotion as well as sale of their creations as well. We are witnessing a number of palatial houses and offices of several autonomous bodies coming up here. People do need artifacts for decorations and the need is to approach them. Painters can also collaborate with hotels for the sale of their paintings. Dinesh Manhotra (DM): Don’t you think that some painters deliberately prepare derogatory paintings to invite ire from some fundamentalist forces to get publicity? KKG: I am not going to deny these allegations. Some painters deliberately prepare such works that hurt sentiments of some section of society. I don’t think that nudity is the only way of painting. Instead of preparing painting that hurt sentiments of people, painters should prepare positive paintings for strengthening relations among different sections. Ashutosh Sharma (AS): Piccasso of India, MF Hussain, is no longer a citizen of India. Being a painter how do you look at the development? KKG: There can be no other Picasso in this world. As far as the controversy surrounding Hussain is concerned, I feel that art does not give you a licence to hurt the feelings of people around you. There is no need to paint the women or deities in nude. Even I am attracted towards painting women, but I just draw their facial expressions that aptly define different shades of their personalities. AS: What do you believe, art should be for art’s sake or it must have a social cause associated with it? KKG: Social cause is very significant and art of any kind should be exercised with social responsibility. AS: Don’t you think it restricts the artist from exercising free will? KKG: I don’t agree with it. Ravi Krishnan Khajuria (RKK): An artist can never remain insensitive towards the harsh realities, especially in a militancy-infested state like Jammu and Kashmir. Have you ever tried to convey a message through your paintings to the people vis-ŕ-vis militancy? KKG: I usually make paintings that give positive vibes and happiness to the people, but of course, an artist can never remain aloof to the harsh realities. In fact, I made a painting based upon militancy wherein two adolescent boys peeping out of a window of their house with their noses pressed against the windowpane looking at a bus being blown up in an explosion. The fear is writ large on their faces with flying splinters hitting their windowpane leaving a crack on it. The major attraction of my creation is that the scene of destruction is reflected on that windowpane and not in the picture itself. The fear on their faces, bus being blown up in explosion and flying splinters hitting their windowpane… through this creation of mine I tried to portray how militancy has affected even small children in this state, leaving a scar on their tender minds. However, people usually don’t want negativity. There is so much of violence, bloodshed, poverty and other evils. Those who buy my paintings for their drawing rooms are interested in seeing the brighter side of life. DM: It is widely perceived that eminent painters to project themselves as progressive usually sell poverty of the country. What is your reaction? KKG: I agree with you. During my visit in different parts country, I observed that some painters only prepare paintings depicting poverty among the people to project themselves as progressive. RB: Tell us something about the painting which you consider your masterpiece. KKG: It has been the portrait of Jammu’s Mubarak Mandi heritage complex that was the focus of attention for every visitor during the Jammu Festival, 2008. I gave a royal touch to this painting on a 9X5 ft canvas. The painting is presently adding grace to a central lodge in Jammu University. RB: How sensitive are people of Jammu towards art and artistic community? KKG: There is a little awareness among the people towards the essence of art in our society. Let us admit it, we are not so good art lovers. Archit Watts (AW): Have you made any painting on the theme of saving the Tawi? KKG: Yes, I have made a number of paintings regarding the river. It is our holy river called as Suryaputri. Now, I am planning to make a painting, which will show the difference when it was on the full flow and the present condition when the water level is almost zero. AW: How much time do you take to draw a painting? KKG: I just need five-six sittings, means only three days to complete a painting. Most of my paintings have been made in this much time.
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Workshop focuses on environment protection
Srinagar, June 4 “The area of the state is 2,22,236 sq km and mineral bearing area is 13,334 sq km. Limestone, gypsum, coal, lignite, bauxite are the major minerals found here,” said Ishtiyaq Ahmad, director, Geology and Mining. Providing brief details about some minerals, he said limestone was found in all districts of the valley and in Kathua, Udhampur, Kargil and Leh. “The state possesses 6,081 million tonnes reserves and 37 mining leases have been granted”. He informed that gypsum is found in Baramulla and Doda districts. “It has 150 million tonnes reserves and 19 leases have been granted”. Similarly, 400 million cubic metres reserves of marbles have been found in Kupwara, Kargil and Leh, he said. “Granite is found in Kargil, Leh, Ganderbal, Baramulla and Doda. Seven million tonnes and one reserve of magnesite are found in Udhampur and 62 million tonnes of graphite are found in Baramulla,” Ahmad added. In his deliberations, Irfan Yaseen, vice-chairman, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, said: “We are planning elaborate network treatment of raw sewerage in Dal Lake as sewerage intensifies nutrient load of the lake resulting in eutrophication. Two major STPs are coming up at much advanced stage”. Yaseen said 3 lakh people are living in peripheries of the lake and these households would be connected with sewerage treatment plants. He added that the lake receives huge quantity of solid waste management everyday. “We collect tonnes of waste and treat it through conventional methods,” he said. Khifayat Hussain Rizvi, chairman, Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), said need of the hour is to keep the environment clean. “The SDA is the guardian of Srinagar master plan. Its foremost objective is to safeguard the city. Unfortunately, residential areas are converted into commercial purposes. This greed has spoiled our development and growth”. “It is not only government, but also people have to come forward for the conservation of various water bodies. We have to protect all water bodies,” said Manzoor Wangoo, chairman, Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation, adding, “Tourists prefer to stay in Nageen Lake as compared to Dal Lake due to deteriorating condition of the latter”. “Largely, most of the Indians burn garbage or put in some nearby nullah,” said Clinton Vyas, an environmentalist. “Collection, treatment and transportation are important for waste management. First, waste needs to be segregated. Infrastructure needs to be developed. Once the waste is collected, it has to be treated. Composting helps to convert waste into fertiliser”. “Awareness is need of the hour,” said Vyas. He also spoke about dry and hazardous waste management. Vinod Kumar, representing MailHem engineers, spoke about the option of biogas as renewable energy and solid waste management plants. The workshop comprised of various technical sessions deliberating on various topics. |
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Parking mess at Srinagar’s Press Enclave
Srinagar, June 4 Journalists working with various local, national and international news organisations have to face lots of problems as the space outside their offices mostly remains encroached upon by car owners and hawkers. “Sometimes it becomes difficult for us to even open the gate of our office as the entire space outside our office is jam-packed with vehicles,” said editor of a local newspaper. The space which has been kept for the parking of vehicles belonging to mediapersons is already occupied by the vehicles of shopkeepers who park their vehicles in the area much earlier than the offices of these news organisations open. “They open their shops early in the morning and when we come to our office, we are left with no parking space,” said a reporter working with a national newspaper. He said despite having adequate parking space outside his office in the press enclave, he had to park his vehicle in the space where he had to pay for parking. “Though there is an ample parking space outside my office, the same gets occupied in the morning. So I have to pay and park my vehicle,” said the reporter. Not even small vehicles, but at times matador and minibus operators too park their vehicles at the press enclave leaving a lot of congestion in the enclave and restricting the movement of vehicles. “Many times when we have to go for an assignment we are unable to move our vehicles,” said another reporter. Apart from parking woes, journalists are also concerned with the fact that most of the space in the press enclave has been occupied by hawkers and kiosks. “Even at the entrance of the enclave one could find so many kiosks which make our movement in the enclave difficult. Even at times, these hawkers don’t allow us to park our vehicles,” said another reporter. It is not that the journalists had never taken up the issue with the administration. Many times the issue was taken up with the district administration, but so far the administration has failed to take any corrective measure so as to mitigate the problems being faced by the press community of Srinagar. Unlike Jammu, where mediapersons have a club to interact with each other, the media fraternity in Kashmir does not have such a facility. The press enclave is the only place where they used to gather, but now some of the newspapers are moving their offices out of the enclave due to the problems being faced by them. |
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srinagar diary
A large number of labourers, including men, women and children from outside the valley, have been thronging Kashmir over the years to earn livelihood. Most have been either braving the cold winter in Kashmir while others frequenting the valley, particularly during the summer, have become used to various kinds of work in the households, business establishments or construction works. Many of them have been experts in paddy cultivation right from seed sowing in early spring till the harvest in autumn. On arrival many such labourers finding jobs in households or a construction site with their own contacts. While waiting for their destination of work they have to wait for days depending upon their expertise in a particular field. There are many such places for them to rest. One such place is a newly constructed shopping complex in a bus stand (See Picture) at Athwajan on the city outskirts where they end their long bus journey from Jammu. Changing
weather
These days the people of Kashmir do not know about the mood of the weather as it keeps on changing. While residents in the plains across India are facing scorching heat, people in Kashmir are caught between summer and winter clothes. Even if it is sunny in the morning, it becomes cloudy in the afternoon and it starts raining in the evening. And if it is raining in the morning, all of a sudden sun starts shining bright. The Metrological Department has predicted that in the coming few days Kashmir should brace itself for the rainy season. Kashmir has already been struggling with incessant rain for the past two months and more rain would only add to the miseries of the common people. While in other parts of the country, the sale of cold drinks and other such beverages has increased due to intense heat, the situation in Kashmir is otherwise and there is an increase in the sale of umbrellas. Waterlogging routine after rain
Waterlogging has been a serious concern in the valley. Even a slightest downpour floods streets, lanes and bylanes, making it difficult to move around. Even the heart of the city is no exception. Within the commercial hub of the city, pedestrians often have to wade through knee-deep water while commuters struggle to make it to the city centre. At many places in and around the city, many shopkeepers can be seen salvaging their merchandise from rainwater collected therein. Basically, the drainage system here has failed to come up to the expectations. Nor much care is taken to improve it. A well-managed plan has to be framed to check this problem once and for all.
(Contributed by Ehsan Fazili, Tejinder Singh Sodhi and Afsana
Rashid) |
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Fake encounter case
Srinagar, June 4 He said the papers for custody of the accused officer would be sent to the Army within two days. The police has also decided to seize the weapons, which the Army had claimed to have recovered from the slain villagers. Three persons -- Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Riyaz Ahmad Lone and Muhammad Shafi Lone -- belonging to Nadihal village in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, had allegedly been framed as separatist guerrillas and killed in a staged shootout by the Army. The police has already arrested a soldier of the Territorial Army and three informers of the Army for hatching the alleged conspiracy to kidnap and murder the villagers.
— IANS |
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Govt to promote floriculture
Srinagar, June 4 Sharma said the valley's cool climate was apt for cultivating flowers all through the year and the Floriculture Department would expand its activities to the block level to harness the state's potential. The minister directed the department to carry out campaigns across the
valley and generate farmer interest in flower cultivation. Sharma said the Floriculture Department, which had so far remained neglected, would now receive special attention and the focus would be to turn it into a revenue-generating unit for the state.
— PTI |
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