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Chamliyal Shrine
All set for annual fair
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Fake encounters
Jammu boy gets President of India Gold Medal
Tourist facilitation centre at Nowgam soon
Rehabilitating orphans a big challenge
Security agencies out to trace diplomat's contact in Jammu
Divergence in people due to economic inequality, says expert
Frequent road mishaps cause of concern
Insurance scheme eludes Kashmir
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Chamliyal Shrine
Jammu, June 15 The manmade border virtually falls apart at the time of the mela when devotees from the other side of the border gather in large numbers at Saidawali village in Pakistan to offer “chaddar” and sweets through Pakistani Rangers, who personally visit the shrine. The festival is not only a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity but also an event that strengthens emotional bond between people on both sides of the border. Even when tension was high on the border during “Operation Prakaram”, devotees from Pakistan thronged the shrine in large numbers as is being done for the past several years. In exchange of “chaddar”, Pakistani devotees are given “shakkar” (soil) and “sharbat” (water), which is believed to have power to cure skin diseases. Though devotees from Pakistan are not allowed to cross the border, they gathered at Saidawali village, located on the international border, from where they are provided “shakkar” and “sharbat” by jawans of the BSF. Before the Indo-Pak war in 1971, Pakistanis were allowed to visit this side of the border, but now Pakistani Rangers (border police) are allowed to participate in the festival, who offer “chaddar” on behalf of the people of Pakistan. Baba Chamliyal lived about 300 years ago and is revered by people because of his saintly qualities and spiritual powers. It is said that Baba was beheaded by those who did not like his growing influence at Saidawali village, now in Pakistan. But the legend says Baba’s head, through his spiritual power came to Chamliyal village where his disciples built a tomb in his
memory. |
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All set for annual fair
Baba Chambial, June 15 The shrine is situated near the zero line on the Indo-Pak border in Samba district. The annual fair, scheduled on June 24, will witness lakhs of devotees from India. All roads leading to the shrine are being recarpeted while patchwork is being done on those in a little better condition. At the shrine, the construction of a new hall, which would have air conditioners, is in final stages. This hall would be used for VIPs, as it would be better to provide them security. The only trouble in the smooth conduct of the annual event is the ongoing struggle between leaders of the National Conference and the Congress. To control the management of the shrine, NC leaders few months ago took management from Billu Chowdhry, who was running the affairs for the past 20 years. Chowdhry, however, moved the court and got a stay order. Talking to The Tribune, he claimed the shrine was actually maintained by
the BSF and he was just managing it as per the BSF. He said after change of power in the last elections, another committee was formed at the behest of the NC leaders. Sources in the NC said there were allegations of misappropriation of funds. Chowdhry has denied the allegations saying petty politics is even threatening to divide the village on political lines and spoil the smooth conduct of the mela. |
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Fake encounters
Srinagar, June 15 "We hope that our near and dear ones are alive. We'll wait for them till our last breath. We are sure that they may not have faced the same tragedy," said Parveena Ahangar, president, APDP, during a monthly sit-in organised here. As part of its regular monthly programme, the association organises a sit-in wherein relatives of persons who have been subjected to enforced disappearances assemble and reiterate their demand to know whereabouts of their dear and near ones. The APDP puts the number of disappeared youth at 8,000 to 10,000, whereas official figures put the same at 3,000 to 4,000. In a press release issued by the association, the president said: "Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has put a question mark on the authenticity of encounter killings, thereby giving family members a reason to hope that the issue of enforced disappearance will be scrutinised". Parveena said: "Investigations in the recent killing of three innocent youths from Nadihal-Baramulla in a fake encounter at Machil have exposed the false claims of security agencies in the state regarding encounter killings of militants". She said the youths were innocent. "They were killed for medals, promotions and other personal benefits". The association demanded that the Centre should ratify International Convention for Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance. "Its enforcement will help in strengthening government's capacities to prevent enforced disappearances and will help the victims to obtain their rights to justice and truth". Parveena added that an independent commission should be set-up to probe into the issue of disappearance. |
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Jammu boy gets President of India Gold Medal
Jammu, June 15 Akhil would receive this medal in October at the institute. He topped in all the streams among 568 students by getting CGPA (cumulative grade point average) of 9.76 in B.Tech. (computer science), the result of which was declared recently. Akhil had a distinction of undertaking internship in the US in 2009 at University of Illinois. The university has given him the privilege to join for MS in computer science with full fee waiver, besides research assistantship at the Parallel Programming Laboratory (PPL). He has also been offered job by several MNCs as a software development engineer. Having topped in Army School Kaluchack, Jammu in CBSE class X, Akhil passed his Class XII by securing 93 per cent marks before he could make his way to IIT Roorkee by claiming an all-India rank of 726. Akhil spoke to The Tribune about his success mantra and future plans. Q. What inspired you to opt for software engineering? A. There is no specific reason for opting for software engineering instead of hardware. I opted for it due to the prevalent trend at that time. Moreover, I like software engineering. Q. You are joining MS programme in the University of Illinois, US. Do you have any dream project in software development that you would like to pursue there? A. I am joining the university not with any dream project but with a routine parallel programming laboratory and artificial intelligences. Q. Do you think that there is any scope for
the establishment of computer software industry in our state? A. Yes, there is a lot of scope for establishing software industry in our state, but the level of development is low as compared to other states. We have a lot of potential here. We need right direction and guidance for the promotion of industry. Q. This year, the state got many toppers. Dr Shah Faesal becomes the first Kashmiri to top civil services and now you are also the first from the state to get the President of India Gold Medal. What message would you like to give to the youth? A. One should not get captivated by single thing/thought and instead have long-term planning. For instance, if interested aspirants apply for the IIT and could not qualify it in the first chance, they should not get desperate. They should work with responsibility and with right state of mind. |
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Tourist facilitation centre at Nowgam soon
Srinagar, June 15 The new TFC would replace the tourist reception centre in Srinagar that was gutted during a militant attack a day before the launch of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service in 2005. The new Rs 11.59-crore complex has 48-room accommodation, a food court, conference hall, restaurant, information counters, besides an amphitheatre. Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Zora said the government was committed to upgrading and creating new tourism-related infrastructure at tourist spots. The minister said that more facilities like a shopping mall, rock climbing wall, amusement park and coffee shops would be constructed in the complex for the tourists. |
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Rehabilitating orphans a big challenge
Srinagar, June 15 There is need for evolving a mechanism and prescribing certain guidelines meant to be followed by orphanages. NGOs working for orphans here carried out many brain-storming sessions to develop these guidelines. In April, a breakthrough was made. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah released guidelines 'Quality Standards of Care for Orphanages at a function held at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC). These standards have been compiled in the form of a book. It has been developed by the Department of Social Welfare with support from Save the Children in collaboration with ECHO. The quality standards have been classified under 15 categories, aiming to cover every activity going on in an orphanage. According to a document, an orphanage has to conform to a set of policies and procedures for registration or its renewal. Besides, orphanages have to comply with monitoring mechanisms of the Department of Social Welfare, community and civil society to ensure welfare, care and protection of children. It calls upon the orphanages to ensure privacy and confidentiality of children's personal details. The document says that principles and practices are in place to ensure that children are not discriminated against on the basis of caste, class, gender, religion or ethnicity. It expects help to children in maintaining linkages with their families and communities. It adds that orphanages are safe places for children and they are provided security at all times through effective implementation of safety measures, rules and regulations. "The orphanage should provide a safe and protective environment and staff should have good child protection practices. Good health and hygiene practices are ensured through supportive services and a clean environment", says the document. It states that children have access to quality medical care and psychosocial or counselling support services. "Children have access to quality education and development opportunities according to their gender, age and needs. Children participate in all activities and decisions affecting their lives". Mohammad Sharief, state manager, Save the Children, says: "It took us one year to complete guidelines. A task force will be set up to look into broader contours of quality standards". He said that childhood was lost in orphanages and stakeholders wanted that this childhood was revived. "Child perspective should be the guiding force for any institution working for betterment and welfare of orphans". Sharief said: "Not all children admitted in orphanages are orphans. They are children of poor people. This is a serious discrepancy in the system, which needs to be removed. It is here that society should stand up and take up the call". |
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Security agencies out to trace diplomat's contact in Jammu
Srinagar, June 15 Contrary to earlier reports that she had picked up a packet, the 53-year-old Gupta is understood to have failed to reach her contact from whom she had to take some documents pertaining to location of Army units. However, sources said she could not get in touch with her contact because of heavy presence of the police, paramilitary forces and other units of the Army, which had gathered there in connection with an encounter that was going on after terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba slipped in around the same time. Gupta is understood to have told her interrogators that she could not meet her contact because of the heavy police presence in the area. The IFS(B) officer, who was posted in Indian Mission at Islamabad as Second Secretary in the Press and Information wing and arrested in April this year after she was called to Delhi, has named other officials who need to be investigated, the sources said. An enquiry was on to ascertain the "source" of Gupta, the sources said. The officer, who is at present in judicial custody, has been maintaining that certain classified documents were procured from within the Indian Mission in Islamabad. The diplomat named Mubassar Rana, in his late 50's, and Jamshed, another Pakistan intelligence official in his early 30's, as her handlers. Her stay in a border district of Jammu and Kashmir was being probed by security agencies who had grilled her over her contacts in Pakistan and the nature of documents supplied by her handlers. She had driven to Sunderban in the border district of Rajouri in the Jammu region during which she had toured the area extensively in her Pakistan-registered car between March 29 and April 1 this year.
— PTI |
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Divergence in people due to economic inequality, says expert
Srinagar, June 15 While discussing the transition of South Asia from an ancient civilisation to colonial territory and further to modern nation states, Dr Ludden, while speaking on "Imperial Histories and National Integration: Regional Problems in South Asia" at the University of Kashmir organised by the dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, said: "Conflict has been an important element of emergence of nation states and another transition to globalisation is also marked by conflict". While discussing emerging trends in contemporary polity in India, Dr Ludden made extensive references to economic liberalisation, coalition politics and capitalist approach. In an
hour-long speech, he spoke about concepts of political economy, globalisation, liberalisation, territorial integrity and
nationalism. He, however, expressed disappointment over the fact that instead of convergence, there was divergence in people and nations world over, which he attributed mainly to inequalities in economic opportunities. Dr Ludden opined that uneven development was the main problem with the world today as resources were not reaching those who need it the most. Emphasising the need for interdisciplinary approach while studying social sciences, Prof Riyaz Punjabi, vice-chancellor, University of Kashmir, said: "This form of research and study has been neglected for a long time". He asked the scholars to take cue from the visiting dignitary. The vice-chancellor announced the formation of a high-level committee to facilitate the adoption of an interdisciplinary approach in social sciences. Dr Ludden, Prof Nyla Ali Khan, associate professor of English and multiculturalism, University of Nebraska, Kearney, USA, besides dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Noor A. Baba, and heads of departments of concerned faculty would be members of the committee. During an interaction session, Dr Ludden said though the US could be termed as the hometown of globalisation, nonetheless, nation states are still in charge of their affairs. Dynamism and complexity of South Asia was unique and it presented scope of immense research, says Prof Noor A. Baba. "In context of the fact that relationships between the states within South Asia are still evolving, the lecture gave an insight into the dynamics of evolving relationships". Dr Ludden's research primarily concerns histories of development and globalisation in long-term perspective. His published works include four edited volumes, three monographs and over 50 academic articles and
chapters. Prof Asifa Jan, head, Department of Political Science, senior faculty members, officials of the varsity, research scholars and students were present on
the occasion. |
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Frequent road mishaps cause of concern
Srinagar, June 15 “If the scenario of road accidents in the country is grim, it is worst in J&K,” states ‘Trafficinfo’ in its latest issue. In 2009, at least 1,100 persons died and 8,199 others got injured in 5,945 road accidents. Giving the statistics of road accidents, the publication reveals that in 2008, at least 950 persons were killed, while 7,597 others got injured in 5,326 road accidents across the state. According to officials, the state-wise statistics on road accidents in 2006 showed that J&K ranked at the 13th position with 48.2 accidents per lakh population, whereas Goa ranked 1st with 241.3 accidents per lakh population. According to the available statistics, the rate of accidents per 10,000 vehicles in 2009 was 83, followed by 81 in 2008, 96 in 2007, 100 in 2006 and 111 in 2005. The density of vehicles has been more in the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu, where the population is more than any other place in the state. The population of Srinagar, according to the statistics, has been shown at 14,54,324 with the number of vehicles at 1,56,991, including 41,595 public transport vehicles and 1,15,396 private transport vehicles. Similarly in Jammu city, with a population of 19,79,898, the total number of vehicles in 2009 was registered at 3,73,127, including 65,451 public transport vehicles and 3,07,676 private transport vehicles. However, depending upon the condition and nature of roads through hilly areas, the number of accidents in different areas varies. Doda district of the Jammu region, now comprising three districts of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar, has recorded the highest rate of 247 road mishaps in 2009, followed by 299 in 2008, 372 in 2007, 437 in 2006 and 578 in 2005. The rate of accidents in Srinagar district has been recorded at four, while it has been registered at five in Jammu district in the last year. According to the Traffic Department publication, the causes of road accidents varied, while most of the road accidents take place between 9 am and 11 am and 4 pm and 5 pm due to the heavy rush on roads. The causes can be due to the fault of drivers, defective vehicles, environmental problems, poor traffic engineering support, poor enforcement activities and poor education about traffic rules. |
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Jammu diary Rickshaws that once caught the fancy of Jammuites are fast losing their interest. The manual vehicles had become an instant hit after these were introduced for the first time last year. But they were out of favour soon after on the city roads which have no room for such slow-moving vehicles. And to cap it all, the Municipal Corporation woke up last week impounding dozens of rickshaws after finding they were plying without licences. One was amused to see one rickshaw driver pulling a train of rickshaws dangerously hung together. (see picture) Standing by aggrieved family It is said that when bad time comes none stands by you. But this proved wrong when a large number of people were not only standing by the aggrieved family of Nai Basti, who lost its 10-year-old son in a ransom killing, they also raised anti-government slogans though not many were even aware of the name of the deceased. Most of the people shouting slogans were saying “Shalini ke hatyaaron ko faansi do”. But the name of the deceased was “Shaleen not Shalini”. Indian football team The Football World Cup fever seems to have caught everyone but Jammuites. While hotels, shops offer many kinds of rebates, schemes for customers when cricket matches are on, the frenzy is missing when it comes to football. A few talk about the matches but few of them actually know names of players. One journalist, who was trying to keep a tab on the matches for a couple of days, was shocked to know that India was not playing. “I was wondering when would be our match?” he said but was speechless when informed that India’s rank is beyond 100 in the world football rankings. News agencies galore If anything that can match the mushrooming of organizations focused on staging protests and demonstrations in this city, it would surely be news agencies. Every other day, some news agency crops up. And one wonders how it gets e-mail addresses of journalists in the city. The e-mail box is full with regular feeding by these news agencies, many of which are not even registered. A few months ago, the Centre banned SMS facility but some of these news agencies, mostly unregistered, were sending bulk SMSes. The ban was withdrawn under public pressure. One wonders if someone is checking the Internet on the legality of such agencies. (Contributed by Jupinderjit Singh and Archit Watts)
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Insurance scheme eludes Kashmir
Srinagar, June 15 “It would provide us relief, but see the apathy of the government. We have asked for conflict (investment) insurance, but we don’t know whether the government is working in this direction,” said Siraj Ahmad, president, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA). Ahmad informed that a group of experts on their part is working on this. “We will soon come out with a scheme and let us see how the government reacts”. He said, “We are no industry at all. If the government doesn’t provide us regular power supply, we are asking it to facilitate us by offering eco-gensets at subsidised rates”. Referring to conflict insurance scheme, he said state Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather in a meeting with the association in Jammu on February 20 conceded to the request. “In fact, he has already announced through media that the government is actively working on an insurance scheme to safeguard investment in the hotel industry, but besides investment, no steps have been taken”. He added that in a pre-budget meeting on January 18, KHARA raised the issue once again and the minister assured that the government would very soon come to the rescue of entrepreneurs in the hotel and restaurant industry to secure their investment by an insurance scheme. However, no scheme was introduced. Rouf Ahmad, a hotel and restaurant owner, too, demands such a scheme at the earliest. “We urge the government to expedite its action in this direction,” he said.
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Jammu, June 15
