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People suffer as health staff play truant
Violence fails to deter Amarnath pilgrims
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Bakerwali dog faces extinction
Cong dissidents target party ministers
Violence in valley
Relief for Akhnoor villagers after years of misery
Violence taking worst form, says expert
Jammu diary
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People suffer as health staff play truant
Jammu, July 6 Although a majority of the remotest and hilly areas of the Jammu region have been confronting with this problem, the worst affected are Rajouri and Mahore belts where functioning of the department is badly affected due to this menace. Not only common masses, but also a cabinet minister in the Coalition government had admitted that people have been facing hardships as employees of the Medical Department mostly remained absent from their duties. When locals informed Abdul Gani Malik, Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Employment, about the problem, he directed the officers concerned to take effective measures. During his 15-km journey on foot in his native area of Mahore, Malik interacted with the people and a majority of them drew his attention towards the shortage of employees in health departments. Malik took a serious note of the absence of employees, especially in the Health Department, and directed the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Mahore, to look into the matter and make all drawing & disbursing officers accountable for the absentees. He directed the SDM to hold meetings of all departments at such far-off places once in a month so that general demands and grievances of rural populace are addressed at their doorsteps. Taking advantage of the topography of the Mahore belt, employees deputed in this area usually played truant. Although employees of all departments remained absent, people are worried over the non-availability of employees in the Health Department because this department is directly related to the people. The department is already confronting with the shortage of doctors and paramedical staff, especially in this belt, and the absent of employees has further compounded the woes of the locals. Situation is almost same in the remotest areas of Rajouri where people held demonstration against the shortage of staff in the Health Department. Taking serious note of the reports that employees of different departments remained absent, the district administration of Rajouri has already constituted a special squad to keep a check on employees. The squad, which is constituted
by the Rajouri deputy commissioner, had recently conducted surprise checks all over the district and found more than 100 employees absent from their duty. The majority of the employees, who were found absent, belong to the Health Department. Although Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma has taken some steps to streamline the functioning of the department, more needs to be done in the remotest and inaccessible areas. Sharma has recently claimed substantial improvement in medicare facilities across the state. He said various recent decisions include creation of about 6,500 posts of doctors and para-medics, appointment of about 1,000 doctors to overcome the shortage of manpower for improving this sector. |
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Violence fails to deter Amarnath pilgrims
Srinagar, July 6 Pony wallahs, pitthu wallahs and dandi wallahs are doing brisk business as a large number of tourists are making their way to the cave as in the first five days of the yatra, more than 50,000 people had already offered prayers at the holy cave shrine. “We are having a good time as the number of yatris this year is encouraging. Everyone here is getting his due share by helping the pilgrims,” said Mohammed Yusuf, a pony wallah. Around 20,000 Muslim labourers and 7,000 pony owners are providing their services along the yatra routes to help Hindu pilgrims surmount the arduous mountainous terrain and reach the cave shrine. “Every year we wait for the yatra to start as this is the only main source of our livelihood,” said Yusuf. Each year people like Yusuf come from different parts of the valley to earn their livelihood by providing service to the pilgrims. “Every year I come from Uri, along with my two ponies. I also bring my son with me. This year, some of my relatives, too, have come to earn livelihood here,” said Murtaza Ahmed, a resident of Uri. Though the people, who provide services to the pilgrims, are worried over the ongoing turmoil in the valley, as they fear that the escalation in the violence could lead to the drop in the number of pilgrims, they are hopeful that the violence would end soon. “We pray to God that the violence ends soon otherwise the season would be ruined. Though there is very little visible impact of turmoil on the yatra, still we fear if it continues for long time, our livelihood would be affected,” said Furqan Hussain, a labourer en route the cave shrine. But the ongoing turmoil in the valley has failed to deter the pilgrims as they say that they have full faith on Lord Shiva and he will save them from every eventuality. “We are devotees of Lord Shiva and he will save us from all problems. So, there is no need to worry for the pilgrims who have dedication to have a glimpse of the holy shrine,” said Mukesh Kumar, a pilgrim from Haryana.
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Bakerwali dog faces extinction
Srinagar, July 6 “It is among the most threatened species in the world and is facing extinction,” says a survey conducted by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF), an organisation working on the issues of tribes. The survey, while referring to these dogs as rugged, courageous and serious, said, “Gujjars and Bakerwals would lose the rare traditional and indigenous species of world famous Bakerwali dog within the next few decades”. “The Bakerwali dog is distinctive with nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals from times immemorial. They are being gradually declining in number since 1970, when the tribe started settling at various places and relinquished the nomadic way of life. Since 1990, a steep decline has been found as hundreds of dogs have been killed in higher reaches”. According to a survey, the dog is an ancient working breed found in Hindukush and Himalayan belt of Indian subcontinent. “There are only a few hundred dogs of this particular specie surviving in most difficult and inhospitable conditions. Numerous dogs die every year because of throat infection, rabies and other infections for which no effective vaccine has been put into operation”. It reported that Bakerwali bitch is already on the decline and gives birth to 1-4 pups and that too once a year, compared to other breeds giving birth to 4-12 pups. “The growing demand in Indian and foreign market has led to increase in incidents of their smuggling and theft from original habitats that has declined their number substantially,” informs the survey, adding, “This is the only species of dogs in Himalyan belt that is resilient and serious working breed and are capable to take care of large herds of goats and sheep during tribal migrations and are protective for their masters”. Dr Rahi says it belongs to the oldest breed of dogs in Central Asia. “Black and tan colouring and physical build of Bakarwal Mastiff has led some authorities to link it with a number of old Molosser namely Hyrcanian Mastiff, Molossos tis Epirou, Sylvan, Tuvan Sheepdog and Siah Sag variety of Iranian sage Mazandarani as well as European descendants of these breeds”. The survey observed that no comprehensive research project has been taken up by the Union or state government to preserve this specie. “A special team should be constituted and steps should be taken on war footing to preserve this specie for the future”. It observed that Bakarwali dogs eat milk products and bread only. “They are famous for their ferocious demeanor and loyalty”. Commonly known for its deep-chest, muscular and agile, Gujjar sheepdog has a straight back, broad shoulders and long legs. Its body is strongly boned with a powerful neck and large head,” found the survey. “Due to crossbreed in minor chunk of spices, the size and appearance of dog has been wrongly affected”.
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Cong dissidents target party ministers
RS Pura, July 6 Even as party high command has not dropped any hint of bringing changes in the PCC at this juncture, dissidents, who own their allegiance with Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, have started convening meetings in different areas to target Saif ud Din Soz and his loyalists. Interestingly, these dissidents are availing all opportunities to attack those Congress ministers, who belong to the Soz faction, but are avoiding any criticism of other ministers belonging to the coalition National Conference or their faction. Dissidents convened two meetings, one at Vijaypur and another at RS Pura, in which they lavished all praise on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, but minced no words in attacking their own party ministers, especially those who belong to their rival camps. However, on one hand dissidents were asking their supporters to strengthen the coalition, while on the other hand they were reiterating to expose the corrupt Congress ministers in the coalition. In these meetings, the dissidents assured their loyalists that the ongoing struggle against the PCC chief would be taken to a logical end. To boost morale of their faction, rival leaders informed the workers about their meetings with senior leaders in New Delhi. They told the workers that the party high command has taken a serious note of the issues raised by them. Taking direct confrontation with the pro-Soz faction, former minister Choudhary Garu Ram, while addressing the meeting at Vijaypur, made it clear that only dedicated Congress workers would be considered for the party mandate in the next Assembly election from this seat. However, former minister and PDP leader Manjit Singh had joined the Congress recently and the pro-Soz camp had promised him party mandate from the Vijaypur Assembly segment. Insiders in the dissidents’ camp disclosed that this group had decided to target the Congress ministers and avoided any confrontation with the coalition partner. Dissident leader and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil had recently demanded constitution of a commission to probe property of the ministers of the coalition government. Ironically, Vakil did not utter any word against the National Conference and had targeted only ministers of his own party.
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Students worst sufferers as CM calls for peace
Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service
Srinagar, July 6 Since then, there has been no let up in the situation and the continued strikes and protests against the killings of at least 10 other youngsters, including a nine-year-old boy at Delina in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, has taken its toll on students. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has blamed anti-social elements and vested interests for fomenting trouble in Kashmir over the past few weeks. Omar has also made an appeal to all parents, religious heads, prominent citizens and political parties to contribute towards bringing normalcy. “The protests have adversely affected the normal working of schools in the valley,” Minister for School Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed told The Tribune. He said efforts were on to cover up the loss of working days. “We would like that the students were not involved and caught up in the trouble,” Peerzada said, describing the situation as unfortunate for the student community. “They have to appear in various competitive tests and prepare for the same as also for regular annual examinations,” Peerzada said. While educational institutions in major towns like Anantnag, Baramulla, Sopore, Pulwama, Shopian, Kupwara and Handwara were getting totally affected due to the strike, functioning of schools in the distant and far-flung areas of the valley was somewhat better, the minister said. “But we are equally concerned about all students and work in educational institutions. There is a target of 220 working days in schools, but this could not be possible in case the trouble continued like this,” the minister lamented. Braving all odds the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) conducted the two-day Common Entrance Test (CET) in Srinagar and Jammu on June 26 and 27. Out of 18,045 candidates, the test for 8,693 was conducted at 12 centres in Srinagar where only 70 remained absent, which is being attributed to other reasons. The candidates had to face a lot of difficulties in reaching the centres from the distant areas of the valley amidst disturbed situation. Meanwhile, the University of Kashmir, State Board of School Education, State Public Service Commission and other government and non-government institutions had to postpone various examinations, which are yet to the rescheduled. On government’s part, the CM has deputed a high-level team of ministers to Baramulla and Anantnag districts, belonging to both coalition parties, the Congress and the National Conference. These teams have been assigned the job of inviting suggestions from people, besides holding discussions with the district administration to take measures to bring back normalcy in Baramulla, Sopore and Anantnag towns. This followed the government’s view that the CRPF had a lack of command and there was a need to reign in the troops by the Centre. The major towns of Sopore and Baramulla in north Kashmir and Anantnag in the south had already witnessed the trouble, as the scene shifted from Srinagar. The adjacent towns of Pulwama and Kulgam in south also reeled under curfew during the past two days, leaving least chances for any more trouble in these areas as the people have been protesting against the alleged human rights violations and recent killings. Whether the damage control exercise with the constitution of special teams has served any purpose would be clear only when the situation further improves, necessitating the gradual lifting of restrictions. But the Chief Minister’s appeal to other political parties, particularly the PDP, is yet to make any impact. The PDP has been demanding revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the withdrawal of troops so as to avoid any occurrence of such incidents of killings of civilians. Mehbooba blamed the government for discrediting the democratic process by “inflicting a very heavy price on the people who had reposed some faith in democracy”. On the other hand, separatists are up in arms against the government for the use of force against the protesters.
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Relief for Akhnoor villagers after years of misery
Jammu, July 6 This is a story of the residents of the border villages of Akhnoor, who in the past bore the brunt of 1965 and 1971 wars and more recently, Indo-Pak conflicts of 1999 and 2001. The villages close to the Line of Control (LoC) faced testing times through all these years, having suffered large-scale displacement and forced to move to safer areas. Yet they stood by the nation and the Army. The loss of agricultural land to minefields during 2001 was particularly significant. It changed their lives overnight and dealt a huge economic blow. Hansraj, a 70-year-old farmer of Panjtoot village, along the LoC, reminisces the difficult and dark days of Indo-Pak conflicts. Memories of incessant shelling and trans-border firing leading to loss of lives, damage to immovable and movable property and evacuation of villages are still fresh in his mind. Planting mines in 2001 by the Army was a necessity, which the villagers easily understood. But the consequent loss of fertile land caused Hansraj and his family untold miseries and hardships. While access to agricultural land, cattle grazing and freedom of movement became difficult and mines also took their toll. Since farming, the only source of livelihood, was no longer feasible, families relocated by the administration at a camp near Akhnoor became totally dependent on the meagre government aid. The villagers started looking for alternative means of subsistence. The condition of abandoned ‘kutcha’ houses in the villages deteriorated over the years and education of children also took a back seat. Despite the hardships, Hansraj did not lose hope of reclaiming his land and dreamt of returning to the land of his forefathers some day. As the situation along the borders improved and returned to normalcy, a conscious decision was taken by the Army to diffuse mines on identified land in these areas for handing over to its owners. The extremely tedious and hazardous task of diffusing mines was undertaken by the Army in a phased manner using highly technical and scientific manual and mechanical methods in a disciplined and systematic way. A majority of the identified land has now been made free from mines and handed over to the villagers through the civil administration. With prayers finally answered, Hansraj is a contended man today as he prepares to cultivate the piece of land handed over to him by the Army immediately after the rains. Visibly satisfied and happy, he proudly proclaims: “There is no place like home”. Nostalgic and emotional in recalling the difficult times, others in the village like Gula Ram, Tarsem Singh, Sai Das, Jaggu Ram and Ashok Kumar also echo similar sentiments. Residents of Panjtoot and neighbouring villages are all praise for the efforts of the Army, which toiled hard day and night to clear their land in record time at a high personal risk. They are equally appreciative of the Army’s effort in encouraging people to return to their villages and undertaking people-friendly projects to restore normalcy and usher in development in the border areas. |
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Violence taking worst form, says expert
Srinagar, July 6 “In modern times, nation states have become more oppressive in character. More people world over have died because of state violence in contemporary times compared to private violence,” said Dr Nandy during a lecture on nature of violence in our age organised recently by dean social sciences, University of Kashmir. Referring to Partition violence, he said despite forced migration and massacres, elements of humanity were still visible. Violence in Gujarat, he said, was more impersonal and therefore, more brutalising. Dr Nandy was senior fellow and director of Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) for several years. Currently, he is a senior honorary fellow at the institute apart from being chairperson of the Committee for Cultural Choices and Global Futures, New Delhi. Appearing on 2008 list of top 100 public intellectuals, Dr Nandy had received Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2007. He was listed as one of the top 100 public intellectuals of world by Foreign Policy, a magazine published by The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the following year. Prof Riyaz Punjabi, vice-chancellor, said the Partition of India in the name of religion created its own complications. “The Partition resulted in a divide which is still not being bridged and multiple suspicions and apprehensions continue till now”. Prof Punjabi said states in South Asia had emerged stronger unitary nation states and the demand for devolution of power and federalism have to be a joint project of all south Asian states. “It has to be a joint south Asian package to people bringing about a shift from unitary system of governance”. Pointing towards scholars and intellectuals, the vice-chancellor asked them to be “sensitive to changing international relations and global power game”. Prof Noor Mohammad Baba, dean, faculty of social sciences, said, “Today, violence has gained dangerous proportions both at the state and non-state levels. In this context, proliferation of small and medium-level weapons of mass destruction has contributed to greater human insecurity. Violence at whatever level has become much more dangerous to human peace and civilisation”. Later, Dr Nandy interacted with students, scholars, deans and heads of various departments. |
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Dismal response to bandh call
Jammu-based ministers of the coalition regime heaved a sigh of relief as the bandh call given by the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (AYSS) on July 3 over the deteriorating Kashmir situation evoked a dismal response. Four coalition ministers adopted every means to thwart the bandh and they ultimately succeeded in their objective as a majority of the influential organisations associated with the sangharsh samiti distanced themselves from the bandh call. Fearing revival of the Amarnath land row like agitation, these ministers made every effort to thwart the bandh call. As soon as the people started opening their shops at 11 am, these ministers were seen congratulating each other. One of the Ministers even distributed sweets among his supporters when he was informed that shops and business establishments were open in many parts of the town, especially in the walled city. Message on Sikhism
The message about preserving the basic tenets of Sikhism was highlighted on the posters displayed on the pillars inside the gurdwara. The way of spreading awareness about Sikhism among the youngsters was liked by one and all. The devotees, particularly elders, praised the organisers for spreading the message on a pious occasion of Gurpurb. (Contributed by Dinesh Manhotra and Sunaina Kaul) |
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On the occasion of the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Hargobind
Sahib, posters highlighting the basic principles of Sikhism were the main attraction for the devotees, particularly youngsters, at Gurdwara Talli Sahib, Talab Tillo (See photo).