Srinagar, January 25
Once again, the historic Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of the summer capital, has become a cynosure in the wake of the BJP plan to hoist the National Flag on the occasion of Republic Day. This is not for the first time since the eruption of militancy in Kashmir about two decades ago that it has become the centre of attention. 

Earlier, it was on Republic Day in 1992 when it first shot into prominence with BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, accompanied by the then youthful and promising party leader Narendra Modi came all the way from central India to hoist the Tricolour.

During the past 19 years, there has been a considerable change in the atmosphere that surrounds the flag hoisting on the occasion of Republic Day. It was only about two years then that Kashmir was gripped by armed militancy and the gunshots and deafening sounds of explosions followed by fierce encounters between the militants and security personnel rattled the city and other areas, particularly around the security forces installations in Kashmir. Amid tight security arrangements, a group of the BJP leaders led by Murli Manohar Joshi unfurled the Tricolour when the state was under Governor’s rule. This time again, the BJP has undertaken its plan to hoist the Tricolour as a “challenge tothe separatists and to show that Kashmir is an integral part of India”.

When the Kashmir and Jammu regions were engulfed by the Amarnath land agitation, the separatists called for “Lal Chowk chalo” march on August 25, 2008, which followed similar “marches” to Muzaffarabad, TRC Srinagar, Pampore and Eidgah. However, the separatists’ march to Lal Chowk was foiled with the house arrest of many leaders and arrest of top leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Geelani and Mohammad Yasin Malik. The city centre was virtually sealed at that time.

The city centre has been vital in the post-Partition era with the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, accompanied by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, addressing a public meeting here on November 27, 1947. It was then, according to the elders, that the locale was christened as Lal Chowk or Red Square after the Red Square in Moscow. For several decades later the area among the residents of old Srinagar particularly, has been more known for its earlier name of Amirakadal after the first bridge over the Jhelum that passes nearby.

In 1980 a Clock Tower was raised in this centre, which has been synonymous with Lal Chowk over the past three decades. The clock atop the square-shaped tower, remained non-functional for many years and was later replaced by an electronic clock. The tower became the target of angry demonstrators during their protests in the three consecutive summers between 2008 and 2010. This had also been the flag-hoisting venue between 1990 and 2008 by the security forces deployed at the location. The tower during the protest demonstrations from time to time has fluttered the green flags hoisted by separatists on certain occasions.

In view of its prominence and repeated political events, the coalition government early last year embarked upon a project for beautification of the Lal Chowk area . Slated to have been completed by the end of March last year, it has faced various hurdles that ended up in a five-month-long turmoil. The white tower was given a red brick colour but it awaits completion.

Srinagar, January 25
Notwithstanding the political fervour attached to Republic Day, the common man in Kashmir prefer to remain indoors as least number of people, including office goers and shoppers, are seen around the city markets these days. The thin presence of people around the city centre at the historic Lal Chowk is a common feature during Republic Day during the past two decades.

For years, the police and other security agencies have been sanitising the main areas on the occasions of Republic Day and Independence Day to thwart any designs of militants.

This year, a different political colour has been added with the plan of the BJP to hoist the National Flag at Lal Chowk tomorrow. Like the common man on the street, shopkeepers or vendurs have been praying for a peaceful conclusion of Republic Day celebrations.

The day-to-day life of people in the valley has been directly or indirectly affected by the political tension created by the BJP with its flag-hoisting plan. The state government has, however, geared up to prevent any trouble.

The number of shoppers has been gradually receding at the city centre and other main market places over the past two weeks, said Abdul Rashid, a readymade garment dealer on the Residency Road.

“Work has been hit at most of the government offices since officials are busy preparing for the Republic Day celebrations,” said a resident of Chhanapora here. He has been following the case of state subject certificate for his son in the deputy commissioner’s office for the past several weeks now. He hopes that the normal work resumes after Republic Day.

According to top police officers, though militancy has been on the decline, all measure would be taken to ensure that the day passes off peacefully. Militants’ threats and separatists’ call to observe the occasion as “black day” is also a common feature on such occasions. In the wake of these issues, the presence of police and security forces increases and residents have to undergo rigorous security checks. As a result, most of the people prefer to stay indoors. The parents have also been advising their children to desist from moving around unnecessarily and face the wrath of security personnel on the streets.

Private coaching centres have also asked students to observe holidays for two days.

Meanwhile, the common man has his fingers crossed hoping for the peaceful conclusion of Republic Day celebrations.

Jammu, January 25
In what could be a major relief to hundreds of families living on government land, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla convinced the coalition government to accorded sanction to the transfer of land in Raipur village, Satwari, in favour of the Housing and Urban Development Department for rehabilitation of the land occupants under reference in a phased manner.

The land measuring 28 Kanals and 14 Marlas under Khasra number 390 has been transferred to the department vide government order number Rev (S) 10 of 2011 on January 14.

A deputation from Channi Rama led by former corporator Kamal Singh has also urged the minister to regularise unauthorised colonies of Channi Rama, Narwal, Bhatindi having khasra No. 331 under government order number 88 of 2005 dated 18-03-2005 in which Rs 20,000 per kanal for 13 colonies of Jammu city, including Bhatindi-Narwal, have been fixed.

Bhalla has assured the deputation a positive response. In Jammu and Kashmir several colonies on government land had come up over the years and now the present dispensation has decided to regularise those granting proprietary rights to the occupants at nominal rates fixed by the government.

In some areas of the winter capital, a process had already been started by the Jammu Municipal Corporation and other allied departments falling under Housing and Urban Development Department.

While addressing a large gathering at Rampura in Nai Basti the other day, Bhalla said the government had also sanctioned Rs 4 lakh for the embankments of a nullah at Rampura in Nai Basti.

He asked the Urban Environmental Engineering Department to complete the work within stipulated time. He asked the JMC to install one high-mast light at Vijay Park.

For better drinking water facilities in Nai Basti, Rampura, Ashok Nagar and Hajipura, he said the government had submitted a `3.5-crore project to the PHE Ministry to sink a tubewell and lay water supply pipes in the uncovered areas. He said work would be started on the available land near Vijay Park on receipt of funds.

He said the government had earmarked Rs 10 lakh for upgradation of Ramlila Chowk. He asked the JMC to complete the upgradation work within stipulated time

To improve power availability in Shastri Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Nai Basti, Rampura and Gandhi Nagar, Bhalla said the government had earmarked `3.26 crore for construction of 10 MVA 33/11 KV receiving station at Shastri Nagar, adding that the project would be completed by March.

He said with the commissioning of the receiving station the power supply in Shastri Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Nai Basti and the adjoining areas would witness a great improvement.

At Sanjay Nagar, Sectoer-1, the laying of 1200-meter-long drinking water supply pipes was started in the presence of the minister for which the government has earmarked `8.50 lakh. He asked the PHE Department to complete the work within stipulated time to so that people did not face scarcity of drinking water during coming summer.

Akhnoor, January 25
The forests of Chowkichaura in Akhnoor subdivision, habitat of a number of wild animals and birds, mainly peacock, will lose another more than 300 trees to a 130-KV transmission line from Jammu to Kalakote.

Scores of grownup pines trees are being felled within the jurisdiction of the Department of Social Forestry. The department has put enclosures are on the both sides of the Jammu-Poonch national highways between Swara and Nama Nath, Chowkichoura. The forest area despite being home to peacocks, civet cats, jackals, rabbits and other wild animals has not been classified as a reserve by the Wildlife Department.

When contacted, senior officials of the department feigned ignorance over the shrinking forests in Akhnoor. The density of trees in the forests along the national highway, especially near Chowkichaura, has reduced over the years.

“Earlier, the area had a thick forest cover, but now the density of trees has thinned. Even inside the enclosures of the Department of Social Forestry, one can see villagers cutting grass and other plants to be used as fodder for their cattle,” said a family from Rajouri that has been watching the hopping peacocks in the area since long.

Upainder Pachnanda, chief conservator of forests, who is also regional wildlife warden, expressed ignorance over the felling of trees. “The area is not classified as a reserve,” he said, assuring, “I will enquire about it from the divisional forest officer (DFO)”.

Qamar-ud-Din, DFO, Jammu, said: “The felling of trees has been going on in compartment Nos. 2, 11, 12, 21, 23 and 38. As many as 337 trees would be felled for the proposed transmission line”.

“Out of the total 337 trees, at least 149 poles (not very grownup trees) would be axed with in our jurisdiction that extends to Chaura,” he said. However, the total number of trees that would be felled between Jammu and Kalakote could not be known as the principal chief conservator of forests, RD Tiwari, was not available for comments.

Covering a public function at Government Ayurvedic College, Jammu, this Monday was a reminder of school days when the headmaster would give a surprise visit to the class and chide the non-performing students.

The function was an analogy of those days with Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma disciplining doctors using harsh words, giving warning notes and discussing morality with them, all in one go.

The minister, who minced no words while criticising the Indian system of medicine (ISM) doctors, had to eat humble pie after asking the doctors to raise their hands in the gathering. The latter resembled shy students in the class who normally avoid making an eye contact with the "strict" teacher.

Srinagar, January 25
Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Parliamentary Affairs, said that Rs 600 crore are being spent in the state under NREGA during the current financial year to provide more employment opportunities to the unemployed youth, particularly in rural areas.

Addressing rallies at Tangmarg, Kunzer and Singpora Pattan in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, he said the government was trying to solve the problems of people at their doorsteps.

The minister was briefed about the ongoing development works under NREGA in Baramulla district. He was informed that Rs 11 crore out of Rs 30.12 crore earmarked under NREGA had been spent in the district so far, providing 5.90 lakh mandays. He was informed that 52,128 job cards had been issued. Besides 2,667 development schemes had been taken in hand out of which 818 had been completed till date.

Earlier, while taking stock of the execution of the ongoing NREGA development works, some people put forth their demand for early release of wages. The minister assured them that their remaining dues would be released soon.

Sagar was informed that `80 lakh in Tangmarg, Rs 30 lakh in Kunzer, Rs 50 lakh in Pattan and Rs 30 lakh in Singpora blocks would be released soon under NREGA.

Leh, January 25
Eight new ice-skaters of Leh district, including four boys and four girls, along with two other skaters, one each from Karnataka and Delhi, have been selected for advanced training in the field of Long Track Speed Skating in Poland at Zakopane by the Ice-Skating Association of India.

The 15-day-long advance training, sponsored by the Ice-Skating Association of India, in Long Track Speed Skating will start from February 10 to 25 for the age group of 10 to 18 and 23 years old.

The Association, in collaboration with the Ladakh Winter Sport Club, had conducted two special camps in Leh from January 17 to 23 to select the ice-skaters.

In the basic training, 28 fresh skaters were selected for further training during which 10 out of them have been finally selected for the training.

Leh, January 25
Many Ladakhi performing arts, which used to be part of social and cultural life of people, have become extinct while some other are dying a slow death as they are practiced only at some places and are known to a few elders.

For instance, the theatre that used to be popular in the region as a source of entertainment in summer is dying a slow death. A number of plays were popular in villages. These include “Lhamo Yutok” on the theme of romance between gods and goddess; “Junu Tundup” on the life of Lord Buddha; “Ache Lachik” and “Noo Yurla” on the theme of stepmother treatment; and “Nangsa Oatpuk” on the theme of discrimination and reincarnation. The theatre plays remained part of moral and ethical education of people, but they are almost forgotten and no longer played.

Many songs and dances performed during marriage ceremonies have also vanished. Murup Namgail, who was awarded Padma Shree for his work for the promotion of folk songs and dances, laments, “Folk song and dances like Tho-lu, a dramatic rendition between the bride side and the groom side during a marriage party; Zong-Lu, devotional songs certifying the marriage of two souls; and Bakayus, bride songs; have been left out of the marriage ceremonies. Moreover, the knowledge of these traditions which used to make marriage ceremonies a big social event in Ladakh, is found only among a few elderly people”.

Namgail says the declining popularity of other traditions, especially those performed to celebrate the birth of a baby and Losar (New Year), has become a cause for worry for cultural enthusiast. Many traditions of Losar are now seen at only some places like Basgo, Chushot, Choglamsar and Skurbuchan villages while the rest of the Ladakh, the celebrations for Losar are now confined to “chak” (greetings) and “thabzya” invitation.

“It is a matter of concern that even puzzles which used to be held on several themes, including the knowledge of various herbs grown in mountains, and storytelling mainly the Ling Galam Kasar, an epic which use to be one of the source of entertainment during winter months, are no longer of any interest to the younger generation.

He blames the government and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), which has failed in promoting and preserving the rich Ladakhi culture.

At present, the entire Leh district has one auditorium hall, which is in dilapidated condition, where all cultural events, movie shows and seminars are held.

Tsering Angdu, a film producer, said, “There is no major provision in the district plan formulated by the LAHDC to promote and preserve the culture. The only grant of Rs 2 to Rs 3 lakh for the purpose is being spent functions arranged on VIP receptions”.

Jammu, January 25
Great minds are created in heaven, but their implementations are done on the earth. There are certain people who use their life and efforts for achievements and inventions beyond imagination.

A similar story turned true with a Jammu-based researcher Manik Gupta, who, while pursuing M.Tech, researched on various astonishing and almost impossible projects.

The hard work earned fruit when his first research paper got published at the international level and to more fruitful satisfaction for the hard work and research was when it earned royalty as the “Best Research Paper” at the International Conference on Next Generation Communication and Computing Systems held in Chandigarh in December last year.

This paper describes the best-ever algorithm for security and energy-efficient routing in wireless sensor networks. But this was not enough for Manik and he continued with the research process, along with his studies, and as a result, he is able to provide a feasible solution to supply power without wires.

Earlier, the engineers at MIT, US, were able to supply power up to three meters of length and the Intel Co. further extended the idea up to eight meters.

But, by the latest research by Manik, the protocol has been expanded to supply power up to one mile of distance. Whole of this research has been described by him in a single research paper, which has been listed in the International Journal of Advanced Engineering Science and Technologies, powered by Google.

According to Manik, both these research papers can be beneficial in military applications. With these great ideas and research, the day is not too far when power can be supplied through miles of distance without any physical medium and hindrance.

When asked about his inspiration, he smiled and named his parents Rita Gupta and Rakesh Gupta, and brother Ashish Gupta, who always motivated him in to think out of the box and be different from the rest.

Srinagar, January 25
Apple remains at the heart of horticultural economy of the state and J&K Bank is committed to providing timely, adequate and hassle-free finances to further the growth and development of the fruit industry. The main objective of the bank was to empower the grower in a way that his personal growth itself runs parallel to the growth of the industry.

For this purpose, the bank has tailored a comprehensive scheme under the title “JK Bank Apple Advance Scheme” that ensures timely and adequate credit to cater to all requirements of apple growers and other people in the trade under single window adopting whole farm approach.

This was stated by Mushtaq Ahmad, chairman and CEO of the bank, while launching the scheme here at the Corporate Headquarters recently.

He was addressing a gathering of fruit growers, traders, commission & forwarding (C&F) agents, members of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Federation of Commerce and Industries Kashmir (FCIK), besides various government functionaries and top executives of the bank.

The scheme, he said, had been redesigned to meet the comprehensive requirements of growers, traders and commission & forwarding (C&F) agents that include updated production and marketing costs. Moreover, a special financial component to meet the consumption needs of the growers has been provided in the new scheme in addition to an optional finance for cold storage of the produce at the destination markets to mitigate the unfavourable market conditions and maximise the returns.

Ajit Singh, executive president, J&K Bank, gave an overview of the pivotal role being played by the bank as primary institutional lender to the fruit industry of the state.

A short film produced by the Corporate Communication Department of the bank highlighting the significance of apple in the fruit industry of the state and various features of the revised scheme was screened at the ceremony.