Jammu, February 22
The repeated statements of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Minister Qayoor Ali Akhoon notwithstanding, most parts of Jammu province have been facing ration scarcity, especially in the outlets run by the CAPD department.

Protests for ration have become routine because the authorities concerned have failed to streamline the supply of items in the outlets set up for selling subsidised ration.

Keeping in view the growing unrest due to non-availability of ration, political parties have been exerting pressure on the government to enhance the ration quota, besides streamlining its supply.

“It is unfortunate that people, especially the needy poor, have to struggle hard for getting the ration quota because the authorities have failed to control the pilferage of ration meant of these people”, said Balbir Singh, general secretary of the PDP. The PDP leader specifically mentioned Kandi areas of Kathua district where people have been facing the worst-ever scarcity of ration. “As the subsidized ration sanctioned for BPL families rarely reached the deserving families, poor people are forced to purchase ration from the open market”, he said, adding that some of the destitute, who could not purchase ration in the open market, were virtually on the verge of starvation. He underscored the need for streamlining the supply system, besides plugging the pilferage of ration.

“Our party has decided to effectively take up this issue in the coming Budget session of the Legislative Assembly”, he said.

The BJP has already taken up the issue at different platforms. Party’s Kisan Morcha has already launched a campaign in support of providing ration in the Kandi belt of Jammu province. The party observed that the shortage of ration in this belt was the result of a nexus between some officials of the CAPD Department and depot holders.

“The situation is grave in hill areas of Jammu province”, said Bali Bhagat, vice-president of the state BJP. He said most parts of Ramban district had been facing this problem. He regretted that the matter was repeatedly brought to the notice of the authorities concerned but to no avail. “It is high time to break the nexus between CAPD officials and depot holders to mitigate woes of the people”, he said.

However, the CAPD Minister attributed another reason for the shortage of ration. “Earlier, people rarely purchase ration from the government-run depots as the difference in prices was not much. But today the situation in entirely different, the CAPD Department is selling quality ration at lower prices as compared to those in the market. So all ration card holders purchase ration from our outlets”, he said, assuring that effective steps had already being taken to remove the shortage.

The minister has constituted village monitoring committees (VMCs) at the village level to ensure smooth supply of ration.

Udhampur, February 22
To help and guide students of this backward hilly district, the 74BN CRPF in association with Impact Tutorial organised a career guidance and counselling programme at the local Government Higher Secondary School for Boys.

Guldev Raj Bhagat, deputy commissioner, Kishtwar, was the chief guest while Bheem Sen Tuti, SSP, was the special guest. Ajeet Kumar Sharma, chief education officer, was also present as the guest of honour.

Despite bad weather conditions, more than 500 students hailing from different schools of the district participated. The students were given guidance by experts of different fields and were advised to select job-oriented courses as well as courses which offer bright career prospects.

Those who guided the students included Daljeet Parihar for civil services, Sheikh Nasir Hussain for career in law and journalism, Dr Vikar Qazi for medical sciences, Lokesh Sharma for engineering, and Maeez Ahmad Tak for banking and business.

Besides, the deputy commsioner and the SSP, Mukesh Kumar, assistant commandant, CRPF, also addressed the students.

Sudeep Sharma, director, Impact, conducted the programme while Imran Khan, deputy commandant, CRPF, presented the vote of thanks. The participating students expressed gratitude to the organisers for providing them valuable information.

Jammu, February 22
The death of Rajini Sharma of Sandwah village in Domana is a pointer towards the “kingdom” of faith healers that has spread across the region. Their business has been prospering despite repeated claims by the government regarding improving education scenario.

A family member of Rajini Sharma of Sandwah village in Domana points towards the place where exorcism was performed which led to her death. —A Tribune Photograph

Rajini may have died in a distant village, but that does not mean that faith healers are restricted to remote hilly villages which remain untouched by development. Even the posh areas of the cities come under the domain of their “kingdom”.

Though the cases of exploitative pursuits of such godmen are reported quite often, the recent death of the young widow brings to the fore the ugliest face of this practice going on since ages.

Interestingly, many local dailies are replete with advertisements carrying tall claims by faith healers like tantriks, dayalas, pundits and peers, promising quick-fix solutions to all grave problems of life.

They give an open invitation promising cure to any physical or psychological disorder, getting desired soul mate, employment, success, peace of mind and what not, besides making predictions.

They enjoy wide social consent and have a sacrosanct place among the worshippers of local deities. However, faith aside, like any other service sector, their counselling and treatment comes at a price.

Socially sanctified exorcism is widely prevalent in many religious congregations of people belonging to different castes and sub-castes. In such functions, an impression is given out that the deity “enters” into the body of dayalas (exoricists) who are mostly a drum-beaters. While glorifying deities in their ballads at such congregations, they sham to mitigate the problems of the people under the “influence” of the deity.

In such functions, amidst the chanting of religious songs and beating of drums, dayalas lashing the psychologically disturbed people is a business as usual.

Their followers are not restricted to people from the economically or socially backward classes. Even parliamentarians and legislators as well as government officials visit them regularly.

Exorcism is also seen well institutionalised in towns and cities. Many exorcists who claim to be the representatives of deities draw a good number of people.

Many believers swear by their supernatural powers and claim to be immensely benefitted by sayanas (knowledgeable) as they are addressed. Ballein-da-Bag, a village in Akhnoor, is a point in case. Those suffering from rabies visit this shrine to get cured.

Meanwhile, psychiatrists believe that the government is not very serious about the social problem, giving the much-needed space for them to flourish.

“There are only two consultant psychiatrists at Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu, which caters to 10 districts,” said its head of the department, Dr JR Thapa.

“There is very low awareness among people regarding psychiatric disorders. Since there is no organic disorder, only the behavior, perception, emotions and thoughts undergo change,” he said, advocating that in case of schizophrenia where almost 77 per cent of patients experience auditory and visual hallucinations, faith healers cannot help.

“However, victims of family discord, alcoholism, marital discord may feel a little better after visiting faith healers as they get an emotional outlet, which we call psychological counselling,” he added and recommended social awareness through education to do away with it.

Srinagar, February 22
For long, mango pickles have adorned the Indian platter, working as the perfect taste enhancer. But ever tasted peach or strawberry pickle? Or the more exotic fish or mutton varieties? Head to Kashmir's Sanoo Kashmiri Pickles to savour these interesting assortments.

Lotus stem, knolkhol, mango, citrus fruits, cabbage, carrot, radish, apple, apricot, cherry, peach, strawberry, fish, chicken, mutton - you name it and they have it! A total of 40 varieties of pickles are spread over the shelves at this novel store in old city Habba Kadal area of Srinagar.

Besides a roaring business that the shop does through its local clients, pickle lovers from abroad also send their relatives and friends to collect a few packets of their favourite pickle. Run by the father-son duo of Haji Gulam Qadir Sanoo and Abdul Majid, the shop has become the ultimate destination for the pickle lovers of the city. But there is sad history behind the present success of the shop.

"We were a prosperous family of transporters till 1989 when my elder brother, Muhammad Yusuf, was killed in mysterious circumstances in the beginning of violence in the city," 32-year-old Abdul Majid told IANS.

"Before his death, my second brother had died in an accident in 1988. As if this was not enough, my mother was killed in a grenade explosion in 2002.

That ended our family's transport business. There was nobody except for my old father and I to look after the fleet of buses we had," an emotionally charged Majid said.

"We had no option but to sell the buses and look for some other means of sustenance," he says.

Majid, an undergraduate, had to give up his studies to help his father create "the pickle magic in Kashmir".

"Father had always loved good quality pickles and he used to himself make them in the good old days.

"In 1990 he thought of converting his hobby to a full-fledged business.

Locally made good and healthy pickles were not available in Srinagar markets even though Kashmiris have always loved pickles," Majid says.

"Initially, I helped my father prepare pickles of a few vegetables and sell them at this shop which we started in 1990," he recalls.

And there was no looking back after that. The response was phenomenal. Buyers literally mobbed our shop as we did not have enough stock to meet the demand.

"Encouraged by the response, we hired workers and diversified into non-conventional varieties like cherry, apricot, fish, mutton and chicken, besides citrus fruits and other varieties," Majid says with excitement.

According to him, an assortment of spices are used to lend flavour to the pickles. Also, pure, organic spices are ground at a factory and added to the pickles along with mustard oil which acts as a preservative.

"No vinegar, artificial colour or maturing agent is used in our preparations. We go for natural maturing," Majid said.

According to him, customer suggestions have helped a lot in deciding about the pickle flavours. So much so that he feels the most-sought-after pickle varieties have all evolved over time with customer feedback.

"We have always taken customer complaints and suggestions very seriously and that has been the secret of improvement of our pickle varieties."

The shop sees huge business for most part of the year except for June and July when it's very hot.

"From hotels to marriages we have been supplying pickles for every occasion," he said.

Bowls full of mouth-watering mango, carrot, apple pickles are lined up on one side of the shop while large containers full of fish, chicken and mutton pickles are laid on the other shelf.

Appetizing aroma fills the shop and also spills over to the street outside as Majid wears gloves to take out a bowl full of apricot pickles for an eager buyer. The family now intends to open branches at some other places in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley. "To maintain the quality, we do not intend to pass on dealerships, but would open and manage branches on our own in the coming days," Majid says. — IANS

Gulmarg, February 22
Amidst heavy snowfall, the Army these days at High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg is providing training to 24 boys in the age group of 12 to 20 in skiing and trekking in snow.

These boys belong to the old town of Baramulla which was notorious for the incidents of stone-pelting during the five months of summer unrest last year. Most of the youths who are undergoing the training at HAWS these days accept that they were lured to be a part of the stone-pelting cartel.

“We were compelled to join the stone-pelters, but we are thankful to the Army who offered us a wonderful opportunity to learn skiing,” said a 14-year-old boy undergoing the training.

The aim of the camp, organised by the 46 RR and the 13 JAK Rifles under the aegis of the 19 Infantry Division, is to desist these youths from getting involved in the incidents of stone-pelting and show them that the nation and the Army cares for them.

“These young minds are talented, but they were diverted to wrong activities. We want them to see how they can use their talent towards the constructive side,” said a senior Army officer.

During the five months of summer unrest in the Valley, around 117 youths lost their lives in the incidents of stone-pelting. However, to stop the youths from indulging in stone-pelting incidents, the Army, too, has come forward to utilise the energy of these youths towards the constructive side.

Besides arranging the equipments for skiing, the Army would also train these boys in skiing during the camp. The boys would be taken on a ride at Gulmarg Gandola. They would get a chance to trek in snow and would also be taken for sight-seeing by the Army.

“From their transportation to accommodation and food, we have arranged for everything and the boys are enjoying all this,” said the officer. A majority of the boys who have come to take part in the camp are students who were lured by separatists to indulge into stone-pelting and the police claimed that these stone-pelters were being paid from Rs 100 to Rs 300 per day.

This time, not stones, but these boys are seen throwing snowballs at each other and enjoying their time at the camp.

Udhampur, February 22
A motivational tour by a group of 30 elderly people from Udhampur to Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer was flagged off from Garhi Cantonment here recently.

The tour is being organised under Operation Sadbhavana by the 71 Sub-Area under the aegis of Headquarters, Northern Command.

As per official spokesperson, the group will visit various spots of tourist, cultural and historical interest. Some of them are Jantar Mantar, City Place, Govind Dev temple, Hawa Mahal, Amar Fort, Nahargarh and Jaigarh in Jaipur, Mahrangarh Fort, Ummed Bhawan Place and Mandore Garden in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer Fort, Patvo Ki Haveli, and Garsisar Lake in Jaisalmer.

This is the third time that such a tour under Operation Sadbhavana is being organised for senior citizens of the Udhampur area. The group included many persons who have never ventured out beyond Jammu.

It is hoped that this tour will provide them first-hand insight of the vast and rich heritage of the country, including language, food, habitat and customs of the people of different areas. The tour will conclude at Udhampur on February 28.