Jammu, July 5
Notwithstanding claims of the authorities to accelerate development activities to boost tourism at Patnitop, the projects envisaged by the state government are still in the pipeline due to casual approach of the authorities concerned.

With much publicity, the government had announced a number of projects for tourists in the picturesque valley of Patnitop, located on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, but these projects remain incomplete till date. Failure of the authorities to provide infrastructure in the area has forced shopkeepers and hoteliers, besides locals to protest to express their resentment.

Despite having huge tourism potential, the authorities failed to tap the scenic beauty of this valley due to non-availability of infrastructure. Failure to complete the major projects can be gauged from the official handout issued by the authorities to pacify the agitating people of Patnitop.

In the handout, it was claimed that the government had taken several measures to accelerate the execution of various tourism projects proposed to add to the attraction of Patnitop tourist resort but not even a single project, started during the last six years, has been completed. Even the ropeway project, which was inaugurated six years back, has not been completed.

The government admitted that at present, there are some projects in the pipeline for the development and conservation of areas falling under jurisdiction of the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA), which include ropeway project, project for the development of Sanasar- Natha top tourist destinations under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, sewerage treatment plant, fire and emergency service station at Patnitop and construction of the Karlah- Gourikund road.

“Since Patnitop is located within10 kilometers’ area of the nearest Wildlife Reserve of Dudu Forest Range, the PDA has already got the updated Environmental Impact Assessment / Environmental Management Plan (EIA/EMP) of the ropeway project done by the Environmental Science Department of Jammu University and the same would be submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment for seeking the mandatory clearance in consultation with the state Wildlife Department,” the authorities.

Similarly, on the intervention of the Chief Minister, the PDA approached the State Forest Advisory Committee for the forest clearance and it is expected that the same will be accorded in the next meeting of the committee on the submission of copies of EIA/ EMP reports by the PDA. This will enable the PDA to seek the final clearance of the Supreme Court.

The PDA has also submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the sewage plant prepared by the UP Jalnigam, Lukhnow, to the Planning Department for funding. The project, as decided in the 14th meeting of PDA held under the CM, would be financed for over a period of 2 years.

The PDA has also taken various measures to restore the natural beauty of the famous Sanasar lake. The PDA has cleared 90 per cent of the weeds which had covered almost the entire lake.

Similarly, the DPR for development project for Sansar- Natha top tourist destination, under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan, has been submitted to the state government for the further submission to the Union Tourism Ministry for funding. The project envisages construction of pathways around the lake, installation of lights, construction of sitting chambers and rain shelters and improvement of drainage system to protect the lake area.

The PDA has also proposed a road project to connect Karlah- Gourikund and establishment of fire service station in the area, which are long pending demands of the locals.

By now, Raju, Kabira and Rahul would have paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum here. So, what’s the big deal, one may ask.

Well, both 26-year-old Raju and 36-year-old Kabira have lost a leg each in road mishaps while 28-year-old Rahul is polio-ridden since birth.

While able-bodied think twice before embarking upon the arduous pilgrimage, this trio from Sai Mandir on Lodhi Road in New Delhi has been visiting the shrine since 2003.

“I lost my left leg in a road accident in Delhi, but undeterred by the physical disability, I have been visiting the shrine since 2003,” said Raju while supporting his feeble body with crutches.

Kabira, who was a driver by profession, also lost his right leg in a road mishap while Raju has been crippled by polio.

“Being staunch devotees of Lord Shiva, we all met at Sai Mandir in Delhi in 2002 and since 2003, we have been coming to the cave shrine to pay obeisance,” said Rahul.

To them worldly affairs do not mean anything. “We have devoted our lives to Lord Shiva and would keep coming here again and again till we our last breath,” said Kabira.

One of the six siblings, born in a penury-ridden family of a farmer in Kerala, Kabira had neither qualification nor a job to support his family. Subsequently, he moved to Delhi where he became a truck driver, but destiny had something else in store for him. In 2001, he met with a road accident in which he lost his right leg.

“The accident shattered me completely, but somehow I gathered courage and devoted my life to Lord Shiva. In 2002, we (Kabira, Rahul and Raju) met at Sai Mandir, from where our rendezvous with Lord Shiva started,” Kabira said smilingly.

“We do face a lot of difficulties in covering the arduous journey, but it’s our unflinching faith in the Lord that keeps us going,” said Rahul, who uses a pair of chappals in his hands to cover the distance.

When asked about his disease, he said, “Born in an illiterate and poor family, someone had to pay the price and it was me”. He was, however, more interested in talking about the pilgrimage.

“I still remember when initially I thought it to be an impossible task but Raju and Kabira encouraged me and once I reached the cave, I was on cloud nine,” he said, adding that, “Soon I realised that it was Lord Shiva, who had given me the strength to have a glimpse of one of His many manifestations”.

Physically challenged pilgrims like Raju, Rahul and Kabira do invite attention of other pilgrims who salute them for their infallible faith in the Lord of the Lords.

Srinagar, July 5
State’s biggest project in public library sector, the SPS Central Library, which is coming up on the Maulana Azad Road here at a cost of Rs 17.34 crore, is expected to be completed in a year.

The library, presently housed in the backside of the Old Museum building at Lal Mandi, on completion, would meet the demand and requirement of the ever-increasing reading community in Kashmir.

Minister for Tourism & Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora accompanied by Minister of State for Home, Tourism, Culture, Housing & Urban Development and PHE Nasir Aslam Wani visited the project site and took stock of the ongoing construction. The Director, Libraries & Research, Khalid Bashir Ahmad, was also present.

The ministers fixed the timeline for the completion of the project as July 2012. They asked the project executing agency, JKPCC, to speed up the work in double shift and complete it by that time.

They also emphasised on the local aesthetics in the design of the building and called for change, if necessary, in the design to ensure that the complex jelled well with the environment and traditional architecture of Kashmir.

The upcoming building, besides housing the Kashmir’s oldest public library established in 1898, would have an art gallery, fire-proof blocks for one of the richest manuscripts collection in Asia, café, exhibition-cum-art centre, researchers’ cabins and children section. The plinth area of the building is 7,020 sq ft with a total built-up area of 55,134 sq ft. The basement of the building would be used for car parking with a capacity of 25 vehicles.

Jammu, July 5
During the past few months, there has been an emergence of regional cinema in Jammu. While a Pahari film ‘Lakeer’ was released recently with a tremendous response from the people living in the border belt, the Dogri feature film ‘Kuggi Maar Duari’ is presently being shot in the city and picturesque area of Sudh Mahadev.

The mahurat shot of ‘Kuggi Maar Duari’ was clicked last week by MP, Lal Singh, at Jammu University’s Rajinder Singh Auditorium, here. He assured the crew of support in completion of this Dogri movie. The last Dogri film ‘Galla Hui Beetiyen’ was released in 1970 and since then, there had been no headway in the making of regional films.

However, the release of ‘Lakeer’ and shooting of ‘Kuggi Maar Duari’ has rekindled the hope that people in the region are interested in the films to which they can relate to. Based on a love triangle, ‘Kuggi Maar Duari’ is related with Dogri culture and folk with a light comedy of a village boy Kamal passionate to become a flute player.

The boy, who is hero of the film, is considered a master of flute by the villagers. One day, he gets an opportunity to perform in a city where his talent is highly appreciated. This makes him an overnight celebrity. Kamal, however, cannot forget his past and always remembers those days he had passed in his native village. One day, he leaves everything behind and wings back to his village.

The director of the film, Neelam Kumar Phull, said he hopes a tremendous response to the film, a portion of which is also shot in Mumbai. Written by Basant Biyogi, the film has typical Dogri songs.

Phull said after seeing a good response to ‘Lakeer’, he was prompted to take such a decision. He said ‘Kuggi Maar Duari’ would be completed by the end of this year.

‘Lakeer’, which was released in January this year, depicted harmonious relations between different communities living in the state, despite the woes of the families which were split up because of the 1947 partition. The making of these two films, which is seen as an emergence of regional cinema here, has also forced other local directors to think seriously and to try their luck on such ventures.

Srinagar, July 5
Minister for Health & Family Welfare Sham Lal Sharma here recently ordered the closure of a private nursing home “New City Hospital” located at Tangpora bypass after noticing several deficiencies in its functioning. During the surprise visit to the health establishment, the management could not provide the requisite records pertaining to the registration of the nursing home, detail of doctors and the paramedical staff engaged.

The concerned institution was running without necessary formalities. He ordered the closure of the hospital and sealing of ultrasound machine installed without proper registration. On the instructions of the minister, one pharmacist, Riaz Ahmad Sheikh, who was running a drug store inside the hospital in an unauthorised way, was arrested. The drug store was also sealed.

The minister also gave 10 days time to Florence Hospital at Chanapora, Srinagar city, to fulfil the requisite formalities regarding the renewal of registration and allied documentation mandatory as per the norms.

The other establishments inspected by the minister include Al-Zahoor Diagnostic Centre and USG Clinic Batmalloo, Medicare Diagnostic Imaging Centre, Karan Nagar.

He took serious note of some doctors working in government hospitals who referred patients for getting USG and other clinical tests from private health care centres.

He directed the director, Health Services, to enquire into the matter and report at the earliest. He directed for pinpointing the responsibility and circumstances which compelled the government doctors to refer the cases to private centres when these facilities were available in government hospitals.

The minister issued warning to the private nursing homes and clinics to fulfil the requisite formalities at the earliest; otherwise the government would take appropriate action against them.

He said the government had already granted them ample time to complete the requite norms, but most of them failed to do so and now there was no excuse on their part and they would face the action, the minister maintained.

Talking to mediapersons, the minister said the government wanted to promote private sector in a big way to provide quality medicare to the people. But at the same time, the government would not allow illegal operation of such nursing homes, ultrasound clinics who were looting the general masses. He said the government had upgraded the facilities in government hospitals and people should avail the benefits of such facilities.

Sham directed the director, Health, to immediately dispose of all pending files of such nursing homes, health establishments who have applied for renewal, fresh registrations. He directed him to personally coordinate with the owners of the establishments for speedy disposal of the process of registration as per the advisory issued by the government.

Udhampur, July 5
As a part of the civic action programme under Operation Sadhbhavana, 10 Rashtriya Rifles conducted a free medical camp at village Behota in the remote part of Marmat area of Doda district.

A number of villagers, including children and elderly people, were examined and provided free medicines. The medical team comprised of RMO and nursing assistants of 10 RR.

A lecture on the importance of hygiene and sanitation was also delivered during the camp. Patients from Behota and surrounding villages like Rout and Chiloth attended the camp. The nomadic tribes of Bakkarwals and Gujjars also availed free treatment.

As per Army spokesperson, the sarpanch and village pradhan expressed gratitude to the Army for providing medical aid to them at their doorstep in the difficult terrain of this far-flung area of the district. The locals requested the Army to organise such medical camps in all parts of Marmat area so that the poor people could get better health care facilities.

Srinagar, July 5
Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohi-u-Din reviewed the status of water supply schemes of the entire Kashmir Valley at a meeting of engineers and officers here recently.

In the meeting, the minister directed superintending engineers (SEs) and executive engineers (XENs) to pace up the work on all under execution schemes and ordered them to augment the already functional schemes. Taj directed them to adopt the latest technologies like rubber dams for managing water resources and water supply schemes. He told them to cover all schools in the rural areas under water supply network, an official spokesperson said.

The Minister directed the PHE Department to identify sources and places for new water supply schemes for the so far uncovered areas in the state. He also underscored the need for tapping the subsurface water in view of the depleting water sources. He ordered them that no class IV employee should be placed back in his parent subdivision and strict action would be initiated against the officer having effected such a transfer.