The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Boost to tourism in Naagar Nagar Centre approves Rs 38-cr project Ehsan fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 19 With a view to restoring the historical grandeur of Naagar Nagar, past wall city of Srinagar, the Centre has approved the state government’s project of Rs 38.14 crore under the Mega Tourist Circuit Scheme (MTCS) for the development of Naagar Nagar-Mansbal-Watlab tourist circuit. To implement the project within a stipulated time frame, a high-level meeting between Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, who also represents the area, and Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora, besides Minister of State for Tourism and Home Nasir Aslam Wani, was held here recently. The meeting discussed different components of the project for its early completion, an official spokesperson said. High-level officers of the Tourism and Culture, Planning and Development and Lakes and Water Ways Departments, including Atul Duloo, commissioner secretary, tourism and culture; Farooq Ahmad Shah, director, Tourism, Kashmir; Talat Parveez, managing director, Cable Car Corporation; and Dilshada Khan, vice-chairperson, SDA, Srinagar; attended the meeting. The meeting was informed that under the project, Rs 24.19 crore would be spent on the development of various tourism-related infrastructure, besides conservation and restoration of heritage sites in the Naagar Nagar area. Sagar emphasised the need for early implementation of the project. He said focused attention would be given on the conservation and restoration of heritage sites of the wall city with special thrust on the restoration and repair of Rampat Wall around the Hari Parbat Fort. Saying that cultural heritage of the area is imperative for extending holidays of the tourists, he stressed on removing all bottlenecks and encroachments which are hampering the early execution of the project at several sites. He also impressed upon the authorities to ensure the execution of Mukhdoom Sahib rope way in a time-bound manner. The Tourism Minister said the development of the historical grandeur of Naagar Nagar was a priority of the government. He added that the Centre had already approved Rs 38.14 crore for the development of Naagar Nagar-Mansbal-Watlab tourist circuit. He said under the project, over Rs 24 crore was being spent for the creation of tourist infrastructure, besides the conservation of heritage sites in the Naagar Nagar area. Nasir Aslam Wani said the government endeavoured to explore the tourism potential of the state, adding that in this regard a comprehensive programme had been framed to harness tourism potential of all areas. He said special thrust was being given on the conservation and restoration of historical monuments. The Minister said the creation of new attractions and restoration of monuments in Naagar Nagar would make it a hub of tourism activities in future. He stressed upon the officers concerned to ensure the completion of all formalities for the early execution of the works under this project.
	Tour to South India thrills Kashmir students Raju William Tribune News Service Udhampur, August 19 An exuberant and enterprising bunch of 35 schoolchildren hailing from South Kashmir arrived here recently after an 11-day tour of Jammu, Bengaluru, Mysore and Chennai organised by the 9th Battalion, Rashtriya Rifles, under the aegis of the Headquarters 2 Sector Rasthriya Rifles. On their last leg of the tour at Udhampur, the children were excited about the places they had visited in other parts of the country, which gave them an insight into the all-round progress of the country, its cultural diversity and rich heritage. An interaction with Maj Gen SH Mahajan, in-charge administration, Northern Command, on Independence Day left an indelible impression on these young minds, informed Lt Col Rajesh Kalia, PRO, Northern Command. During the interaction, the children expressed their newfound interest in selecting their career options after their visit to the Officer Training Academy, Chennai, the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, and Infosys Training Academy, Mysore. They also visited Marina Beach and City Centre Mall in Chennai, Jawarhar Lal Nehru Planetarium in Bangalore and Brindavan Garden in Mysore. These young children also visited the national capital New Delhi on their way back. The General exhorted these young and impressionable minds to make the best of what they had seen and learnt in these cosmopolitan cities and also to choose their career options carefully. He added that this unparalleled experience must be shared by the tour members with their friends who were not fortunate to have undertaken the tour.
	Best Cricket Club award for Young Star Tribune News Service Udhampur, August 19 In recognition to its contribution to the promotion of cricket in Doda district, the Young Star Cricket Club (YSCC) received the Best Cricket Club Award on the Independence Day function held at Doda. The YSCC has become the only recipient of this award in the state. The club organises Gurfan Memorial Cricket Tournament annually in Doda which has become very popular over the years. The district administration selected the club for this award which was given to its chief patron Manzoor Ahmed Batt by State Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin. The award included an appreciation certificate.
	World War II veteran battles for pension Ashutosh Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, August 19 Ninety-year-old Chunni Lal has fought against the Japanese forces stationed at Burma, now Mayanmar, during the World War II for one year under the British Indian Army, besides taking on the Pakistani forces in Jammu and Kashmir during 1947 while serving in the Indian Army. But the old man who has reached the fag end of his life has been face to face with a new battle, this time for his social security. Chunni Lal says he has been getting the monthly pension of Rs 7,000 from the State Bank of India for the past three months. A resident of Sunder Bani in Rajouri district, Chunni Lal joined the British Indian Army in 1941 and retired from the Indian Army in 1956. He has grown frail over the years and cannot go to bank to collect the pension amount in person. Also, the old man can hardly speak or sign documents. “At this age, I cannot fight a legal battle. My son spoke to local Army officials last month on my behalf during an Army event. They had assured that they would take up the matter with the authorities, but nothing concrete has come out as yet,” he rues. “The bank officials have denied considering his thumb impression instead of signatures on the documents related to pension disbursal. They have asked us to get an affidavit form the court,” says Suraj Parkash, Chunni Lal’s son, who is an agriculturist. “We cannot take him to the court as he is not keeping well. We have been facing financial hardships so the government should treat our case on compassionate grounds,” he says. Chunni Lal’s daughter, Raj Kumari (67), who is a widow, has also been staying with her father for the past several years. She says, “I am also not entitled to any pension. I had applied for it in the Department of Social Welfare more than a year ago, but nothing happened”. The family has appealed to the authorities that the pension of the old man should be released without any hassles.
	Anna effect: Khadi cap in vogue again Archit Watts Tribune News Service Jammu, August 19 Khadi cap, earlier known as “Gandhi topi” is fast gaining popularity these days, thanks to the Anna Hazare wave that has swept over the country. Emulating the 74-year-old Gandhian, and raring to join his campaign against corruption, a large number of people are buying the khadi cap. Anna’s immense popularity among the public has made the modest topi a big hit among the people. And it is not just to look like Anna Hazare, the people, mostly youngsters, are wearing these caps to give a message that they are also protesting, even if they have not gone to Delhi, to join the Gandhian in his crusade. After visiting a number of Khadi shops in the city, The Tribune learnt that the caps are much in demand and selling like hot cakes. “Till last week, there was hardly any buyer for this cap. But, with the revival of protest by Anna Hazare, the cap has been selling like a hot commodity,” said Sham Lal, manager of a khadi shop, Last Morh in Gandhi Nagar here. He added that the cap was much cheaper as it was available for just Rs 30. He said, “On a daily basis, we are selling six to eight caps. We have already placed a further purchase order as the number of topi lovers is increasing day by day”. Similarly, Saurabh Sharma, an apparel shop owner at Apsara Road, said, “These days, people are coming to our shop demanding Anna cap. Though presently we don’t have it, but we have placed an order for these caps”. Meanwhile, a number of people can be seen wearing this cap in the city. A college student, Rohit Kumar, said, “The common man is fed up with corruption which is affecting the development of the country. I wanted to go to Delhi to join the Anna’s protest, but due to my studies, I am unable to go. So, I decided to join Anna ji in lodging a protest against corruption by wearing this cap. Now, people not only call me Anna, but they also give me respect”. A number of people have also posted their pictures wearing Anna topis on famous social networking sites, like Facebook.
	Minister for speedy completion of Khankah complex Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 19 Expressing concern over the slow pace of work on the reconstruction of the historic Khankahi Moula, Chrar-i-Sharief, which was gutted in an unprecedented fire incident in May 1995, Minister for Finance & Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather has called for coordinated efforts by the J&K Wakf Board, the JKPCC and the J&K Housing and the Urban Development Department to ensure the speedy completion of the Rs 26-crore prestigious Khankah complex. Speaking at a joint meeting of officers and engineers of the J&K Wakf Board, the JKPCC, the ERA, Chrar-i-Sharief Development Project and public representatives of the area here recently, Rather urged for finalising design drawings for laying the main tomb on the upcoming “Khankah”, which should be a marvel of specialised artistic work, adding that interior drawing works like wood panelling and paper machine should also be started so that the entire project is completed without any further delay. He also urged for completing the construction of “Hamam” before the onset of winter for the convenience of devotees visiting the shrine of the revered Sufi Saint, Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali round the year. Rather also called for close monitoring on the ongoing development works in and around the shrine complex, adding that site engineers should ensure the use of standard construction material as per the approved specifications. He assured that the availability of funds would not be any problem in the speedy completion of the Khankah Chrar-i-Sharief. It was informed that out of the estimated cost of Rs 26 crore, Rs 13 crore had been spent so far on the three-storeyed Khankah complex, including Prayer Hall, exclusive for women in the ground floor. The Khankah would have a capacity to accommodate 15,000 people to offer prayers at a time. While urging to keep the surroundings of the shrine complex neat and clean, Rather directed for the construction of about 100 additional latrine block points immediately for providing adequate facilities for ablution to the devotees in view of the ensuring religious festivals like Shab-i-Qadr. He called for exploring possibilities for the construction of underground toilet blocks near the shrine complex as a long-term measure. Rather also took stock of the pace of work on the Srinagar-Chadoora-Chrar-i-Sharief road project and was assured by the engineers concerned that the new bridge at Wathora would be thrown open for traffic in November this year. The Minister asked the engineers of the R&B to remove encroachments, if any, coming in the way of road widening, adding that the Ribbon Development Act needs to be implemented in the larger interests of the general people. He also directed for the speedy construction of Kakawring bridge in between the Nagam and Chrar-i-Sharief road and was assured that work on the bridge would be started next month. He also directed the officers concerned to start work on the construction of mini-secretariat complex at Chrar-i-Sharief immediately.
	Srinagar Diary Polythene resurfaces despite campaigns In a fresh drive against the use of polythene carry bags, officials of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board seized around 500 kg of polythene from various shopkeepers of the Batamaloo area in Srinagar. The seized material was destroyed on the spot in the presence of a magistrate. The shopkeepers keeping polythene stock were fined in the range of Rs 500 to Rs 7,000, depending upon the quantity of polythene seized from him. Abdul Salam, a shopkeeper in the Sabzi Mandi area, had stocked 80 kg of polythene. A total of Rs 19,500 was collected from the offenders. While the SMC would continue its drive in the city, people have been advised to shun the use of polythene and instead make use of environment friendly jute/paper bags. Notably, similar drives by the authorities had failed to curb the use of polythene in the Valley. There is a complete ban on the use of polythene carry bags in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. Though such drives are welcome, the root cause of the problem is being ignored. The transportation of huge stocks of the non-biodegradable material through the only surface link, the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, needs to be checked, which could be done easily. But the authorities seem to be turning a blind eye to this menace. The superficial campaign in the market place is not enough to eradicate the use of polythene. It is not the public, but the government needs to take adequate measures in this direction. Stray dog menace There are over one lakh stray dogs in the city. Various measures are being taken from time to time to take care of the problem and prevent the human population from dog bites. But, with certain laws in force, the rising number of dogs needs to be checked not by killings but by adopting other scientific means. Experts believe that the government has not earmarked requisite funds for the sterilisation of stray dogs (see photo), A number of cases of dog bites in the city and elsewhere in the urban centres in the Valley keep pouring in every day. There is an urgent need to check the menace by taking concrete measures. (Contributed by Ehsan Fazili)
	Panel reviews development projects in Bhaderwah Tribune News Service Udhampur, August 19 Estimates Committee J&K Legislative Assembly Secretariat, under the chairmanship of GM Saroori, visited Bhaderwah and reviewed the status of work on various ongoing development projects in the tehsil. MLA Ramban Ashok Kumar, MLC Naresh Kumar Gupta, MLC Subash Gupta, besides other members of the committee, CEO, Bhaderwah Development Authority, Kalyan Singh, and district officers and heads of various departments were present in the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, GM Saroori chairman, Estimates Committee, reiterated the commitment of the government to provide all the basic facilities to the people living in the far-flung and remote areas of the state. He said Bhaderwah had emerged as an important tourist destination during the past few years with the government creating adequate infrastructure at the tourist attraction places of the area. He said tourism was a growing sector in the region and the people, particularly unemployed youth, must take up tourism as a career option. Presenting a brief review of the activities of the Bhaderwah Development Authority, Kalyan Singh demanded that road connectivity to the some of the most beautiful and attractive tourist spots must be provided like Swaj Dhar which is a scenic attractive. The committee reviewed some of the key sectors and schemes in the areas like health, education, PWD (R&B), forest, tourism, besides other and asked the officers to work in a coordinated manner so that benefits and welfare schemes reach to the poor and the needy people of the area. The committee members also reviewed various state and centrally sponsored schemes.