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State to set up spice park at Pampore
AFSPA withdrawal
Fiery chinar leaves lend
magic to Kashmir valley
Kashmir Bhand groups felicitate Balwant Thakur
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Plan to develop urban peripheries on modern lines, says minister
srinagar DIARY
Rs 3.30-cr tourist facilities inaugurated at Aherbal
Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora and Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo inaugurate tourist facilities at Aherbal in Kulgam district. Tribune photo
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State to set up spice park at Pampore Pampore (Kashmir), November 4 “A spice park will be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 22 crore under the mission here in which growers will have quality control and e-marketing facilities at their doorstep,” Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir said at a function here recently. Seeking the cooperation of saffron growers, the minister said: “The saffron growers need to come forward and take the benefits of the NSM, an ambitious project under which Rs 373 crore are being spent up to 2014”. Appreciating the efforts of the Agriculture Department in implementing the NSM, the minister said the objective of the mission was to revive the saffron cultivation on modern lines by way of providing the farmers latest technological know-how, incentives for adopting mechanisation, irrigation and setting up of a spice park with the aim of checking of quality control and online marketing facilities to the growers at their doorstep. “The saffron is the trademark of Kashmiri culture and heritage,” he said, adding that: “It is the efforts of the present coalition government that such a comprehensive project has been approved under the Central funding and it is our obligation to implement the people-friendly project in letter and in sprit at the ground level”. Recalling the days when the growers of the area were asking the government to lift the ban on the sale of saffron land, the minister said with the successful beginning of the implementation of saffron mission, the growers were now showing enthusiasm in rejuvenation of saffron corms and adopting of mechanisation in saffron cultivation. “Our thrust area is to enhance the quality production of saffron per hectare from 2.5 kg to 12 kg by introducing latest technology adopted by Spain and Iran under the mission,” Mir said. The minister said without the cooperation of growers, the objective of the research scientists of SKUAST (K), who formulated the project with consonance of local conditions, would not yield fruitful results. He asked the growers to fully adopt the procedures of the mission in letter and in spirit for which the department was providing incentives on various programmes. He said the work on 128 borewells would be started soon and drip irrigation facility was being provided to the growers on the individual level. Hailing the personnel efforts of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the launching of saffron mission in the state, the minister said with the approving of saffron mega project, the state was in a position to help the saffron growers for its revival. With the liberal funding of the Centre, the state was marching towards progress and prosperity, he added. — PTI
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AFSPA withdrawal
Jammu, November 4 “No doubt there had been a strong yearning among the people in Kashmir who want the AFSPA to go, but at the same time proxy war in the form of protracted Pak-sponsored militancy, which the security forces have been fighting, cannot be overlooked,” said Vikram Sharma, a renowned theatre artist of the state. “In my view, a step-by-step approach is the need of the hour. On experimental basis, the state government should first pull out the armed and paramilitary forces from the peaceful areas and hand such areas to the local police without revoking the AFSPA,” he added. Even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wants the state police at the forefront. After doing so, the situation could be monitored for a fixed time-frame, said Sharma, adding that by doing so the state government will be playing safe. “In case violence flares up in a peaceful area and the police fails to control the situation, the Army and other central forces could be called in,” he reasoned. “But if you remove the AFSPA first and subsequently situation goes out of your hands, then it amounts to playing with fire because then you will not be able to bring back the armed forces to
fight the insurgents in those peaceful areas,” said Sharma. It may be stated here that Chidambaram has backed the views of Omar on the review of the AFSPA saying it was the outcome of an eight-point programme approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on September 25, 2010 for restoring peace in the state. However, child rights activist Deepika Singh Rajawat termed the entire controversy as yet another ploy of the present government to garner votes in the next Assembly elections. “In my opinion, the Act is a necessity for the armed forces to fight militancy in the restive state, which had been witnessing the scourge since 1989. Those who talk about repealing the Act should first surrender their own security cover given to them by the Centre,” she said. While Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Sources Farooq Abdullah had recently said that there a “massive” public opinion in favour of revoking the AFSPA, an Army officer said that the state government should not jump the gun. “The Army, too, doesn’t want to remain in cities and towns to maintain law and order, which is the job of the police. But at the same time, we should not forget that it took almost 22 years for restoring peace in the state,” said the officer. You cannot afford to squander away the gains build up over the years. One has to be rationale in raising such issues, he added. The Army strongly feels that diluting or lifting the AFSPA would heavily impinge upon its operations to counter Pak-sponsored terrorism in the restive state.
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Fiery chinar leaves lend magic to Kashmir valley Srinagar, November 4 From green to yellow through crimson before they fall to the ground, the leaves of chinar trees have fired many an imagination for prose and verse. “Che Nar (What fire)?” - these words of a Persian poet, who has visited the Valley in the past, are still resounding in the majestic chinar gardens of Naseem Bagh in the Kashmir University campus on the banks of the Dal Lake in Srinagar and other places. Native to Persia, Italy, Belgium, America and Greece, chinar trees were planted on a large scale across the length and breadth of the Valley by Mughal emperor Jahangir during his reign from 1605 to 1627 though the origin of the plant in Kashmir is believed to be much earlier than the Mughal period. Later, rulers declared it a protected tree as it became a symbol of Kashmir’s heritage and beauty. Felling of the chinar or even lopping off its branches is forbidden by law. A 627-year-old chinar tree planted by Sufi saint Syed Abul Qasim Shah Hamdani in 1374 in central Kashmir’s Budgam district is believed to be the oldest of the species in the world. “The magic created by the ‘fires of the chinar’ because of its crimson leaves towards the end of the autumn is something one has to see to believe,” Bashir Ahmad War, a retired veterinarian, said. “As dozens of the mighty chinar trees surround the visitor with each one of them radiating its fiery brilliance, the spectacle is simply breathtaking. Anybody looking at them from a distance thinks the entire tree is on fire,” he added. The Valley has some of the finest chinar gardens in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Anantnag and other places where locals and visitors throng these days to take pictures. Sunil Kumar, a tourist, said: “It is a treat to be among the fiery chinars. I am lucky to have chosen this time of the year to visit Kashmir”. The leaves will finally fall to the ground and become the chief source of charcoal for the locals who collect it from half-burnt chinar leaves and fill their 'kangris' (earthen firepots woven in willow wicker). The kangris serve as mobile heaters during the harsh winter months. It is carried by the locals under their 'pherans' (tweed overgarments) and its soothing heat enables Kashmiris to brave even the most bitter winter. “Despite central heating, electric heaters and electric blankets, the kangri still remains our best insurance against the biting cold,” said Muzaffar Ahmad, a college principal here. “As the electric supply remains erratic, the traditional dependence of the locals on the kangri continues unchallenged,” he added. — IANS
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Kashmir Bhand groups felicitate Balwant Thakur
Srinagar, November 4 He was also felicitated at a function organised by the representatives of the Bhand Theatre groups here recently at the end of the series of 20 plays staged at different places across the Kashmir valley during the past two weeks. Speaking on the occasion, Balwant said unfortunately people were not aware of the preservation of their rich past and their ignorance was taking the toll of culture. It was the responsibility of everyone, including the government, to promote their unique traditions which are their ultimate symbols of identity. An awakened society always works for the promotion of its own culture as its top priority and feels proud in the cultural past and rich belongings. Thakur held that the day was not far saying “if this ignorance continues like this, we may be dubbed as rootless creatures and coming generations will always be blaming us for our misdoings”. He termed Bhands (Kashmir folk theatre characters) as the custodians of our culture and heritage and appealed all to promote, patronise and promote them by all means. Theatre is one of the most effective mediums of mass motivation and community participation and it has all the potential to bring social revolutions. On the occasion, he while expressing his gratitude appreciated the Kashmir print media for promoting his endeavors. Natrang Jammu Director, Balwant Thakur, who has been camping here for the past two weeks after organising a 10-day training programme, also complimented Mohammad Yaseen, Manzoor-ul-Haq and Shah-e-Jahan Ahmad Bhagat for taking
in coordinating and effectively organising the shows. Those who participated in the meeting included Bilal Ahmed Bhagat (Kashmir Bhagat Theatre), Shah-e-Jahan-Ahmed Bhagat (National Bhand Theatre), Manzoor Ahmed Bhat (Dilkash Folk Theatre), Ghulam Nabi (Luk Pather Centre), Munir Ahmed (Baba Reshi Folk Theatre), Bilal Ahmed Mir (Gulisthan Bhagat Theatre), Aijaz Ahmed Bhat (Gulmarg Luk Theatre), Fayaz Ahmed Bhat (Kashmir Bhand Theatre), Muzzafar Ahmed Bhat (Sheesh Mahal Folk Theatre), Mushtaq Ahmed Bhagat (Monishah Folk Theatre), Tahir Ahmed (Alamdar Bhagat Theatre), Ghulam Hassan Betaab (Bomai Bhand Theatre), Mohd Sultan Bhat (Arnimaal Folk Theatre), Feroz Ahmed Bhat (Manasbal Folk Theatre), Fayaz Ahmed Rather (Valley Folk Theatre), Ghulam Mohd Bhat (Sultan Bhagat Theatre), Ghulam Mohd Bhat (Kaatreshi Folk Theatre), Abdul Rashid (Bomai Luk Theatre), Fayaz Ahmed Bhat (Wullar Theatre) and Jameel Ahmed Bhat (Alamdar Lukpather Centre).
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Plan to develop urban peripheries on modern lines, says minister
Jammu, November 4 This was stated by Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla while addressing a gathering after laying the foundation of a 150-metre-long retaining wall, along a nullah, at Sai Vihar in Trikuta Nagar recently. Bhalla said the residents of Sai Vihar had faced a lot of difficulties during the rainy season this year due to flash floods in the nullah. He added that for the protection of their lives, properties and livestock, the government had earmarked Rs 20 lakh for the construction of a retaining wall on the embankments of the nullah. He asked the R&B Department to complete the project within one month. The minister said the government was aware about the problems of the residents who had suffered losses due to flash floods and other natural disasters. He said every possible help would be extended to the victims of the flash floods in due course of time. For providing better connectivity between Trikuta Nagar and Channi Himmat, the minister said the government had earmarked Rs 1.50 crore for the construction of a box-type culvert, including rotary, near Nidesh Apartments. Bhalla said to improve power scenario in Trikuta Nagar, Channi Himmat, Shanti Nagar and its adjoining areas, a detailed project report had been prepared. He urged the people to pay power tariff regularly and help the Power Development Department to identify those who were involved in power thefts through hooking. Listing the development works completed in Trikuta Nagar, Bhalla said the government had earmarked Rs 40 lakh for macadamisation of internal links of the locality. He added that instructions were issued to the executing agency concerned to complete the work before the reopening of the Civil Secretariat at Jammu. He said Rs 25 lakh had been earmarked for the modernisation of links of Khu-Wali Gali. For improving the drinking water scenario in Trikuta Nagar, Basant Vihar and Lakshmi Enclave, the minister said a Rs 2.5-crore project envisaging installation of tube wells and laying of supply pipes was in the offing. Bhalla said a comprehensive proposal for the construction and upgradation of Deeli, Bathindi, Sunjwan and Trikuta Nagar nullahs had been formulated. He said massive development in various sectors like health and education had been registered in the state. He said the government was committed to provide all the basic amenities to the people of the state at their doorsteps.
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srinagar DIARY The Chief Minister has been tweeting on various subjects most frequently, particularly when he is out from some political or administrative crisis. Though the summer months this year passed peacefully as compared to the previous three years, Omar was caught, on a couple of events, triggering political debate at the fag-end of the six months of the Darbar in Srinagar. The first which hit him hard was the death of a party worker, Syed Mohammad Yousuf, in October end. The second was his announcement on the revocation of AFSPA from a few parts of the state. While a majority of the people are accustomed to the political upheavals over the past couple of decades, Omar’s tweet reminds everyone about their previous plight during the six months of winter when the seat of the government shifts to Jammu. The people in Kashmir had earlier been passing through difficult phases on account of the lack of essential supplies like power, apart from foodgrains, vegetables, mutton, poultry, kerosene, etc, by the blockade of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway due to bad weather conditions. By his tweets, it seems that Omar says goodbye for the whole winter with a promise not to look back till the Darbar returns. The people here will be left at the mercy of god in case any crisis due to the blockade of the highway arises, it is apprehended. May the weather god be fair to the people of Kashmir for the next six months. Increasing rates of milk Over the past several months, the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution System (CA&PDS) Department has not been able to fix the rates of milk supplied, pouched or open, in the markets. This has given a freehand to the milk sellers and suppliers all across the Valley, who are selling it at exorbitant rates. Consumers in Srinagar city are the worst sufferers. Even as the CA&PDS Department, about five months ago, had taken strong measures to check the rates by planning to fix it at Rs 26 per litre for pouched milk and Rs 20 for open milk, these are not being strictly implemented. The sellers have been selling milk at Rs 27 per litre for pouched and Rs 22 for open milk. At many places, milk is being sold at Rs 30 per litre. The consumers here apprehend that the rates may be further increased without any government intervention, beyond their capacity to spend, even as there is no system to check the quality of the milk supplied. Thus, there is a need to take strict measures to check the quality and the price of the milk for the people here. (Contributed by
Ehsan Fazili)
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Rs 3.30-cr tourist facilities inaugurated at Aherbal
Srinagar, November 4 Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora in the presence of Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo has inaugurated tourist facilities, which included four huts each comprising two-bedrooms, cafeteria and kiosks at the tourist resort at Aherbal. Speaking on the occasion, Jora said peace was imperative for tourism promotion, adding that this year about 11 lakh tourists visited the valley because of the peaceful situations. He appealed the people to work for peace in which the prosperity of the state was hidden. The Minister said infrastructure development was basic need for boosting the tourism sector and massive tourist infrastructure development programme was underway aimed at facilitating the tourists visiting the valley. He said the formation of tourism development authorities (TDA) was aimed at bringing more places on the tourism map of the country in order to benefit the people of these areas. “We want to take tourists to the spots other than Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg,” said the minister, adding that the creation of basic facilities would be the priority of the government. “We want people to take tourism as business activity for which the government will provide financial assistance,” the minister said, adding that subsidy was being provided to the beneficiaries. Sakina said the government was aware about the problems of the people of the area, including Tangmarg Aherbal, Kongwaton and Kounsarnag. She said apart from the opening of score of Anganwari centres in the area, a large number of widows and old persons had been brought under the welfare schemes being run by the government. The minister said the development works coming up at Aherbal envisaged that development tempo started by coalition formation led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had been initiated in every nook and corner of the state. She appealed the people to work for strengthening the coalition formation.
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Srinagar, November 4
“Thank you for your warm hospitality Srinagar. See you in six months,” tweeted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah within hours after the state government offices closed in Srinagar on Friday last for reopening in the winter capital. These offices would be reopening for the next six months in Jammu early next week for which preparations are in full swing
(see photo).