|
|
|
|
Consumers in Jammu yet to get extra Diwali ration
Jhiri mela fails to keep
centuries-old tradition alive
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Parents of Sushil Khajuria pay tributes to their son at a function. A file photo
Rs 81 lakh earmarked for promotion
of bee-keeping
BOSE evaluation centre in south Kashmir inaugurated
Farooq inaugurates exhibition of Kashmiri shawls in New
Delhi
Ignoring signboards
|
|
Consumers in Jammu yet to get extra Diwali ration
Jammu, November 8 Dealers of various outlets of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) are trying to give excuses that they have not received the additional quota, therefore, it is not possible for them to give the additional sugar to the consumers. Further, a majority of the consumers are not aware that the government has announced an additional quota of sugar due to Diwali and Eid and the dealers are not informing the people about it. “What to say of getting an additional quota of sugar, we are not getting it as per the already fixed scale,” said Rajesh Sharma, a resident He alleged that the scarcity of ration in CAPD depots was the biggest issue in the entire Kathua district. In the urban areas, aware consumers were pressurising dealers to give them ration as per the scales but in the rural areas, the situation was worst. Poor people were not getting ration from the CAPD depots, he added. In the hilly areas of the Jammu region, people are facing hardships due to the non-availability of ration in the CAPD depots. Recently, the authorities have taken a few steps to check black- marketing of ration meant for the poor, still at some places dealers are selling ration in the open market. While reviewing the status of availability of ration and its quality, Minister of Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Qamar Ali Akhoon had announced in October that an additional quota of sugar would be released for the consumers due to Diwali and Eid. The minister had visited various CAPD godowns and inspected the quality of wheat, rice and sugar. He had instructed Parvez Malik, director, CAPD, to check the quality of the ration being received from the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Akhoon had said the Centre had sanctioned an additional quota of ration for Kashmiri migrants, Gujjars and
Bakerwals. He said though the Gujjar and Bakerwal community had no ration card, the Central Government had sanctioned an additional quota of ration for the downtrodden sections. The minister had directed the officers concerned to ensure adequate availability of wheat, rice, sugar and other essential commodities in all parts of the Jammu division for the convenience of the people. He also urged the officials to personally monitor the ration supply to far-flung and remote areas of the Jammu division. |
||
|
Jhiri mela fails to keep
centuries-old tradition alive
Jammu, November 8 These observations were made by noted cultural experts and social activists at a programme advisory meeting of Radio Kashmir Jammu while calling upon the media to highlight the cultural significance attached to the festival. Balwant Thakur, noted theatre director, said the younger generation was unaware of the importance of the mela as
their “It is extremely important to tell the people of their rich past and Jhiri mela, which attracts lakhs of people, can act as a big platform in this direction,” Thakur said. He said his organization, Natrang, had been organising variety of stage shows during the week-long Jhiri mela every year to preach the philosophy and principles of Baba Jitto for which he laid down his life in 15th century. “Other cultural organisations also have to strengthen people’s belief in our heroes of yesteryears,” Thakur said. Social activist Dhyan Singh recalled that a few years ago, local singers of the area used to sing rhythmic hymns and ballads in praise of Baba Jitto, a revolutionary farmer who had sacrificed his life while restricting landlords from taking his produce. “Now, there are very few singers left to recite those tunes,” he regretted. Art critic Dr Lalit Gupta said the mela was now providing marketing outlets to big businessmen and the local artisans were found nowhere to sell their items like earthen decorative wares, vases, utensils, pottery items toys, knives and farming tools as it used to be a practice in the past. “Further, a few youth are now seen flexing their muscles on wrestling courts bedded with crude clay,” he remarked. DP Khajuria said government departments, which earlier used to put their stalls to showcase their performance, were also not showing much interest in the mela. “Earlier, progressive farmers were being felicitated, but that practice is also missing’’, he said. Highlighting the importance of the festival, the participants said it was actually in reminiscing of Baba Jitto’s sacrifice for the liberation of the farming community that the Jhiri mela was being organised every year here on Karthik
Purnima. The Glorious Past Some of the records available with the state’s Archives Department suggest that Jhiri mela used to be a priority for the government and even for the rulers of the erstwhile princely state. They would ensure proper security around the historical Jhiri village that houses a sacred pond “Babe-da-Talab”, where devotees take a dip with a belief to have miraculous powers for curing skin disorders. The records reveal that competitions in wrestling, archery, kabaddi and signing were being held every year to the amusement of one and all. The records say farmers would every year bring to makeshift Jhiri market their best produce. They would also put on display their healthy animals like horses, cows, buffaloes, sheep and camels, besides fowls. Hefty ones were suitably rewarded by the administration. The then Departments of Press Information Bureau and Field Publicity used to show “cinema” on projectors. The then Information and Broadcasting Ministry also used to distribute books, pamphlets and other counter-propaganda material. Such kind of activity was found more in vogue during 1947 to 1953 Jhiri festivals when people were being informed about India’s factual position on Jammu and Kashmir in the backdrop of vicious Pakistani media propaganda. |
||
|
Ashok Chakra demanded for Lt Sushil Khajuria
Jammu, November 8 Besides the parents of the martyr, officers have also demanded “honourable recognition” of the sacrifice made by him while fighting militants in Kupwara on September 27. “We want a justifiable and honourable recognition of the sacrifice made by our son. All of our three sons have served in the Army for the service of nation. We are proud parents,” said Nirmala Khajuria, mother of Lt Sushil accompanied by her husband, Som Dutt Khajuria, who has also retired from the Army. The campaign in cyberspace has got an encouraging response with hundreds of comments pouring in every day. The well-wishers and friends of Lt Khajuria have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to recommend Lt Sushil Khajuria’s name for the top award to President of India through the Union Defence Minister. “It’s high time to start a sustainable campaign to stress upon the Centre to honour brave heart Lt Sushil Khajuria posthumously this Republic Day,” reads a comment on the wall of facebook account of martyr officer and asks: “Don’t you think that the Ashok Chakra must be conferred upon the martyr?” “Senior Army officers have already said it on record that Lt Sushil Khajuria heroically gunned down two militants in a fierce encounter raging in Kupwara and laid down his life while rescuing an injured soldier,” reads the statement. It is corroborated by a comment that says: “Lt Sushil Khajuria was fighting a war for the peace. He was encountering enemies of the society when he laid down his life in the line of duty. He died not caring for his life, but other soldier’s life, who was lying critically injured in the battlefield. Lt Sushil exhibited rare bravery for a cause which shows part and parcel of his character.” “His bravery was not an act of frenzy, but a contribution towards a greater cause: a peaceful Jammu and Kashmir ….a harmonious society…a violence free India….” another comment says. |
||
|
Rs 81 lakh earmarked for promotion of bee-keeping Jammu, November 8 “An amount of Rs 81.11 lakh has been earmarked for the promotion of bee-keeping in the Jammu division,” he said while talking to a progressive bee-keeper Dev Yog Raj Goswami of Samba district here. Goswami was recently felicitated as “Farmer Scientist” by the Centre for International Trade in Agriculture and Agro-based Industries (CITA) by its founder and Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar. While appreciating Goswami's efforts, Mir assured full cooperation and asked him to establish honey processing plant. He said other farmers should also get inspired and improve their socio-economic condition by adopting agriculture-based allied activities. The Minister said the department had taken up a series of steps to revive and promote bee-keeping after the attack by Varrora Mite. Mir said a scheme for bee-breeders was launched under which four bee-breeders were identified and provided Rs 3 lakh assistance each to enable them to produce 2,000 bee colonies annually, Goswami being one of the selected bee-breeders.
— PTI |
||
|
BOSE evaluation centre in south Kashmir inaugurated
Srinagar, November 8 Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the objective of establishing the centre was to facilitate the evaluators of south Kashmir to expedite the evaluation process of examinations. He said this would facilitate the speedy declaration of results of students. He said such evaluation centres in other areas of the state like Sopore, Kathua, Rajouri and Doda would augment BOSE in the declaration of results in a time-bound manner and would provide opportunities to the unexposed experts in the process of evaluation. Later, addressing a large public gathering at
Magam, the minister said the coalition government had launched various socio-economic development schemes in the state which had shown fruitful results at the
ground level. He said the special focus was being given towards the development of far-flung and backward areas and sought people’s cooperation of achieving the self-sufficiency in every sphere. The minister said education was important tool to every nation for its development. He asked the people of the area to provide education to their wards as the government had made available educational facilities at their doorstep, various colleges and schools were opened particularly in far-flung and hilly areas. He said vital sectors of health, power, agriculture, PHE and R&B have been prioritised and the strengthening of infrastructure under these sectors was being considered, adding that social sectors were getting added attention to transform the socio-economic profile of the state. The minister sanctioned Rs 4 lakh under the CDPF for the construction of a bridge at Magam and
playing field at Norpora-Watnar. He said water supply scheme, besides opening of a health and veterinary centre, at Warpora was under active consideration. Peerzada also distributed 703 solar home lighting systems at Norpora-Watnar village among the beneficiaries of the Breng Constituency in Anantnag district and asked the concerned for the identification of more such beneficiaries so that they would be provided solar lights. |
||
|
Farooq inaugurates exhibition of Kashmiri shawls in New
Delhi
The exhibition was organised by Varuna
Anand, an internationally acclaimed designer. Farooq Abdullah appreciated the work put together by Varuna
Anand, which was a showcase to the traditional art of Kashmiri shawl weaving and embroidery. The function was attended by the top social circle of Delhi which included Suresh
Nanda, chairman, Claridges Group, MK Ajatshatru, Ritu Singh, Vicky Shaw, Bali
Khandhari, senior IAS officer, Parvez Dewan, Kabir Sondhi, Neelima Dalmia Adhar and others, an official spokesperson said. The exquisite and famous Kashmiri shawl is known all over the world for enhancing an ensemble with its soft feel, color, texture and natural flowing
appearance. Varuna, presently based in Jammu and Kashmir for over nine years, considers herself lucky to use her expertise in the development and enhancement of this age-old art of Kashmiri shawls. Kashmiri shawl is characterised by the elaboration of its design, intricately woven or embroidered. These designs are stylised imitations of nature and their glowing brilliance, depth and enduring qualities of their colours make them essentials in wardrobes of the rich and famous. “Keeping in view the changing tastes of people, I, along with the local workers, have tried to give Kashmiri shawls a new vibrant look, ensuring that it reflects the rich heritage and culture of the region,” says
Varuna. She believes that the exhibition will not only help her revive the market for Kashmiri shawls, but will also offer the best designs to customers, particularly for all those with a penchant for luxury and style. |
||
|
Jammu DIARY
At almost everywhere in the city, the boards installed to mark the pedestrian ways have been damaged. At a particular point near Bikram Chowk (see photo), from where the IGP himself launched the pedestrian ways, the board has fallen down and no one is there to re-install it. Confusion
in PDP Officer-bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) these days are facing piquant situation as they themselves are not aware of their own status in the party. After election of the party president on October 31, it is widely perceived that all existing bodies have been dissolved, but no official order has been issued in this regard. The office bearers of the existing bodies are claiming that they are still holding their posts, but their detractors on the other hand are not treating them as office bearers. Detractors claim that after election of the party president was announced, existing bodies were automatically dissolved. The office bearers, however, claim that no official order has been issued in this regard. Therefore, confusion is order of the day in Jammu unit of PDP. (Contributed by
Archit Watts and Dinesh Manhotra)
|
|
||
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Srinagar, November 8
Though IGP Traffic Hemant Kumar Lohia had last year marked a number of pedestrian ways across the city to streamline the traffic, yet the basic purpose of these pedestrian ways is getting defeated.