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Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit families delayed
Bigwigs of world of Urdu poetry to grace Jashn-e-Faiz
Bad roads hit tourism in Reasi
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Poor infrastructure behind traffic chaos in Jammu
srinagar DIARY
Emergency ward of GMCH cries for attention
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Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit families delayed
Jammu, December 9 As per the status report on the rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, 4,621 families had submitted applications and shown willingness to return and avail the concession under the Prime Minister’s Special Package. However, the applications remained unattended for some unknown reasons. Sources said out of 4,621 applications received, 1,682 families were still in possession of immovable assets in the Valley for which the verification had been completed. Even as these applicants had furnished plans to return to the Valley, no concrete arrangements had been made for their return by making available the incentive available under the Prime Minister’s Special Package. The sources said state government agencies were intending to construct 250 transit accommodations at Vessu in Kulgam, 130 in Hawal, Pulwama, 250 at Khanpur, Baramulla and 50 at Handwara in Kupwara district. However, the construction work had till date not been fully undertaken even as the government claimed that 150 such units had been constructed at Vessu, 65 at Hawal, 100 at Khanpur and 50 at Handwara, the sources said. Some of the migrant employees, who were provided jobs under the Prime Minister’s Special package and posted in the Valley, said no living facilities were available at such transit accommodations. “The state government is only in the habit of constructing accommodation at places like Vessu, Tulmulla, Sheikhpura, Mattan and Jagti without rehabilitating Kashmiri Pandits with proper facilities,” said Satish Kaul, an employee posted under the Prime Minister’s Special package and currently working in Budgam. He said most of the candidates recruited under the PM’s Special Package, preferred to live in a private accommodation owned by local Muslims. “We feel secure in their company than the accommodation provided by the government,” Kaul said. An official of the Relief and Rehabilitation Department said the process of rehabilitating Kashmiri migrants back in the Valley was delayed due to some “lukewarm response” shown by certain families after submission of their applications. “Initially they were enthusiastic,” he said. The government had already constructed 200 flats at Sheikhpura in Budgam district on an experiment basis at an approximate total expenditure of Rs 23 crore. Out of the 180 flats completed, possession of 108 flats was with the Relief Organisation. As many as 30 such flats had been allotted to those Kashmiri Pandit families of Budgam district who had chosen to stay in the Valley in 1990. Similarly, 18 flats had been completed at Mattan in Anantnag. Some of these flats had been allotted to the candidates having been appointed under the return package, the official claimed. an epos
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Bigwigs of world of Urdu poetry to grace Jashn-e-Faiz
Jammu, December 9 Many of the participating poets are household names in India, Pakistan and elsewhere amongst the Hindi speaking diaspora. The event aims at reviving the cultural bonds between the two countries. While the Kashmir Literary Festival could not materialise this year, the scheduled poetic congregation at Jammu is being seen as the biggest-ever poetry festival in the trouble-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir. In the ‘mushaira’, maestros of Urdu poetry from India and Pakistan will regale the audiences with their verses loaded with the message of peace and love. Besides making a name in the world of literature, many visiting poets have written lyrics for movies also. Among such poets is Nida Fazli. Couplets like, “Kabhi kisi ko mukamal jahan nahin milta, Kahin zameen to kahin aasman nahin milta” and “Ghar se masjid to bahut door hai chalo yoon kar lein, kisi rotay huay bachchay ko hansaya jaaye” have been written by Nida Fazli. He has penned down the lyrics for films like Razia Sultan, Aap to Aisay Na, Sur and many more. He has written on almost every aspect of life that has its moorings in the culture of the subcontinent. “This century belongs to Faiz…This century is not attributed to the celebration of arms and ammunition, this century is dedicated to love and poetry,” said Nida Fazli, while confirming the news of his participation the festival here. The people are also eagerly waiting for Bashir Badr whose poignant couplets like: “Ujalay apni yaadon ke humaray saath rehnay do, na jaanay kis gali mein zindagi ki shaam ho jaaye” and “tujhay bhoolnay ki dua karon to dua mein meri asar na ho”. He has over 18,000 couplets and many Urdu ghazals to his name. The celebrated poet who captured millions of hearts with his refined poetry and film lyrics, Shaharyar, is also likely to come. Who would not have hummed the songs he wrote for “Umraao Jaan” and famous ghazal: “Seenay mein Jalan aankhon mein tofaan sa kyon hai, is shahar mein har shakhs pareshan sa kyon hai”. He is the third Urdu poet after Raghupati Sahay Firaq Gourakhpuri and Ali Sardar Jafri, who has been honoured with the highest literary award of the country, Jnanpith award. Many youth are also looking forward to listen to Rahat Indori. Besides being an eminent poet, Rahat Indori has written some beautiful lyrics for movies like Sir, Kareeb, Mission Kashmir and Meenaxi. He is known for his unique style of poetry recitation. Couplets like: “Aisay to aik aansu hi baha kar le jaaye mujhay, waisay tufaan mujhay hilaa bhi nahin sakta”, hold testimony of the poetic genius, Waseem Barelvi is. He is also expected to take part in the mushaira. Amjad Islam Amjad, a distinguished poet from Pakistan whose famous ghazal: “Kahan aa ke ruknay thay raastay, kahan mord tha ussay bhool ja”, defies all borders and is as famous in India as it is in Pakistan. Besides other leading poets from Pakistan, Amjad is also expected to participate in the poetic congregation. Meanwhile, noted peace singer Seema Anil Sehgal will not able to attend the deliberations at Jashn-e-Faiz, as she is not keeping well. In a statement, the singer said, “I have been suffering from laryngitis and i cannot sing.” “I apologize to my fans that I shall not be able to regale them with poems of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, during the Jashn-e-Faiz celebrations tomorrow at Jammu.
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Bad roads hit tourism in Reasi
Reasi, December 9 The roads leading to tourists’ destinations like the Vaishno Devi Shrine, the Shiv Khori Shrine, the Shiar Bawa temple and Dera Bawa Sahib are in a deplorable condition. “As the majority of tourists arrive in the state using the surface transport, the neglected condition of roads is a dampener for the tourism promotion,” felt Arjun Singh, a Katra-based hotelier. Raj Babu from Delhi had reached Ransoo, the base camp for the Shiv Khori Shrine, but seeing the condition of the road between Kanda and Ransoo, he said he would think twice before planning his next road journey to the hill state. “We reached Katra from Vaishno Devi, but as we entered Kanda, the condition of road was horrible. Poor maintenance of roads not only spoiled our mood, but also damaged our vehicle due to the presence of big potholes,” he said. Rajinder Singh, a resident of Amritsar reached Reasi by undertaking a 10-hour road journey in his car. He was shocked to see the dilapidated condition of roads, as he drove over the Shiar Bawa road. A total of 1.25 crore tourists visited Reasi till November this year. Even as the road transport is the only means of transportation within the district, the state government has failed to keep the roads in good condition. “The poor road network is hindering the influx of tourists,” said Director of the Department of Tourism RS Metha. He added that urgent repair and black-topping could put an end to the travelling woes of tourists. “Due to deplorable condition of roads, the transporters have to bear losses, as their vehicles develop problems and break down sometimes,” he added. District Development Commissioner, Reasi, PK Pole said, “The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is reconstructing the entire road from Nomani to Katra and the project will be completed by March 2012. Since the road stretch from Talwara to Shiar-bawa falls under the Salal Power Station (SPS) area, we have taken up the matter with the SPS authorities and the work will resume shortly. However, the road from Kanda to Ransoo comes under the Public Works Department (PWD). Funds have been requested under the Central Road Funds (CRF) from the Central government. As soon as we receive the funds, the restoration work will be a priority.” |
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Mushroom cultivation a big cottage industry in Jammu
Jammu, December 9 The region being blessed with varied agro climatic conditions, abundance of the needed agri waste and untapped manpower is suitable for cultivation of all types of temperate and sub-tropical mushrooms. The total number of mushroom growers in the region has reached 752 and the annual production of the vegetable currently stands at 5,616 quintals (5,61,600 kg). The three types of mushrooms which are being cultivated are the white button mushroom (September to March), dhingri (October to December and January to March) and the milky mushroom (July to September). The cultivation of button and dingri mushroom system has been the very proficiently adopted by the farmers of this division as a result of which there has been an ever-growing demand of the spawn of these two strains. During 2009-10, the Department of Agriculture and private sector had supplied 67,277 spawn bottles for establishment of 1,38000 tray of button mushroom and 8,,748 bottles for establishment of 17,414 blocks of dingri mushrooms. The production obtained was 4,701 quintals of button mushroom and 180 quintals of dingri. During 2010-2011, the department and private sector had supplied 77,277 bottles for establishment of 1,54,554 trays of button mushroom and 11,665 spawn bottles for establishment of 23074 blocks of dingri. The yield/production obtained was 5,410 quintals of button mushroom and 207 quintals
of dingri. Ajay Khajuria, Director, Agriculture, said, “Over the past two years, we have achieved 12 per cent enhancement in the establishment of button mushroom trays with 15 per cent increase in population of button mushroom. Similarly, the department was in a position to enhance establishment of dingri blocks by 32 per cent with 15 per cent production increase in the dingri production over the year 2009-10”. He said the department was providing assistance for setting up new commercially viable units of mushroom houses to demonstrate the latest technology of mushroom cultivation On financial assistance being provided to the growers, he said, “For the establishment of new mushroom units in private sector, assistance of Rs 75,000 is provided for a unit having a capacity to house 100 trays of standard size and acquiring the necessary substrate, raw material for the compost, necessary equipments and seed, spawn. However, for revival and strengthening of existing mushroom units an aid of Rs 25,000
is given”. “Our objective is to popularise the cultivation of mushrooms for meeting its ever-growing demand because of food quality and nutritional value,” he said. He said the department was providing a seasonal training at its training centres between September and October in all the potential districts of the division to the entrepreneurs. “We are also planning to send progressive mushroom growers and extension functionaries and officers to the Directorate of Mushroom Research and also other locations outside the state for learning improved techniques and methods in production, post harvest technology and marketing of mushrooms,” he added. Kulbhushan Singh, a mushroom grower, who has established the unit at his house at the Purkhoo area, said, “Undoubtedly, it is a profitable business as you can double your money. And the rest depends on your hard work”. He said, “I am growing mushroom in two sheds of 120x20 ft. About 200 packets of mushroom are produced daily in my unit which will go to 400 to 500 in coming days.” Singh said the mushroom industry could help a lot in reducing the unemployment in the state.
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Poor infrastructure behind traffic chaos in Jammu
Jammu, December 9 Over the past one decade, the number of vehicles in Jammu has increased significantly, but the road network has remained the same. According to official sources, over 3 lakh vehicles are plying on the roads of Jammu city. Every year 50,000 vehicles add to this already high number. Sources revealed that there were around 15,000 traffic violations per day in Jammu city alone, which meant that each vehicle violated traffic rules once a day on an average. However, the police takes action against major violations only. Officials of the Traffic Department said commuters in Jammu were yet to understand the traffic rules. The people here complain that in recent years the traffic woes have increased substantially. “There was a time when traffic jams were a rarity in Jammu. But now people get stuck in traffic jams even in lanes, especially during rush hours. The government should initiate some major steps for long-term traffic management in the city. Otherwise we are heading towards a major collective traffic disaster,” said Mintoo Pandita, an engineer from Talab Tillo. Hemant Kumar Lohia, IG Traffic, Jammu, said the main problem with the management of traffic in Jammu was not the lack of manpower, but the lack of infrastructure. “We have around 300 traffic cops in the city. During the Darbar Move, we get around 60 cops from Kashmir. This much number is enough. What we want is proper roads and spread awareness among the people about the traffic rules. We also need modern gadgets to manage traffic in the best possible way,” he said, Lohia said no amount of penal action would encourage the people to follow the traffic rules. He said only awareness and sensitivity towards traffic issues would improve the overall traffic scenario in Jammu.
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srinagar DIARY Most of the students come out to reach the bus stop only when they are accompanied
by an elder member of the family. It seems that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), under pressure from the animal rights activists, has completely run out of ideas. The SMC may say that it is taking steps to counter the menace, but the growing number of dog-bite cases reported at the hospitals only belies its claim. It is time for some serious action. Winter vacations in schools By dint of a government order, all government and private schools up to Class VIII have been closed for winter vacations with effect from December 1. Other higher educational institutions up to Class XII will close down from the next week. This is probably for the first time in the recent years that the educational institutions were closed for winter
vacations earlier than the schedule, i.e. mid-December. Despite the government order, many private schools in the capital have not been closed as the examination schedule in these schools has already been slated to be completed by the end
of the third week of the month. The government decision to close the schools earlier this year has been taken in view of the steep decline in the temperature to the sub-zero level. These schools, as per the practice, will be
reopening in the first week of March. (Contributed by M Aamir Khan &
Ehsan Fazili)
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Emergency ward of GMCH cries for attention
Jammu, December 9 As one enters the emergency ward of the hospital it seems at if it has not been cleaned for days. The poor hygiene in the emergency ward is a major concern for patients admitted in the ward. Due to lack of proper hygiene there is an every likelihood of contacting infections, especially among the patients who are vulnerable to infections. Sapna Devi, an attendant of a patient while talking to The Tribune said, “Broken sinks, foul smelling bathrooms, used food plates left by attendants, open dustbins in the wards, heaps of garbage, lack of attention from supervisors makes the stay here miserable. Nobody comes here to clean the wards.” “I prefer the pay-and-use toilet. One can’t even think of using the bathrooms and toilets here,” she added. Government Medical College and Hospital is the main referral hospital of the province, which witnesses a rush of nearly 5,000 to 7,000 patients and attendants on a daily basis. Medical superintendent of GMCH Dr Manoj Chalotra, however, refused to comment on the poor sanitary conditions at the emergency ward of the hospital and said he would not comment on any such issue without any prior appointment.
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Although the state government is trying hard to market its tourist destinations spread across the state, but it has failed to improve the condition of roads, resulting in inconvenience to tourists.
There was a time when the people of the city feared to venture out at night time due to the security situation in the Valley. Even though the situation has improved considerably, a lonely walk at night and also during the early morning hours can still be unsafe for the residents of the summer capital. However, it is not the militants who pose a serious threat to their lives. The residents are being bothered by the growing number of stray dogs (See photo). The schoolchildren are also the feared lot and most of these do not venture out alone to the bus stops early in the morning.
