The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Laws fail as crime against women thrives Marital violence claims four victims in three weeks Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, January 27 Even as the state government has enacted several laws to check discriminatory practices against the fair sex, violence against women continues to rise in this part of the country. The rising incidence of crime against women is a stark reminder that much more needs to be done to protect them. Four married women were allegedly either killed by their in-laws or driven to commit suicide in Jammu region during the last three weeks. On January 24, a young married woman identified as Surishta Devi, 24, wife of Surinder Kumar, a resident of border village Ramloo Rasolian in Samba district, succumbed to burn injuries at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu. She was admitted to GMCH on January 20 after she had received 70 per cent burn injuries in Arnas area of district Reasi where her husband was working as an electrician in a private company on a railway project. She was married to Surinder seven months back and her parents alleged that their daughter was burnt by her in-laws. On January 22, a housewife identified as Gulshan Sharma, wife of Jeevan Sharma, resident of Poonch House, Talab Tillo, had succumbed to burn injuries at GMCH. She had also received burn injuries under mysterious circumstances at her residence on January 16. On January 17, a housewife allegedly committed suicide in Sector 2, Roop Nagar locality of the winter capital city. Identified as Anita Sharma, wife of Ashok Kumar of resident Roop Nagar, she was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her residence. In yet another gruesome act, a young woman, identified as Pinky Devi, wife of Kewal Krishan, was allegedly burnt alive by her in-laws in Upper Thanoa area of Udhampur town. Police said Pinky was allegedly set on fire by her mother-in-law in the presence of her father-in-law in broad daylight. Pooja Dutt, wife of Sunny Dutt, a resident of Reshamgarh Colony, had made an abortive bid to end her life by consuming poison at her residence. She had taken the extreme step after she was allegedly harassed by her in-laws. The rising domestic violence cases are mainly attributed to easy acceptance of domestic violence and flaws in the existing law. Dr Poonam Dhawan, Director, Centre for Women Studies, University of Jammu, believes, “The basic problem lies with acceptance of any form of domestic violence. Domestic violence is still not considered a crime and its acceptance is wrong. It is not just the government that is to be blamed - the media, civil society and teachers have a major role to play in creating awareness about the existing laws safeguarding women’s rights.” Shamima Firdous, chairperson, J&K State Women Commission, says the commission takes cognisance of domestic violence cases only after somebody approaches it. “We can’t interfere in any kind of domestic violence unless the victim approaches the commission. Yet, there are some cases of grave nature which need the commission’s interference. We take up such cases with the Director General of Police (DGP) for seeking information from the police department,” she maintains. A toothless tiger The Domestic Violence Act was introduced and implemented in India in 2005. The Act came into force on July 12, 2011 in Jammu and Kashmir. It remains a toothless tiger as no protection officer has been appointed till date for implementation of the Act. The government has cited financial crunch as a major reason for the law’s poor implementation. As of now, the Child Development Officers have been asked to work as Protection officers in the state. The women cell of J&K police, Jammu had received 1,070 complaints last year. Of these, 981 were disposed of, 32 cases were registered with the women commission, four were referred to the court and 53 were pending. In 2010, there were 1,028 complaints. Of these cases, 967 were solved, 55 were registered with the women commission and six were referred to the court.
	Hoteliers rue tourism projects delay across Jammu Tribune News Service Jammu, January 27 Hailing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s suggestion made in the meeting of Tourism Advisory Committee here recently to attract a large number of tourists to Jammu and Kashmir, All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association has expressed concern over an inordinate delay in completing tourism-related projects in Jammu. The Jammu Hoteliers Association, whose president Inderjeet Khajuria was one of the participants in the meeting, expressed serious concern over a revelation by the Chief Minister that the project envisaging an artificial lake in the Tawi will take another three years to come up. The association observed that for the past over six years, people in Jammu have been hearing the lake would come up soon, but it continues to be a mirage. “The Chief Minister had told the meeting that in respect of a cable car between Mubarak Mandi and Bagh-e-Bahu and from there to Mahamaya hilltop, clearance from the forest department for installing a pillar for the same on forest land is in the works. This speaks volumes about the slow pace of work on the project. The project has been on for a decade now,” said Inderjeet Khajuria.
	Kashmiri Pandits express angst Sonika Raina/TNS Jammu, January 27 It was on the intervening night of January 19 and 20, 1990 that around 3,00,000 Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) left the Valley for an unknown destination leaving their belongings behind. The children born during or after the “holocaust” remember the pain of exile. As KPs observed the 22nd “holocaust day” on January 19, the youth of the community expressed anger as they remembered 22 years of sufferings. They are unhappy over not getting their rights, losing their identity and losing their homeland. Priyanka Sathoo, a B.Pharma student, was just six-month-old when she was brought to Jammu by her parents following the selective killings and threat to her family in 1989. “Though I did not face the night, the pain we felt in these 22 years was in no way less than that night. I celebrated my first birthday in a tent as my whole family was living there. We did not deserve that, we belonged to a well-off family but exile gifted these situations to us,” she lamented. Sharing her feelings about living in exile, Megha Razdan, an engineering student, said: “Of course, we are angry. Just sending a few KPs back to Kashmir for jobs does not change the situation. Though I was born after 1990 and haven’t seen the exodus, it does not disconnect me from my roots”. Though there has been a drastic change in the situation in the past 22 years and the youth of the community are working across the globe, their souls are still attached to the soil. Varad Vernya, an engineer by profession, and an amateur writer who was just 3-year-old at the time of exile, writes, “KPs will return when the conditions are conducive. The prime concern is safety (both in the physical as well psychological sense)”. “When fanatics roam freely on the streets of the Valley, the return of KPs is not possible. Their return means returning to the same home where they lived before the exodus. It should be done with dignity and honour. The return is feasible when issues concerning the entire community are addressed,” he added. Varad said in the past 22 years, questions about exodus, killings, justice, human rights and return of Kashmiri Hindus remain unanswered.
	Poetry regales Jammuites on R-Day Rajesh Bhat Jammu, January 27 Republic Day brought with it a chance for Jammuites to enjoy soothing music and Urdu poetry of high calibre. Music and poetry lovers enjoyed scintillating performances from noted ghazal singers and poets of national fame at two separate functions organised by Radio Kashmir Jammu and Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. Dr Roshan Bharati and Sakhawat Hussain Khan, who had come all the way from Kota, Rajasthan and Rampur, UP, respectively, were a treat to listen to as both the artistes were at their best while rendering ghazals of eminent poets. The “Shame-e-Ghazal’’ was organised by Radio Kashmir Jammu in collaboration with Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu on January 24. When Dr Roshan Bharati began with Shahid Kabir’s famous couplet “Besabab Baat Badhane ki Zaroorat Kya Hai”, the audience reciprocated with the stanza ‘‘Hum Khafa Kab They Manaane Ki Zaroorat Kab Thi’’. Faiz Ratlami, Khatir Ghazanvi and Dr Sagar Faraz’s ghazals were also recited by Bharati, much to the delight of the packed house. The artiste from Kota also sang some couplets from his album “Ulfat” and Begum Akhtar’s lyrics, which had also been a topic of his doctoral thesis. Known for Sufi and traditional singing, Sakhawat Husain Khan has also performed in the past here. “I love to visit Jammu and perform here,” he said. He enthralled ghazal lovers with lyrics of KK Singh’s ‘Mayak’, Jigar Muradabadi and Mir Takki Mir. Jigar Muradabadi’s “Mohabbat Mein Kya Kya Maqam Aye Rahe Hai ki Manzil Pe…” and Mir’s “Patta Patta Boota Boota Haal Hamara….” were some of his performances which drew applause. Those accompanying the singers included Arvind Kumar on synthesiser, Sami Feroz on tabla, Rakesh Anand on flute and Vikas Nagar on guitar. Speaking on the occasion, VP Yadav, Director Engineering, Radio Kashmir Jammu, assured similar functions in future too. In another function held at Abhinav Theatre this afternoon, Urdu poetry was at its peak. Poets had come from different Urdu-speaking areas of the country including Kashmir. Poetry of Arsh Sehbai, a son of the soil and a well-known personality of the sub-continent, was appreciated by a sizeable gathering.
	Jammu varsity bids adieu to VC Sahni Tribune News Service Jammu, January 27 Expressing gratitude for having given an opportunity to head the varsity, the outgoing VC of Jammu University, Professor Varun Sahni, said he had a pleasant experience and had put in his best during his tenure. Addressing JU teachers on the occasion of a farewell party organised by the Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) at the seminar hall of the Zorawar Singh Auditorium recently, he said he had a good and unforgettable tenure as the VC.
	Jhelum clearing operation starts ‘Water master’ undertakes desilting, excavation Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 27 In an effort to give a fillip to beautification of Jhelum in Srinagar city, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has pressed into service recently purchased water master to clear navigational slopes in the river. Costing Rs 6 crore, water master does desilting and other excavation job, while floating on the surface like a machine that is amphibian by nature. The department hopes to use it for clearing the interior city channels like Sunar Khul and Kuta Khul, which earned the summer capital the title of Venice of the east. With the machine completing the clearance work, Jhelum would be made fit for water transport from Zero Bridge to Chattabal in the first phase. Dredging in the river has been started after a gap of 30 years.
	3 local cricketers selected for MRF Pace Academy M Aamir Khan Srinagar, January 27 Three local cricketers, who took part in last year’s Kashmir Premier League (KPL) organised by the Army, have been selected to receive training at the MRF Pace Academy and the Madan Lal Cricket Academy. The three promising cricket players, Nasir Lone of Bandipore district and Ubaid Amin and Danish Muzzafar of Ganderbal district, were selected to receive training under the guidance of former Indian cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi. Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) last year had signed a three-year contract with the legendary spinner, Bedi, to coach the state’s Ranji and under-22 teams. “The three budding cricketers are scheduled to receive training at the MRF Pace Academy at Chennai from January 27 to February 6. Subsequently, the players would also be trained at Madan Lal Cricket Academy at Delhi from Feb 10 to April 30,” an Army spokesman said. The KPL was organised by the Srinagar based Chinar Corps. More than 300 matches were played in the KPL here by 14 local teams in July-August last year. “It is for certain that the players will benefit immensely from the training imparted at these institutions of national repute and would further fine tune their cricketing skills thereby making them perform even better in the future,” the spokesman added.
	Mule dung at Vaishno Devi to produce biogas now Devinder Thakur Jammu, January 27 The huge quantity of dung generated by about 8,000 mules plying 24x7 to and from Vaishno Devi shrine and other waste produced by the mushrooming business establishments and catering houses, will now be turned into usable biogas. Wastes at the 5,300 ft high shrine has reached critical proportions and has become a big problem for the shrine board authorities. “The waste plant will have the capacity to generate bio gas from four tonnes of mule dung everyday. The Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has entered into a contract with a Katra-based agency, which will purchase the biogas and put it to use,” said Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Addl Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Katra. "Initially the mule dung would be lifted from the most problematic areas like first 3-4 km of the walking track and from both sides of Banganga," he said. In another major initiative for utilising renewable energy, SMVDSB has already installed three solar power plants at the shrine. There is a solar power based water heating plant at Katra, while four are on trial and will be commissioned shortly. Solar Water Heating System with a total capacity of 40,000 litre per day and installed at a cost of over Rs 2.5 crore, have been installed at Shakti Bhawan, Trikuta Bhawan, Sarswati Dham, Vaishno Dham, Adhkunwari. Three solar power plants with a capacity of 45KW have been installed at the Bhawan (cave shrine); Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra and Gurukul. These projects aimed at utilising solar energy, have been set up by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under its Special Area Demonstration Projects Scheme. More than 10 million pilgrims visit the shrine every year and their number is around 40,000 per day during peak season.
	srinagar DIARY Kashmir’s duck tales The frequent blockade of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, Kashmir Valley’s only surface link to the rest of the country, led to a shortage of many goods this winter. The items that the people of Srinagar, who have always relished eating non-vegetarian food, seemed to miss the most were chicken and mutton. The situation, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise for the duck-sellers (see photo). The ducks, which are usually eaten on special occasions and by a few persons, became common on the lunch and dinner menus in many local households. Duck sellers all over the summer capital were seen doing brisk business. Those who do not relish eating ducks would be hoping for better weather conditions for the remaining part of the winter season so that the supply of mutton and chicken to the Valley remains unaffected. Back to studies Peak winter chill and security arrangements in view of the Republic Day celebrations by the end of January usually come as relief to students attending tuition classes here. Clusters of tuition centres at different places in the city lead to convergence of a number of students to the town, both boys and girls, mainly preparing for the Class X and XII examinations and also for other competitive tests. Youngsters are overburdened with studies and do not find any leisure time. Even snow and ice does not deter them to stay home. But, the security arrangements in place for the RD celebrations came as a breather for tuition-going students as the teachers prefer to give them a break to evade the intense cold and security check drills for a few days. With the tension around RD celebrations over and the winter chill starting to fade away, the students are back to studies. The school-going children are getting ready for the academic session which starts by February end. (Contributed by M Aamir Khan & Ehsan Fazili)
	Three from state get Padma Shri Tribune News Service Jammu, January 27 Three eminent personalities from the state, including a scientist, have been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri awards. The awardees are Professor Rameshwar Nath Koul Bamezai, Moti Lal Kemmu and Sat Pal Verma. Bamezai, who is presently the Vice-Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, has been awarded Padma Shri for his work in the field of science and technology. He has been selected in the field of science and engineering category. Kemmu has been awarded in the arts category for his significant contemporary playwrights. Sat Pal Verma, vice president, Gandhian Global Family, has been given the award in the field of social work category.
	Ensure availability of quality seeds to farmers: Minister Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 27 Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir has directed the Agriculture Department to ensure availability of quality seeds at doorsteps of farmers for the coming kharif season. He said this while reviewing the steps taken by the Directorate of Agriculture, Kashmir, with regard to arrangement of inputs for the coming kharif season here recently. Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Farooq A Lone; Director Research, SKUAST-K, Shafeeq Wani; Joint Director (Extension), MS Katoo; and Joint Director, Agriculture (Inputs), Indur Bhushan Bhat, attended the meeting. The minister was informed that more than 9,000 quintals of paddy seed had been procured from various seed farms and were being processed in seed processing plants at Padgampora and Lal Mandi. The seed would be made available at the sale centres well in time. He was also informed that around 5,000 quintals of potato seed tubers were available for distribution in the coming sowing season. The minister directed the authorities concerned to introduce hybrid maize seeds on a large scale in the coming kharif season. To enhance seed replacement in case of pulses, which is abysmally low at present, it was informed in the meeting that around 7.50 quintals of breeder seed of beans, moong and cow pea should be provided by SKUAST-K. The minister said adequate quantity of vegetable seeds and seedlings must be made available at the panchayat and village level. He was informed that the department was providing poly films and seed kits of hybrid vegetable seeds to each of the panchayat halqas of the Valley through the Panchayati Raj Institutions. The minister also directed the authorities for the revival of traditional varieties of Kashmiri rice, Kashmiri chilies, onion and garlic and told them to make efforts to ensure the availability of seeds of the said crops to the farmers. It was also decided in the meeting that cultivation of basmati (PUSA Sugandh-III) in the Narkara area of Budgam district would be encouraged by providing incentives on the seeds and, simultaneously, arranging for milling facilities and tie-up for its proper marketing. The minister also asked for exploring possibility of introduction and cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in the hilly areas of the Valley.