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Omar-led govt pats itself for bringing peace
Governor hoists Tricolour
Governor NN Vohra inspects the Republic Day parade in Jammu on Saturday.
A Tribune photograph
R-Day celebrated peacefully across Kashmir valley
Leh celebrates Republic Day
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Governor hosts At Home
State to seek ADB funds for improving roads
Changes in ‘Udaan’ evoke mixed response in Valley
Gulmarg emerges as favourite weekend spot for skiing lovers
2,000 teachers sent back to original place of posting
A Muslim, who sang in praise of Hindu deities, passes away
Education of girl child is a must, says Usha Vohra
First Lady Usha Vohra lights the lamp at the Republic Day celebrations organised
by Department of Youth Services and Sports in Jammu on Sunday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh
Governor for full usage of solar energy at Central varsity
CM’s speech offered just platitudes: MLA
Mufti welcomes Justice Verma Committee recommendations
PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed addresses a public meeting at RS Pura
on Sunday. A Tribune photograph
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Omar-led govt pats itself for bringing peace
Srinagar, January 27 Sagar, who unfurled the Tricolour and inspected the parade at city’s Bakshi Stadium, said the state government had succeeded in bringing “peace, progress and prosperity” to all three regions of the state — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh — under the leadership of Omar Abdullah. The Panchayati Raj Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Rural Development Ministry, urged separatists to follow the path of dialogue as that was the “only way to settle issues”. A similar call was made by state Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad, who presided over the R-Day function in Ganderbal district. He told separatists to participate in the “process of nation-building”. “The dialogue process to resolve the Kashmir issue is progressing and the state government is making every effort to make it a success,” Ahmad said. Sagar, while reading out a list of achievements of the Omar-led government, said the National Conference had resolved to provide employment to the educated unemployed youth. “As many as 80,000 posts are vacant in various departments. Out of these, around 10,000 posts have been marked to the Service Selection Recruitment Board for getting filled on a fast-track basis,” he said. The minister said the government had set up skill development institutions for imparting training to unskilled educated personnel. Sagar said several hydel projects had been set up in the state in the last four years to tap the water resources to make the state self-sufficient in power generation. “Similarly, various tourism development authorities were set up to boost tourism for the economic growth of the state,” he said. A massive influx of tourists into the state in recent years has resulted in improving the socio-economic status of people, particularly those related to the tourism sector. Highlighting the higher education expansion programme of the state government, Sagar said 23 new colleges had been set up in different parts to provide education to students. “Similarly, a network of schools was established to extend primary and secondary education to students of remote areas of the state,” he said.
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Governor hoists Tricolour
Jammu, January 27 The Governor inspected the parade and took the salute at the march past of the contingents of the Army,
BSF, CRPF, men and women contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force, Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Services, J&K Forest Protection Force, ex-servicemen, National Cadet Corps, Bharat Scouts and Guides, school students and bands of the Army,
BSF, Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police and various schools. Governor NN Vohra’s wife Usha
Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Legislative Council chairman Amrit
Malhotra, ministers, vice-chairmen of various boards, judges of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, MPs, legislators, senior civil, police and Army officers, political and social activists, prominent citizens and mediapersons were present on the occasion. A cultural
programme, based on national integration and the glorious composite heritage of the state, was presented by students on the occasion.
‘Bhartiyam’, in which about 2,000 students participated, received a thunderous applause. A gun drill by 26 Infantry Division and motorcycle acrobatics display by Daredevils of the state police also received an applause from the audience.
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R-Day celebrated peacefully across Kashmir valley
Srinagar, January 27 For the past few years, mobile and wireless Internet services are jammed during Republic Day and Independence Day functions here in the morning hours. An official said the mobile services were jammed as a security measure to ensure the smooth conduct of Republic Day celebrations and the same were resumed after the functions got over by the afternoon. As roads leading to the Bakshi Stadium — where the main Republic Day parade of the Valley was held — were sealed, most of the locals preferred to stay indoors in the morning. Security personnel in large numbers were seen patrolling the streets from the early morning and when the Republic Day parade and functions were going on. Closed-circuit television cameras were also placed at many places by the police to monitor the situation. Most of the shops and other business establishments remained closed due to the shutdown called by separatists while public transport remained off the roads. However, a few private vehicles were seen plying on the roads here especially in the afternoon. Reports reaching here said the shutdown call affected normal life at other parts of the Valley as well. The shutdown was called by the hard-line Hurriyat
faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. |
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Leh celebrates Republic Day
Srinagar, January 27 The main function was held at the Leh polo ground where nearly 10,000 people attended the event, braving winter cold, an official spokesman
said. Spalbar, while addressing the function, said the day is meant to take the pledge to contribute to the development, unity and prosperity of the country. Executive
Councillor, Health, Sonam Wangchuk; Executive Councillor, Tourism, Gyurmet
Dorjey; ADC, Leh, Tsering Murup; Leh SP Vivek Gupta; Councillors of the
LAHDC, ASP P Sonam; leaders of the political, religious and social organisations and District Officers were present on the occasion. |
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Governor hosts At Home
Jammu, January 27 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, ministers, adviser to the Chief Minister MY Taing, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council, MPs, legislators and leaders of various social and political organisations were among those who attended the At Home. Lt Gen KT Parnaik, GOC of the Northern Command, senior civil, police and security forces officers, Vice-Chancellors, mediapersons and prominent citizens also attended the function. The Governor and his wife Usha Vohra interacted with the invitees and exchanged Republic Day greetings and pleasantries with them.
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State to seek ADB funds for improving roads
Jammu, January 27 The Transport Department has also decided to minutely look into the functioning and performance of the Regional Transport Officers (RTOs), Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) and other officials concerned. The department has decided to penalise them for their laxity or negligence. Official sources told The Tribune that the R&B Department has been planning to approach the ADB for special funding to improve the condition of roads in the hilly areas of the state. “Five districts have already been declared accident-prone and we are planning to write to the ADB for financial assistance to improve roads in mountainous areas. If the ADB can provide funds for raising the road infrastructure in urban areas, we are hopeful that it would consider our request for improving the roads in hilly districts,” a senior official of the R&B Department said on the condition of anonymity. The officer said the department was working out the modalities and a formal request would be made to the ADB soon. “We are also assessing the conditions of roads in various districts. A comprehensive plan would be prepared and submitted to the ADB to seek special financial assistance for their improvement,” he said. Official statistics say 4,500 persons were killed and 37,000 injured — some of them were rendered handicapped — in 25,500 road accidents across the state in the last four years. The state witnessed the highest deaths in 2012 when a total of 1,165 persons lost their lives on roads despite the Traffic Police adopting “accident prevention strategy” and penalising more people for violating road safety norms than the corresponding last year. A total of 3.86 lakh challans were issued in 2012, while the Traffic Police realised Rs 10.61 crore as fine from violators. The official sources said nearly 80 per cent road deaths occurred due to human errors, including negligent driving, while the remaining casualties occurred due to poor fitness of vehicles and road engineering. Minister for Transport Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan said his department would “minutely” assess the performance of the RTOs and the ARTOs. He said strict action would be taken against them in case of any laxity on their part. “We had a meeting with the Transport Commissioner, Inspector General of Police (Traffic) and other senior officers on the issue. They have been told to enforce the road safety norms. Overloading is a cause for concern in hilly areas. Besides, some drivers drive without valid driving licence. In both cases, we have decided to cancel the route permit of the vehicle,” the Transport Minister said. “We have issued clear instructions to the officials that old and worn-out vehicles would not be allowed to ply on the roads, particularly in hilly areas,” he said, adding that all such vehicles would be taken off the roads to curb the number of accidents. |
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Changes in ‘Udaan’ evoke mixed response in Valley
Srinagar, January 27 The scheme was revised because it had failed to involve a large number of local youth since its formulation in 2011. Although inclusion of Public Service Undertakings (PSUs) in companies, which will train the youth of the state alongside the corporate sector, has been welcomed by college and university students, the uncertainly of job placements after trainings still remains. Around 8,000 youth, who were taken in as volunteers in various public departments in 2010 under the National Youth Corps Scheme (NYC) by the state government, and have now been asked to resign from their jobs say the revisions in the scheme will not serve them any purpose as there is no job guarantee. State NYC president Mudassir Hassan told The Tribune the scheme was being confused with the generation of jobs as neither the corporate sector nor the PSUs had assured the youth of jobs after months of trainings. He said the larger problem faced by 6 lakh unemployed youth of the state, registered with the district employment exchanges, was not skill upgrade but employment which has again been discarded by the Centre’s fresh move. “Not even one person from the state has been placed in the corporate sector which was imparting training to the educated and unemployed youth of the state. Various Central government delegates visited colleges and universities to oversee Udaan’s implementation,” said Prof Shumaila Khan, an expert on entrepreneurship and management at Central University, Kashmir, adding that only 160 youth were imparted training in 2012. “This is what is leading to pessimism among our youth towards the scheme, which I think is ill-planned. If graduates and postgraduates have to move out of their home state and train for a year outside, they should at least be assured of a job. The same hasn’t happened, which has disappointed our youth,” said professor Shumaila. Meanwhile, widening the ambit of training and skill development providers has to some extent regenerated hope among the college and university students for whom getting through the corporate sector was difficult. “As more and more companies would take in the youth for providing training, it will generate interest among the students, especially those pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the state,” Sameer Khan, an MBA student at the University of Kashmir, said. The scheme, with a budget of Rs 1,000 crore for 5 years, is being funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is targeted at graduates and postgraduates, who are trained and placed by corporate partners outside the state. |
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Gulmarg emerges as favourite weekend spot for skiing lovers
Gulmarg, January 27 Shahid Hameed, a class X student from Chandilora village, has attended two skiing camps at Gulmarg to learn the sport. Today, he and his friends are at Gulmarg to try their skiing skills after hiring equipment from the government-owned Ski shop for the day. Like Omar and Shahid, the snow-clad slopes of Gulmarg have caught the fancy of many others more who are thronging the resort at weekends to indulge themselves in winter sports here. With militancy decreasing in the region, skiing is emerging as one of the most favorite sports activities in the Valley. “Though our Ski shop is equipped to cater to the needs of all age groups, we also provide skiing equipment to amateurs and tourists who want to enjoy skiing for a day or two,” said Ski shop in charge Abdul Rasheed. Rashid said the shop had more than 300 pairs of skiing equipment, which one could hire even for a day or two at nominal rates. “Though the first preference is given to students of institutions offering skiing courses at Gulmarg, we try to cater to youth wanting to spend their weekends here,” said Rashid. The alpine slopes of Gulmarg, which currently has five to six feet of snow, are considered to be among the best skiing slopes in the world. With militancy on its ebb, hundreds of skiing professionals and amateurs and other tourists throng the resort for adventure in winter. “Since it was an extended weekend in Kashmir, me and my friends came here to enjoy skiing,” said Ajaz Ahmad, a youth from Srinagar. “As one cannot play cricket or other games in winter in Kashmir, skiing in Gulmarg is the only option we have. Apart from being a physical exercise, this sport also refreshes the mind,” he said. Hundreds of Kashmiri locals earn a handsome income by lending their ski equipment to tourists. “In the peak season, it is brisk business here on weekends as we normally earn Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 per day,” said Mohammd Shafi, a resident of a village in Tangmarg. Apart from skiing, Gulmarg offers sports activities like snow boarding, air balloon ride for a bird’s eye view of the valley and sledge ride. Gulmarg is one of the favorite destinations for many skiing professionals from Russia, America and Europe. “Gulmarg now gets delayed snowfall in late January or February. This is the best time for professional ski players who want to try extreme skiing,” said Showkat Ahmad Bhat, assistant manager with the Gulmarg Gandola Lift, the cable car which is used by professional ski players to reach higher snow-covered slopes of
Gulmarg. |
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2,000 teachers sent back to original place of posting
Jammu, January 27 The decision has been taken, claimed Tara Chand, to bridge the gap between the student-teacher ratio in government schools, especially in the rural areas. The Deputy Chief Minister’s move, however, is being seen as an attempt by him to assert his authority and hit back at his political rivals after he was shifted from a “high-profile” House and Urban Development Department to the “low-key” School Education Department. “Students in the rural areas are the worst affected as most of the schools in the far-flung areas face severe staff crunch because teachers deployed there have got themselves attached to schools in nearby towns and cities,” the Deputy Chief Minister said. Tara Chand, who assumed charge as Education Minister on January 6, said he had issued strict directions to the authorities concerned to send the teachers to their original place of posting. The functioning of the government schools has also been badly affected due to shortage of teaching staff. On the one hand nearly 18,000 posts of teachers have been lying vacant in government schools, while on the other hand a number of “influential” teachers have got themselves attached to offices or schools in urban centres. Under the Rashtriya Madhamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), the Centre has sanctioned the upgrade of 530 schools. These schools have been upgraded but the staff are yet to be appointed in these institutions. As many as 4,742 posts sanctioned for these schools are also lying vacant. “I have directed the authorities concerned to send ‘attached’ teachers to their original place of posting and the process would be completed very soon,” the Deputy CM said. The exact number of the total “attached” teachers would be collected within days to ensure that all these teachers are sent to their original place of posting. He said the Education Department was facing a shortage of more than 18,000 teachers in the existing schools. “The Village Education Committee will also be activated to monitor the functioning of government schools at the panchayat level,” he said. Tara Chand had issuing instructions for cancellation of these attachments on January 17. “The practice of getting attached at preferred places would be entirely done away with in the department and strict monitoring would be maintained to end it,” the Deputy CM said. Sources said the Deputy CM had also directed the officers concerned to prepare detail lists of teachers who have managed to get attached to schools in “comfortable” areas. |
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A Muslim, who sang in praise of Hindu deities, passes away
Jammu, January 27 Even when terrorism was at its peak, this Muslim singer continued with the family tradition of singing devotional songs. Ghulam Mohammad began singing “bhaints” (devotional songs) to Mata Vaishno Devi in Dogri at the age of 10 along with his father Chirag Din. Being a Dogra, he also became famous for singing songs glorifying Dogra rulers and Dogra warriors for their valiant acts in the battlefield. “Jyota Jagdain Mata De Dar Darbar” was one of his famous devotional songs. “He was an example of Hindu-Muslim unity for which the land of Jammu is known,” said Dr S P Shrivasta, eminent writer and scholar, while paying tributes to Ghulam Mohammad. Another writer Harish Kaila said the death of Ghulam Mohammad is a great loss to the people of Jammu region. “His life has set an example of brotherhood and communal harmony”, he said while adding that since his childhood he had been listening to devotional songs by Ghulam Mohammad. The civil society preferred to invite him to public functions to listen to his songs to spread the message of communal harmony and brotherhood. His two sons, Iqrar Mohammad and Shamsher Mohammad, are following in his footsteps. Ghulam Mohammad wrote and composed 400 devotional and folk songs in Dogri. He was awarded by Sangeet Natak Akademi, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and several other institutions for his extraordinary contribution to Gojri folk and Dogri devotional music. |
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Education of girl child is a must, says Usha Vohra
Jammu, January 27 Usha Vohra, Governor NN Vohra’s wife, who was the chief guest, said society was in a state of flux, with quick technological and economic growth taking place. She said the civil society has to play an important role in spreading awareness about what is important in a man or woman’s life. She added that all had equal rights. She said no laws could be effective unless there was change in the mindset of people, which could be brought about by society itself. She also laid emphasis on women empowerment and added education of the girl child was imperative. She congratulated the Youth Services and Sports Department for presenting an attractive cultural programme. The Governor’s wife gave away prizes to various educational institutions, NGOs and other organisations for presenting a scintillating cultural programme comprising Dogri, Kashmiri, Ladakhi and Punjabi folk songs and dances, besides skits. She lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the commencement of the cultural bonanza. She was also presented a Guard of Honour on her arrival at the venue of the function. Director of Youth Services and Sports JP Singh dwelt upon the aims and objects of organising the programme. Senior officials of the Youth Services and Sports Department, teachers and students were present on the occasion. |
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Governor for full usage of solar energy at Central varsity
Jammu, January 27 Dr SS Bloeria, Vice-Chancellor of Central University, briefed the Governor about the salient features of the first four models, depicting the master plan and layout of the campus, providing details about the facilities to be put in place. The Governor took a keen interest in the models and drawings. He emphasised that while establishing various buildings and structures, two aspects must be given special attention - full exploitation of solar energy and systematic conservation of water resources - which are scarce in the area. He also stressed the importance of the entire forest area. — TNS |
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CM’s speech offered just platitudes: MLA
Srinagar, January
27 “These ministers have said nothing new and in fact whosoever has remained in power in the ill-fated state has been delivering these traditional speeches on the eve of January 26 and August 15 every year for more than half a century,” Rasheed said in a statement. Stating that the Omar-led government was “not in a position” to revoke the Public Safety Act, Armed Forces Special Powers Act
(AFSPA) or even lift the ban on SMS services (on prepaid connections), he said urging separatists to hold talks was like “adding salt to the injuries by building castles in the air”. He said it would have been “much appropriate” if the ruling National Conference (NC) leaders would have sought sincere support from the main opposition party PDP and other “pro-Kashmiri forces” to help “force the Government of India to change its stand on the political problem of J&K”. Rasheed also alleged that the Cabinet ministers were “working like puppets” and that the NC leadership should have “confessed before people of state on the eve of Republic Day that it had miserably failed to restore autonomy which it had been claiming to be its agenda since decades and using it as a tool of exploitation to rule the heads and not hearts of the people of state.” |
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Mufti welcomes Justice Verma Committee recommendations
Jammu, January 27 Mufti was addressing a public meeting at Phinder village in RS Pura today. He said the amendments proposed by Justice Verma to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was the minimum that was needed to establish the rule of law in the state, which has witnessed deficit in governance, civil liberties and the democratic process. Mufti said it was unfortunate that a state that had acceded to India for its democratic system had to fight even for basic democratic rights that were available to the rest of the country. It is true, he said, that for some time the security forces needed the cover of special laws but it cannot be said that these laws could become a permanent feature of our legal system. He said the PDP demanded the revocation of the AFSPA, which takes away the jurisdiction of civil courts, in view of the vastly changed situation. He said though Justice Verma’s recommendations have been made in the context of the dignity of women, these add a prestigious and highly respected judicial view to the discourse on the need to restore full civil liberties to the state. Mufti said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had always given their full support to the democratic system, but unfortunately they have never got adequate response. “In spite of participating in various elections after 2002, there has been no relief for the people in terms of a return to a full democratic system,” he said. “Unless that is done, the state cannot enjoy full normalcy, neither can the alienation be addressed.” He said the removal of the AFSPA should not be reduced to a slogan like autonomy, but serious efforts must be made to bring the state on a par with the rest of the country. |
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Governor NN Vohra hoisted the Tricolour at a state level function on the occasion of the 64th Republic Day at Maulana Azad Stadium yesterday morning.
The Governor inspected the parade and took the salute at the march past of the contingents of the Army,
BSF, CRPF
Governor NN Vohra hosted At Home on the occasion of the 64th Republic Day at the Raj Bhawan lawns on Saturday evening.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, ministers, adviser to the Chief Minister MY Taing, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council, MPs, legislators and leaders of various social and political organisations were among those who attended the At Home.
Coming to Gulmarg in January and skiing on snow-clad slopes has been a favourite annual routine for Mohammad Omar, a young businessman from Srinagar, for over ten years now. This weekend he is again at Gulmarg to enjoy the sport with his friends.
Jammu, January 27
As part of the Republic Day celebrations, the Youth Services and Sports Department organised a cultural programme for women at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium here this afternoon.
Usha Vohra, Governor NN Vohra’s wife, who was the chief guest, said society was in a state of flux, with quick technological and economic growth taking place.
Reiterating his call for strengthening institutional democracy and a strong justice delivery system in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today welcomed the recommendations of the Justice JS Verma Committee on securing the dignity of women in conflict areas.
