Jammu, April 21
The rise in the prices of essential commodities has started to have its impact on the pockets of the common man. The wholesale price of one quintal of rice has risen to Rs 2,290 from Rs 2,150 while the price of sugar has risen by Rs 100 per quintal. Similarly, the prices of pluses like “sabut moong” and “channa dal” have risen from Rs 4,200 to Rs 5,200 per quintal and that of mustard oil from Rs 930 to Rs 1,060.

And with the increase in the prices of vegetables, people are left with no option as they earlier used to go for vegetables till such time the prices of pulses stabilised or vice-versa.

“The rise in the prices of vegetables, particularly onions, had led to the ouster of the BJP-led government during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. The possibility of the negative impact of costlier essential goods is bound to give sleepless nights to the present government,” says Manoj Baghat, a resident of Trikuta Nagar.

Government employees, too, are left wondering as to how much of the pay revision would be eaten up by this price rise.

“The price rise has snatched away all benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission even before its implementation. People will continue the struggle for the betterment of their living conditions”, says Paras Ram, a trade union activist.

Dinesh Arora, a resident of Kanak Mandi, says, “I am the sole income earner in my family. The price rise will badly affect my domestic conditions. The government should do some thing in this regard.”

The slight reduction in the prices of domestic gas cylinders recently had brought some relief to the housewives, but the sudden rise in the prices of essential commodities has rendered their happiness short-lived.

“We have spent most of our savings for purchasing books and uniforms of our children, besides their school admission fees and other related expenditure. The sudden rise of the prices of essential commodities has added to our miseries. We are worried as to how will we manage our domestic budget?” says Monika Balli, a housewife.

Srinagar, April 21
Several government departments are working together these days to give the city a facelift as the state’s capital moves here in the first week of next month. The traffic police is streamlining the vehicular movement by fixing dividers on main roads while fresh paints are giving roads and building a new look. The secretariat will start functioning from here from May 4.

Chief secretary SS Kapoor has held a meeting of top officials and bureaucrats, including DGP Kuldip Khoda, and presided over the preparation for the bi-annual exercise.

This shifting of capital to Srinagar in summer and to Jammu in winters, called “Darbar move” in state’s parlance, costs exchequer huge sum of money and is considered useless by many in these times of fast communication. However, the bitter rivalry between Jammu and Kashmir regions mean that the idea of having only one capital could never be implemented.

The practice was started in the time of Dogra king Gulab Singh, who hailed from Jammu region. Then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had once questioned it but had to give up after riots in Jammu.

Officials said close to 7,000 government employees would move to Srinagar along with truckloads of official files and other paraphernalia. Security agencies are especially in overdrive as threat perception has increased due to the ongoing elections and threats issued by terror outfits like LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Jammu, April 21
Divided they may be on several issues, but the migrant Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community stands united on the issue of boycotting the Lok Sabha elections this time.

The move seems to have shaken the political parties, as Farooq Abdullah, patron of the National Conference (NC), and Lok Sabha candidate from Srinagar, addressed KPs recently saying, “The NC always wanted to bring Kashmiri Pandits back to the valley, but we could not do so as the central government did not help us.”

Seeking their vote, he once again promised to solve the problem of their rehabilitation. But all these gestures went down the drain as the resolute KPs are not ready to budge this time.

Dr Agnishekhar, president of the Panun Kashmir, said, “In the past, despite tall promises, the NC government and the Congress-led coalition government both did nothing for us. Now, we have made up our mind that we will not settle down on anything less than a separate state-geopolitical settlement for our community. The elections hold no significance for us”.

To spearhead their struggle, he has come up with a novel idea of putting together a new documentation, named as “Panun Kashmir Assembly in Exile”, which will have better strategies to intensify their objective.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir United National Front (JKNUF) which had fielded 13 candidates in the recent Assembly elections, has given a boycott call, not for separate homeland but for the simplification of the election procedure for the Kashmiri Pandits. AK Dewani, president of JKNUF, said, “Our organisation does not support the idea of a separate homeland, as we want to go back to our homes in the Kashmir valley. But the cumbersome procedure of voting for Kashmiri Pandits, which has brought down the numbers of these voters from 1.5 lakh in 1998 to 26,000 in 2008, has to be simplified.”

Youth, too, seem to have been disappointed. At a meeting of Kashmiri Pandit youth held at Purkhu Migrant Camp here recently, Sameer Raina, who contested the Assembly elections from the Kupwara constituency, urged community members, especially youths, not to cast their vote to any of the party as the leaders are befooling the young masses by giving hallow slogans in the name of employment package, enhancement of relief and rehabilitation.

Kashmiri Pandits feel that the complicated process of their voting is a ploy to wipe them off the electoral map and deprive them of right to reinforce their demand for a separate homeland or rehabilitation to the valley.

KN Pandita, chairman of Jammu-Kashmir Nationalist Movement, who met the Chief Election Commissioner in Delhi to request him to simplify the cumbersome voting process a month before the Lok Sabha election, admits that the community has missed the bus by contacting the CEO quite late, a month before the Lok Sabha elections. “Surprisingly, the CEO had no idea of the cumbersome voting procedure, meant for the Kashmiri Pandits but he admitted the complication. If we had met him earlier, he could have taken steps to simplify it. But now the next elections will come after five years, which will be very late, so we demand byelections to the seats in Kashmir. Before we could vote, our voting system should be simplified. If this is not done, then we will boycott the election, as it would have no meaning for us.”

Srinagar, April 21
A young brigade of energetic students and professionals has started an initiative against polythene menace in Kashmir valley. Green Dream, as the group is known, has started working to root out polythene from Kashmir. Though the group is yet to be registered with the government, it comprises professionals like doctors, advocates, journalists and businessmen.

“We want to work for society and have started a campaign to weed out menace of polythene from this place,” says Khurram Wani, a founding member of the group.

Khurram, who has completed his Bachelors in Business Administration from Canterbury College, Kent, says, “Action speaks louder than words but in the valley, unfortunately, there is no action. We want to make a difference.”

Following this initiative, the government has given sometime to traders to dispose off stock of polythene lying with them. Consequently, traders and businessmen have started asking people to carry bags, while they go for shopping.

On March 21, the founding members of the group took out a rally from Mughal Darbar Bakers, Polo View to Lal Chowk asking people to avoid use of polythene.

“Some people discouraged us. But we did not pay heed to them. An individual can turn tables provided (s) he is sincere and dedicated,” says Kowser Bhat, another founding member.

Kowser, a graduate from Pune University, says, “Municipal Commissioner Farooq Ahmad Renzu has said he would ensure that Srinagar city is polythene free.”

The following day, group members managed to convince Bollywood director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who was in the town in connection with shooting schedule, for a press conference.

Musavir Yousuf, a journalist and a member of the group, said things started happening quickly. “There is a need of rooting out polythene from society. It is good that somebody has taken a lead in providing solution to this problem.”

The group, apart from carrying out a few programmes in some of leading schools of Srinagar, proposes to hold more such programmes in future.

The group members believe that people should explore alternatives. “Some reports suggest that the government may import paper bags from Italy. But within the valley there are areas like Maharaja Gunj where people carry out such trade and that can be easily utilised,” they said.

The group also plans to focus on conservation of Dal Lake and other environmental concerns.

As the group members are carrying out a campaign to root out polythene, some reports suggest that the state government would impose ban on sale and use of polythene after the parliamentary elections.

Jammu, April 21
It seems that the efforts of the state wildlife department to save hangul (Kashmiri stag), a critically endangered species, has started showing results. Hangul is found only in Jammu and Kashmir in the entire Indian subcontinent, that too mainly in the Dachigam National Park and its adjoining areas.

Last month, The Tribune had carried a report on the joint venture of the wildlife department in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehra Dun, to monitor the Hangul population. Thanks to the paraphernalia, which the department managed to get because of the budget generated within a month, that helped in finding out an encouraging report about the estimated growth in the population of Hangul, which, at present, is between 201 and 234 (with an average of 217) as compared to the population in range of 117 to 199 (with an average of 160) arrived at in the census of March 2008.

The male-female ratio and female-fawn ratio have also exhibited a better trend in the current census. The increase in the population appears to be due to the effective protection, check on poaching and various conservation measures taken by the department, apart from lending more credibility to the census operations through the involvement of independent volunteers, researchers, students and NGOs.

The conservation of this species assumes significance as this is the only survivor of the Red Deer group in the Indian subcontinent. The species is placed under Schedule I of the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 (amended up to 2002) and the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

AK Shrivastava, chief wildlife warden, said, “Understanding the necessity for launching more conservation programmes for Hangul, a species recovery plan had been prepared by the department through the WII, involving an expenditure of Rs 22 crore and submitted to the Central government for approval. The government had released Rs 99 lakh in March 2009.”

The department has simultaneously started the census and survey of Hangul all over the state in collaboration with the WII and the Wildlife Trust of India, New Delhi, and several research and academic institutions.

This survey will indicate the distribution and trend of hangul population in the relic habitats apart from ascertaining the current population in the Dachigam National Park. 

n A census of the hangul population was conducted in March 2009, in the Dachigam National Park and its adjoining areas

n The census report has indicated a positive trend in its population, age group and sex ratio, which is encouraging for the sustenance of this critically endangered species

n The wildlife department has started the construction of a conservation breeding centre for hangul at Shikargarh with financial assistance from the Central Zoo Authority

n A species recovery plan for hangul has also been launched

n The project will be implemented with the active participation of local communities 

Srinagar, April 21
A two-day national seminar on “Role of Media in Promotion of Hindi”, highlighting the role of the media in development of Hindi language, was organised at the University of Kashmir, here recently. It was attended by eminent experts, journalists and scholars from Jammu, Chandigarh, Delhi, Aligarh, Lucknow and Visakhapatnam. The seminar was organised by the Hindi Department of the university.

The participants highlighted the role of the media in development of Hindi in detail. A number of scholars presented their papers discussing the role of electronic media and responsibility of the media in propagation of a language. In her remarks Parul Sharma from Jansatta said there was a need to have interaction between the Media Department of the universities and the people in the filed. “Sometimes we find that the academic work is in isolation with the result but the product produced by them cannot keep pace with the new trend in the media”, she commented.

Asserting that the media could play a pivotal role in promotion of Hindi language in Jammu and Kashmir, the vice-chancellor said, “The media can help a lot in promoting the language by raising the issues confronting its promotion and the measures that need to be taken in this regard.”

The VC rejected the apprehensions that Hindi was not being promoted in Jammu and Kashmir saying 90 per cent students in our schools study Hindi. “It is a misunderstanding that Hindi is not being promoted in the valley”, he said. “We have to examine how the media can play a role in promoting the language. And in promoting it, it is very important for everyone to see what perspective he or she has about a particular language,” he said.

Ved Bhasin, chairman of Kashmir Times Group of Publications, called for a “change in mindset” of Hindi press for the promotion of the language. “It is unfortunate that the Hindi press in India, except for a few occasions, has not contributed much to the promotion of the language,” he said. “Though several newspapers once played pivotal role in promotion of the language, but over the years, the standard of Hindi press has declined, though the circulation and getup of newspapers has improved considerably.”

Rafeeq Masoodi, Director, Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar, said Hindi could be promoted through serials and films. However, he said, Hindi script writers have to strictly adhere to the structure of the language. “Writers can play a important role in promoting the language through the medium of films,” Masoodi, who was the special guest, said.

Head of the Hindi Department Prof Zohra Afzal gave an overview of the status of the language in the valley, and the measures that need be taken to promote it in a better way. “Earlier we did not have many students to study Hindi, but now the number is increasing,” she said while highlighting the importance of the seminar.

Jammu, April 21
Breaking another convention, agro experts of the department of agriculture have started cultivating saffron in non-traditional areas of Jammu that were essentially considered climatically adverse for growing it.

Conventionally, saffron is grown in areas having cold climatic conditions. Barring the Kashmir and Ladakh provinces and Kishtwar district in the Jammu province, saffron was not grown in any other part of the state. The Jammu region has climatic conditions ranging from sub-tropical to temperate that are generally not suitable for the growth of saffron.

In 1993, the same department had taken the initiative in the Bani area of Kathua district, but it could not yield any desirable results as it requires a unique set of micro-climatic conditions for its growth.

With an eye on bolstering economy of the area, chief agricultural officer, Udhampur, P.S Choudhary said the concept was introduced in the area in October last year. “On a trial basis, corms were planted in the Sankri area of the Panchari block, Kud, Patangarh of the Chenani block, Basantgarh Duddu and Majodi in Udhampur district in October last year”,said the officer and added that the results so far had been encouraging.

Choudhary added that scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, had been evaluating their work. “A delegation of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) led by HS Gupta visited our nurseries and extended procedural techniques aimed at maximisation of the success rate”, he said. Choudhary said the final produce would mature in October and subsequently it would be sent to the research council, which would send its recommendations to the department.

Tattoos are a new craze that has hit the Jammu youngsters. Though an old Indian art used by various tribes for identifying their brethren, it is now being used to make a statement about one’s personality or just to exhibit style.

Tattoos were much in vogue with the Dogri women in years of yore. But from mere tribal or religious symbols, tattoos are fast becoming style symbols. Jammu youth are going for tattoos they see on famous celebrities like David Beckham or South African and Australian cricket players.

In the absence of organised saloons or tattoo shops in the city, a group from Sikkim is cashing in on the rage. They keep roaming around the city but can be mostly seen in the students dominated areas like Kachhi Chawni or in posh colonies.

Raghendra, a member of the tattoo-making group, says they easily get 10-15 customers daily in the city. While men prefer it on the arms or neck, women, although very less as compared to other cities, want it on their backs. Most women go for beauty enhancing dots on the face.

Youngsters from the city are even making trips to Jalandhar, Delhi and Chandigarh for tattooing. “They have all modern gadgets and designs there,” says Ashoo, a university student, who has a “Narsimha” tattoo on his bulging biceps.

“It doesn’t cost much. A tattoo is made from Rs 200 to Rs 500 on an average. For a permanent one, one has to dish out more," says Himanshu, a theatre artiste, who is fond of tattoos and mostly gets it done as per the requirement of the play.

Girls are also drawn towards the tattoo rage. The motivating force is silver screen actresses, who keep coming up with latest styles and sketches, at times at odd spots on their bodies.

Tattooing involves a bit of pain to those who want to get bedecked with these, but nobody cares. The exercise is little painful, but it doesn’t discourage youngsters. “It’s a macho thing and shows your guts as well,” says Himanshu.

"This was very famous in our times as well. But the technology was not this advance. Earlier, thorns were used to pierce and make designs and then ink was added to it. But now, the ways have become more hygienic," says 78-year-old Janki Devi, showing a tattoo of a flower on her arm.

“Tattoos in the shape of dots near the chin, eyes or a rose on the backside of the hand, particularly name of a person or beloved on the arm, or trishul - the symbol of Lord Shiva, Om and similar other things are quite popular,” says Surbhi, a college student, showing three tiny dots on her chin.

Jammu, April 21
The world famous Hariparbat Fort of Srinagar, which was in a deplorable condition during the past two decades, is all set to be restored to its pristine glory. Apart from this, the J&K Department of Archives has also taken up the conservation work on two other major forts of the state.

Giving details, director, Archives, Khursheed Ahmad Qadri said the restoration work on the Hariparbat Fort, built by Afghan Governor Atta Mohd Khan in 1808, was taken up by the department two years ago. The fort is spread over 200 kanals.

“During the past two decades of uncertainty in the state, this fort was virtually abandoned, as no steps were taken for its conservation. We have again raised its razed walls and gates”, he said.

The director claimed that the portion of the fort, which was under the occupation of security personnel, has also been vacated. “By the end of this year, the fort will be a major tourist destination”, he said.

Qadri said during the conservation work, the department also traced three major water tanks, which were unnoticed under the debris for decades together.

“Incidentally, the fort is a symbol of unique culture of the state, as it houses the temple of Goddess Sharika, Muslim shrine of Muqdam Sahib and Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi”, he said.

He said the restoration work on the Bahu Fort, Jammu, and that of Chingus Sarai on the Mughal Road, Rajouri, was also going on in full swing.

Meanwhile, in connection with the World Heritage Week, the department has put on display the photographs of 60 forts of J&K at Kala Kendra here. The weeklong exhibition will conclude on April 25.

The photographs of major forts, including Mangla Devi Fort, Sunderbani, Mehtabgarh Fort, Lakhanpur, Ladakh Forts and Jasrotia Fort have also been put on display.

Srinagar, April 21
For the first time after a gap of two decades, World Heritage Day, focusing on ways and means to preserve monuments of historical importance, was observed here. It could not be observed earlier because of the turmoil.

Several functions were held here in this connection with the main function at Pari Mahal near the famous Cheshmashahi Garden. It was organised by the Archaeological Survey of India, Srinagar circle. Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir, Prof Reyaz Punjabi, was the chief guest and inaugurated a photo exhibition on recent archaeological activities in the three regions of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.

Another function was held at Government Women’s College, M.A Road, where apart from highlighting the importance of the issue, a photo exhibition depicting the lives of people, rulers, traders, places and landscapes of Kashmir over a period of 100 years up to 1950 was held.

The functions were attended by the Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor, the ASI Superintending Archeologist R Krishaniah, noted historian, Prof Fida Hasnnain, Prof Ishaq Khan, and convenor INTACH, Saleem Beigh.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Riyaz Punjabi, highlighted the need for preservation and protection of heritage of Kashmir and called for greater role of the society in preservation of the heritage. Punjabi impressed upon the Archaeological Survey of India and the Department of Archives to launch an awareness campaign in this behalf, so that people particularly youth were educated about the importance of historical and heritage sites of the valley.

He said these sites would also help promote tourism industry in the state. He also urged the need for launching a publicity campaign of these historical and heritage places to attract more tourists. He said there was a great need for the conservation of the historical monuments in the valley, adding that people should not rely on the government patronage and rather the civil society should come forward and work for preservation. He said Kashmir had a richer heritage than the West. “When they can preserve the heritage for thousands of years, why can’t we”, he questioned, adding that the world heritage was the shared wealth of humankind. He added that protecting and preserving this valuable asset demanded the collective efforts of the international community. 

Srinagar, April 21
The Tulip Garden that was thrown open to the general public in the last week of March attracted thousands of tourists. The scenic view in and around the garden is mind- blowing. In the lap of the lofty mountains and the tall trees stands a beautiful garden with red, white, blue, purple tulips.

Though some flowers have started fading as their life span is short. “It’s so beautiful here and more so the Tulip Garden,” said Sanjeev Sharma, a tourist in the garden. “Why go to Holland to see the tulips? It’s extremely beautiful here,” he added.

Apart from the tulips, other flowers like lillium also added colour to the garden. “The tulip bulbs are planted in the month of November and they start blooming in March. We have planted them in rows. It attracted a lot of people,” said a gardener. “It makes us feel proud,” he added.

Locals also had a good time. “It’s good to take a day out of the routine work and what better option we could think of other than visiting the garden?” said Fairy Anjum, a local visitor.

“We sold tickets in thousands and response of the people has been encouraging,” said an employee at the entrance of the garden.

“The garden is so beautiful with tulips in full bloom. But sanitation has not been taken care of,” said a group of visitors.