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Punjab, Haryana feed milk to Jammu, Srinagar
Tea with The Tribune
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Board exams for primary classes
Posts of naib tehsildar
Chinar heritage park for KU
Campaign against denial of passports
Srinagar diary
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Punjab, Haryana feed milk to Jammu, Srinagar
Jammu, January 15 Sources said the milk was supplied to private plant unit holders in Jammu and Srinagar after collecting it from the farmers and dairy owners of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Besides the state-run milk cooperative units, some private milk plants also supply packaged milk to consumers in both capital cities. The sources said the Samrala area of Punjab was the biggest supplier of milk to the state as about 40,000 litres of milk is procured from the town and its peripheral areas daily for being taken to Srinagar in tankers. However, there appears to be no check on the quality of milk being transported from Punjab or Rajasthan to the state. “No set parameters were being followed to check the milk tankers entering the state”, sources said. Satinder Singh, who transports milk from Punjab to Srinagar, however, claimed that utmost care was being taken to maintain its purity and quality. “We generally fill tankers with liquid milk, each having a capacity of 9,000 litres, at Samrala and unload them at a reputed private milk plant in Srinagar. “Similarly, other plant holders from Jammu also obtain milk either from Rajasthan or Haryana'', he said. While the owner of a milk plant claimed that he had to depend mostly on the milk procured from Punjab to meet the growing demand, an official of the Department of Animal Husbandry, however, said the milk production in the state had increased with the setting up of a number of dairies. The official claimed that the milk obtained from the neighbouring states was mostly used in making milk products, besides meeting the requirements of the security forces positioned at various places in the state. “A new concept of milk societies coming up in the state has played a very crucial role in increasing the production of milk. These milk societies formed by local villagers have started mushrooming all over the state”, he claimed. Peerzada Mehraj-ud-Din, Managing Director, J&K Milk Producers Cooperative Limited, admitted that during the “lean period”, milk is supplied to the private plant owners here from Punjab and Rajasthan. “He, however, cautioned that all that appears white cannot be milk. He pointed out that the government-run cooperative units in the state supplied about 20,000 litres of pouched milk in Jammu and Srinagar cities daily under the brand name of “Snow Cap”. “Snow Cap”, introduced here in 2005, runs on the Amul model of Gujarat, Peerzada said. He claimed that about 350 dairy cooperatives were registered in the state”. “Like private plant owners, we do not procure milk from other states but collect it directly from local dairy unit holders”, Peerzada added.
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Tea with The Tribune
In a tete-a-tete with The Tribune team, Mushtaq Kak, theatre director and actor, shares his thoughts on various issues Born to a Dogra mother and a Kashmiri Muslim father, Mushtaq Kak has carved a niche for himself in the film industry. But much before that he earned acclaim in his first love i.e. theatre. He has directed as many as 97 plays out of which, 32 for the prestigious Shri Ram Centre of Performing Arts, Delhi. He runs the Amateur Theatre group - one of the best theatre groups of the state. He has also been honoured with Mahindra & Mahindra Excellence Award. During an interaction with The Tribune team, Kak recalls his journey. He talked about his hard work, contribution of his parents and where arts and culture stood in the state at this juncture. He has enacted the lead role of a villain in the movie “Hijack”, besides acting in several other films. He has also acted in a Hollywood movie, “Amal”. He is one of the finest stage craft artistes. Besides, he trained child artistes in “Sikandar”, “Black” and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”. Two students of Delhi Public School, Akshay Labroo and Shaila Maini also joined The Tribune team and asked questions about Kak’s field in young minds. Excerpts of the interaction are as under: Ashutosh Sharma: Today you are an established actor and a theatre director. How tough was the journey? Mushtaq Kak: It started with a role of Santa Claus when I was at Alexander Memorial School, Srinagar. Later, I took to theatre direction. Then I came in the touch of my mentor and radio artist, late Rattan Kalsi, who shaped my career. My first play, “Aadhi raat ke baad” was a flop, but it taught me a lot. I keep on telling my students not to look for success in the beginning. I motivate them to commit new mistakes everyday but learn not to repeat those”. My play, “Deviani”, a mythological story depicting war between gods and demons, was the first milestone in my career, as it was a grand success. Akshay Labroo (student): Do you see yourself more as a theatre director or an actor? MK: I wanted to be an actor initially, but on the persuasion of my friends and lack of opportunities, I took to direction. Acting was always my first love, but direction gave me immense creative satisfaction. With its success, I got acting roles also both in TV and films. I am going on with both the passions. My career in films started with a small role of a journalist in “Rang de Basanti”. The character was quite
controversial and wasn’t seen in the final print. But I got my fee (chuckles). Archit Watts: How different was acting/directing in theatre, films and TV serials? MK: There is a difference in acting for three different mediums. Theatre is more challenging as it is a live performance and there is no scope for a retake. On the stage, an actor has to convey his point through loud dialogues and body language. But for a TV serial, there are close shots or medium close shots. Your face may be bearing some expressions but the rest of body may be normal. For movies, there are mega shots, close shots and medium close shots so on and so forth. Theatre is always the most challenging. AS: How do you evaluate the present state of theatre in J&K? MK: It is visible more in newspapers. Theatre groups distribute press notes and the same get published with photographs. Theatre is a practical medium of art and it needs to be reported from the stage only. Unfortunately, the media is also responsible for the degeneration of theatre and lack of interest. How many expert drama critics are there in any given media unit? AW: Are you satisfied with the role of the J&K Academy for Art Culture and Languages in the promotion of theatre? MK: The academy's prerogative is stick to appeasing bureaucrats and politicians. There are several art forms like Kud and Damali dance. Both of them are dying a slow death in the absence of any patronage. Those at the helm of the affairs don’t have any distant background in cultural experiences. To sum it up, the custody of culture is in wrong hands. AL: How can we revive it? MK: See, celebrated film actors like Nasiruddin Shah, Om Puri, Shabana Aazmi, Satish Kaushik, Jaya Bachchan, Farooq Sheikh and Shatrugan Sinha are still performing on stage. They get immense satisfaction out of it. Theatre just needs to be commercialised to give encouragement to artistes and to extend its reach. Shaila Maini (student): How can schools help? MK: Theatre needs to be introduced as subject at the school level in every district. Every year on special occasion, students perform several skits and other cultural programs. If we tap their talent at the base level, they could be groomed well as mature artistes. DM: The National School of Drama (NSD) had announced to set up regional centres all over the country. Why no such centre has been opened in this region? MK: The NSD had announced to set up a region centre in Jammu and Kashmir. A team of the NSD had visited the state and held discussions with so-called experts, who unfortunately failed to impress the visiting team. The NSD then abandoned the idea of opening a region centre in the state. Sunaina Kaul: Talking about schools, even Jammu University has no department of Arts and Theatre or ….. MK: What an irony it is! The university had a proposal for setting up a department of theatre, but it remained on papers only, although the Department of Urdu of the university runs a vocational course on script writing for theatre, films and serials. But yes, there should be a separate department. SK: Since your roots are in Kashmir. Have you highlighted the plight of Kashmiri Pandit migrants who remained the first causality of terrorism that is affecting our state? MK: My play “Karoon-Sheen” (black snow) says it all. It is based on a true story wherein a Kashmiri Pandit family has to migrate due to militancy. On being asked by his Muslim colleague as to why he was leaving Kashmir, the head of the family, who is a professor, says that you won't understand it as the barrel of gun is pointed towards us. Some years later, the same Muslim family also leaves the valley under the threat to life. Another play, “Nagar Udaas” is also based on the historic epic, Rajtarangni, but the play highlights today’s socio-political scenario and is related to migration. DM: You directed many English and Urdu classics in Dogri. How challenging was it? MK: The objective was to start a debate on the quality and content of local literature so that the shortfalls can be overcome. It was a serious attempt. Though the scripts were got translated in Dogri, names of the characters were not touched. The response was amazing. Ravi Krishnan Khajuria: Theatre is a powerful medium of conveying strong social messages. But the plays these days have ceased to be so… MK: Being a theatre activist, my job is to entertain people and promote art. If I convey some message through my play and it goes well with the audience it is an additional achievement. The Ministry of Health spends crores of rupees on family planning advertisements. Where the money goes and where the message gets lost, nobody knows. Resentment brews up when you don’t get your due. And, it is likely to be there when you prefer someone to the deserving by completely ignoring his work. AL: What are your future plans and what are the projects at your hand? MK: Presently, I am going to hold a theatre workshop for child artistes. The workshop is being organised by the National School of Drama, New Delhi at the end of this month. SM: Your advice for the aspiring actors, who want to make career in theatre and films. MK: First of all, they need to be very clear in mind as to why they want to be an actor. After that, they should strive for getting good education for securing their living before they get established as an actor. Though there are several fellowships and scholarships for the artists, they are insufficient. I generally suggest the aspiring artists to go back as there is ruthless struggle for any artist belonging to a modest background in establishing himself as an actor. In Delhi, I have come across several such artists who never went back to their villages as they did not appear on TV or film. Most of my students when come to meet me there, get emotional and at times, break into tears while narrating their experiences as a struggler. Anyone who wants to be an actor, must keep all aspects in mind before making some decision. |
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Board exams for primary classes
Jammu, January 15 This decision was taken by the state government in order to strengthen the primary wing of the education department. “This order will be implemented in the government schools only and not in the private schools. They will conduct the examinations of class III and class V as per their own provision,” said NR Dingra, chief education officer (CEO) while talking to The Tribune. He added: “It was observed that the primary section was not doing well and conducting the board examinations of these classes would help a lot to strengthen it”. Now, the students would receive question papers set by the education experts of the CEO office. The question papers would be dispatched to all government schools directly from the CEO office and these experts would also check the answer scripts. Though there is no fear among the students of class III, the students of class V are little worried about the examinations. Jaswant Singh, an educationist, praised the education department for this reform and said besides strengthening the primary wing, it would also raise the level of confidence from the beginning among the students to face board examinations in the future. Around 7,800 students of class III and as many as 8,500 students of class V would appear in the examinations. The board examinations of class VIII in both private and government schools would start from February 18. Around 24,400 students of class VIII would appear in the examinations this time. Dingra maintained that all arrangements have been done to conduct the examinations smoothly and to resist the students from using unfair means.
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Posts of naib tehsildar
Jammu, January 15 On one hand, the state government has been claiming to create job opportunities for the youth while on the other, meritorious students who have qualified examinations have been harassed. It is being alleged that by wrongly interpreting the SRO 178, issued on June 3, 2003, the selected candidates have been denied appointment orders. Interestingly, some ministers to whom these candidates have approached have admitted that they (selected candidates) have been unnecessarily harassed but they (ministers) are helpless before a section of power officers who have been misinterpreting official orders. Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla, who has repeatedly assured the candidates to get them jobs, also seems to be helpless. “For the past three months, we have been getting only assurances,” regretted a selected candidate, who pointed
out that some senior ministers even asked them to move the court. In a function held to observe the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Revenue Minister had publicly announced to do justice with these candidates but nothing has been done so far. Earlier, the Service Selection Board issued three separate notifications each in 2002, 2005 and 2008 for these posts. The first two advertisements had mentioned only graduation as basic qualification while the third in 2008 mentioned that the candidate should have knowledge of Urdu. It means one should know to read or write Urdu and not necessarily passed with Urdu as a subject. After the selection process, the authorities denied appointment letters to 29 selected candidates citing the last notification. The authorities are making reference to SRO 178, issued on June 3, 2003, in denying them the appointment as the candidates have not passed matriculation with Urdu. Prof Varinder Gupta, former head of the Department of Physics and Electronics, Jammu University, while terming the action as arbitrary and illogical, said the SRO was being wrongly interpreted by those who are at the helm of the affairs. Prof Nirmal Singh, former state president of the BJP, observed that attitude of the authorities in issuing appointment orders to these selected candidates spoke about their biased and discriminatory approach. |
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Chinar heritage park for KU
Srinagar, January 15 With this move, announced by vice-chancellor Riyaz Punjabi, there seems to be an end to further construction of buildings within the Hazratbal campus of the university. The adjacent Naseem Bagh campus, spread over 500 kanals with around 700 hefty chinar trees, is no exception. Eco-friendly preventive and preservation measures are being taken following the acquisition of over 400 kanals by the university at a nearby location of Zakoora recently. The university, according to BA Wafai, in charge landscapes, has imposed a ban on the construction on the two campuses. Due to the expansion of the university over the years, coupled with a paucity of space, a number of constructions had been going on over the past many years. Sensing trouble, the authorities stopped these to prevent the aesthetic ambience of the sprawling Hazratbal campus from degradation. “There is now a ban on any kind of construction on the Hazratbal and Naseem Bagh campuses,” Wafai told The Tribune. Any further construction would be taken up at the newly acquired land in Zakoora, he said, adding that the university already had two campuses in south (Anantnag) and north (Baramulla) Kashmir to ease pressure on the main campus. The age-old Mughal Garden, known as Naseem Bagh, proposed to be developed into a chinar heritage park is abundantly covered with the majestic trees. The historical garden remained neglected for a long time till it was temporarily used as the erstwhile Regional Engineering College (REC) campus for several years. “Having passed through ages, this novel grove of magnificent chinar trees was losing its grandeur and called for immediate rejuvenation, salvage and conservation as our cherished and prized heritage,” said Showkat Shafi, PRO. Hence, the proposal for conversion of Naseem Bahg into a heritage park, he added.
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Reaping sweet returns from honey
Srinagar, January 15 "Interest and dedication is the key," says middle-aged Sidiq. Recollecting his journey, Sidiq said that he was offered eight apiculture boxes with colonies and 12 without colonies by the Centre for Environment and Education (CEE), Himalaya, and Welthungerhilfe (WHH-formerly German Agro Action), both NGOs. A year later, the number of boxes increased to 32. "On the whole it has been a good experience," said Sidiq, adding that "the concept captured my interest during an interaction of officials with villagers, a few years back. I collected a box and learnt the entire process." "Then I migrated to Kanta Bagh." Later Sidiq said that the box was consumed by a bear, forcing him to restart the unit. "During this time I participated in a livelihood-support programme by the CEE in an adjacent village and expressed my desire to start an apiculture unit," recollects Sidiq, a cloth merchant by profession. "Bijhama was not on our agenda at that time. Our area of concern included villages like Maya and Reshawari," said Mubashir Ahmad, coordinator, CEE Himalaya "but Sidiq's dedication made us adopt Bijhama as well and a unit was provided to him." Sidiq said that there are eight frames in a box. "Honey can be extracted thrice a year. Half of the honey produced is left in the box so that bees can survive for three months of the winter." Since November, 2008, Sidiq has been shifting the bees to Jammu in the winter and returning after five months. "The production is less if bees aren't shifted to Jammu in the winter. Snow leads to loss of bees." He added their migration involved transport and land rent charges. Sidiq mostly handles his business single-handedly. He started the unit in early 2008. "Honey has high demand and I sell it for Rs. 200 per kg. Sometimes losses are there but hard work pays." He cultivates bees like apis malfaria and wild (indica). Certain flowers that bloom around July-end and the upper portion of maize plants enhance breeding of bees. "Due to a lower rainfall in March- April, flowers didn't bloom and the yield was less last year," said Sidiq. "Generally, the unit caters only to the local market. Last year I had a proposal to send honey to Pakistan but owing to less production, it didn't mature," he said, adding that he was not using any labels on bottles. Sidiq has got familiar with the diseases bees suffer from. "When bees are ill, they are unable to fly but just crawl. I usually treat them myself." Dr. Abdhesh Gangwar, Regional Director, North and North-East, CEE, Himalaya said: "We are utilising his services as a trainer."
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Campaign against denial of passports
Srinagar, January 15 "Issuing no-objection certificate is the duty of the state government but in our state it is done by the police. This is the violation of the law of the land. "The denial of passports leads to holding up of travel plans and various other problems," said Zamrooda Habib, coordinator of the association. Zamrooda alleges that she along with the core members of the association have been denied travel documents. "As a result we have started the campaign to ensure that travel documents are not denied to people." The association would now be conducting regular campaigns on the ninth of every month. "We will lobby with civil society at the international level as well to ensure that the rights of state subjects are protected." The coordinator said that the association set up in August, 2009, would soon take up with the government the issue of travel documents for visits across the Line of Control (LoC). Zamrooda said the association was going to collect data regarding travel documents issued to people in various regions of the state. Those who joined the campaign expressed problems faced by them on account of denial of travel documents and expressed the hope that the matter would be looked into by the state government. "I wanted to travel abroad for my studies but my passport has not been issued," said Zahoor Ahmad, a student. He alleged that he was asked by the authorities "that in case he does not mention student in the application form, the passport would be issued to him with immediate effect. But why should I lie?"
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Srinagar diary Be it summer or winter, shikaras, the ferrying boats that accommodate five persons each dot the banks of Dal lake, particularly around Boulevard, the tourist hub in Srinagar (See Photo). Among tourists these are known for many songs in Bollywood movies, particularly “Tareef Karoon Kya Us Ki Jisnay Tumhein Banayaa…” featuring yester year hero Shammi Kapoor with Sharmila Tagore in “Kashmir Ki Kali”. These shikaras provide joyrides for the tourists from outside the valley and also for transporting them to and fro the houseboats. These are also the only transport system for thousands of people living on the landmasses inside the lake away from the Dal peripheries. Many of these people have their sources of livelihood on these landmasses by way of growing vegetables on the floating gardens. But, many of them working outside in the hotels or driving taxis use these shikaras their only means of transport to the serene surroundings of their houses or houseboats in the interior locales of the lake. The ferrying of locals round the year as well as tourists, particularly during the summer, provides income and livelihood to these boatmen. Bad roads
This is the tale of almost every nook and corner of the valley. Roads, byroads and road patches connecting colonies, mohallas and other areas with main roads are usually dilapidated. Though the vehicles ply on these roads, but their slowing down due to bad road conditions cause gridlock, which lasts hours. People in the areas, including Bagh-e-Mahtab, Channapora and Gouripora- Sanat Nagar, argue that if black topping cannot be done during the winters, at least stone dust should be spread soon for some respite. Others argue that development of roads has never been a top priority for state governments, except for election manifestoes. Rough and bad roads, inadequate maintenance and poor geometry of the road network are some of the major factors that lead to road accidents. Good food
Kashmir's non-veg cuisine is a delight for the foodie. There are numerous restaurants on Residency Road offering delectable food. However, a new restaurant opened by the Tourism Department and being run by students of the Indian Institute of Hotel Management has been a revelation. It has come up on a bank of the Jhelum and the serene atmosphere around the place is only matched by amazing delicacies prepared by IIHM students. It's a bit more expensive than its peers across the road but nobody should complain. For the well-trained waiters to quality cooks, it has everything going for it. And IIHM students get a chance to hone their skills. (Contributed by Ehsan Fazili, Afsana Rashid
and Kumar Rakesh) |
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boats that accommodate five persons each dot the banks of Dal lake, particularly around Boulevard, the tourist hub in Srinagar (See Photo). Among tourists these are known for many songs in Bollywood movies, particularly “Tareef Karoon Kya Us Ki Jisnay Tumhein Banayaa…” featuring yester year hero Shammi Kapoor with Sharmila Tagore in “Kashmir Ki Kali”. These shikaras provide joyrides for the tourists from outside the valley and also for transporting them to and fro the houseboats.
