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Resumption of Dialogue
Snowfall brings tourists back to Nathatop
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Soz recalls Gandhiji’s core values
NC has failed to carry forward peace agenda: Mufti
Guru Ravi Dass was a social reformer: Tara Chand
Book on Prophet Mohammed released
Women panel to open branches
Prof Hamidi meets Governor
Traffic on highway resumes
Bharti appointed JJSF adviser
Army builds community hall at hospital
Anti-Leprosy Day observed
Two found dead
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Punish 26/11 perpetrators first, Farooq tells Pak
Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service
Jammu, January 30 However, while addressing a function organised by the JK Peace Foundation to observe the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Farooq admitted that the dialogue process with Pakistan had virtually stalled after the Mumbai attacks, as the involvement of terrorists from across the border had been established. Demanding action against those behind the Mumbai attacks, Farooq said, “India’s stand is that terrorism be wiped out and those behind the Mumbai attacks be punished. When India feels that Pakistan has taken action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, talks will resume.” Farooq made it clear that dialogue was the only mean to resolve all problems, “but our neighbour should reciprocate the initiatives repeatedly taken by our country”. He said successive governments had initiated serious efforts to strengthen relations with Pakistan, but the response had not been up to the expectations. Farooq especially mentioned that when then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had gone to Lahore in a bus, 22 innocent civilians were killed in Rajouri district the same day by the militants. He added Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too had so far taken bold decisions to restore lasting peace in the region by extending the hand of friendship to neighbouring countries. On continued infiltration attempts, he said our forces were ready to foil designs of the militants. “Running a government in a sensitive state like Jammu and Kashmir is a difficult task, as you have to fulfil the wishes and aspirations of all regions,” Farooq said while commenting on the performance of the coalition government.
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Snowfall brings tourists back to Nathatop
Nathatop, January 30
The skiing was also started at this famous hilltop this morning.
“With yesterday’s snowfall, we are hopeful that hills would attract tourists now,” Zahoor Ahmed, a hotelier at Patnitop, said. “With the passage of time, climate is going adverse for our profession. The tourists, who visited here during the first half of this month, returned disappointed, complaining that the hill station had lost its sheen in the absence of snowfall. However, tourists from Haryana and Punjab have started arriving,” Zahoor added. “We were sure if there was no snowfall till February, it would become very difficult for us to survive. Thanks to weather God, visitors have started responding to this late snow,” Parkash Chand, a hotelier at Patnitop, said. A group of youth from Sonepat in Haryana said: “We were unaware about the snowfall here, but taking a chance we reached here and our hopes came true as the track is covered with snow.” Sharing his experience, Akash Malik, one of the young tourists, said, “It is true that Jammu and Kashmir is a paradise. We are enjoying the best part of our life here.” Though this much-awaited snowfall brought smiles on the faces of everyone, there were some people who met with minor accidents due to slippery road conditions. A few vehicles also got stranded on the snow-covered road leading to Nathatop. |
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Soz recalls Gandhiji’s core values
Jammu, January 30 Soz recalled various facets of the life of Mahatma Gandhi and said the Mahatma would remain alive in our mind and heart because of his ideology and philosophy, which would remain relevant for all times to come. He said the Mahatma would always be remembered for non-violence he preached and practised. The PCC chief said the Mahatma had impressed the whole world by his ideology, philosophy and principles. His ideas and ideals were more relevant even today and would remain so in the days to come for the whole world, he said. “Mahatma Gandhi had seen a ray of hope for Jammu and Kashmir when this subcontinent was in the grip of communal frenzy,” he added. Earlier, Soz attended a function at Satwari Chowk where he garlanded the statue of the Mahatma. He was accompanied by Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for School Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Hari Singh, Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma, besides other senior leaders of the party. Meanwhile, the Sarvodaya International Trust observed Mahatma’s martyrdom day at St Paul’s Convent High School, Gangyal Gardens, Gangyal, Jammu. The day started with the lighting of the traditional lamp followed by floral tributes to Gandhiji. The guests were formally welcomed by Dr SS Bloeria, chairman of the trust, who highlighted the main values of the Gandhian philosophy. He elaborated the four core values i.e., truth, non-violence, love for all and untiring desire to serve that could ultimately give happiness to all of us. An elocution contest was also held for schoolchildren. A 22-minute documentary on Gandhiji was shown. The participating students were given certificates of participation and the winners were given prizes by Dr Bloeria and Father Thomas, principal of the host school. The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Dr Renu Nanda, managing trustee of the trust. The National Anthem was sung by all. |
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NC has failed to carry forward peace agenda: Mufti
Jammu, January 30 Addressing a central executive committee meeting of his party, the Mufti said the PDP had pioneered and pursued an agenda for establishing lasting peace in the state, but the same process was not carried forward by the present dispensation. “During our three-year tenure, the PDP facilitated the historic peace and reconciliation process, which positively transformed the political discourse not only within the state, but throughout the subcontinent,” he said. He stated that the present dispensation headed by the NC had failed to further pursue the pro-peace and pro-people agenda. The Mufti pointed out that the PDP convinced then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to make a historic announcement from Srinagar. “Reconciliatory policies and peace initiatives initiated by our party are must for restoring peace in this region,” he said and observed that the biggest achievements of the PDP was that it had created conducive atmosphere for initiating the peace process and taking confidence-building measures to normalise relations with Pakistan. Stressing the need for taking some effective steps to resolve the Kashmir issue, the Mufti said resolving the problem was must for the overall development of the subcontinent. He was of the opinion that India’s efforts to become an economic power would be suffered if the Kashmir problem remained unresolved. “After Partition, India had solved most of its internal problems, but the Kashmir issue was still remained unresolved,” he pointed out. The Mufti opined that violence and war were no solution to any problem and a composite dialogue with Pakistan was must. |
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Guru Ravi Dass was a social reformer: Tara Chand
Jammu, January 30 Extending greetings to the people on the occasion, Tara Chand said saints and sages taught love, mutual brotherhood and communal harmony and Guruji was one among them. Describing Guruji as a great social reformer, the Deputy Chief Minister said throughout his life he preached love and brotherhood and worked for the uplift of the people, especially poor and downtrodden. He said the life of Guruji was an epitome of struggle for the propagation of high values of humanism, quality and creation of society free from social evils and based on justice. Tara Chand said the government had formulated various developmental and welfare schemes for the people, adding that they should come forward to avail their benefits. He called for maintaining communal harmony and upholding the composite ethos of the state. Later, the Deputy Chief Minister visited the Kashmiri migrant camp at Muthi to attend the function organised to celebrate Magh Purnima. Speaking on the occasion, he said the government was aware of the problems being faced by the Kashmiri migrants, adding that the Centre and the state government had initiated various steps for their rehabilitation. He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced an employment package for unemployed educated migrant youth, which was a good for their return to their native places. |
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Book on Prophet Mohammed released
Srinagar, January 30 The book entitled “The Message and Teachings of the Prophet Mohammed” dwells upon the basic teachings of the Prophet and his way of life. Commenting on the publication, Rehman Rahi, a Jnanpith awardee, said a book on the Prophet in any of the regional languages of the state would only help people understand Islam. “It is really great that the academy has brought out a book on the life of the Prophet,” Rahi said, adding that such publications were needed as these would go a long way in propagating the true teachings of the Prophet. Noted Ladakhi scholar and historian Abdul Gani Sheikh said the long-awaited book would help Ladakhi Muslims understand the Prophet in a better way. |
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Women panel to open branches
Jammu, January 30 While interacting with mediapersons here, Firdous said the commission would focus on far-flung areas, particularly militancy-affected areas, where women were illiterate and unaware of their rights. She said she would personally visit every district branch of the commission regularly. “The commission would work with full zeal and dedication to minimise domestic violence cases in the state. The commission would work for the welfare of women and provide guidance about their rights,” she said. Firdous stressed on opening women hostels in various districts to provide residential facilities to destitute, old-age and orphan women. She said she would appeal to the state government for constituting a state family court. Expressing concern over the rising level of violence against the women, she stressed that the need was to study the existing laws of the commission and make them more stringent. She said, if required, she would appeal to the government to make some amendments to the existing laws and clauses. |
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Prof Hamidi meets Governor
Jammu, January 30 Vohra observed that there was need for the state to encourage the publishing of well-researched books in Urdu, Kashmiri and other languages and groom students to take up higher studies in Urdu and Kashmiri and undertake research in identified areas. He added that eminent scholars like Hamidi could guide young scholars in their literary pursuits. The Governor thanked Hamidi for continuing to advise Kashmir University and wished him good health. |
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Traffic on highway resumes
Srinagar, January 30 The highway, the only surface link between the Kashmir valley and the rest of the country, was blocked due to the accumulation of snow around the high peak Jawahar Tunnel last morning. While there was respite from rain, vehicles stranded on the highway were allowed to move around 11.30 am today. Men and machinery of the BRO were pressed into service to clear the road of heavy snow between Qazigund and Banihal. According to the Meteorological Department forecast, rain or snowfall are likely to take place at isolated places in the state during the next 24 hours. The sky remained cloudy today while there were no reports of rain or snow in the valley today. It recorded 12.5 mm of rainfall in Srinagar last night. Most of the roads, lane and bylanes in Srinagar city and colonies remained waterlogged today following rain and snowfall in the valley and its upper reaches yesterday. |
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Bharti appointed JJSF adviser
Jammu, January 30 Speaking on the occasion, Bharti said he would work honestly for the welfare of students. He said Article 370 was the main reason for discrimination against the Jammu region. Bharti added that for the past 62 years, Jammu was being discriminated against in all fields like economic, education, employment and political. He demanded the establishment of a physical education college in Jammu. |
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Army builds community hall at hospital
Jammu, January 30 A 200-bed civil hospital with modern facilities at present under construction at Kheora village in Rajouri had no night halt transit facility for relatives of and persons accompanying patients from far-flung areas of Rajouri district. Considering hardships to people, the Army constructed a 40-bed Nagrik Sarai on the hospital complex to mitigate the problems of the attendants of patients. The sarai has separate rooms for women and men and also a provision for kitchens as well as store rooms. Adequate scope for future expansion has also been provided. Considering the requests of locals and the civil administration, the construction of the sarai was completed in a record time of four months. Speaking on the occasion, the GOC lauded the commitment of the Army and the civil administration in ensuring the progress and development of the region. He expressed desire to see more such projects aimed at betterment of residents of the district. |
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Anti-Leprosy Day observed
Jammu, January 30 Sharma along with his team and villagers paid homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary. Sharma said, “We cannot forget our great leader who secured Independence for the country and preached non-violence and humanism. Now, it is our duty to make our nation healthy.” |
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Two found dead
Jammu, January 30
The girl died at the Government Medical College and Hospital here. The police has initiated inquest proceedings. —
TNS
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After a long dry spell, Friday’s snowfall at Nathatop has brought smile on the faces of disappointed hoteliers as well as tourists. The much-awaited snow has elated ponywallahs and
vendors, who earn their livelihood by offering boots and snow dresses.
