Dadasara (Pulwama), April 2
In a world of hatred and religious divide, there is a remote village in militancy-infested Pulwama district where faith acts as a bridge in uniting members of various beliefs.

In a Muslim shrine here one can see Hindus performing Hawan on one side and on the other Muslims are offering namaaz.

This is the shrine of famous Muslim saint Hazrat Sayeed Akbar-ud-din of the late 13th century. He was the father-in-law of Hazrat Nooruddin Noorani, a renowned Muslim saint who propagated Islam in the region.

Even though majority of Kashmiri Pandits of the village had migrated to other parts of the country, but they come in large number every year on the occasion of thee Urs of the saint.

“This is an ongoing tradition for centuries. On one side we perform our prayers and on the other, the Hindus perform theirs,” said Bashir Ahmed Shah, caretaker of the shrine.

The annual Urs that was scheduled last month was postponed following fierce encounter between militants and the security forces.

“With the onset of militancy in the valley, majority of the Kashmiri Pandits migrated from here but they never miss to attend the Urs and even during the peak days of militancy they used to come here and perform prayers,” Shah said.

The Kashmiri pandits say they have been performing prayers in this shrine for centuries and the tradition would continue for times to come.

“This is a slap on the face of those who want to divide the state on religious lines. This shrine is a glaring example of secular ethos of Kashmir,” said Manoj Kaul, who had migrated to Jammu 20 years ago but has been coming to the shrine every year.

The Muslims do not have any problems with the Hindus performing hawans inside the shrine premises. Instead, they provide them with the material used for hawans.

“Kashmir has been a land of saints and everyone has the right to pray before them as they do not belong to a particular sect or community. They belong to everyone,” said Bashir Ahmed.

Sumbal-Bandipora, April 2
Though barter system (exchange of goods) sounds like a thing of past, it is still prevalent in many villages here.

People purchase vegetables, pulses in exchange of paddy and the like. Though it is not carried out as a routine thing, the residents find it a good alternative in times of need and local traders earn profits out of it.

Barter system continues in villages like Sheganpora, Ganasthan in Sumbal and Trikolbal and Mandiyari in Pattan.

Shahnaz Bano, a student in Sheganpora, often purchases eatables, particularly vegetables, from a passing by horse-cart in lieu of paddy. “This is a common practice here.”

Her father often purchases vegetables when he goes to town. “Last time he purchased a sack of potatoes. But we can’t eat potatoes all the time. Generally, we purchase vegetables from local market on barter system,” said Shahnaz’s mother.

Several kilometers away, Hameeda Bano’s family in Gund-e-Ibrahim (Pattan) plunged into deep crisis after their shop was burgalised. It was the only source of income of family. They had no resources to purchase fresh material for the shop.

The family couldn’t afford to take loan. With Khamnaiee Self Help Group coming under the aegis of Indo Global Social Service Society (working for the empowerment of rural masses), Hameeda thought of availing the opportunity. She re-started the family business last year.

Barter system continues here as well. “Due to poverty people find it easier to exchange goods instead of involving cash payments. The barter system is beneficial. After collecting the material through this system, we sell it to wholesale dealer at a good price,” said Hameeda.

Nagrota, April 2
Known as the “king of swing” in his prime and now honorary lieutenant colonel, Kapil Dev certainly left an indelible imprint on Sainik School students here recently.

“Attired in camouflage uniform, Kapil’s charismatic personality has motivated me to join the Army,” said Vinay Kumar, one of the Sainik School student with whom the cricketer interacted before leaving for the garrison town of Udhampur.

“The Army has done a right job by conferring upon him the honour of being an officer because I feel it would go a long way in attracting the youth to join the forces,” said Raja Babu, another student.

Another student Akshay Parihar felt that Kapil Dev succeeded in life because of hard-work, discipline and unflinching faith. “Younger generation has a lot to learn from him,” he said.

Later, Kapil left for headquarters of the North Star Command at Udhampur garrison. During his visit, the legendary cricketer met senior officers, including Lieutenant General Jasbir Singh, Chief of Staff, Northern Command and Major General Umong Sethi.

He also interacted with NCC cadets from various schools and degree college.

Kapil endeared himself to the heart of the enthusiastic and inquisitive young fans by warmly responding to their flurry of questions ranging from his passion regarding cricket and ideals behind his decision to join the Army.

He also shared his vision for the youth of the country and views on terrorism. Kapil expressed his belief that the youth could play a significant and responsible role as sentinels against this international scourge.

Dr Manohar Lal Sharma is the Minister of State for Cooperatives, Printing and Stationery, Elections, Finance, Planning, Industries and Commerce, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Information Technology.

One of the highly qualified ministers in the Omar Abdullah’s Cabinet, Dr Sharma, youngest among five brothers, comes from a simple family of Billawar tehsil in Kathua district.

Following are the excerpts of his interaction with The Tribune team:

Ravi Krishnan Khajuria (RKK): Tell us about your family background, your education and how you forayed into politics?

Manohar Lal Sharma (MLS): My father was a freedom fighter, who later joined the Indian Army. He had won several national awards for his social activities. We are five brothers and I am the youngest one. After my bachelor’s degree in education, I did M.Sc in organic and inorganic chemistry and then completed PhD in agriculture and soil chemistry.

I never intended to join politics, but was a social activist. On the insistence of people, I contested Panchayat elections in 2000 and twice remained sarpanch of my village.

Being a social activist, I also remained affiliated to Nehru Yuva Kendra and several NGOs. In 1997, we launched our own NGO, Lok Jagriti Manch, and waged a war against corruption.

Archit Watts (AW): How do you manage nine departments at a time?

MLS: It is a big responsibility and sometimes creates a lot of troubles, but after I finish my work and return home, it gives me immense pleasure. I love my work and I am ready to take more responsibilities.

AW: Do you find some time for your family?

MLS: Usually, I don’t get time to spend with my family members. Sometimes they show their resentment, but they also understand my responsibilities towards people. I have two kids, a seven-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter.

Dinesh Manhotra (DM): It had been a tradition that the Minister of State for Finance used to present Budget in the Legislative Council, but this time, a Cabinet minister did the job. It is widely perceived that you were not allowed to present the Budget due to your loyalty with a particular faction of the Congress.

MLS: It is not the reason. Actually, it was decided last year that leader of the House would present the Budget in the Upper House. This time, leader of the House RS Chib was out of station so in his absence, Minister of Health presented the Budget. There is no politics in it.

DM: Don’t you think that factionalism in the Congress has badly affected performance of the party?

MLS: I do not call it factionalism; it is rather difference of opinion. It is not necessary that all leaders have same view on all issues, but as far as ideology of the party is concerned, we are all committed to it.

RKK: Why the Congress first remains silent and then reacts when it comes to introduction of controversial Bills like Women Permanent Residents (Disqualification) Bill, which had brought the then Cong-PDP coalition on the verge of collapse.

MLS: There is always some difficulty when it comes to work in a coalition government, but it doesn’t mean that the Congress remains a mute spectator. The Congress is a big party and it has to see all three regions of the state. The Women Permanent Residents (Disqualification) Bill might suits Kashmir-based parties, but not the Congress. It might be possible that Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla had been asked by the Chief Minister not to oppose the Bill in its initial stage, but the party has made its stand very clear.

Ashutosh Sharma (AS): With six portfolios as minister of state and three independent charges, which sector do you think government needs to put more efforts in?

MLS: Genuinely speaking, in almost every sector the state lags behind. Be it science and technology, cooperatives, higher education or any other department. The state needs to do much more. Funds constraint is a major hurdle that has been affecting the functioning of all departments.

AS: Cooperatives have remained the most neglected sector. What you have been doing to improve its functioning?

MLS: We have taken a number of initiatives. As cooperatives are an autonomous body, we don’t have a direct control over them. We have suggested that only MBA, MCA or technically qualified candidates be recruited at the managerial level. Also, measures are being taken to revive the functioning of cooperative banks, colleges and land development bank. Recently, the cooperative bank has issued 60,000 kisan credit cards with rate of interest reduced from 9 per cent to 7 per cent. The rate of interest can go down further.

RKK: A whopping Rs 100 crore expenditure on the stay of government employees in hotels and guest houses and ministers surpassing Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in TA/DA expenditures running into lakhs of rupees. What sort of austerity measures are these and how can you justify such lavish expenditure by a cash-starved state?

MLS: If the government has to ensure time-bound completion of developmental works then ministers are bound to travel. However, big motorcades should be avoided.

RKK: Around 4.50 lakh state government employees have been agitating for the benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission, chiefly the release of their arrear amount. Is there any breakthrough and how the state government is going to manage?

MLS: We are exploring possibilities and the government is committed to its promise. But having said that, Rs 4,300 crore is required to pay the arrears, including pensions, which is not possible in one go. We are talking to the Union Government, besides trade unions and employees. Though there is no word from the government so far, we would definitely find a way out.

DM: You say that all Congress leaders are committed to the ideology. But it is perceived that party ministers failed to pursue Congress agenda, especially in case of the constitution of delimitation commission and on the inter-district recruitment.

MLS: I don’t agree. We are running a coalition government so it is not possible to impose our agenda on our partner. I want to make it clear that constitution of the delimitation commission is on the top of party’s agenda. As far as inter-district recruitment is concerned, the party has already made its stand clear.

AW: Tell us about your achievements ever since you became a minister in the present government.

MLS: The first thing I did after becoming the minister is that I started completing the work the same day and not even a single file is pending in my office. Now, I have started working on several other projects. We have signed two important MoUs with the RBI. I am also introducing a Bill for cooperatives in this Budget Session, which will surely benefit pubic, as well as cooperative banks and its employees.

AS: Former Education Minister has claimed that professional diploma and certificate courses introduced at the college level during his tenure are not being taught anymore. Is it true?

MLS: It’s not true at all. Most of such courses are being taught along with the main subjects. If there are some courses which are not being taught at present, it’s not in my notice. I will certainly look into the matter. Moreover, we are introducing more professional courses in new colleges as per the demand and availability of staff and infrastructure.

AS: Has the present government abandoned the concept of e-governance that was adopted by the previous regime?

MLS: The IT department is short of staff and which is why websites of the departments are not being updated time to time. We have brought the issue into the notice of the Chief Minister, besides writing to the IT Department. I personally believe that if corruption is to be curbed, e-governance is must.

Jammu, April 2
As many as 131 lives have been claimed by AIDS in the state. Up to now, 2,102 confirmed HIV positive cases have been registered with the J&K AIDS Prevention and Control Society, which has been implementing the National AIDS Control Programme with the help of Health and Medical Education Department.

Several NGOs and other government departments have also been assisting the society for checking the spread of disease in the state.

Out of all the registered cases, at least 799 AIDS cases have been reported as full blown. In the state, 518 AIDS patients, including 35 children, are receiving free anti-retroviral treatment (ART) at two centres set up in the state.

The disclosures have been made by the J&K AIDS Prevention and Control Society in the performance review report compiled by the Department of Health and Family planning. The report was recently released by Health Minister Sham Lal.

As per various sentinel surveillance conducted during the last eight years, the report says the state is a low prevalence state where the prevalence rate of HIV infection among high risk groups is 0.3 percent and among low risk groups is 0.04 percent.

For ensuring mainstreaming and partnership within the government departments, the government has recently constituted state AIDS council under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, the report said.

To prevent new infections, the society envisages to implement target intervention projects for high risk groups like female sex workers, men having sex with men, intervenous drug users, truckers, migrant labourers, jail inmates et cetera. It also includes upgrade of integrated testing and councelling services, blood banksand Sexualy Transmitted Diseases (STD) clinics for ensuring prompt treatment of the people suffering from sexually transmitted diseases.

Jammu, April 2
An easel, a canvas, a palette of colours and a brush make his world different from the real one.

Suman Gupta’s retrospective exhibition called Solitude and Contemplation at Zorawar Singh Auditorum of University of Jammu bears the testimony of his artistic genius. The exhibition showcases 35 selective painting that he made during the past 20 years. The exhibition will remain open till April 10.

Commenting upon the title of his exhibition the painter says: “My work is depiction of subtle nuances that otherwise go unnoticed in the fast-paced city life. I have my cottage in the hills of Kudh. It is there that I paint. I have turned out some of best paintings in solitude, which is blissful to any artist as one has to contemplate deeply.” An alumnus of University of Jammu, Suman is a self-taught artist. He has never met his idol - Andrew Wyeth, eminent American painter of the 20th century - yet Andrew remained his inspiration in absentia. Suman cherishes a letter that was a comment on his work by Andrew.

The letter had words of encouragement for the aspiring artist: “I am very impressed by your paintings. They have a soul quality of your country… Keep painting, you have a great future.”

“Rather than just a symbolism or something surreal, my work is hyper realistic. It goes beyond just expressionism,” Suman avers.

The artist has a bagful of achievements. He has travelled extensively to Europe, Australia, Cyprus, Middle East and Thailand in connection with his art pursuits.

Though he comes from a business family, Suman had inclination towards art since childhood. Besides different aspects of life and nature, selective people inspire him. “My models are the people who work at my cottage and their children,” he says.

According to Dr Lalit Gupta- curator at the Department of Art History and Aesthetics, IMFA, Jammu, “His (Suman’s) devotion towards realism, pure individualism, finding inspiration in his own land and people make him one of the distinguished painter,”

Suman’s better half - Jyoti Gupta - has been a great strength for him. “She herself is an artist and is into ceramics. She has turned out several refined pieces of pottery that would be put on display soon,” he said.

Srinagar, April 2
Describing smoking a major cause of fatal diseases, Naseem Lankar, divisional commissioner, Kashmir, urged people to avoid such injurious habit.

Appealing the youth, especially schoolchildren, to stay away from smoking, she said youth should take part in eradicating social evils like smoking from society as the same could lead to a certain death.

While inaugurating an awareness programme on ill-effects of smoking at Biscoe High School, Srinagar, recently, Lankar stressed upon the authorities to enforce and implement laws against smoking. The event was organised by the Voluntary Health Association in collaboration with the Drug and Food Control Organisation Kashmir.

She directed drug control officials to enforce the ban on smoking at public places, colleges, health institutions and schools. "Smoking among the youth below 18 years of age should be strictly enforced and parents should ensure that their children don't become addictive to smoking and drugs". Dr GQ Alaqband, chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Voluntary Health Association (J&KVHA) said people who smoke for a periodic tranquiliser were actually inviting death. He said according to a survey, 98 per cent village population was involved in smoking which was an issue to be considered on a priority.

Mehraj Ahmed Kakroo, deputy commissioner, Srinagar, asked children to be their ambassadors and ensure that their parents and others don't smoke. He said soon a drive would be launched to stop the sale of cigarettes within 100 yards of all educational institutions.

AM Mir, executive director, J&KVHA, informed participants about activities undertaken by the association and its future programmes. A skit and a song were presented by schoolchildren, demonstrating ill-effects of smoking and diseases that can be caused due to smoking. Prizes were distributed among the participants.

Srinagar, April 2
In Kashmir, saffron mostly grows at five places - Pampore, Budgam, Zewan, Anantnag and Kishtwar - that offer favourable conditions for it to thrive. The demand for Kashmiri saffron is overwhelming both within and outside India but somehow the state has not been able to keep up with this demand.

But Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology - Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has an answer for the dwindling production of saffron.

During an interaction workshop here conducted by the university recently, Vice-Chancellor of the SKUAST-K Prof Anwar Alam stressed on adoption of packages developed by varsity on scientific lines for boasting saffron production. He said varsity harvested four to four-and-a-half kilograms per hectare as compared to one-and-a-half to two kilograms per hectare by farmers.

“The World Bank-aided project sanctioned by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for boosting the saffron production has been implemented by the university. With an outlay of Rs 3 crore, the university has laid down almost 250 OFTs in different villages of Pulwama to showcase the scientific intervention,” said the Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Alam farmers also urged the farmers to adopt post-harvest measures like drying, packaging and marketing as per recommendations by varsity. He stressed on drying of saffron by using solar dryers developed by the university.

He asked growers to increase saffron productivity using packages developed by SKUAST-K. He told farmers to sow healthy corms weighing 10 grams or more, adopt Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) practices, irrigate using sprinklers and drips in fields in order to address the decreasing productivity of saffron and decrease in fertility status of soils.”

Prof Alam said the INM involves judicious combination of inorganic, organic, green manures, bio-fertilisers and on-farm crop residues. He suggested for shorter planting cycle of 5-6 years, timely harvest, saffron separation and drying without exposure to sun. A manual of the INM for saffron cultivation was also released during the workshop.

Appreciating farmers for shift from traditional practice and tendencies towards scientific techniques, Dr AR Trag Director Research, SKUAST-K impressed upon them to adopt INM practices.

Apart from this, the saffron growers demanded the establishment of mandi in the vicinity of saffron belt at Pampore, about 13 kilometres south of the city. They said the same could help in easy marketing facilities.

“Saffron mandi is the need of hour and we’ve been demanding it since years now. The mandi would help us in enhancing marketing facilities,” said the growers.