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Omar felicitates IAS topper Faesal
Three more follow in Faesal’s footsteps
Lawyers’ bandh hits life in valley
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Civil Sectt, other offices open in valley
Karan Singh visits Mubarak Mandi complex
Army hands over de-mined 653 acres to villagers
Army shaping career of youths
Bodies not found
Don’t compare Kasab with Afzal: Farooq
SAD (A) appeal on Fateh Divas
Three shot dead over poultry farm’s smell
Gujjars ask Rahul Gandhi not to attend conference
Rising fire incidents give dept sleepless nights
Gautam Sen visits Project Apple’s site
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Omar felicitates IAS topper Faesal
Srinagar, May 10 The meeting with Governor NN Vohra, which lasted for about 25 meetings yesterday, was a memorable one for Faesal, during which the Governor shared his experiences with the IAS topper. Faesal said the Governor shared his own experiences and gave him a piece of advice while he would be joining the civil services ahead. First lady Usha Vohra, who had also been an IAS officer, also expressed happiness over his distinction, Faesal recalled. Faesal’s mother feels proud of her son’s achievement and the family misses his father, Ghulam Rasool Shah, who was also a respected teacher in Sogam village in the Lolab area of Kupwara district. “I felt satisfied on my performance in the examination?. My effort has yielded results,” Faesal commented. Again it was a matter of jubilation and pride when Faesal shared stage in AS College with Mohammad Shafi Pandit, a former chairman of the J&K PSC and the fifth rank holder in the IAS examination in 1969, here yesterday. The event was organised by the Ascent Group, an institute of coaching and counselling which is mentored by Shafi Pandit himself. Besides Faesal, Rayees Bhat and Mir Umer (both IAS) and Zuhaib Khan (KPS) were present on the occasion. Thye interacted with around 400 young boys and girls and tried to instill a spirit of hard work and passion among them. Khursheed Ganai, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, the second position holder in the IAS batch of 1980-81, also sent his wishes and felicitations to all the four young boys who made it to IAS, Shah Faesal, Mir Umer, Rayees Bhat and Showkat
Parray. |
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Three more follow in Faesal’s footsteps
Srinagar, May 10 Though Faesal’s achievement made everything else look small, there are three others in the valley who will be rubbing their shoulders with the top brass of the
country. Showkat Ahmed Parray (25), a resident of Wizar village in Baramulla district, who secured the 256th position in the Civil Services Exam, had spent his childhood in extreme poverty as his father worked as a lineman with the state Power Department. He used to do odd jobs to support his
father. Showkat, a gold medallist in veterinary sciences, who was appointed as a veterinary assistant surgeon in the Sheep Husbandry Department last year, says life was really tough for him. “Life was never easy, but I had a dream and I worked hard to achieve it. With a meagre income it was very difficult for my father to support the family, but he worked hard to make us successful,” he
said. Showkat took no coaching for the exam and used to study in candlelight. His father was also not aware that he was preparing for the Civil Service Exam. “Had I known that he was preparing for the exam, I would have made some arrangements for his coaching,” Bashir Ahmad Parry, Showkat’s father, said. Another success story from the valley comes from Budgam district where another doctor Mir Umair also cracked the exam securing the 368th position. Mir, who completed his MBBS from Mumbai University in 2005, was selected for MD, but he wanted to do ‘something big in life’. He cleared the examination in his maiden attempt. “I was selected for MD, but I always wanted to do something for people at the grass-roots level. So I opted for the civil services. To give up career in medicine was a big decision. But finally it brought good results for me,” said Mir. While Faesal moved to Delhi for coaching, Mir took coaching from the Centre for Career Planning and Counselling of Kashmir University. Another Kashmiri who cleared the exam this year is Rayees
Bhat, a resident of Anantnag district. Bhat, who secured the 124th rank, says it was a misconception that the exams were difficult. “It needs focused studies, a right choice of optional subjects and self confidence,” Bhat said. |
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Lawyers’ bandh hits life in valley
Srinagar, May 10 At least 15 persons were injured in clashes between the protesting youths and the police in Baramulla and Sopore towns, while a complete shutdown was observed in all major towns of the valley. The youths took to streets in protest against human rights violations. The police resorted to a lathi-charge and lobbed tear gas shells in Baramulla town to disperse the demonstrators. Special Secretary in the Education Department Parvaiz Ahmad Malik was injured when his vehicle was hit by stones near SKIMS Medical College, Bemina. Malik and Secretary, Higher Education, NK Verma were returning from the hospital when their vehicle was targeted by youths with stones at Bemina. While Verma escaped unhurt, Malik was hit in his head and face. He was taken to a hospital and given first aid. He was discharged later. All shops and business establishments were closed and traffic remained off the road. There was a thin attendance in government offices and educational institutions remained closed. However, private transport and auto-rickshaws plied in many areas of the city. A strict vigil was maintained by the police in the interiors of the city to prevent any protests on the occasion, particularly in view of the reopening of the Civil Secretariat and other offices today. APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other leaders of the separatist organisations had been kept under house arrest to prevent any untoward situation in the city. The Bar association had called the bandh in protest against the alleged partisan role of judiciary in the state, continuing detention of political leaders, human rights violations and the design to change the demographic structure of the state in the guise of the Inter-district Recruitment Bill. The call was supported by separatist organisations, including both factions of the Hurriyat Conference and others. |
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Civil Sectt, other offices open in valley
Srinagar, May 10 On his arrival at the Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was presented a guard of honour by the police. He later went around different offices and met senior officers, representatives of the employees and others in the secretariat. Interacting with the media, the Chief Minister said the next six months in the summer capital would be dedicated to development and there would be regular interaction with the media on developmental and other related fields. Asked about the Inter-district Recruitment Bill, the Chief Minister allayed fears that it was aimed at changing the demography of the state. He said this would give youths from all the three regions of the state equal opportunities. On the demand of payment of arrears as per the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations to the employees, the Chief Minister said the issue was being settled amicably. He informed that soon a meeting in this regard would be held with the representatives of the employees. He hoped that the demands of the employees would be fulfilled within the next two or three months. Meanwhile, the Governor’s secretariat in the Raj Bhavan also reopened in the summer capital here today. Governor NN Vohra went around various wings of the secretariat and issued instructions to the engineering wing for providing improved working environment for the staff. DGP Kuldeep Khoda inspected various police establishments, including the police headquarters. He was a presented guard of honour by a contingent of armed police personnel. Accompanied by senior police officers, Khoda visited various sections of the headquarters and enquired from the officers about the working of their branches. Speaker of the state Legislative Assembly Mohammad Akbar Lone and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Arvinder Singh Micky visited various sections of the Legislative Complex after the opening of Darbar Move offices here today. Interacting with the staff of the Assembly secretariat, the Speaker directed them to work hard and accomplish the assigned tasks in a professional manner. Lone said those officers and officials whose performance was outstanding would be encouraged by way of reward and appreciation certificates. He appreciated the employees of the Assembly secretariat for extending cooperation to make the Assembly session in Jammu a success. |
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Karan Singh visits Mubarak Mandi complex
Jammu, May 10 “I don’t have any childhood memories related to this complex, as I never lived here. However, I still recall the proceedings at the Grey hall also called Durbar hall,” he said. “Though belatedly, it’s good that the Union government and the state government have taken the initiative to restore the historic architecture to its pristine glory. It will promote tourism and benefit the people of Jammu,” he added. The Mubarak Mandi complex is said to be first used as the royal residence of the Dogra rulers but later it was converted into government quarters, offices, courts and the royal secretariat. |
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Army hands over de-mined 653 acres to villagers
Pallanwala (Akhnoor), May 10 villagers in Khour, near the LoC in the Pallanwala sector of Akhnoor subdivision here today. In the wake of the Parliament attack on December 13, 2001, by Lashkar and Jaish-e Mohammad terrorists, the then BJP-led NDA regime under the Operation Parakram had moved troops on the border for 11 months. During the stand-off, the Army had planted land mines in forward areas on the border, including 229-km long international border and 749-km long LoC, to ward off the enemy threat. The Army is not only protecting the frontiers of the country but also helping the local population by undertaking various people friendly projects. Keeping the spirit of this legacy, the Army has been de-mining large areas of land and handing them over to the owners, said Jammu-based Defence PRO Lt-Col Biplab Nath. A total of 653 acres was handed over to the local populace during a ceremony held under “Crossed Swords Division” in the presence of Commander of an Infantry Brigade as well as civil dignitaries. The Army also organised a volleyball match as well as a demonstration of the modern equipment, which had been utilised for de-mining the land. Brigade Commander Brig Ramesh Chibber expressed his appreciation for the work done for de-mining the forward area. He said the Army would continue to undertake people friendly projects so as to live up to the ethos of people’s Army. Before the stand-off with Pakistan, intense shelling from Pakistan had uprooted more than 20,000 people from villages like Pargwal, Garh, Sant, Hamirpur and Chakla, along the border in Akhnoor subdivision. The people in these border villages had bore the maximum brunt of 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. On February 16 this year, the Army, in a similar gesture, had de-mined 89 acres of land in Shamwan village of the Akhnoor sector before handing it over to the local population. |
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Army shaping career of youths
Jammu, May 10 Avinash Kumar, Aditya Sharma, Ajay Kumar and Vinay Kumar, after having received training at the Northern Command’s HRDC, were selected at the Services Selection Board (SSB). Building on the success and seeing an overwhelming response from the youth, another such programme was started from May 3 at the HRDC, Udhampur, wherein 12 girls and 29 boys are being trained. All candidates are bubbling with confidence while being trained by the Army faculty. This coaching programme, a brainchild of Lt-Gen BS Jaswal, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, is aimed at developing the potential of the youth, especially those who belonged to the under-privileged strata and remote areas of the state, who were seeking a career in the defence forces as commissioned officers, said Defence Ministry’s Northern Command PRO Col DK Kachari. The training was also intended to hone their reasoning and intellectual abilities while raising their confidence to compete in various career exams and interviews among the best in the country, he said. The course has been designed by Col Anand Swaroop of the Northern Command headquarters along with a faculty of dedicated and experienced Army instructors and psychologists. The Army is also providing free boarding and lodging facilities. In a specially organised function at the HRDC, Lt-Gen Jasbir Singh, Chief of Staff, Northern Command, felicitated the successful candidates. He said no one could stop them from attaining success if they worked hard single-minded. |
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Bodies not found
Jammu, May 10 A senior police officer said the rescue operation was launched this morning after two youths namely Jagdev Singh, 24, of Rainka village in Chenani and Vijay Singh of Chenani were drowned in the lake yesterday afternoon. He said the mishap took place when the duo was taking bath in the lake and they did not know how to swim. SHO, Mansar police post, Atul Singh said, “Efforts are on to recover the bodies.” |
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Don’t compare Kasab with Afzal: Farooq
Jammu, May 10 However, he felt that Kasab still had the recourse to move Supreme Court and can also file a mercy petition before President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil. He said, we should allow the law to take its course. On former Pakistani President General Musharraf’s recent utterances vis-à-vis plebiscite in Kashmir in a conference attended by Farooq as well, the latter said the dispute should be resolved as per the wishes
of the people. At the same time we should not bother about separatists that whether they will agree or disagree because we are looking upon the issue in consonance with what majority of the people think, he added. Reacting sharply to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s suggestion on Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) officers, Farooq described it as negative thinking
of the leader. “Though it’s the prerogative of the Chief Minister to decide, I think he (Omar) would not entertain such a suggestion,” he said, adding that IAS cadre officers, who have a wider vision and are more experienced, can prove beneficial for the development and progress
of the state. If Mehbooba wants KAS cadre officers in the state then what she has to say about four Kashmiri boys, who recently made it to the IAS list, he quipped. |
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SAD (A) appeal on Fateh Divas
Jammu, May 10 In a statement, state president of SAD (A) Harmohinder Singh impressed upon party members to take part in procession under the leadership of president of the J&K State Gurdawara Prabandhak Board, TS Wazir. He asked the party workers and followers to reach Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab to commemorate the tercentenary of Fateh Divas. He expressed his anguish over the reported destruction of the Army operation records concerning the 1971 war and urged the Government of India to give an explanation over the issue. |
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Three shot dead over poultry farm’s smell
Ramgarh (Vijaypur), May 10 The accused, Rajinder Singh, a 70-year-old retired Subedar, who was upset over the constant smell from the poultry farm, allegedly fired eight bullets from his .12 bore gun and killed his distant relative Gian Singh, 75, who ran the poultry farm, and his two nephews. Rajinder was arrested. SSP, Samba, Raghbir Singh said, “A murder of such kind has taken place after almost five years. The accused has been arrested and a team is investigating the matter.” Gurinder Singh, a village resident, told The Tribune that it was an old dispute between the two families and Rajinder had earlier tried to kill the poultry farm owners about six months ago. However, the matter was resolved with the efforts of some prominent residents of the village. He further said around 8 am today, when Prahlad Singh and Arjun Singh, brothers and aged 42 and 40, respectively, came to the poultry farm, Rajinder, who lives nearby, had heated arguments with them and he suddenly fired three bullets on Prahlad, who died on the spot. When Arjun Singh, younger brother of Prahlad, came to his aid, Rajinder also killed him. Their paternal uncle (Taya) Gian Singh, who heard the gunshots and ran towards the accused, was also shot dead. On hearing the noise of bullets, villagers gathered and called the police. Gian Singh was immediately taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, where he died. Meanwhile, after getting the information, a police party headed by ASP Sanjay Kotwal reached the village and arrested Rajinder and seized his rifle. A case of murder has been registered. Prahlad is survived by his wife and two little sons while his younger brother Arjun is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. They were five brothers and lived in one house as a joint family. |
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Gujjars ask Rahul Gandhi not to attend conference
Srinagar, May 10 In a letter signed by Gujjar leaders, the forum said it was an “extremely contentious conference” aimed at pressing the government for giving Pahari-speaking people the Schedule Tribe status, which would dilute the tribal status of nomadic communities, including the Gujjars. They said they would oppose any such move. The forum also sent a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi submitting that some people were trying to get the ST status in the name of western Pahari so that they could secure certain benefits given to the “ tribal and nomadic” people only. |
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Rising fire incidents give dept sleepless nights
Jammu, May 10 Constant traffic jams and haphazard parking of vehicles on main roads have been acting as a major obstacle for the department to perform its duties smoothly and effectively, particularly in old Jammu city. As per the records, in 2008, the number of fire incidents registered by the department in Jammu district was 1,470, in which 98 persons lost their lives and around 240 persons were injured. The number of fire incidents increased in 2009 to 2,022 in which around 169 persons were killed and around 303 persons were injured. Similarly, in 2010, the department has already registered 2,440 fire incidents so far, that occurred in Jammu, Kathua and Samba. The department has around 350 workers who are on their toes to grapple with any untoward incident. Besides other essential equipment, the department has around 32 fire engines, 15 Japanese and German made pumps, one Advance Rescue Tender (ART) and one Emergency Rescue Tender (ERT) to deal with any untoward incident. While talking to The Tribune, Deputy Director, Fire and Emergency Services Department, Mohammad Ashraf said constant traffic jams on main roads act as a major obstacle in the plying of fire tenders during any operation. The Deputy Director said, “Sometimes fire tenders reach their destination late due to traffic jam. Thus, the traffic department should ensure that there are no obstructions due to
vehicles.” Ashraf further said the department faced a lot of problems in dealing with fire incidents in the old city because of narrow lanes in that area. “It becomes almost impossible for us to pass through congested narrow lanes of Kanak Mandi, Mubarak Mandi and the Residency Road when some untoward incident takes place there,” said the Deputy Director. He added that haphazard parking on roadsides further increased the difficulties of the department in performing its duties
effectively. Meanwhile, the Deputy Director appealed to the people not to misuse free call service of 101 due to which actual caller fails to avail the service of the department. |
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Gautam Sen visits Project Apple’s site
Jammu, May 10 The project involves dedicated supply of power from the state grid to portions of the Line of Control (LoC) fencing in an economic and efficient manner. The Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department and White Knight Corps Engineers have executed the project in a very coordinated manner over a short period of three months from January to March this month at a cost of Rs 5 crore. There is a possibility in future that the local population may benefit from the transmission network provided by the state government, which facilitates the laying
of low tension distribution networks and power which is available for the Army’s needs. |
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Chief Minister Omar Abdullah felicitated IAS topper Dr Shah Faesal in the Civil Secretariat here this morning. The Chief Minister made it his first meeting in his office chambers after visiting various departments in the Civil Secretariat.
Srinagar, May 10
Jammu, May 10
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, today said there was no need to draw a parallel between the sole surviving terrorist of 26/11 Mumbai massacre, Ajmal
Kasab, and the mastermind of Parliament attack,
Afzal Guru. “The court order should be implemented in case of Kasab as he was responsible for mass destruction and loss of innocent lives,” said Farooq while responding to media queries after attending finals of the late Ashok Sodhi Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament, here.
