|
|
|
|
|
Centre unveils Rs
10,000 crore road projects for state
Doda college yet to introduce commerce
Ice-hockey a rage with Drass youth
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Function cancelled due to bad weather
Board lacks powers to penalise defaulters
More confidence-building measures needed: Mufti
Businessman shot dead in Sopore
Vijay Divas celebrations begin in Drass
Coaching for KAS aspirants at Jammu varsity
Hurriyat delegation to meet Pak Foreign Minister
Army jawan held for ‘misbehaving’ with girl
20% students pass Class XII (private) exams
11 power stations proposed
for Jammu border areas
Ask Pak for overflight of Srinagar-Dubai plane: Omar
Delay in Central varsity’s functioning
|
|
Centre unveils Rs
10,000 crore road projects for state
Srinagar, July 25
The Banihal tunnel, part of the Rs 1,987 crore Quazigund-Banihal project on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, is one of the largest road tunnels in India and the first of its kind to be taken up on the public-private-partnership mode. The tunnel on completion will make the highway, which remains closed for over 40 days in a year due to snowfall, an all-weather road. It will also reduce the distance between Banihal and Srinagar by 16 km, besides giving a boost to the trade in the region. The tunnel will also have an emergency lane and a provision for emergency cross passages, besides proper ventilation. Besides the 8.45-km tunnel, a 0.69-km tunnel will also be built there. “This proposed improvement of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore will benefit a large number of road users and will save travel time and fuel,” Joshi said, urging developers and stakeholders to complete it ahead of the scheduled five years’s span. The function was also attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, among others. Joshi said his ministry had undertaken the widening of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway under the National Highway Development Project phase-II. Four of the mega projects - Jammu-Udhampur, Chenani-Nashri, Quazigund-Banihal and Srinagar-Banihal had been awarded on the build operate transfer (BOT) basis. Two more projects - Udhampur-Ramban and Ramban-Banihal -- would be awarded shortly, Joshi said. “After the completion of the project, the distance from Jammu to Srinagar will be shortened by 50 km. The present travelling time of 8-10 hours will be reduced to 4-5 hours,” he said. He also assured the state government of the upgrade of two of its vital state highways, including Pahalgam, to national highway, besides undertaking road projects in the state on priority. Omar requested the Centre to take up projects on priority in the state saying many of them remained cut off from rest of the country for six months in a year due to snowfall. He demanded the building of more tunnels for an easy flow of traffic. Besides the Banihal tunnel, another 9-km tunnel will be built at Patnitop under the Rs 2,519 crore Chenani-Nashri road project. The project to be built in five years holds significance as Chenani-Nashri is the only road connecting Srinagar with Jammu and the rest of India. Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Chief Minister highlighted the need for providing ample opportunities of work to the youth in the Central projects under implementation in the state. He said the youth of the state were second to none in talent, qualification and capability. “They only require opportunities to prove their mettle,” he stressed. He said the tunnels at Gurez, Karnah, Zojila, Chattroo, Mughal road and Kapran are of urgent need.
|
|
Doda college yet to introduce commerce
Doda, July 25 “The failure to introduce these subjects at the college level despite repeated demands shows the indifference on the part of the higher education authorities towards the careers of students,” alleged Faizan Ali Tramboo, president of the Doda Students Welfare Organisation (DSWO). Every year, students pass Class XII with commerce as a major subject, but they have no option but to take other subjects. A small number of the students can afford to join colleges at Bhadarwah, Jammu or other places to study commerce as a subject, but the majority of them, given their poor economic background, have to either give up studies or study other subjects. “I passed Class XII with commerce from Government Higher Secondary School, Doda, but due to the non-availability of commerce as a subject at the GDC, Doda, I had to join the arts stream as the financial condition of my family did not allow me to take admission to any college outside Doda,” rued Irshad Ahmed Sheikh, a BA-II student of the GDC, Doda. The Principal of GDC, Doda, SP Sharma, blames inadequate infrastructure for the situation. “This, however, does not mean that we are averse to teaching these subjects in our college. We submitted a plan to the Department of Higher Education in April this year for additional classrooms for the purpose, as this is the condition of the university authorities for introducing new subjects. We are trying our best to get the plan approved,” said Sharma. Sharma said more than 200 students from Doda town and other parts of the district return disappointed every year due to the non-availability of both subjects at the college. “This number is bound to increase due to growing awareness about the usefulness of commerce as a career option. One fails to understand why the higher education authorities are sitting on the infrastructure plan submitted by the college,” remarked a faculty member.
|
|
Ice-hockey a rage with Drass youth
Drass, July 25 According to locals, ice-hockey came to the town about four years ago. The enthusiasm of the locals for this sport can be judged from the fact that in a span of four years, one of them, Mohammad Iqbal, acquired the skill to participate in tournaments in Dubai last year. Though Iqbal, a driver by profession, was away, the locals said he was one of the ice-hockey players from Kargil district who had made it to the national level. Mohammad Kazam, a physical education teacher, said, “During the winter, children and youth are regular with ice-hockey. A new rink has now come up at Bimbet, near the town, built in collaboration with the Army. What is encouraging is that even young girls are taking to ice-hockey, another social phenomenon in the largely-conservative Muslim-dominated area.” “In the winter, we had coaches from the US and Germany, who held a 10-day training camp here,” Kazam said. “Many foreigners come to Leh for the winter sports and we are able to requisition their services. We are planning another camp by foreign coaches this winter,” he added. About 50 children had attended the camp. Drass town, which was heavily shelled by the Pakistan artillery before and during the Kargil war, has about 1,500 residents, with 18 other villages around it making up a population of about 12,000. It lies between Srinagar and Kargil, directly below the famed Tiger Hill. For the first time, an ice-hockey tournament was organsied in Drass, called the Drass Warriors Cup, earlier this year, in which 10 teams participated. This is expected to become a regular affair. How the sport came to Drass is not very clear. Some say that it was started after some locals saw it in Leh. Others say the locals serving in the Army, who had exposure to such sports, introduced it to the town residents. Initially, before the rink was built, people used to play on the river bank when the water froze during the winter. The craze for ice-hockey, notwithstanding, some problems remain, the most prominent of which is equipment. “The equipment, including shoes, blades and sticks, is quite expensive,” Karim, a student said. “Most of our equipment is purchased second-hand by persons going to Leh, or obtained through the Army or government agencies under Operation Sadbhavana or other welfare schemes,” he added. Ice-hockey is the second popular sport in Drass, the other being polo. Polo was the traditional game of the region, played on locally-bred ponies. It fizzled out in 1986 and was revived with the Army’s help after the Kargil war. “Drass now boasts of 25 teams, with players taking to their mounts daily during the summer,” Hafizullah, a local pharmacist, said. “The players and their mounts serve the dual purpose of providing logistic support to the Army as well as sports and entertainment to the locals,” he added. He said the slopes around Drass had immense potential for skiing and heli-skiing. “The locals go in for skiing with the Army at Kargil Battle School, but not much beyond that due to the lack of equipment and training. Many children use plastic pipes as skies,” he added. |
|
Function cancelled due to bad weather
Udhampur, July 25 Besides Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways CP Joshi, who was the chief guest, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah were scheduled to lay the foundation stone. About an hour before the scheduled time, the Project Director, NHAI, announced the cancellation of the function as the weather conditions were not suitable for the landing of the chopper carrying the ministers. This caused disappointment among a large number of the people of the area, including sarpanches, panches, workers of the Congress and the NC, who had made to the function despite heavy rain and mist. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand; MLA, Chenani, Krishan Chander Bhagat; MLA, Ramban, Ashok Kumar; Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan; SSP, Udhampur, Shakeel Ahmed Beig were also present. The NHAI authorities as well as the district administration had made all the arrangements, besides an elaborate deployment of the security forces for the function despite bad weather. |
||
|
Board lacks powers to penalise defaulters
Jammu, July 25 Rapid deforestation is mainly responsible for the rise in noise pollution in the state. A large number of trees have been axed for road widening. The increasing number of vehicles is also contributing to the rising noise pollution level. Even doctors say the increasing noise level in public places due to industrial and construction activities, generator sets, loudspeakers, music systems, blowing of horns and other mechanical devices affects the health of people. The Chairman of the State Pollution Control Board, Lal Chand, said the board had no powers to keep a check on noise pollution. “Yes, there is no authority to keep a check on noise pollution. However, the necessary groundwork has been done and the Noise Pollution Control Authority will be established soon.” Lal Chand added that, “We have submitted papers at the Civil Secretariat, seeking the delegation of powers to deputy commissioners concerned so that they could act against defaulters (those who create noise pollution) in their respective areas.” He said they had set the standard noise level and that too in the urban areas.
|
|
More confidence-building measures needed: Mufti
Srinagar, July 25 “A few concerted steps should be taken in the coming conference of the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan to expand the process of cross-LoC cooperation and take the peace process to its logical conclusion,” he said. He hoped that the conference would be a result-oriented exercise as peace in the region was in the interest of both countries. Reiterating his stand that dialogue was the only way to restore lasting peace in the sub-continent, the Mufti stressed on more confidence-building measures for accelerating the peace process, which had been pioneered by the PDP. He condemned the continued crackdown on the youth of the state. He urged the government to realise the setback its wrong policies and its intolerance of dissent were causing to the state. “The people of Kashmir are not mad or driven by fanaticism that the government refuses to understand the reason for their anger,” he said, adding that the people here fully cooperated with the previous government in bringing back normalcy. He said he had received reports that several boys had been rounded up in Srinagar and other areas of the Valley since yesterday to sustain the government’s “peaceful summer” obsession.
|
|
|
Businessman shot dead in Sopore
Srinagar, July 25 The police here said “unknown militants” fired at the businessman, killing him on the spot in the Kralteng locality of Sopore. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has questioned the silence of “irate voices” over Wani’s killing, covertly pointing a finger at the separatists and human rights activists. “A young man was shot dead in Sopore yesterday for no apparent fault of his,” Omar wrote on his tweet. “Where the hell are all the irate voices? Bloody hypocrites,” he commented on his tweet. “Mohsin was a businessman, doing business in Sopore,” Omar stated on the Twitter later today. He added that Mohsin, 35, was “shot by militants last night. No wonder my TL (Twitter Line) is silent as it wasn’t by Army, police,” he added. Meanwhile, the hardline APHC led by Syed Ali Geelani has expressed concern over the arrest of religious leader Qazi Yasir and his detention under the Public Safety Act for the fourth time. Terming it as state terrorism, Geelani also expressed concern over the continued detention of other separatist leaders. Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti visited Wani’s family today and expressed her condolences to it. Condemning the killing, she urged the government to provide a package to the destitute family, which had lost its lone bread winner. Mehbooba recommended a government job for Wani’s young widow. She said it was due to the failure of the state government to provide security to its people that an increasing number of people were falling prey to violence. This phenomenon, she said, was adding to the tales of tragedy in the state. Mehbooba said Sopore was in particular a victim of all kinds of violence and it required special attention.
|
|
Vijay Divas celebrations begin in Drass
Drass, July 25 A presentation, marking the beginning of the two-day fiesta was held at the Umpa La ridge, which provides a panoramic view to most of the battlefields around Drass town, 150 km from Srinagar, where Indian and Pakistan forces fought each other in rough terrain and extreme conditions. The Umpa La ridge, at an altitude of 11,500 meters from the sea level, overlooks the Drass town and the National Highway 1-D. The ridge also provides a clear view of Mushkok valley, Tiger Hill, Three Pimples, Tololing range, Tololing top and other crucial peaks where Indian soldiers died battling the Pakistan forces, who had acquired the vantage points on the mountain tops. The presentation was witnessed by officers and soldiers, who are currently posted at Drass and by officers and soldiers, who were part of the Army during the war, who were drawn from the Northern Light Infantry, the elite commando unit Special Services Group and fighters from the militants groups. Relatives of slain Army officers and soldiers also attended the presentation ceremony. A two-minute silence was also observed by the participants to pay tributes to the officers and soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the battle. — PTI
|
|
|
Coaching for KAS aspirants at Jammu varsity
Jammu, July 25 The coaching programme for the KAS (preliminary) examination is aimed at strengthening the students of the SC, ST and minority communities so that they could qualify for the KAS-2011. The coaching unit of the department has been providing free coaching to the students of the minority communities under the guidance of its Director, Dr Poonam Dhawan. Dr Dhawan stressed the importance of coaching programmes and shared During an interactive session, Dr Sarir Ahmad, an KAS officer, shared the road map to success and gave the students tips to clear the KAS examination. The participants appreciated the information provided to them.
|
|
|
Hurriyat delegation to meet Pak Foreign Minister
Srinagar, July 25 The delegation,
according to a spokesman for the APHC, is scheduled to discuss all the
issues related to the Kashmir problem for an amicable solution. Any move
between India and Pakistan without the involvement of the people of
Jammu and Kashmir would not yield any results, a meeting of the Hurriyat
leaders observed, the spokesman said. The Hurriyat leaders would take
up all the issues during their meeting with the minister, the spokesman
said after an executive council meeting held here today. Others who
attended the meeting included Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Agha Syed
Hassan, Abdullah Taari and Mukhtar Ahmad. |
|
|
Army jawan held for ‘misbehaving’ with girl
Srinagar, July 25 According to the police, a student of Class IX at Government High School, Wanigam, alleged that an Army jawan misbehaved with her while she was on the way to her school this morning. Some passersby also reached the spot when the girl raised the alarm. Meanwhile, the police also arrived there and arrested the jawan of the 2RR, who is at present enrolled in a Battle Field Nursing Assistant Course at the 319-Field Hospital Wanigam, Pattan. On an assurance by senior police officers that a legal action would be initiated against the jawan, the protesters relented and lifted the blockade. A case was also registered in this regard. The investigation has started and the statements of the girl and some witnesses have been recorded. The girl was taken to the Judicial Magistrate (Sub-Judge), Pattan, and her statement under Section 164 of the CrPC was recorded, the police said. Meanwhile, a defence spokesman, Lt-Col JS Brar, regretted the incident saying the strictest of punishment would be given to the jawan, if proved guilty.
|
|
|
20% students pass Class XII (private) exams
Jammu, July 25 Of the total 38,086 students, who appeared in the Class XII exam, 7,601 were declared pass while the remaining students either failed or got re-appear. However, girls outshone boys with a pass percentage of 20.52. The pass percentage of boys was 16.39. Only one student got distinction while the overall pass percentage was 20, a senior official of the education board said. Talking to The Tribune over the phone, Dr Javed Iqbal Khatib, joint secretary, Secrecy (Jammu division), of the education board, said the examination process had concluded on June 9 and the results were declared within 46 days. “The pass percentage was similar to the last year,” Khatib said. Asked about the topper’s name, he said, “We have not received the topper’s details. The students were desperate about the results to get admission to colleges and hence we declared the results today.” MS Baloria, secretary of the education board and in-charge of the college admission committee, said, “Yes, the results have come a few days after the academic session started in the colleges, but these students need not worry as the university authorities will issue a fresh notification in this regard. All the students will be accommodated in various colleges.” Asked whether these students would be able to get admission to all the courses, Baloria said, “They may face some difficulties.” However, he failed to give a satisfactory reply. Another education board official said of 7,601 students, who passed the examination, 140 got the first division, 1,858 second and 5,368 students got the third division. However, the results of 70 students, who were caught using unfair means during the exam, were withheld.
|
|
|
11 power stations proposed
for Jammu border areas
Jammu, July 25 While interacting with a deputation of residents of the border areas of Bishnah tehsil yesterday, Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmed Khan said they had proposed a plan to improve the power supply to the tehsil. Responding to the demands of the deputation, Shabir said the coalition government was keen on improving social infrastructure to ensure better power, water, education and other services to the people of the state. He said, “Eleven power receiving grid stations are being set up at various places to facilitate the farmers, who need uninterrupted power supply to operate hand pumps for irrigation purposes. Shabir said, “The border areas of Jammu are a major producer of paddy and they need adequate power to increase production.” Superintending Engineer, PDD, Jammu, SK Puri, Executive Engineer Gurbaksh Singh and many newly-elected sarpanches and panches were present on the occasion. |
|
|
Ask Pak for overflight of Srinagar-Dubai plane: Omar
Srinagar, July 25 “This is an important matter for the people of the state as it directly relates to the promotion of tourism,” said Omar. He told Union Ministers CP Joshi, Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad to convey the message to the Central government from the people of the state. Omar was speaking on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Qazigund-Banihal tunnel today.
|
|
|
Delay in Central varsity’s functioning
Jammu, July 25 Led by the JPPF convener, Justice Paviter Singh (retd), the forum leaders comprising Rajput Sabha president Narayan Singh Jamwal, All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association president Inderjeet Khajuria and advocate Ramesh Arora started the relay fast. They reiterated their vow to take the agitation to the tehsil and block levels if the government failed to start the Central varsity immediately. The leaders also demanded that an academician of competence from the Jammu region be appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the Central university without further delay. Speaking on the occasion, Justice Paviter Singh (retd) expressed regrets over the lackadaisical approach of the government towards the varsity. “If no immediate steps are taken to appoint a competent Vice-Chancellor, we will intensify our agitation,” he warned.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
For a remote Himalayan hamlet that remains snowbound for six months in a year, it has taken centuries to take up a winter sport that has now become a rage with the locals.
The Army today began the two-day celebrations of the 12th anniversary of its victory in the 1999 Kargil war in the sub-sector of Jammu and Kashmir.A presentation, marking the beginning of the two-day fiesta was held at the Umpa La ridge, which provides a panoramic view to most of the battlefields around Drass town, 150 km from
Srinagar.
“The UPA government is committed to the rapid development of Jammu and Kashmir. The government has taken up road and rail projects worth Rs 30,000 crore. This will be boost the state’s economy as it will promote trade and tourism here,” Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways CP Joshi said while laying the foundation stone of 8.45-km tunnel between Quazigund and Banihal.