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Quackery thrives in Jammu
Kashmiri Pandits seek control of temples
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Small wonder: Meet author @ 14
Intellectual forum condemns protest against ‘Aarakshan’
Accelerate conservation of Dal Lake: Dy CM
Tribal Forum demands relief for nomads
JAMMU DIARY
Play staged to mark I-Day
Islamic scholar to deliver lecture
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Quackery thrives in Jammu
Jammu, August 16 Presently, a number of quacks are practising in the city and that too on the busy roads, yet hardly any action has been taken against them. These quacks promise to cure all kinds of diseases with an assurance that their “miracle” herbs would cure the ailment, a commitment which most of the times remains unfulfilled. A large number of quacks can be found in various localities of the city. They not only befool naïve and gullible people but also violate the law. Though the administration has launched a drive several times to check the growing menace, it dies with the passage of time, resulting in the mushrooming of the illegal practice. The law refrains them (quacks) from doing so, but it seems that the shortage of staff has been proving a major hurdle before the authorities. Doctors are also in the favour of stopping this illegal practice, which increases the risk of the disease. “Various organisations have approached the authorities asking them to find a solution to this problem, but the menace is growing as no permanent solution could be found as yet,” says a doctor. He adds that the authorities should immediately take some harsh steps so that innocent patients could be saved from exploitation. However, officials of the Health Department say they are doing their duty and the noose would be tightened around the quacks in a short period. Dr TK Moza, deputy director, health services (Jammu), says, “The practice is illegal and the department is keen to curb it. We have already started a campaign against it on the television. In the next step, we will start conducting raids and penalise those found guilty.” Dr Moza further says the people must also support the department. “Public should be aware of these quacks and if they come across any such person, they should inform us, we will surely take action against violators,” he adds. |
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Kashmiri Pandits seek control of temples
Jammu, August 16 The resolution was passed during a global teleconference of the community leaders held recently. Over 1,000 participants from different countries and representing various social and political parties took part in the conference, which was the first-of-its-kind. Reminding all concerned parties that Kashmiri Pandits are the original inhabitants of Kashmir, the Diaspora called upon the state government and the majority community in Kashmir to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the miniscule Kashmiri Pandits have full economic opportunity, physical security, freedom to pursue their way of life and enjoy full rights guaranteed to them by the Indian constitution. The conference regretted that even after over 20 years of their forced migration, the rights and needs of KP migrants continue to be stonewalled by the governments concerned who are complicit in the extinction of the community. The resolution further asked the Centre to initiate an official commission of enquiry and work closely with the FBI to probe into the linkages of lobbyist Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Kashmiri separatist leaders and Pakistan’s ISI, within Kashmir. Fai, an executive director of the Kashmiri American Council and the Kashmir Centre in Virginia, was recently arrested by the US intelligence agency on charges of being an agent of the ISI in the US. Referring to the submission of the proposed report of three interlocutors on Kashmir, the community leaders felt that the litmus test for any political settlement will be the return of displaced Pandits to their homes in the Valley with safety and dignity. Some of the prominent KP leaders who took part in the teleconference included Moti Kaul, president, All-India Kashmiri Samaj; TN Razdan, president, Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch, Jammu; Kamal Hak and Veerji Wangnoo of Panun Kashmir, Dr Jagan Kaul, chairman, Diversity, US; Jeevan Zutshi, chairman, International Kashmir Federation, US; Ashok Kaul, president, Indo-Canadian Kashmir Forum, Canada; Krishna Bhan, president, Indo-European Kashmir Forum, London. |
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Small wonder: Meet author @ 14
Jalandhar, August 16 Son of Colonel KS Grewal, Commanding Officer of 14 Sikh Light Infantry at Jalandhar, the writing bug bit Vikram when he was 9-years-old. “I was obsessed with Superman and Batman and had read a lot of comic books about their heroics so I exploited my own creative instincts to make the best of my heroes,” says he. Vikarm’s superhero comic strips were a hit with friends who bought them for Rs 1 to 2. Still in his early teens, Vikram has an insight in politics and a sense of irony rare for a kid of his age. His first book ‘The Initiative’ talks about Jod Oscar Dreadwood, a minister at heaven, who selects five people from earth - the biggest losers. Where does his inspiration come from? “Books like ‘The Social Evils’ and my favourite actor Amir Khan,” Vikram quips. In his little book of poems - My little Thoughts - which came out on March 1 this year, Vikram talks about everything from a life of inactivity in front of the computer - Curse of the Devil’s (computer) Screen, to a plea to save the tigers and also the Mumbai Attacks (2008). Talking about his peers at school, Vikram says, “Yes it’s a bit difficult to cope up with them. I am different. Especially after the release of my books, they are usually telling me I have changed. I disagree.” Presently studying at KC Public School, Jammu, Vikram’s upcoming book ‘The Eye of An Indian Observer’ is about the reactions of a common man in India to the politics in the country and its comparisons with things happening abroad. Vikram plans to become an IAS officer. While he presently researches Nehru’s Glimpses of World History, he plans to research many other books in the future. |
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Rs 1.5 cr to light up Srinagar roads
Srinagar, August 16 Gul along with a team of senior officers of various departments recently conducted an extensive tour of some areas of Shahar-i-Khas and inspected ongoing developmental works being executed by various departments. According to an official spokesman, the Advisor directed the chief engineer R&B to remove those houses immediately which were hampering the widening of road passing through Urdu Bazar, Fatehkadal, Safakakadal and Nawakadal, for which compensation of Rs 10 crore had already been paid to the house owners. He inspected the under-construction footpath near Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Nawakadal, and directed the concerned authorities to complete it within 15 days. While inspecting the Mehboob-ul-Aalam Community Hall and Reading Room at Mohallah Gasiyaar, the Advisor directed the Chief Planning Officer, Srinagar, to prepare a Detailed Project Report to upgrade this community hall. Gul said Rs 1.5 crore had been earmarked for the installation of street lights in Srinagar City. He directed the authorities of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to take up the project for installation of street lights immediately. The Advisor also inaugurated sanitation unit at Eidgah Park which was constructed in a record period by Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) at an estimated cost of Rs 17.02 lakh. Interacting with various individuals and deputations en route, Gul said exemplary development initiatives had been taken and focused attention was being paid to develop those areas which had been neglected earlier. Earlier, the Advisor convened a meeting of senior officers to take stock of facilities being provided to the people of the Valley in the holy month of Ramzan. He stressed upon the officers of the Power Development Department to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the people during the holy month. |
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Intellectual forum condemns protest against ‘Aarakshan’
Udhampur, August 16 In a meeting organised here yesterday under the chairmanship of Anil Pabla and Parvesh Parihar, members of the forum claimed the film portrayed the social and economic reality of the society, which emerged due to the reservation policy of the successive governments at the Centre. The members urged those protesting against the movie to first watch it and then form an opinion about its content. The protest was the handiwork of vested political interests, who were trying to exploit every conceivable situation for vote bank politics, they said. A member of the forum, Sarita Devi, said the film was a vivid presentation of truth, which could be debated either in favour or against. It showed that a particular section of society enjoyed the benefits of reservation in educational institutions while others were deprived of it. Another member, Ishan Dogra, commented that vandalism against “Aarakshan” must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. |
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Accelerate conservation of Dal Lake: Dy CM
Srinagar, August 16 The Deputy Chief Minister expressed concern over the slow progress of landscaping and earth filling works at Rakh-i-Aarth, directing the authorities to speed up the execution of rehabilitation project. In order to ensure quality execution of the project, the Deputy Chief Minister called for its third party evaluation and monitoring. This, he said, would also ensure the completion of the project on time. The meeting was informed that 16 lakh saplings were being planted over 1,500 hectares of land in the catchment area of the Dal Lake to prevent soil erosion, out of which 1,181 hectares land had been covered with the planting of 13 lakh saplings so far. This project had been started in 2,000 and a whooping amount of Rs 23 crore was being spent on it. It was also given out in the meeting that with the people’s participation, LAWDA established crop demonstration plot with crash crops of Bulgarian Roses and Lavender for the conservation of degraded area of the Dal and Nigeen lakes. The meeting was informed that the sewerage treatment plant of Nallah Ambir Khan would be commissioned in September, while STP Brari Nambal would be commissioned in December. The meeting was informed that out of the total 3000 kanals of land, earth filling had been completed on 1,814 kanals so far, while work on the remaining 1,000 kanals was in full swung. Tara Chand directed the LWDA authorities to consult the chief town planner for increasing the size of plots from five marlas to seven marlas at Rakh-i-Aarth. Principal secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Suresh Kumar, vice-chairman, LAWDA, Irfan Yasin Shah, chief town planner, Iftikhar Ahmad, and other senior officers were present in the meeting. |
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Tribal Forum demands relief for nomads
Jammu, August 16 While demanding adequate compensation and relief for the affected nomadic families, Roshan Din Choudhary, chief of the forum, said so far no minister, legislator or senior official had been deputed by the government to take stock of the situation in the areas where nomads were dwelling in kullas (makeshift hutments) or putting up in the open with cattle and belongings. He added that the state government should be prepared for such natural calamities and disasters to initiate immediate rehabilitation of the affected families. In a press statement issued here recently, Dr Zabeer Ahmed Bajjar, general secretary of the forum, disclosed that a team of the JKTUF comprising advocate MI Khan, Shah Mohammad, Tanwir Ahmed, advocate Pervaiz Choudhary, Tanzir Khatana and Zaffer Choudhary visited a few places like Satwari, Bilol in Simbal and Kalali, RS Pura and conducted a survey of the losses suffered by the nomads. The survey revealed that in Satwari, six hutments of nomads were badly damaged while in Bilol and Simbal approximately 30 to 40 hutments along with household items were completely damaged or submerged in rainwater. In Kalali, RS Pura, 15 hutments and 21 buffaloes of tribals were washed away. Dr Bajjar urged the government to provide relief to nomads at the earliest and their rehabilitation must be done forthwith. |
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JAMMU DIARY
These vans carrying CCTV cameras, as per the police, have recently been introduced. These would be pressed into service to keep an extra vigil on suspicious movement in view of mega events, including religious festivals. Patriotic
fervour grips residents
On this Independence Day, where politicians and senior bureaucrats unfurled the Tricolour across the state, patriotic enthusiasm among the locals also ran high. People from all walks of life came together to celebrate the day. They hoisted the Tricolour and exchanged sweets. Children also took part in the celebrations and flew colourful kites. (Contributed by Ashutosh Sharma
and Archit Watts)
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Play staged to mark I-Day
Jammu, August 16 The play was staged with a strong support of backstage music. The cast
included Manoj Bhat, Inderjeet Singh, Qurat-ul-Ain, Vikram Rajwal, Ravi Dhar, Rahul, Ripu Daman Parihar, Gopal Verma and Vijay Malla. Ravi Raaz, a filmmaker was the chief guest on the occasion. In his keynote address, he appreciated the efforts of the theatre group and its production in creating social awareness among the masses. |
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Islamic scholar to deliver lecture
Srinagar, August 16 The theme of the lecture organised by Shah Hamdan Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir, would be “Towards Muslim Educational Excellence: the Epistemological and Quality Dimensions”. Harvard-read Prof Omar has worked extensively on epidemiology, ethics and muslim education. Prof AR Yousuf, Dean, Academics, would preside over the event and Prof S Fayaz Ahmad, Registrar, University of Kashmir, would be the chief guest on the occasion, said a spokesman for the university. He said Hameed Naseem Rafiabadi, head of Shah Hamdan Institute of Islamic Studies, had asked all the interested people to attend the lecture. |
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To ensure a peaceful Independence Day, the administration had put in place adequate security arrangement in Jammu city this week.
However, this time around video surveillance was also part of the security apparatus as police vans fitted with surveillance cameras atop were making rounds of the city (see photo) to avoid any untoward incident.
