|
|
|
|
Migrants live the hard way at Jagti
Farmers to get passbooks for landholdings
Shehar-e-Khas cricket tourney from next week
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J&K artists pay tributes to ‘Picasso of India’
Minister for joint efforts to promote Kashmiri language
jammu DIARY
Rural economy
J&K Bank wins award
|
|
Migrants live the hard way at Jagti
Jammu, September 20 After the construction of flats at Jagti under the Prime Minister’s rehabilitation package and its subsequent allotment to the migrants in February this year, the migrants living in these flats have a woeful tale to tell. Even during the peak summer season when the mercury soared to more than 40 degree Celsius, the residents faced power cuts for as long as 18 hours a day. The situation is the same even now, regretted Rakesh Kumar, a camp dweller. He said power cuts had been imposed following the refusal by a section of camp dwellers not to enter into an agreement with the department on certain conditions. As the department was demanding high power tarrif, migrants had expressed their reservations in view of their economic condition. This triggered the controversy and the department resorted to severe power cuts to harass even those who were ready to pay, said Rakesh. Most of the migrants complain that the structures raised by private agencies at Jagti township have either developed cracks or are having the problem of seepage even when it rains a little. “During the recent rainy reason, belongings of some migrants were destroyed due to leaking of roofs and gushing water into ground floors,” said Shamboo Nath, an octogenarian. He questioned if this was the concept of a modern township, then why were the migrants uprooted from camps, which offered similar facilities. Some migrant organisations are pleading for a probe into the construction of the flats as they apprehend the use of sub-standard material. Migrants also complain that the township lacks basic health care facilities. “There is no dispensary or medical shop in the vicinity and in emergency, it becomes difficult to shift the patient to a hospital in the absence of transport facilities,” regretted Pintoo Ji. He recalled a recent instance of snakebite when the condition of the patient deteriorated as no medical facility existed in the township to deal with such a situation. There is also no government school in the vicinity. Some of the schools, which were established for the migrant students 20 years ago, have still not been shifted to the township. The students are forced to take admission to private schools, said Sonu Raina, a student. The township also lacks security. “It is a matter of concern that since all migrants are now putting up at one place, some anti-national elements could take the advantage of such a situation,” the migrants feared. The migrants said all they needed were basic amenities. The authorities should have no reason to deny us these facilities, they said. An official of the Relief and Rehabilitation Department said the Jagti township was equipped with most of the facilities. He admitted some instances wherein migrants had been facing hardships but termed them as “teething problems”. Regarding the use of sub-standard material in the construction of flats, the official remarked that some of the organisations of the migrants were politicising the issue for their vested interests.
|
||
|
Farmers to get passbooks for landholdings
Jammu, September 20 This was disclosed by Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla while addressing a gathering at Darhal in Rajouri. Bhalla said the process of issuing passbooks would take some time, but the government was committed to complete the process as early as possible. Due to the non-availability of computerised land record, complaints regarding illegal transfer of land continue to pour in. The decision of the government to provide passbooks to the farmers is expected to bring transparency in the Revenue Department as the passbooks would contain the entire record pertaining to land. Bhalla said the government was committed to provide people-friendly administration in every sector. “The government is endeavouring to create revenue infrastructure in every nook and corner of the state so that revenue-related issues of the people could be solved in their respective areas,” he said. The minister said the government was keen on constructing revenue complexes, including patwarkhanas, naibiats and tehsil buildings, revenue record rooms, offices of numberdars and chowkidars with all modern facilities in all districts. Regarding compensation to drought-hit families, Bhalla said the Central government had approved Rs 70 crore for relief to the victims. Instructions had been issued to district development commissioners to disburse the relief according to the norms, he said, adding that Rs 27 crore had already been disbursed so far. The minister said the government was committed to provide all basic amenities to the people. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the executing agencies of the ongoing projects under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) in their respective areas. The focus was on the development of the remote and far-off areas on modern lines, he said, adding that there was no constraint of funds. He said for the speedy development of villages, the Central government had launched the MGNREGA scheme for providing 100-day job to unemployed youth. He appealed the youth to avail the benefits of such schemes. For providing quality education and better infrastructure to the students, Bhalla said the Central government had allocated Rs 60 crore under the Rastriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for opening and upgrading high and higher secondary schools. Around 69 schools would be upgraded under the scheme across the state, he added. Bhalla said Rs 58 lakh would be spent on the construction of additional rooms while Rs 15 lakh would be spent on science laboratories in each newly upgraded high and higher secondary school across the state.
|
||
|
Shehar-e-Khas cricket tourney from next week
Srinagar, September 20 Speaking on the occasion, the Minister underlined the importance of sports in personality development and said various tournaments and sports festivals aim at the promotion of sports culture in Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister hailed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewal Energy Farooq Abdullah and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Ajay Maken for extending help in organising sports events in the state. He said the idea for organising KPL in the Valley was conceived by Farooq Abdulah which came to a successful conclusion. Chib said the Chief Minister was keen to promote the sports activities in the state by providing proper infrastructure to the youth, adding that under his leadership various steps had been taken to upgrade the existing sports infrastructure. |
||
|
J&K artists pay tributes to ‘Picasso of India’
Jammu, September 20 The exhibition, organised by the Kesar Art Circle in collaboration with the J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, will end tomorrow. While the exhibition showcases the work of artist like noted cartoonist of the state Manoj Chopra, the rest of the participating artists are amateur coming from different walks of life like students, university faculty, lawyers and professional bakers. The exhibition is a brainchild of Bhushan Kesar, who is a distinguished painter and director of the Kesar Art Circle. “The main objective behind this exhibition was to familiarise junior artists with MF Hussain, besides encouraging them by displaying their work for public viewing,” says Ankush Kesar, a noted artist and the son of Bhushan Kesar. “A great tribute to a great artist,” reads the first comment on the remark book. However, Mahesh Kaul, a scholar at the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Management, University of Jammu, feels otherwise, “MF Hussain is no icon to be emulated. The way he hurt Indian sensibilities by depicting Hindu Goddesses in nude speaks volumes of his mindset. If he had painted one wife of Prophet Mohammad in nude, the consequences would have been self-evident”. “Living in denial mode and worshipping wrong false artists reveal that we are inflicted by the sickness of slavery and defeatist mindset. Its time to tell the truth to youth otherwise we are creating a paradox in learning the art,” he adds. “It’s a gracious and noble effort to organise such an exhibition in honour and memory of MF Hussain. The artists of the Bhushan Art Centre and its mentor Bhushan Kesar are all entitled to fulsome praise for their thought and hard work to make the exhibition a success,” says Dr SS Bloeria, vice-chancellor, Central University, Jammu, who inaugurated the exhibition. Krishan Kumar Sharma, a journalist working with a Hindi daily, says: “The work of all the artists is remarkable. If the work displayed in the exhibition were based on the turbulent life of Hussain, it would have been even better”. “At a time when the Right to Freedom of Expression is under assault across the world, the initiative of Bhushan Kesar deserves all praise,” he adds. The participating artists included Sanjay Sharma, Bharti Malhotra, Latisha Balowria, Ashima Sharma, Megha Kesar, Mahua Gupta, Henna Syal, Mahima Raina, Ridhima Gupta, Sakshi Khullar, Meghal Nagpal, Shefali Bhagat, Sahil Ohri and Tanvee Gupta. Master of language of colours Vocal language has never been a medium of communication for Bhushan Kesar. He is hearing and speech impaired since childhood. Most of his subtle and silent feelings found a medium in colours when he took to painting many decades ago. Today, he is a proud master of language of colours and educates the same to more than 30 disciples at the Kesar Art Circle at the Jewal Chowk. Bhushan retired as printmaker from the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, Jammu. Till now, his work has been put on display across the reputed art galleries of the country, including Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, and Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. “With his deeper understanding of life and technical acumen of a painter, he has transformed his shortcoming into a special ability,” remarks art critique Rajinder Tiku.
|
||
|
Minister for joint efforts to promote Kashmiri language
Srinagar, September 20 Speaking at the valedictory function of the two-day 32nd annual conference of Adbi Markz Kamarz at the historic town of Chrari-Sharif in Badgam district recently, the Minister stressed on identifying Kashmiri talent, adding that need of the hour was to produce scholars and writers in Kashmiri to promote the language on a sustained basis. He said the government would favourably consider recommendations of the historic literary conference with regard to the promotion and conservation of Kashmiri language and heritage. He called for joint efforts to keep Kashmiri language, which has an authentic and rich back ground, alive. The conference concluded with the passing of three resolutions which include grant of classical language status to Kashmiri language without any delay, which already exists in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, introduction of Kashmiri as a compulsory subject in classes IX and X in educational institutions and the revival of the autonomous character to the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages. The three resolutions were passed unanimously. The conference also recommended the constitution of three working groups for perusing various dimension of Kashmiri language and literature. One working group to be headed by Aziz Hajini, president of Adbi Markat Kamraz, would pursue the resolution for the grant of classical languages status to Kashmiri. Eminent Kashmiri litterateurs MY Teng, Rehman Rahi and Brij Nath Betab would be the members of this working group. Another working group would pursue the resolution regarding the introduction of Kashmiri as a compulsory language in classes IX and X in educational institutions. Shujat Bukhari, general secretary of Adbi Markat Kamraz, would be the convener of this working group with Naseem Shafai, Ghulam Nabi Gowhar, Mashal Sultanpuri, Mohammad Zaman Azurda and Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani and Ajaz Ahmad Kakroo as its members. The third working group to be headed by Mohammd Amin Bhat would follow-up resolution for the revival of various cultural organisations in the state, Waheed Jeelani, Mohammad Zaman Azurda, Bashir Dada and Ayash Arif would be its members. The sixth session of the conference comprised an award ceremony in which literary awards were presented to various personalities and writers for their outstanding contribution and performance in the field of Kashmiri language and literature.The highest literary award Sharf-e-Kamraz was awarded to Mrs Naseem Shafai, the Khilate Hanfi Sopori Award was presented to Wali Mohammad Bhat Aseer, Talha Jehangeer and Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi Alsafvi. The Mohi-Ud-Din Hajini Gold medal was awarded to a student Waseem Ahmad for securing first position in MA in Kashmiri. During the conference, some books written in Kashmiri language by individuals and some cultural organisations were also released. These included magazine “Prava” published by Adbi Markaz Kamraz, “Partav” by Daira Adab Dalina, Baramulla, “Nagman Hund Sowgat” by Jaffar Kamran, “Tyuth Pazar” by Abdul Ahad Hajini and “Pomprin Gath” by Shahbaz
Rajourivi.
|
||
|
jammu DIARY
Media frenzy To inform the mediapersons about ongoing membership drive of the Youth Congress, a press conference was organised by the Congress party in which Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifud Din Soz was present. Keeping in view the controversy of resolution in the Assembly over clemency to Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, a large number of mediapersons turned up to attend the conference to get reaction of PCC chief. To make their presence felt and ‘covered’ at the venue, all Congress leaders tried to come in front of the camera. Congress leaders within no time picked up chairs arranged for the media and sat behind PCC chief. Before the beginning of conference, mediapersons were standing as their chairs were picked up by ‘over enthusiastic’ Congress leaders. (Contributed by
Archit Watts and Dinesh Manhotra)
|
||
|
Rural economy
Jammu, September 20 Minister of State for Rural Development Aijaz Ahmed Khan recently chaired a high-level meeting in which he directed the officials concerned to visit villages and make the people aware of the schemes launched by the government so that a maximum number of people could be benefitted. The government has decided to engage a large number of people in pisciculture and beekeeping. For this purpose, it has recently announced huge subsidies under these projects. Terming that there was a huge potential in fish farming, Aijaz said, “I have directed the field officers to make frequent visits in their respective areas and chalk out strategies to improve the condition of fish farms which are in a bad shape so that more people could be engaged and revenue could also be increased”. He said the officials concerned had also been directed to take up the issue of illegal extraction of stones and sand from water bodies to save these from environmental hazards. “Instructions have been issued to the officials to purchase livestock and engage labourers to enhance the productivity,” he added. Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department conducted awareness camps in a number of villages to make the farmers aware of various programmes and schemes in apiculture. A senior official said the government had started various schemes for the promotion of apiculture to encourage the farmers to adopt it. He impressed upon the farmers to adopt beekeeping as an additional vocation as agricultural land had been shrinking day by day which was a matter of great concern. “Fifty per cent subsidy is being provided to beekeepers for establishing a bee colony under the district plan,” he added.
|
||
|
J&K Bank wins award
Srinagar, September 20 The award is the recognition of the bank’s innovative approach towards business, both within and outside the state. Mushtaq Ahmad, chairman & CEO, J&K Bank, received the coveted trophy from Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at a function held in Mumbai recently. “The award is an inspiration for future and recognition of our past. It is the recognition of our innovative approach towards business,” said Mushtaq. Dedicating the award to all the stakeholders of the bank, Mushtaq said: “The award is the result of the hard work of our employees and the recognition of the trust and confidence of our customers, investors and all other stakeholders in the bank”. A spokesperson for the bank said it had undertaken a massive expansion plan and had set for itself an impressive business target of Rs 1 lakh crore and a net profit target of Rs 1,000 crore by financial year ending March 2013, which coincides with the platinum jubilee year.
|
|
||
| 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 | |
Though the traffic police has recently spent a huge amount of money to install signboards across the city depicting “Bus Stops” to streamline the traffic, yet the public seems to be in no mood to leave any space without encroachment. As a result, the basic purpose behind installing these boards is getting defeated. If one goes to Ambedkar Chowk, a helmet seller has put his items on the road, right under the board (see photo), leaving no place for the vehicles to stop there. Surprisingly, no one is there to keep a check on it.