The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Our aim is to provide power to every household: Farooq Announces 200 MW renewable energy project for Jammu region Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Reasi, December 10 Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and president of the NC Farooq Abdullah announced a 200 MW renewable energy power project for the Jammu region today. Addressing a public rally on the Parade Ground here, Farooq said the state had been home to people belonging to all religions and the NC would never let its division on regional grounds. “My ministry is working on generating 200 MW of new and renewable energy in the hill region of Jammu,” he said, adding that the region had ample resources for generating solar, thermal and wind energy. “We will provide full support in providing electricity to every household in the un-electrified and backward areas of the state,” Farooq said. He added a team of officers from his ministry would visit Jammu soon to discuss the issue with the state government. Farooq ridiculed “attempts” by various politicians at dividing society and hindering the economic development of the state. “Their only concern is to exploit public emotions,” he said Criticising the PDP for its double-speak and divisive politics, the Union minister said it was bent upon dividing the people in the name of religion and region. “The PDP leadership is befooling people in Kashmir, in Jammu and in New Delhi by speaking three languages on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and other issues,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, state Minister for Forests Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Industries SS Slathia, Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik, Chief Minister’s political adviser Devender Singh Rana, provincial president of the NC Rattan Lal Gupta and Babu Jagjeevan Lal spoke about the achievements of the government in the last three years. They said new and innovative measures were initiated by the Chief Minister to make the administration responsive and ensure good governance in the state. They referred to the Public Service Guarantee Act in this regard and said it would go a long way in checking corruption and ensuring fast-track delivery of public services to the people. Among others present on the occasion were Bimla Luthra, MLA, Vijay Lakshmir Dutta, provincial president of the NC Women Wing, Babu Ram Paul, Thakur Kashmir Singh, Taranjeet Singh Tony, Pardeep Bali, Surinder Singh Bunty, Qadir Mughal, Dr Shamshad Shan, Raj Kumar, HL Sharma, Haji Lateef, Moni, Kuldeep Dubey, Gulzar Wani, Ayub Bhat, Haroon Chowdhary and Capt Ram Lal. Witty Farooq "The Opposition made fun of me saying I am the bio-gas minister. But I must educate you that I am the minister for sun, wind and water and I will use them to light up your houses." "We men still don’t allow women to talk. It is because women also don’t fight for their rights. I want 50 per cent representation for women in Parliament and the state assemblies. They are the real nation builders." — Farooq Abdullah, Union minister
	Straight talk on unfulfilled promises JAMMU: The rally that was aimed at consolidating the NC hold in Reasi, where it had lost in the last two Assembly elections, witnessed some straight talk between the people and the ministers. A number of sarpanches, block presidents of the party, youth leaders and veteran leaders openly talked about the unfulfilled promises made by the NC leaders during elections. Some speakers even brazenly named NC leaders who had promised schools, teachers, doctors, power supply, roads, jobs and mobile connectivity, but nothing happened. Veteran leaders criticised the party leadership for ignoring them and workers by giving plum party posts and ministries to their favourites. Industries and Commerce Minister SS Salathia, Forests Minister Mian Altaf countered the charges forcefully. They said the region was suffering because the people did not vote for NC candidate Jagjiwan Lal.“Leaders you voted for don’t raise your issues before the government. That is why we have come here,” they said. Salathia insisted that Farooq wanted the workers to air their grievances publicly. Farooq said, “There will be complaints but development should not stop. You can complain but you need to assume the responsibility of becoming the eyes and ears of the government.”
	Jashn-e-Faiz begins at Jammu varsity Society role important for better ties with Pak: Omar Tribune News Service Jammu, December 10 With the recitation of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poem, Dua (prayer), by eminent Pakistan poet Ayub Khawar, Jashn-e-Faiz, a two-day cultural event to mark Faiz’s birth centenary, began at the Zorawar Singh auditorium at the University of Jammu University this evening. At the function, singers like Ustaad Hamid Ali Khan from Pakistan and Jagir Singh Punjabi mesmerised the audience. A Kathak dance by Richa Jain left the gathering in the jam-packed hall spell bound. The president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Dr Karan Singh, could not attend the function and his message was read out by his son and former minister Ajatshatru Singh. In his message, Karan Singh called Faiz a poetic genius who belonged to the entire humanity. He regretted that he was not honoured with Nobel Prize. Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who inaugurated the event, called for greater inter-society contacts between India and Pakistan, terming it necessary for improving relations between the neighbours. “The government efforts in this direction will only bear fruits when societies of the two countries contribute positively and willingly and get widely involved in this stupendous task,” he said. Omar said the participation of and visit by poets, literary persons, artistes and other people from Pakistan would give a forward push to the cultivation of more friendly relations between the two neighbours. “Regular contacts between the members of civil societies of the two countries will also help in removing doubts from minds and establish a friendly and cordial atmosphere,” he added. “Faiz had great relations with Jammu and Kashmir and its people,” Omar said, adding, “My grandfather, late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was witness to the Nikkah of Faiz Ahmad Faiz.” While assuring all possible help, he asked society to make such events a permanent feature.
	Pakistan poets call for more people-to-people contact Ashutosh Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, December 10 "We should not raise our wall so high that our neighbour does not hear our cry. The wall should not be so low that the neighbour starts scaling it every now and then. Let us keep a window in the wall so that we keep in touch with each other like good neighbours.” This was the message from Pakistan poet Izaz Ahmad Azer, who was here in connection with Jashn-e-Faiz, a poetry festival being organised at the University of Jammu by the Jammu Civil Society for Art and Literature (JCSAL) in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Azer said culture was the only window of hope for peace between India and Pakistan. “Both India and Pakistan will have to respect sovereignty of each other if they want long-lasting peace and harmony,” he said. He added, “All problems can be sorted out through dialogue.” Another prominent poet, writer and director of Geo TV Ayub Khawar said, “The channels of communication should remain open and there should be a free flow of communication for healthy relations.” “Besides the government to government contact, there is a need for people to people contact,” he said. Khawar added, “Artistes like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Mohammad Rafi belong to both countries. We have the same language and culture and through these mediums all differences and issues between the two countries can be sorted out.” “Though we have issues at the political and diplomatic levels, cultural programmes of this kind (Jashn-e-Faiz) should be held regularly on both sides of the border so that ideas are exchanged between peace ambassadors, cultural activists and civil societies,” he said. He added he always upheld the universal values of peace, love and humanity. “Instead of suspending the dialogue process or the confidence-building measures because the bigger issues are not being sorted out, both countries should start resolving smaller issues to develop mutual faith,” he added. Manzoor Naqbi, another leading poet from Pakistan, said, “Indian writers, especially those writing in Telegu, have been churning out excellent short stories.” He also appreciated the contemporary Urdu poetry of India being written in the format of Nazm, besides lauding the literary criticism in Urdu literature. “In Pakistan, we do not have good critiques as there are in India. But in our country we have some refined ghazal writers,” he claimed. Meanwhile, the organisers of the festival have said noted Pakistan poet Amjad Islam Amjad, besides Indian poets Shaharyar, Bashir Badr and Waseem Barelvi will not take part in the cultural event due to some reasons.
	Governor lauds creative paintings of child artist Tribune News Service Jammu, December 10 Governor NN Vohra inaugurated a painting exhibition by Agrima Malhotra, a child artist, at the Kala Kendra here today. In all 40 paintings on varied themes drawn by Agrima, a Class V student of Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School, were on display at the exhibition organised in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. The Governor went around the exhibition and evinced keen interest in the paintings. He enquired from Agrima from where she had got the ideas for making the paintings and complimented her for the high quality of her artistic creations. The Governor said in the past two years Agrima had been sending him copies of some of her art creations and he had been encouraging her to do better. He added Agrima had clear ideas and hoped that she would become a versatile artist. He announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for Agrima and wished her a bright future ahead. While interacting with MK Wadhera, a well known artist, who teaches painting to Agrima, the Governor complimented him and suggested to him to encourage Agrima to paint according to her instincts and ideas, instead of choosing complicated subjects. He congratulated Agrima’s parents, guide, teachers and the school for their encouragement to the budding artist. The Governor released a brochure titled “Pankhuri-II”, carrying the photographs of the paintings on display at the exhibition. Agrima also presented a painting to the Governor. Savita Bakshi, Additional Secretary, Cultural Academy, presented a vote of thanks on the occasion. Others present on the occasion included MR Puri, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu, Prof Nalini Kohli, principal of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Sister Rosamma, principal of Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School, prominent citizens, art lovers and the students of the school.
	As Cong, BJP face infighting, NC, PDP eye their strongholds Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, December 10 As the Congress and the BJP are facing dissension and infighting, the PDP has intensified its activities to foray into the areas which are considered to be their bastions. The NC is also working assiduously to consolidate its position in the Jammu region where it received a setback in the 2008 Assembly elections. The arch political rivals NC and PDP are working overtime to strengthen their bases in the new areas. The seriousness on the part of both parties can be gauged from the fact that Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and NC president Farooq Abdullah has himself taken the charge of the party campaign in Jammu, while PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has been trying to rope in influential social and political activists of the region into the party. Over 20 prominent political leaders of the Jammu region have joined the PDP in the presence of Mufti during the last one month. Mufti has been visiting different areas of the Jammu province, especially of Jammu district, to interact with a cross-section of society to highlight the achievements of the previous government led by him. Sources in the PDP say the party leadership has directed its workers to effectively highlight various developmental projects executed in Jammu during the Mufti-led government. Local PDP leaders have been claiming that it was only during the Mufti regime that the Jammu region was given an equal treatment in all spheres of life. The PDP, the sources say, has selected some constituencies of the Jammu region where it could focus its energies in the next Assembly elections. The NC, on the other hand, has also selected some constituencies in the Jammu region where it can further improve its position. Farooq has himself addressed three public meetings in the Basholi, Rajouri and Reasi areas, thus reflecting seriousness on the part of the NC to explore new areas. In these three constituencies the NC candidates had secured a good number of votes in the last Assembly elections.
	Protests mark Human Rights Day in Valley Tribune News Service Srinagar, December 10 On the occasion of Human Rights Day, a number of protests were held here today against the alleged human rights violations at the hands of the security forces during the last two decades in the Valley. Independent MLA from the Langate constituency Sheikh Abdul Rashid led a protest from the Sher-e-Kashmir Park to Regal Chowk on Residency Road. Rashid expressed concern over the alleged continuing human rights violations in the state. He urged the civil society to play its role and impress upon the Central government to revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state. Rashid also demanded the release of the youths, who had been arrested during protests in the Valley, particularly during the summer unrest last year. The relatives of persons, who had disappeared, also held a silent protest. The Association of the Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), has been organising protests on the 10th day of every month. The APDP today resolved to continue with its struggle for truth, justice and accountability. Meanwhile, the hardline faction of the APHC led by Syed Ali Geelani is organising a seminar on the state of human rights in Kashmir at his Hyderpora residence here tomorrow. Several leaders, intellectuals and human rights activists are scheduled to participate in the day-long seminar. Meanwhile, several human rights organisations held a joint candlelight vigil here yesterday, seeking international intervention in the alleged human rights violations that had taken place in the Valley over the past two decades. Members of the International Forum for Justice (IFJ), the People’s Rights Movement (PRM) and the Human Rights Forum (HRF) gathered near the Press Enclave area here and held a candlelight vigil.
	Nagot Cultural Festival gets underway Devinder Thakur Reasi (Bakkal), December 10 In a unique celebration of harmony in diversity, the Nagot Cultural Festival today brought together 900 participants from 18 villages and the unique sights, sounds, tastes and the mesmerising variety of the entire region at one place. The three-day cultural festival is being organised by Natrang, Jammu, in association with the Union Ministry of Culture, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Fund and the state Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Minister for Technical and Medical Education RS Chib inaugurated the festival by lighting a traditional lamp here today. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said cultural festivals promoted national integration, communal harmony and built bridges of understanding among the people. Thousands of traditionally-attired men and women had lined the route of the procession, adding colour to the carnival atmosphere. On the Dol-Devta ground, where the procession culminated, the participants danced to the tunes of folk and popular songs, presenting a view of the performing arts of the region. Among the regular programmes, including a Dogri musical concert, Kud and a folk dance, the most colourful and exciting were the archery events. In his address, Director of Natrang Balwant Thakur said the objective of the event was to revive and promote the richness, depth and pageantry of the centuries-old culture of Jammu for worldwide appreciation and enjoyment. It offers a unique opportunity to witness many Dogra traditions and heritage. During the festival, artistes from all parts of Reasi district will camp at the venue. Meanwhile, all arrangements have been made to offer food free of cost to over 15,000 visitors daily. Other major attractions of the festival are the exhibition of local handicrafts and artifacts by the Hari Saran Cultural Centre, Bakkal. On the occasion various government institutions, including the state AIDS Control Society, the Department of Agriculture and the Health Department, have published awareness material about various schemes and measures for the people.
	Shortage of doctors in Doda hits health services Raju William Tribune News Service Udhampur, December 10 The shortage of doctors has hit health services in Doda district badly, as only 52 doctors are working against 127 sanctioned posts in different government hospitals and primary health centres. As Doda has been facing the shortage of doctors for the past few years, there is no end to the suffering of the people of this backward district. Even as Chief Medical Officer, Doda, Dr Mohammad Iqbal Zargar said the higher authorities had been apprised about the vacant posts and had been requested to take steps to mitigate the suffering of the people, Director, Health Services, Jammu, Dr Madhu Khullar said doctors were not ready to work in backward areas. Sources said though the situation was slightly better in the District Hospital at Doda, where 24 doctors were working against 41 sanctioned posts, but the people of Bhadarwah, Thathri and Gandoh were far less fortunate as only nine, eight and four doctors were available in these areas, respectively, against the sanctioned posts of 36, 24 and 14 doctors. A total of 20 specialist doctors are available against the total 50 sanctioned posts in the district. The District Hospital has 15 working specialists of a total of 16 sanctioned posts, but Bhadarwah and Gandoh have just one each, against the sanctioned 17 and six posts, respectively. However, Thathri has no specialist doctor against 11 sanctioned posts. There is a dire need of surgeons in the highly accident prone district, where 76 posts of assistant surgeons are lying vacant. The critical patients, especially the accident victims are referred to hospitals in either Doda or Jammu from Thathri, as there is no anaesthetist in the hospital at Thathri. Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma attributed the situation mainly to doctors using the provision of working in medical education institutions on deputation as registrars or for postgraduate studies. “We are trying our best to post doctors in the backward and rural areas. The doctors these days shy away from working in such places. For instance, just 54 doctors of a total of 262 selected in the state have joined duty recently. Of the 26 who joined in the Jammu province, four were posted in Doda district,” said the minister.
	Chief Minister, Central varsity VC call upon Governor Tribune News Service Jammu, December 10 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today. During the meeting, the Governor and the Chief Minister discussed various important issues relating to the state, including the establishment of the Panchayati Raj institutions, elections to the urban local bodies and cooperative societies, early setting up of watchdog commissions, measures being considered to eradicate corruption and for the time-bound completion of major development projects. The Chief Minister also briefed the Governor about the security management issues. Meanwhile, Dr SS Bloeria, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu and member of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here this evening. During their meeting, Bloeria briefed the Governor about the functioning of the university and the measures being taken for creating the required infrastructure. They also discussed the ongoing development works being carried out by the SMVDSB for facilitating the pilgrims.
	‘Interlocutors ignored issues facing Sikhs’ M Aamir Khan Srinagar, December 10 The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) yesterday accused the interlocutors, who were appointed by the Centre to engage with all shades of opinion in the state, of “neglecting” the issues facing the Sikh community. “The interlocutors ignored and neglected the issues of the minority Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir. The appointment of the interlocutors was merely an eyewash for the Sikhs. They not only failed to touch the basic demands of the Sikhs but also ignored them at all levels,” APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said in a statement issued here. Criticising the Central government, Raina said, “It is unfortunate that the UPA government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also seems to be least interested in the problems of the Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir.” Raina said the state government should “include” the community under the Sher-i-Kashmir Employment Scheme.
	Kargil Courier airlifts 59 Tribune News Service Srinagar, December 10 Fifty-nine civilian passengers were airlifted between Kargil and Jammu in the Indian Air Force-operated AN-32 Kargil Courier to day. Of these 28 passengers were airlifted from Kargil to Jammu and 31 passengers from Jammu to Kargil. The Haj pilgrims from Kargil district, at present in Srinagar, who had purchased tickets for the Srinagar-Kargil sector, had been advised to report to the Kargil House, Bemina, on Sunday morning, an official spokesman here said. In view of the blockade of the Srinagar-Leh highway due to snowfall during the winter, the Kargil courier services were started between Kargil and the two capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu on November 29.
	BSF sends Valley students on tour Srinagar, December 10 The BSF sent students from remote areas of the Kashmir valley on a Bharat Darshan tour on Thursday. State Minister for Industries and Commerce SS Slathia along with IG, BSF, Kashmir Frontier, Anil Kamboj flagged off the tour at the STC, BSF Camp, Humhama, here. A BSF spokesperson said the tour had been organised as a goodwill gesture and a group each of girl and boy students from the remote areas of the Valley had been selected for the educational-cum-motivational tour to Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Delhi and Agra. — OC
	VHP requests SASB on Amarnath yatra Tribune News Service Jammu, December 10 The VHP today urged the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) not to decide the date of the commencement of the Amarnath yatra next year. Addressing mediapersons here, national spokesperson for the VHP Surinder Jain requested the SASB to leave the issue to Hindu religious leaders and priests. “We urge the SASB not to decide the dates of the commencement of the annual Amarnath yatra and its duration. It should be left to Hindu religious leaders and priests,” he added.