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Vandals set 2 cars on fire
Ill-equipped pollution board fights a losing
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Super-speciality hospital to open shortly: Azad
From picking rags to reciting rhymes
‘Udaan’ brings TCS to JU
Workshop held to educate people about MGNREGA
CM offers to pay 20% arrears by April-end
Industrial workers protest, demand reopening of Singer unit
Youth corps volunteers continue protest
Natrang stages Munshi Premchand’s ‘Balak’
Mystery shrouds death of three
Games Fund
Simula XI start off with a win
Facile win for Law Dept
Chess championship from today
Record medal haul for state contingent
JK Bank Academy trump Samba XI
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Vandals set 2 cars on fire
Jammu, April 3 The incident took place a stone’s throw from the Paaca Danga police station. The miscreants fled the scene after the crime. Sources said a gang of vandals first smashed the windowpanes of the cars parked near Government Girls High School, Kachi Chawni, and later set these vehicles on fire around midnight. A Maruti Alto (JK 02 AL 1918) and a Ford Fiesta (JK 02 AD 7313) were damaged in the incident. Sources said Suvodh Basin, who runs a computer institute and lives in Afghana Mohalla, had parked his Alto car outside the narrow lane of his residence last evening. Another car, a Ford Fiesta, was parked behind his car. “I have been parking my car there for the past two years. I parked the car around 8.30 pm yesterday. As I was about to leave
for office around 7 am, I found some people assembled near my car. To my horror, I found my car vandalised and completely burnt,” Suvodh Basin told The Tribune. Basin said both cars were completely charred. “Some advertisement material, students’ attendance and evaluation sheets were reduced to ashes in the incident,”
he claimed. “I fail to understand the reason behind the provocation. It will be wrong to blame anyone without a proof,” he remarked. While the owner of the Alto car has filed a complaint, the identity of the owner of Ford Fiesta car was yet to be established. The police has registered a case against unidentified persons. SHO Bharat Sharma said they were investigating the matter. “It is premature to comment on the reasons that led to the incident. We are working on different angles. We have registered a case and started the investigation,” he said. A gang of hooligans had created terror in the city a few years ago. They used to roam around in the night and smash windowpanes of parked cars. Some shops were also vandalised by these
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Ill-equipped pollution board fights a losing battle
Jammu, April 3 As a result, the board still depends on other laboratories to carry out regular checks, particularly of industrial effluent being discharged into the water bodies of the state. Officials say most samples are sent to the Central Pollution Control Board and the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, formally Regional Research Laboratory, thus delaying the submission of reports, sometimes by months. This slows downs the process of initiating action against units discharging untreated water illegally into rivers and streams. The state government has even failed to set up a treatment, storage and disposal facility to handle hazardous material, even though industrial units produce nearly 20,000 metric tonnes of waste annually, which ends up in water bodies or open areas. Admitting that the State Pollution Control Board does not have requisite facilities to analyse water samples, its Chairman, Lal Chand, said: “We have some deficiencies but samples are sent to the Central Pollution Control Board. We have taken up the issue with the government and are awaiting a response.” He claimed that the board took help from facilities at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine and the University of Jammu. “We regularly take their help to conduct tests of samples, but we will soon have necessary equipment,” he said. Pesticide units, recycling units of metals, battery units, pharmaceutical factories, paper and pulp factories, steel rolling mills, paint factories, ink factories, chemical factories, oil factories and petroleum factories are the main polluters of water bodies in the state. “The pollution control board was constituted by the state government in 1986 under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act-1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act-1981. It is a matter of concern that it still does not have the requisite equipment at its disposal,” said an official. The Minister for Forest and Ecology, Mian Altaf, said the government was examining the deficiencies and would sort these out in a phased manner. “Every aspect is being looked into. A number of effluent and sewerage treatment plants are being monitored regularly and samples collected. Separate laboratories will be established soon,” Altaf said. As far as air pollution is concerned, new stations have been set up at Khrew Khonmoh, Lasjan and Rajbagh in Kashmir, and Narwal, Jewel Chowk, Bari Brahmana, Kathua and Samba Industrial Estate in the Jammu region, he added. |
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Super-speciality hospital to open shortly: Azad
Jammu, April 3 Speaking at the inauguration of a
kilometre-long Indira Gandhi Green Belt at Housing Colony, Channi Himmat, the Union Minister reiterated the Centre’s commitment to making specialised health services available to the people of the country. Listing health projects taken up in the state, he said Centre had sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the establishment of two maternity hospitals, one each in Jammu and Srinagar. He said the projects were under progress and were likely to be completed within a year. Inaugurating the park, Azad urged people to utilise their spare time
by exercising and going
for a walk. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Public Enterprises Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla, Minister for Technical and Medical Education Rajinder Singh Chib, Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora, Member Parliament Ch. Lal Singh, Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmed Khan, Minister of State for Haj and Auqaf Aajaz Ahmed Khan, MLAs Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Abdul Majid Wani, GM Saroori, Vikar Rasool and MLCs Naresh Kumar Gupta and Jahangir Mir, besides senior officers of the Housing Board, JMC, revenue and floriculture departments and people were also present. |
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From picking rags to reciting rhymes
Jammu, April 3 Like Iswar, 54 other children of Maratha Mohalla — a slum in Trikuta Nagar, infamous for outbreak of diseases like TB and illegal activities like gambling — are receiving education like any other child. The mohalla is situated on one side of the posh Trikuta Nagar, giving a deserted look. The closely built shanties with poor hygiene are home to around 50 families. Till 2009, these children used to pick rags or indulge in gambling. Then came Kanchan Sharma, a government teacher by profession, who started a school in the slum, providing them with a chance to transform their lives. “I first visited the colony to distribute sweets in 2004. It was quite difficult to enter the area then. Children mobbed us, trying to snatch away biscuits and sweets. I then realised that they needed education to channel
their energy,” says Kanchan Sharma. “I frequented the mohalla thereafter and started a school without a roof in 2009. I got the support of inhabitants, for whom receiving education was like a dream,” she recalls. Now, these shabbily dressed children can read English poems flawlessly, highlighting the transformation that the slum school has brought to these children. Kanchan Sharma says some students have cleared class II after getting enrolled in the school. Some senior students have joined nearby government schools, she adds. Shankar, a cobbler by profession, says: “I have four children and all of them can read their names. They are not the only ones who are benefitting from the initiative. At times, they read signboards for us.” Two more teachers are helping the children out with their studies. Kanchan says the school has been working without any help from the government. |
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‘Udaan’ brings TCS to JU
Jammu, April 3 The visit was organised by the office of Dean (Students Placement), under project “Udaan” initiated by the state government. On his maiden visit to the campus, Faiz Sir Khot, head (sourcing), TCS, said the company was looking for fresh energy to drive the company forward. On the BPO services provided by the TCS, he said it was about managing and executing business operations. The TCS helped deliver core business processing across industries and provided support processes such as accounting, HR and supply chain management. Faiz also clarified the queries of the students with regard to issues of competency building, career path and growth prospects at the TCS for students across all disciplines. The session was presided over by Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu. Professor Ishar lauded the initiative of the Central and state governments for initiating the project. Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Dean (Students Placement), and coordinator for ‘Udaan’, said his office had been entrusted with the responsibility of functioning as the resource centre (nodal office-Udaan) for the Jammu region. The TCS (walk-in) visit is one such initiative in that context, he added. The placement drive was conducted by the TCS recruitment team comprising Faiz Sir Khot, head (sourcing); Usman MA, head (recruitment), Channai; Mirdual Chakravoraty, head (recruitment), Kolkata; Jaishanker, manager, TCS; and Mehul Desai.
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Workshop held to educate people about MGNREGA
Jammu, April 3 BJP MLA from Nagrota Jugal Kishore was the chief guest on the occasion. Kishore said the MGNREGA empowers the poor to enhance their earning capacity. He said the real objective of the two-day programme was to make the poor and weaker sections aware about it and their own duty and rights. He said people should get united for ensuring development of their villages and they could directly approach gram sevak and block development officer for providing them work. GA Mattoo, in charge of the programme, briefed the participants about other welfare schemes launched by the government. Sansar Chand, secretary, Bamboo Craft Handicraft Industry, and Girdhari Lal, chairman, Bamboo Craft Handicraft Industry, also spoke at the programme. — TNS
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CM offers to pay 20% arrears by April-end
Jammu, April 3 The Jammu University Teachers Association will now decide on its future course of action at its general body meeting tomorrow. The teachers are likely to resume classes but continue with the strike in one form or the other. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made the offer at a meeting with Prof MPS Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, and Dr Talat Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, Kashmir University, here today. The meeting was convened after the strike by the Jammu University Teachers’ Association entered its seventh day today. Their counterparts in Kashmir University continued to support the strike for the second day. Sources in the association said normal classes could resume once the teachers received a letter from the Chief Minister. “We will wait for the general body to meet tomorrow to decide on the future course of action. Classes may resume soon,” said Dr Dalip
Jamwal, president, Jammu University Teachers Association. Talking to The Tribune, Professor Ishar appealed to the teachers to call off the strike. “All are concerned about the fate of the teachers. We are doing our best to find a solution. The decision to release 20 per cent arrears this month has been taken after considering all options.” The teachers have been demanding the release of arrears under the Sixth Pay Commission. While studies have already suffered on account of the seven-day strike, teachers are likely to take classes on
weekends to make up for the loss. “We never intended to make students suffer. Though we were forced to take this step, we will make up for the time lost and teach on weekends,” said Kavita
Suri, a member of the association. Teachers’ concern While studies have already suffered on account of the seven-day strike, teachers are likely to take classes on weekends to make up for the lossn
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Industrial workers protest, demand reopening of Singer unit
Jammu, April 3 Nirdohs Uppal, president, Federation of Unions of Industrial Workers, said the government had rejected the permission to Singer India to continue its operations vide SRO 237 of 2005 and retrenchment of workers vide SRO 238. The federation expressed concern over the dilatory tactics being used by the state government to delay the release of funds due to the workers. Various leaders of the trade unions also came out in support of the federation. Uppal said this was the first phase of the protest and they would continue it till the workers get a favorable response from the government.
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Youth corps volunteers continue protest
Jammu, April 3 NYC volunteers shaved their heads and wore block ribbons to show anger against the government. The association took a serious note of the announcement of Youth and Sports Minister RS Chib in which he had said there was no policy for the regularisation of NYC volunteers. The protesters said 8,000 volunteers would fight to secure their future. They alleged that the statement of the Divisional Commissioner revealed that the government was not serious about the future of 8,000 youth of the state. — TNS |
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Kashmiri migrants stage protest
Jammu, April 3 The association said the government relief of Rs 5,000 per family was a cruel joke on the oustees. It demanded a hike in the relief to the Kashmiri Pandits. HN Talashi, a protester, said: “The government has been ignoring us for a long time. It should increase the amount of relief being providing to us. Also, the Kashmiri Pandits did not get any relief after the earthquake and the recent avalanche in Kashmir, whereas the Kashmiri Muslims got ex gratia from the government.”
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Natrang stages Munshi Premchand’s ‘Balak’
Jammu, April 3 Neeraj Kant directed the play. The play opens at the writer’s house, where he is slightly disturbed to hear the news that his honest servant Gangu wants to quit the job. As the writer was concerned about Gangu, he gives him another chance to think and also asks the reason why he wants to quit. Gangu gives a strange reason, saying he wanted to marry a widow, Gomti, who was married thrice but could not settle with any of her husbands. She is believed to be a woman without any dignity, but Gangu finds her innocent. Thinking that his marriage with Gomti may cause stigma on the writer’s reputation also, Gangu wants to alienate himself from the writer, just to save his goodwill. He marries Gomti and starts leading a happy life. But this happiness is for a short while as one day Gomti leaves him and goes to some unknown place. Everyone discusses the hard luck of Gangu who was badly betrayed by a lady for whom he had discarded everything. But Gangu still holds high regards for her. He still cherishes the days spent with her. One day he comes to the writers’ place in a happy mood as Gomti has come back. Actually, she had gone to an unknown place to give birth to a baby. After knowing this, he accepted both of them. It was apparent that it is not his baby as his marriage was just six months old, but still he accepted the child, considering the baby as God’s gift. Sunil Bhardwaj played the role of Gangu. Rahul Singh as the writer was also very impressive. Others who supported the performance include Sajra Qadir, Syed Dildar, Sahil Kanojia and Atin Tikka. Mohd. Yaseen coordinated the show and Sumeet Sharma did the presentations.
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Mystery shrouds death of three
Jammu, April 3 In another case, the police recovered a woman’s body from the Chenab in the Khour area. Similarly, a 32-year-old man, identified as Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Mayal Brahmana in the Kanachak area, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his residence. |
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Defaulting schools ‘can’t compete’ in state sports meets
Zonal officers told to furnish list of institutions by April 10 Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service
Jammu, April 3 This comes after The Tribune highlighted the negligent attitude of educational institutions (both government and private) towards depositing 50 per cent of the school games fund in the district pool. According to sources, the District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu, Tirath Ram, while convening a meeting of physical education officers of all 14 zones of the district recently, had expressed concern over the present scenario regarding the deposit of the fund and emphasised the need for collecting the fund at the earliest. He made it clear that students of erring institutions would not be allowed to compete in any discipline of state-level tournaments. He asked the officers to visit the educational institutions, especially private ones, to make them aware about their obligation to deposit the fund. Educational institutions (both government and private) of all districts have to deposit 50 per cent of the school games fund in the district pool of their respective district youth services offices. The fund is utilised in purchasing sports material and uniforms for students competing in district and inter-district level competitions. Of the 2,511 educational institutions in Jammu district, including 1,528 government and 983 private, only 222 institutions had deposited the fund so far in the district pool of District Youth Services and Sports Office, Jammu. Of these, 150 were government while 72 were private schools. Tirath Ram, while talking to The Tribune, said the department would ensure the collection of the fund by all educational institutions in the district pool. “The students of erring institutions will not be allowed to compete in even in inter-school competitions. We are in the process of tightening the noose around institutions that have flouted the state government order regarding the collection of the fund,” he added.
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Simula XI start off with a win
Jammu, April 3 Batting first, WCC (B) posted 99 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Jaggi was the top-scorer with 32 runs, including some delectable hits to the fence. Rohit also chipped in with 10 runs. For Simula XI, Samir Khajuria bowled a fine spell to keep a check on WCC (B) batsmen. He grabbed four wickets by conceding 28 runs. Vivek Thapa took two wickets, while Vikram, Irshad and Hardeep snared a wicket apiece. In reply, Simula XI did the needful in just 12 overs, riding on Gulzar’s scintillating 44-ball 68. Gulzar took all bowlers on a leather hunt with his onslaught. He smashed nine boundaries and two sixes. Dhruv Mahajan also played a handy knock of 21 runs. The tournament is being organised by the Young Star Cricket Club.
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Facile win for Law Dept
Jammu, April 3 Batting first, Law Department garnered a mammoth total of 222 runs for the loss of five wickets. Amit Baloria played an impressive knock of 60 runs off just 36 balls. His explosive knock contained seven hits to the fence. Heemanshu also chipped in with a handy 59 runs, studded with seven fours and three sixes. Lokesh and Anirudh contributed 57 and 17 runs, respectively, to the team total. For Library Science Department, Parveen Sharma claimed two wickets, while Sher Khan sent home one batsman. In reply, Library Science Department were bundled out for 139 runs in 19.3 overs. Parveen was the only batsmen to show some resilience with a gritty 43-ball 51. He smashed five boundaries. Vineet (33), Pardeep (14) and Munish (19) were the other main contributors. For Law Department, Mohit was the pick of the bowlers with a three-wicket haul. Azhar and Amit shared two wickets apiece. Khalid and Azam took one wicket each.
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Chess championship from today
Jammu, April 3 Atul Kumar Gupta, president, All-J&K Chess Association, said due to the hosting of a similar championship at Nainital, the number of participants had now gone down to around 40. Earlier, around 90 players were expected to compete in the championship, which is being organised by the association. “More than 10 players from the host state, including three from Srinagar, will get an opportunity to prove their mettle in the championship,” Atul said. On the chances of the host state in the championship, Atul said the event will prove to be a great learning curve for budding chess players of the state. He said Arushi Kotwal, gold medallists in the junior category of the Asian School Chess Championship, will also participate in the competition.
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Record medal haul for state contingent
Jammu, April 3 The contingent bettered its previous record of claiming 53 medals, including six gold, 29 silver and 18 bronze, set in the previous edition of the event. Sqay martial art contributed significantly to the medal’s tally of the contingent, as 27 medals were bagged by players who competed in the sport. These include 10 gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals. Last year, the team fetched 33 medals, including five gold, 20 silver and eight bronze, in the sport. In wushu, the contingent did not perform bad either and clinched 16 medals, including one gold, 11 silver and 4 bronze. The roller skating team also proved its mettle with a haul of 11 medals, including three gold, four silver and four bronze. The skating team bagged 10 medals, which included one gold, four silver and five bronze. Jeet-Kune-Do also emerged as a medal winning discipline for the state contingent. Though the team failed to win gold and silver medals, it managed to add eight bronze medals to its tally. In fencing, seven medals, which include one gold, two silver and four bronze, were clinched by the team. In kick boxing, a total of five medals, including three silver and two bronze, were fetched by the team. The newly introduced jump rope event helped the contingent bag four bronze medals. There were no surprises in judo, as the team bagged just a single gold medal, like in the previous edition.
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Business School claim carrom title
Jammu, April 3 In the first match, Arunoday Singh of Business School drubbed Mohammad Irshad Naik of Physical Education Department, while Amit Pal Singh of Business School outplayed Taranpal Singh of Physical Education Department in the second clash. — TNS
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JK Bank Academy trump Samba XI
Jammu, April 3 JK Bank Academy made their intentions clear right from the start, as their forwards unleashed a series of attempts to open the account. Parveen Kumar succeeded in scoring the first goal in the 20th minute through a brilliant pass from the left flank. Samba XI were close to scoring an equaliser but faltered at the last moment. Both teams failed to capitalise on the chances that came their way in the first half. Ishan Gupta of JK Bank Academy struck in the 55th minute to stretch the lead further. The academy dominated the play in the second half to kept their rivals at bay. Meanwhile, a yellow card was shown to Johny Sharma of JK Bank Academy in the 60th minute of the match.
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A gang of vandals ran amok late last night, setting two cars on fire in the Kachi Chawni area, located in the heart of the
Old City.
Class-II student Iswar can recite nursery rhyme “Twinkle twinkle little star” flawlessly. It may seem normal for any other child of his age, but for someone who used to be an illiterate rag picker and a gambling addict just a few months ago, it is one big feat.
In a desperate bid to end the ongoing strike by teachers of the University of Jammu, the state government today offered to release 20 per cent arrears, announced under the Sixth Pay Commission, within this month.
The Federation of Unions of Industrial Workers (FUIW) staged a dharna in front of the Press Club here today and demanded the reopening of Singer India’s unit at Bari Brahmana.
Jammu, April 3
