Jammu, May 28
Cashless Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and poor security has become a major problem for the people here. For the past few weeks, people in Jammu have been facing problems in withdrawing cash from ATMs installed by various banks.

Further, customers complain that there is no restriction on the entry of people in the ATM kiosks, despite the fact that not more than one person should be inside the cabin while withdrawing money.

At times, machines run out of cash or are rendered non-functional due to technical faults. ATM users of almost all the banks said they had to face problem at money vending machines and at times were not able to withdraw cash from the machines.

“How could one know that the person beside you is not keeping a track of your password. He might even snatch money from you,” said Gopal Sharma, a retired government employee.

Even the mushrooming of private banks has not eased the problems of customers and many of their ATMs remain out of order for hours.

“There is a general complain about the way banks are running these ATMs, but they are under immense pressure because of the increasing use of these machines for the withdrawal of money,” said Surinder Krishan, PO of State Bank of India.

Though bank officials complain of increased pressure load on the vending machines, at times, no consideration is being given to putting them back in service.

“There is one machine of a leading bank at Janipur that remains out of order most of the times, despite the fact that the bank branch is adjacent to it,” said Avtar Krishan, a teacher. 

Jammu, May 28
With the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) missing several deadlines to complete the laying of sewerage system in Jammu, chaos continue to prevail on the city roads leading to long traffic jams and inconvenience to general public.

Many parts of the city, particularly the BC Road, Subash Nagar, Rehari and Sarwal look like a war zone, with dug up roads and heavy machinery at work, residents have tough time to reach their destination. The project of face lifting the city is under execution for the past four years. The main roads and bylanes in most parts of the city are dug and left unfilled for months together, not to speak of being metalled.

Under the centrally sponsored project, 48,220 houses of Srinagar city at a cost of Rs 132.01 crore and 30,400 houses of Jammu at a cost of Rs 129.30 crore are expected to be connected with the modern sewerage system, when completed. However even after four years, the project is far from completion resulting not only in cost escalation but a huge problem for the city residents in both capital cities.

“Almost all roads are in a deplorable condition. Even pedestrians feel it difficult to pass through. There is dire need for taking the people at large in confidence and keeping them informed about the purpose of frequent digging and leaving the roads and lanes unfilled for a long time,” said a trader of the Subash Nagar, Kuldeep Sharma.

Not only this, at various localities, workers hired by the telecom companies are also routinely digging the roads to lay new telephone lines. “We are not against development, but it is frustrating at times to see the clear roads being destroyed by using a JCB machine and labourers. We feel helpless to see the destruction and for months they have to face the potholes left after the work,” said a Law student, Natasha Gupta.

Jammu, May 28
Students are busy studying or revising the syllabus for the Jammu University Entrance Test (JUET) for admission to the 2012-14 academic session. The examination will be conducted in three stages from May 31 till June 14.

Nine centres have been set up to conduct the examinations smoothly. These centres include Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Srinagar, Udhampur, Reasi, Bhadarwah and Leh where 16,000 students will appear for the examinations in various streams.

The examination for postgraduate subjects of sociology, M.Lib, music and bio-chemistry subjects will be conducted on the first day.

“I have been preparing for the entrance test since my examinations for the final year concluded. There will be a tough competition for each seat and I have to work hard to get selected in the subject of education,” said Prity.

The Dean Academic Affairs of Jammu University (JU), Prof RD Sharma, said they had made all preparations for smooth conduct of the examinations. “We have received 32,000 forms for the entrance test. Some students have applied for more than one course,” Sharma said. “Today, we reviewed the arrangements at the Government College for Women where two-third students will take the examination.” He said they would review the arrangements in Rajouri.

On May 23, the Vice-Chancellor of JU had chaired a review meeting. He had also assured that the university officials would ensure smooth conduct of the examination.

The JU had started the JUET test for 42 post-graduate courses last year. Earlier, the selection of students for the PG courses was conducted on the basis of merit. In 2011, 11,000 students had appeared in the first-ever JUET.

The final merit of a candidate will be calculated out of 100 points by giving weightage of 70, (the marks obtained in the entrance test) and a weightage of 30 points to the percentage of marks obtained in the last qualifying examination. 

Jammu, May 28
Around 5.50 am when dawn was breaking, hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits gathered at different places in Jammu to board buses for the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Kashmir. The displaced Kashmiri Pandits, natives of the Valley, were proceeding for the pilgrimage. Many of them are visiting their homeland for the first time.

As many as 53 buses left this morning for Kashmir. Most of them left from the Jagti township on the outskirts of Jammu where a majority of Kashmiri Pandits live.

The Kheer Bhawani Mela is being organised in Kashmir since ancient times in the Valley but after the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley to other parts of the country, there was hardly anyone there to celebrate the festival. A handful of people kept the tradition of ‘havan’ going on.

A Kashmiri Pandit Krishan Lal Bhat of Jagti township said, “This is the time in the whole year when we get a chance to visit Kashmir. It is not that we do not want to go there but security always remains a major concern. The three-day visit is now our only link that connects us with Kashmir.”

“Mata Kheer Bhawani is deity of Kashmiri Pandits. In fact many people say that during the year of migration, the colour of the water of the spring turns black due to the bloodshed there. But now the normalcy is returning there, it is regaining its original colour,” he added.

The buses lined up at the Jagti township with hardly any seat vacant showed the enthusiasm of Kashmiri Pandits to visit their homeland. There were few ladies also who were travelling alone without any family member. 

It is the third time after migration that I am visiting Tikkri. The locals cooperate a lot during the yatra and once I reach there I never want to come back as the attachment always remains more with the homeland
— Durga Shree, Kupwara

I have never been to Kashmir after migration. This year my granddaughter passed her Class Xth examination and I thought I should go to Kheer Bhawani for the blessings of Mata. I believe that she will do well for the community members
— Kishni Bhat, Wachi, Anantnag

I was born after migration but I love Kashmir more than any other place. I realised it when I visited the Kheer Bhawani Mela last year. That is why I decided to go this year also
— Vikas Bakaya, Habbakadal

We are going to Tulmula but after the Zestha Ashtami we will go to Tikkri as well as before migration we used to have 'havan' there only. Things have changed now. Then we were the organisers and now we feel that we are just the visitors
— Tej Krishan, Handwara

I am going there for the first time but I have heard a lot about Kashmir. Once I 
see Kashmir then only I will be able to decide whether it is a good place to visit again or not
— Anjali Khokher

Jammu, May 28
The Army has again come forward to save a precious life a penury-ridden man from a remote village in Mahore tehsil of Reasi district.

Suffering from carcinoma oesophagus, facing dysphagia and weight loss, 50-year-old Roshan Din from Jhugi Shadaul Village had resigned to his fate and believed that he was going to die.

However, the Army took Roshan Din’s surgical problem with utmost urgency by providing appropriate assistance in terms of medical aid and motivating him for surgical operation. The individual had already been a beneficiary of blood which the troops have generously donated to save his life.

His surgical operation for the cancer of oesophagus is scheduled on May 30 in Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu.

The Army has assured him of post-operative medical assistance.

JAMMU, May 28
To streamline the traffic movement in the city, the authorities concerned have finally started to install the much-awaited traffic signals in the main locations.

Earlier, the administration had installed the traffic signals at the busiest Bikram Chowk on a trial basis.

The first phase of installation began today at many prominent chowks and other roads, which have been bearing a major traffic load.

City-based transporters and members of civil society has welcomed the move and said it would help in imposing discipline in the traffic movement.

Vijay Kumar Sharma, All Jammu and Kashmir Transport Welfare Association, said it was a much-required step to cater the increasing traffic on the city roads.

He said, “There is no other alternative to manage traffic on the city roads as we have been observing a significant increase in the number of vehicles for the past few years but the roads are not widened comparatively. Also, the number of road mishaps in city has also increased sharply. The installation of traffic signals will help in smoothening the proceedings for sure.”

Muneer Khan, IG Traffic, said he had a meeting with transporters and other prominent citizens concerning the installation of traffic signals and other traffic-related issues today.

He said, “We have been executing many things to streamline the traffic scenario in the twin cities. In Srinagar the process has already started and in Jammu we have identified 30 spots for the first phase, where the signals will be installed. Hopefully, the signals will be made functional after 10 days of the installation.”

“It will also help us in dealing with the issue of manpower as it will reduce some load from our cops. Our teams will be required only for initial guidance and enforcement and once the people will become used to, it will be a routine affair like other big cities,” he added.

Khan said there might be certain hiccups initially as the people of Jammu were not much used to the signals but things would go smoother with the time. “Most of people here have not been exposed to such discipline but they will learn things with time,” he added.

Jammu, May 28
Theatre can be exploited to rebuild confidence in the youth of the Jammu region by infusing a sense of self-reliance in them, said, eminent theatre personality and Natrang director, Balwant Thakur. He had recently developed a special performance, ‘Parvaaz’, focusing on the mental struggles of the youth.

Thakur, known for his innovations with theatre, told The Tribune that today theatre had a much wider role to play than education and entertainment.

He said, “Parvaaz is a research-based project. To understand the psyche of the youth, I visited the hilly terrains of the region, including Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Ramban and Reasi. While exploring the region for my project, I came across some crucial issues concerning the youth.”

About the project, he said, “It begins with music and local dances to attract larger crowds. Then it head towards issues which concern society like unemployment, disparity, violence and inequality. The central character is a youth who aspires to lead in the world but later finds himself trapped in a vicious circle.”

Thakur said he had tried to end the performance on a positive note by showing a ray of hope to the youngsters of the region who could relate with the central character.

“In the later part of the play, I have tried to establish the fact that the peace is the best and only resolve to all these conflicts,” he added.

He also said the play underlined the importance of peace for the prosperity and development of the state.

“It not only advocates the importance of brotherhood and communal harmony but also advises the audience not to get into the trap of anti-social elements. It finally appeals to the audience to give peace a chance,” said Thakur.

He said through the play he has tried to tell the audience that there are two types of peace -- internal and external-- and it is a must for an individual to realise internal peace first.

“I have deliberately not given a specific name to the main character so that people from all classes and communities can establish a link with the performance,” he said.

He said the play was receiving a good response. “Over 20,000 people witnessed the play at Choughan, a remote area in Kishtwar district. My aim is to get theatre recognised as the best tool for bringing reform in society,” he said.

Jammu, May 28
The All-India Taekwondo Union and Sports Karate Association, Jammu and Kashmir, organised belt grading examination at the Sai Palace, Trikuta Nagar, here today.

As many as 210 students from various schools of Jammu province took the test and were awarded with different colour belts.

A total of 195 students were promoted to the next rank colour by Anil Nanda, Technical Director, and Sanjay Kumar, president of the All-India Taekwondo Union.

Later, prizes were distributed among those who qualified the colour belt certificates.

Qualifiers of colour belt

Group A: Abhirath Balotra, Harnoor Singh, Tavisha Singh, Suhani Jagotra, Ishavi Gupta, Jatin Paul Singh, Yagya Dubey, Jagteshwar Paul Singh, Pragun Sharma, Utsav Dogra, Prajin Chopra, Shouriyan Billowria, Adhiveer Sharma, Harsh Vardan Singh, Parth Gadoo, Himanshu Bhat, Hardik Pandita, Zia Noor, Raj Vansh Sharma, Swaran Shulendraitya, Manpreet Singh, Neel Bhan, Prajwal Singh and Harleen Kaur

Group B: Ridhima, Aryan Gupta, Navtej Singh, Abhijai Pratap Singh, Rahini Sharma, Kanav Kour, Aarzoo Gupta, Nidha-Ul-Nisa, Samreen Kaur, Aparna Khajuria, Aryan Zutshi, Charvi Gupta, Tanisha Jaggi, Raghav Banga, Keshav Aggarwal, Harshit Singh Sandy, Ananya Aggarwal, Sanvi Gandotra, Suvan Gupta, Aarzu Manhas, Anish Arora, Sharanya Sharma, Akhilesh Khajuria, Arul Arora, Wamya Gupta, Monoshree Mahajan, Jeevitesh Singh, Parth Bhatia, Ojas Kapur, Angel Choudhary, Arshit Kapoor, Samrat Ashok, Atin Sandeep Wazir, Gokul Gupta, Prabhpreet Kaur, Suryansh, Pranay Gupta, Aimanpreet Kaur, Manmohit Singh, Manthan Pandoh, Spandana Fotedar and Alisha Raj Singh.

Group C: Eklavya Bhau, Aanya Sharma, Aahaan Gupta, Ojas Kapoor, Eshaan Gupta, Abhway Krishan, Deegaj Dubey, Manswar Singh, Arohi Kalla, Tapasavani Parihar, Rudrika Kapahi, Nikhil Koul, Dilpreet Singh, Vatsal Sharma, Raghav Sharma, Tanya Sharma, Tauqeer Raza, Tarika Sharma, Arya Sharma, Ishaan Verma, Areen Kichloo, Yadvi Gupta, Dhruv Goyal, Aavishi Aggarwal, Saud Rizwan, Jayesh Kapahi, Samit Mahajan, Rishik Mahajan, Aarlu Manhas, Keshav Gupta, Rahel Chandan, Krishika Mahajan, Kanishka Kapoor, Vadaanya Slathia, Bhupinder Paul Singh, Balraj Nirala, Yaagyaseni Bhat, Raaed Khanday, Rishab Kumar, Manav Jamwal, Mahim Nanda, Aditya Vir Singh, Kartik Aggarwal, Saumya Kapur, Mayank Adhikari, Anish Pandoh, Himank Nayyar, Sidh Mahajan, Akriti Sharma, Harsh Dogra, Rudresh Sharma, Akshit Kapoor, Suhani Jagotra, Ritvik Abrol, Ansh Dhar, Dipanshu Bhat, Dipanshu Bhat, Ansh Dhar, Animesh Mahajan, Sakshi Vaid, Shine Kour, Anshuman Chand, Akkashdeep Wazir, Aashi Jain, Tejashwer Singh and Moubani Mahajan.

Group D: Suryaa Dev Singh, Samarpreet Singh, Aadi Dogra, Aagman Gupta, Shubhani Verma, Sahibnoor Kaur, Rudransh Kapahi, Vayomika Sharma, Vignesh Bhat, Kashish Pandita, Arpit Sharma, Sachi Balgotra, Jeevesh Gupta, Ojas Mattoo, Karan Vir Singh Chahal, Aarav Saraf, Aneeka Mehra, Remi Sharma, Sukhbani Kaur, Dhanvi Sachdeva, Rithisha Jagotra, Swadha Dash, Jagrit, Arpit Behl, Bhardeep Singh, Hardik Dadhich, Hargun Singh, Aanya Mahajan, Ritvir Handa, Rudra Magotra, Paras, Priyal Kapoor, Aarush Kairni, Guhika Sachdev, Sheron Mahajan, Adavya, Rudrakshi Pandita, Jayant Wadhera, Dhruv Gulati, Karman Singh, Dhritiman Kumar, Sannat Mahajan, Tanmay Tripathi, Kshitij Goindi, Vaibhav Chandan, Aryan Chandan, Janvi Jain, Ayush Jamwal, Manik Jamwal, Aryan Koul, Rudrakshi Pandita, Akshat Trakroo, Harshkaran Singh, Aastha Bhan, Riddhima Bali, Kartik Gupta and Keshav Sharma. 

Jammu, May 28
Udhampur district today clinched the U-14 girls kho-kho title by defeating Jammu in the divisional level inter-district kho-kho tournament, which concluded at the Youth Hostel, Nagrota.

Earlier, in the U-14 girls semifinals played, Udhampur scripted an exciting win by one point over Reasi while Jammu notched up a narrow win by one point against Samba. Meanwhile, in the U-17 girls summit showdown, Jammu outplayed Udhampur by five points with utmost ease. In semifinals, Udhampur trounced Rajouri by one inning and one point, while Jammu beat Samba by two points.

In Fencing event played at the University of Jammu, Vansh Mahajan of Delhi Public School (DPS) fetched gold metal in the U-17 boys sabre event. Rajat Kumar of KC Public School claimed silver while Rakshit of Police Public School had to settle for bronze medal in the same age group. In the U-17 foil event, gold medal was bagged by Aryan Mahajan of DPS while silver and bronze medals were claimed by Nadeem Choudhary of Little Flower and Saniv Gupta of KV No 1, respectively.

In U-14 boys, Divansh Panday of KV No 2, Vansh Gupta of DPS and Urmesh of Shangrilla Public School bagged gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively. In the U-14 foil 14 event, Danish Kumar of St Peters bagged gold medal whereas silver and bronze medals went to Saksham and Dinkar of MHAC, Nagbani, and KV No 2, respectively.

Ansh Sharma of SD Tarapuri claimed gold in the U-14 boys epee while Manik Bral of Heritage Public School won silver and Arshit Kapoor of DPS bagged bronze. Meanwhile, in U-14 boys chess, Navdeep Singh of DPS trounced Harshit of Navyug by 1-0, Varinder Chib of KC beat Rishav of Navyug by 1-0 and Pradnoor of Jodhamal outplayed Rishwar Pandit of Navyug by 1-0. In U-17 age group, Vikas Kotwal of BSF pipped Angura Raina of Navyug by 1-0, Vilas Kotwal of BSF got the better of Aditya Sudan of Navyug by 1-0 and Goverdhan of Navyug got better of Vimal of Navyug by 1-0. 

Jammu, May 28
The State Junior Chess Championship organised by the All Jammu and Kashmir Chess Association concluded at Hotel Nek here today.

The selected players in the championship will represent the state in the forthcoming Junior Group Nationals to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and New Delhi.

In girls section, Arushi Kotwal won the U-9 title while Meenal Gupta bagged the top honours in the U-11 age group. Avni Gupta and Akriti Kotwal fetched the U-13 and U-15 titles, respectively. The U-17 and U-19 titles went to Nayandeep Kaur and Manpreet Kaur, respectively.

In boys section, Arpat Katoch bagged the U-7 boys title while the U-9 title was claimed by Shashnat Sharma. The U-11 and U-17 titles went to Vikhyat Mehta and Vilakshan Mehta, respectively. The matches were conducted by Ajit Singh and Rakesh Sadhotra.