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Signages Greek to most motorists
Health Department gets moving before malaria rears its head
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Partial relief for Jagti settlers
Kashmiri Pandit food hard to come by
Forest fire alert in Jammu area
Contaminated water leaves 15 kids ill
White Knight Corps celebrates 40th Raising Day
Withdraw fee hike: ABVP to govt
JU entrance exams on schedule
Teachers’ body seeks summer vacation
70 examined at health camp
Summer camp for children
GHS Balhama win volleyball tourney
Militant hideout busted; arms seized
4 held for robbing trader
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Signages Greek to most motorists
Jammu, June 1 The police has installed signboards particularly in the interior areas, but these measures have failed to deter people from violating the rules. Even offences like riding without crash helmets, negligent driving, improper number plates and drunk driving go unchecked as the Traffic Police and other enforcement agencies do not bother to stop and penalise the violators. Other traffic violations include triple riding, driving a four-wheeler without a seat belt and using mobile phone while driving. A visit to different areas of the city revealed that motorists were blatantly violating the traffic norms. Taking a wrong turn and parking of vehicles along roadsides were also commonplace. “Traffic violations continue across the city. While policemen intercept outstation vehicles for no offence, they seldom penalise routine traffic violators,” said Sunil Sharma, a government employee. The Traffic Police Department, however, cites shortage of manpower as the major reason behind the prevailing chaos on the city roads. “The department has only 300 traffic policemen to control around 5 lakh vehicles on the city roads,” a senior traffic police official said. The Traffic Police had generated over Rs 1 crore in revenue in just four months by penalising traffic violators, but even this has failed to deter motorists from flouting the rules. Around 1,000 persons had lost their lives in 6,000 road accidents across the state during 2011, with capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar leading the list. In Srinagar, 75 persons lost their lives in 459 accidents, while in Jammu, 190 people were killed in 1,627 mishaps. Fatalities on roads
Around 1,000 persons had lost their lives in 6,000 road accidents across the state during 2011. In Srinagar, 75 persons lost their lives in 459 accidents, while in Jammu, 190 people were killed in 1,627 mishaps |
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Health Department gets moving before malaria rears its head
Jammu, June 1 Though the number of cases of malaria has reportedly declined during the past few years, the health department is busy making people aware about the disease and its causes. The city witnessed 1,091 cases of malaria in 2011. The number of cases has seen a decline as the city witnessed 126 cases in the first six months of this year in comparison to 190 cases during the corresponding period last year. Not a single death has, however, been reported because of malaria since 2000. June is observed as “Anti-Malaria Month” throughout the country ahead of the monsoon season to enhance the level of awareness and encourage community participation through mass media campaigns and inter-personal communication. “We have launched a 20-day fogging campaign in all 71 wards of the city to check the breeding of mosquitoes. The drive has been launched in association with the municipal corporation to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases in areas falling within the municipal limits. In the rural areas, anti-larval measures are being taken to stop the spread of the disease,” said Dr Kuldeep Kesar, State Malariologist. “Sites under construction, potholed roads and lanes, and pits in and around localities provide a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-causing germs. People should take care of changing water in water-coolers periodically, as stagnant water can breed mosquitoes,” he added. Dr Devinder Singh Jasrotia, working with the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, said: “We often treat common fever as malaria. If we wait for the confirmation of the disease, the chances of death among patients can be higher. We generally provide empirical treatment to the patients as a result of which the death count on account of malaria has come down to zero in the past 10 years.” The World Health Organisation, in its latest advisory “International Travel and Health Bulletin-2012”, has said there is no danger of malaria transmission in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim, whereas the rest of the country faces a serious threat from the disease. ‘Anti-Malaria Month’June is observed as “Anti-Malaria Month” throughout the country ahead of the monsoon season to enhance the level of awareness and encourage community participation through mass media campaigns and inter-personal communication.Sites under construction, potholed roads and lanes, and pits in and around localities provide a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-causing germs. People should take care of changing water in water-coolers periodically, as stagnant water can breed mosquitoes
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Partial relief for Jagti settlers
Jammu, June 1 Soon after the darbar move, the Kashmiri Pandits in the township started facing 18-hour electricity cuts due to a rift between the administration and the Pandits over the non-payment of electricity bills by the settlers. Amarnath Bhat, a resident of the township, said: “We have been receiving power supply during the night for the past two days. However, long power cuts still continue during the day. The situation is better than before but spending 18 hours without electricity is quite difficult for the people.” “We have not received any notification from the government, but we will not pay any electricity bills till the time we return to our homeland,” he added. The residents of the Jagti township have been asserting that they will not sign any agreement till the government ensures their return to the Valley, saying Jagti was only a transit camp for them. — TNS |
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Kashmiri Pandit food hard to come by
Jammu, June 1 The Kashmiri food, known the world over for its rich spices and exquisite flavour, is in great demand these days. However, not many know that the Kashmiri food has two different styles of cooking - one prepared by Kashmiri Muslims, chiefly consisting of “wazwan” that serves a 36-course meal, and the other prepared by Kashmiri Pandits, who serve both non-vegetarian as well as vegetarian food. However, not even a single restaurant in the region serves authentic Kashmiri Pandit cuisine. Sarla Razdan, author of “Kashmiri Cuisine - Through the Ages”, while talking to The Tribune over the phone said: “People know very little about the Kashmiri Pandit food. It needs to be popularised.” “There is a difference between the Kashmiri Pandit and Muslim style of cooking. Pandits do not use garlic and onion in their food. But spices for both varieties of food remain the same. I have travelled widely but haven’t come across an authentic Kashmir Pandit restaurant in the region,” she claims. Ravinder Kumar, owner of a catering service specialising in Kashmiri food, said: “We serve the Kashmiri Pandit community on special occasions. There are no restaurants in the state that specialise in this style of food. One cannot expect to get authentic Kashmiri Pandit food in regular restaurants. Expertise is required to prepare this type of food.” “The food is gaining popularity among the non-Kashmiris also, as in the recent times, Kashmiri Pandit vegetarian food varieties are finding place in the menu of non-Kashmiri weddings as well,” he adds.
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Forest fire alert in Jammu area
Jammu, June 1 In the past one week, a special control room set up by the department has received 25 reports of wildfire, forcing the department to send special teams of guards on regular patrol in different areas. Officials said due to the intense heat wave over the past three weeks, incidents of fire had gone up considerably in farmland and forest areas, and men and machinery had been put on standby to deal with any exigency. “Keeping in view the lack of equipment and proper devices, the Forest Department is taking the help of the Fire Department to deal with any emergency arising out of the prevailing weather conditions,” an official said. The period from April to June is considered critical for naturally occurring fires, mostly due to the dry conditions that prevail in the region with the onset of summer. Most cases are reported from Jammu, Samba, Kathua, RS Pura and Kandi areas, which at times become a headache for the authorities due to their remoteness. Ravi Kesar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, said though it was impossible to fully monitor the incidents of fire, the department had alerted its field staff to keep extra vigil. “We are doing our bit to control the fires, but a lot more needs to be done to deal with the situation,” he added. Kesar said nearly 60 critical areas across the Jammu region, mostly on the outskirts of Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, Doda and Udhampur district, were prone to forest fires. Mian Altaf, Minister for Forest and Ecology, said a comprehensive mechanism was needed to prevent such fires to avoid heavy losses in terms of forest cover every year and the Jammu region was more prone to fire incidents than the Kashmir region. A strategy was being planned to deal with such incidents on an annual basis. “A meeting was recently convened to review the efforts being made for the prevention of forest fires. Officers have been directed to ensure constant vigil to check incidents of fire during the summer season,” the minister said. 25 fires in one week
In the past one week, a special control room set up by the department has received 25 reports of wildfire, forcing the department to send special teams of guards on regular patrol in different areas |
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Contaminated water leaves 15 kids ill
Rajouri, June 1 Epidemic-like situation prevailed in the village after a number of children reportedly fell ill after consuming contaminated water. The villagers alleged that the Public Health and Engineering (PHE) Department was in deep slumber as it was not providing them with potable water. In the absence of any other source of potable water, villagers had been forced to consume water from a ‘nullah’. Reports said Abdul Khalil, sarpanch, took the sick children to the District Hospital for treatment yesterday. The doctors said the children showed similar symptoms. While some were discharged, the others were kept at the hospital to undergo treatment. A child’s parent said: “We have been forced to drink dirty water in the absence of potable water. Fifteen schoolchildren had fallen sick and were admitted to the hospital. Two weeks ago, a girl had died after drinking contaminated water.” Official reports suggested that 4,648 people fell sick due to consumption of contaminated water in Rajouri district in April. The number went up to 9,725 in May. The report has been sent to various departments after the issue was highlighted in the media. The Medical Superintendent of the District Hospital said: “We have received some cases from a particular area and a team has been sent to monitor the situation.”
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White Knight Corps celebrates 40th Raising Day
Jammu, June 1 Speaking on the occasion of 40th Raising Day of the Corps, Lt Gen Nandal exhorted the troops to be conscious of and emulate the sacrifices of comrades-in-arms that has helped usher in the present state of normalcy. The GOC was confident that the White Knight fraternity would continue to scale greater heights of success in future too. Following the Indo-Pak conflict of 1971, the White Knight Corps was raised on June 1, 1972, and in the past four decades the Corps has become one of the largest and operationally vibrant formations of the Indian Army. Its area of responsibility encompasses a diverse spectrum of terrain, which ranges from snow-capped mountains; hilly areas; riverine tracts, as also developed terrain. The Corps is operationally committed in guarding the International Border; in maintaining the sanctity of the Line of Control and in combating militancy effectively, all of which has resulted in the restoration of normalcy in the region. Apart from its operational commitments, the White Knight Corps is also actively involved in identifying and undertaking various developmental projects. |
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Withdraw fee hike: ABVP to govt
Jammu, June 1 The students have already been bearing the brunt of inflation and the decision will add to their woes,” said Arun Prabhat Singh, secretary, ABVP Jammu. The ABVP leader warned that they would protest if the government didn’t roll back the hike within a week’s time. — TNS
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JU entrance exams on schedule
Jammu, June 1 Over 16,000 students are taking the tests this year to seek admissions to various courses. Students have been preparing hard for these examinations to make it to various courses being offered by the university. The tests scheduled for May 31 will now be held on June 5, while the rest of the tests will be held according to the schedule. The university is slated to introduce six new courses this year, which will prove beneficial for those students who want to pursue these courses in the university. The university is offering MA Dogri, MA (Hons) English, BCom (Hons), Pharmacy, MS (IT) and PGTCA courses from this year. Of the 570 students who got registered for the test for zoology, 486 took the examination, while 84 were reported absent today. In physics, 1,209 students had applied but only 1,116 students appeared for the test. Of 141 students who had applied for the Dogri test, 101 students showed up. Six new courses
The university is slated to introduce six new courses this year, which will prove beneficial for those students who want to pursue these courses in the university
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Teachers’ body seeks summer vacation
Jammu, June 1 Singh said the miseries of the children were visible in the absence of regular power supply and they had to bear with the heat by sitting on the mat during hot afternoons in the classrooms. Due to lack of basic facilities in the schools, it get difficult for the children to bear the heat with scanty resources at their disposal. Irfan Ahmed, District president, urged the state government to announce the schedule of the summer vacation at the earliest. |
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Jammu, June 1 Over 70 persons were screened using a BMD machine and further advised by Dr Vijay Sabharwal and Dr Rajneesh Anand, orthopaedicians at the hospital. Dr Arun Sharma, Medical Superintendent, said the camp was organised every month and people should avail of its benefits. “The BMD test measures levels of calcium and other minerals in a section of bone. The healthcare provider uses this test, along with other risk factors, to predict the risk of bone fractures in the future,” he said. — TNS
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Dogri littérateur remembered
Jammu, June 1 Speaking on the occasion, Prof Lalit Magotra, eminent Dogri writer, underlined the distinctive qualities of Prof Shastri’s personality. “Prof Shastri was a leading figure and was an inspirer. His historical and ideological contributions opened new horizons, not only in Dogri literature but also in the field of Dogra culture,” he added. Prominent among others present included Veena Gupta and Shantanu Gangopadhyay.
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Summer camp for children
Jammu, June 1 The book fair was attended by the parents and students. The students will be participating in the 14th Summer Camp where they will get time to distress and relax. Activities such as art and craft, dance, music will be taught to them. — TNS |
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GHS Balhama win volleyball tourney
Jammu, June 1 In the title clash, GHS Balhama got the better of Chenab Volleyball Club, Zewan, 2-0 (25-13 and 25-23) in a nerve-wracking contest. The match was inaugurated by Rouf-ul-Hassan, IGP Armed/IR Kashmir, who was chief guest. DIG AP Kashmir T Namgyal distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up, besides presenting uniforms and kits to both teams. Ranjeet Kanwar, SP Commandant IR 19th Battalion, RS Jamwal, SSP Commandant IR 11th Battalion, and Ali Mohammad, principal, Sidique Public School, Zafran, were also present. The teams that took part included Govt High School, Balhama; Chenab Club, Zewan; Sidque Public School Zafran ‘A’; Sidque Public School Zafran ‘B’; Dare Devils, Zewan; Young Boys United ‘A’, Balhama; Young Boys United ‘B’, Balhama; and Noor-ul-Huda Educational Institute, Zewan. — TNS |
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Militant hideout busted; arms seized
Batote, June 1 After the elimination of Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander Ghulam Qadir, alias Toheed-ul-Islam, in a joint operation of the Army and the police on May 25, it was revealed that he had hidden some arms and ammunition in Kharawa, Gool. On search, the team seized arms and ammunition hidden inside a cave. These included 1 Pika gun, 1 AK-56, 309 AK rounds, 18 rounds of Pika gun, four Pika gun belts, six AK magazines and 1 radio set antenna. Search was on to recover more weapons.
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4 held for robbing trader
Jammu, June 1 Some miscreants had assaulted Nek Ram, a Chadwal shopkeeper hailing from Chhan Ranga in Hiranagar tehsil, and robbed him of Rs 1.9 lakh in cash that he was carrying after closing his shop. A case under Sections 307, 382 and 341 of the RPC was registered at the Rajbagh police station. Kathua SSP Atul Goel constituted a special investigation team, comprising Kathua ASP Zahid Manhas, SDPO Kamaljit Singh, SHO Rajbagh and Chadwal police post in charge Rajesh Goutam, to investigate the case. During the course of the investigation, four persons — Robin Dub of Chandwan, Vinod Sharma of Kathua, Ankush Sharma and Varun Khajuria, both of Chhan Dityal — confessed to their involvement in the crime. They had attacked the victim and robbed him of Rs 1.9 lakh before splitting the booty among themselves. A motorcycle (JK 08 C 2836) used in the crime was seized from Vinod Sharma, while a Maruti car (PB 21 A 2244) was seized from Robin Dub, who had purchased the car from his share of the booty. A computer along with Rs 79,400 in cash was seized from Ankush Sharma. The police also recovered a weapon used in the crime. |
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While the Traffic Police has installed “no-entry” signages on several roads to avoid snarl-ups, people continue to defy the rules right under the nose of the police.
The Forest Department has sounded an alert in all circles of the Jammu region following fears of outbreak of wildfire, as the moisture content in the air has fallen to 15 per cent and temperature continues to hover around 45 °C.
