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Civil services the way to go for Valley youth
Remove black films by Aug 20 or face action: IG
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Four held in Natipora murder case
youth’s killing
Official neglect mars Heritage preservation
Workshop on research methodology at KU
One killed, 26 hurt in road accidents
Forum flays parking fee hike at railway station
Killings in US gurdwara flayed
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Civil services the way to go for Valley youth
Srinagar, August 8 From 1,879 in 2008, the number of aspirants from the Valley taking the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) examination has gone up to 2,380 in 2011. The number of successful candidates has also gone up steadily. In 2010, a Baramulla-based medico, Shah Faesal, caught everyone’s attention when he topped the IAS examination. Four more Kashmiris made it to the prestigious list that year. In 2011, the number of successful candidates went up to seven and this year, 11 aspirants got through. For someone like Muhammad Shafi Pandit, the first Kashmiri Muslim IAS officer from the Valley and former chairman of the Public Service Commission, the growing number of successful IAS candidates from the Valley is an encouraging sign for thousands of aspirants who wish to be among the top bureaucrats of the country. After 1969, when Pandit passed the IAS examination, nobody from the Valley could make it to the list for nine consecutive years. “Thereafter, only one Kashmiri aspirant could clear the examination every five years. Post-2010, Kashmiris have made their presence felt in the administrative circles,” says Pandit. He recalls the first-ever interactive workshop of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) members and the civil service aspirants in 2007, which proved quite productive. “It was a sensitisation drive aimed at making the aspirants, their parents and guardians aware of the opportunities available. We received an overwhelming response. I decided to start a training academy for the aspirants,” says Pandit. The IAS magic is fast catching up with the youth. Shahzad Hussain Hamdani, a 26-year-old social activist from the Haba Kadal area of the city, sees civil services as a perfect way of addressing public concerns. “I realised that unless you hold a top-notch position in the government sector, people’s grievances remain unaddressed. I have been supporting social causes since my college days, but the impact has never been far-reaching. That is why I decided to start studying for the IAS,” he says. Shahzad left Jammu University after completing his graduation and started preparing for the IAS examination. He could not qualify the preliminary round this time, but is all set to give it another shot. “I know it is a difficult job, but I am all for it,” says Shahzad. On his days of preparation back in 2010, during which there was widespread unrest in the Valley, he says: “My coaching centre remained shut for most part of that year due to strikes. I was even bullied by protesters who thought my civil services aspirations were unrealistic. But I have always wanted to do something good for the society and getting into the civil services will help me achieve that. Making money is not an issue for me, because I come from a well-off family.” Mymoona Wani also shares a similar IAS dream. She switched two jobs in three years but always felt a vacuum. A postgraduate in law from Aligarh Muslim University, Mymoona came back to stay with her friends and family in Shivpora, Srinagar, and started practising in lower court. She even took to teaching at a private law college for some time, but could never take her eyes off her ultimate goal — clearing the IAS. Mymoona feels the Kashmiri women do not have much presence in administrative jobs, and that time has come to break
the walls. “Owaisa Iqbal of Ladakh and Syed Sehrish Asgar of Doda cracked the examination in two straight years. Clearing the examination does not seem unachievable. It is important for women to come forward and assume the responsibility of running the administration,” says Mymoona. In 2010, a Baramulla-based medico, Shah Faesal, caught everyone’s attention when he topped the IAS examination. Four more Kashmiris made it to the prestigious list that year — Shahzad Hussain Hamdani, a social activist and an IAS aspirant — Mymoona Wani, an IAS aspirant |
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Remove black films by Aug 20 or face action: IG
Srinagar, August 8 The latest directive of the traffic police comes following a Supreme Court order warning the
DGPs and Commissioners of Police of contempt if they fail to act against tinted glasses being used in vehicles. “Since a complete ban has been imposed on the use of black films, including the government vehicles, car owners will have to fall in line. They must do it before August 20,” said Muneer Ahmad Khan, Inspector-General of Police (Traffic). While issuing the directions, the Supreme Court had on August 3 asked the police machinery in the country to not only challan the offending vehicles but also take immediate measures to remove materials pasted on safety glasses by the vehicle users. "We are implementing the Supreme Court order. It has nothing to do with any security threat to the nation. We are clear: No material can be pasted on safety glasses. This law needs to be enforced,” the police said. In fact, keeping in view the security situation in the region, the police has not been allowing the use of tinted glasses or black films in vehicles. On many occasions in the past, the police has been found removing the films at various places in Srinagar and elsewhere. |
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Ignored by doctors, woman delivers baby outside hospital
Srinagar, August 8 Amreen’s family alleged the gynaecologist posted at the hospital could not understand the seriousness of the case and
asked her to leave. While Amreen was on her way home, around 20 km away from the hospital, she went into labour. “There was nobody around for help. I asked the driver to assist me. That is when she delivered the baby. I could have lost my wife and child had any complication arisien during the delivery,” said Ghulam Ahmad, Amreen’s husband. He said his wife was undergoing regular check-ups at the hospital for over two months and that they were relying on her prescriptions. Chief Medical Officer Dr Dildar Mir, while refuting the allegations by Amreen’s family, said she had visited the hospital around 3 am and had not complained of pain at that time. “She returned to the hospital around 9 am but by then she had delivered the baby. I have her hospital ticket which states she had been to the hospital only once during her pregnancy. We have ordered an inquiry,” Mir said. Kashmir’s healthcare has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Earlier this year, a large number of infant deaths were reported at GB Pant
Hospital in Srinagar, putting the healthcare facilities in the state under the scanner. |
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Four held in Natipora murder case
Srinagar, August 8 The police said Maqsood Hussain Shah along with his two sons — Sadiq Hussain and Fahad Hussain — and wife Rozy, had barged into neighbour Ghulam Mohammad Shah’s house carrying lathis and iron roads and assaulted the inhabitants. Ghulam Mohammad Shah and his daughter suffered serious injuries in the attack and were shifted to the hospital where Ghulam succumbed to his injuries. The police had registered a case at the Sadar police station. “The Sadar police has arrested all four accused — Maqsood Hussain Khan, his wife and two sons,” a police spokesperson said. But local residents alleged that the police was yet to file a chargesheet in the court and was delaying the investigations.
— TNS |
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youth’s killing
Srinagar, August 8 Two groups of people, subscribing to different ideologies, had clashed in Sendbal village of Ganderbal, about 25 km from here, on Monday, in which Shabir Ahmad Bhat (20) was killed after being hit on the head during a fight at a village mosque. An officer posted at the Kheer Bhawani police station said the two were arrested under Sections 147, 148, 149 and 302 (murder) of the RPC. He said the FIR also named 18 other people from the village whose role would
be investigated. SP, Ganderbal, Shahid Meraj said the police was investigating the case and people were being called for questioning. “It is a mob crime. Everyone from the village will be called for questioning. They will have to record their statements, as to where they were and what they were doing when the incident took place,” said Meraj. He said the killing was a result of a “clash between two groups who had ideological differences”. “We have to see, who has how much culpability in the crime,” said the SP. The police officer said the situation in the village and its adjoining areas was calm and under control. The hardline Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Geelani had
yesterday blamed the ruling National Conference for the killing, alleging that the party
had “always targeted religion-oriented people in Kashmir”. The politico-religious group, Jamaat-e-Islami, had termed the youth’s killing as “political” in nature instead of being based on a “sectarian” divide. |
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Kashmir’s cultural scene set to stage a comeback
“Almost everything got affected during the militancy years. We had done tremendous work back then and are trying to revive most activities now,” said Khalid Bashir, secretary, JKAACL. “To begin with, we will hold an all-India mushaira either next month or October. The mushaira used to be quite popular back then and had even featured noted Urdu poet Jigar Moradabadi. The last such event was held before the outbreak of militancy.” Bashir, a well-known poet and writer, took over as secretary of the cultural academy in June. His main publications include “Jhelum — The River Through My Backyard” in English, and “Sada-e-Neem Shab”, “Deeda-e-Aab-e-Rawan” and “Khwaab Paarah” in Urdu. Besides mushaira, Kashmir played host to several cultural activities, including those related to theatre, which were mainly held at the Tagore Hall in the city. Bashir said the theatre activities would also be resumed once the ongoing construction work of the hall was completed. “The hall is being renovated at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crore and once the renovation is completed, steps will be taken to revive theatre,” he said. Bashir said the future plan of action to revive cultural activities and fix the deadlines and dates besides drafting a calendar of events would be taken during a meeting scheduled on August 22. Apart from holding cultural activities, the academy has a rare collection of 600 manuscripts. Union Minister Kapil Sibal, during his recent visit to the Valley, had assured steps by the Centre to digitise these rare manuscripts. The academy was founded in 1958 to promote art and cultural activities in the state. We will hold an all-India mushaira in September or October. Further, the Tagore Hall is being renovated at an estimated cost of
Rs 12-13 crore and once the renovation is completed, steps will be taken to revive theatre in the
Valley — Khalid Bashir, secretary, JKAACL On the cards
Valley a cultural hub: Rana
Srinagar, August 8 |
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Official neglect mars Heritage preservation
Srinagar, August 8 The construction of the new museum, estimated to cost Rs 30 crore, was started four years ago when then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad laid its foundation stone at Lal Mandi, Srinagar, where the old SPS museum building is located. The SPS Complex is a five-storeyed building, which houses the museum and a library. The new museum will incorporate advanced facilities such as central heating, landscaping and plush interior designs. However, to date only the exterior structure of the building has been completed and the layout work is still pending, awaiting approval from the higher authorities. The Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, along with the Police Housing Corporation, have been entrusted with the responsibility of construction of museum but nothing concrete has been achieved so far. Sources said persistent negligence by the authorities is the reason behind the slow pace of the construction project. Even private parties are not adhering to the rules and deadlines. Mumbai-based design firm, Matrica, hired for the interior designing of the project, is supposed to complete the same within 18 months (four phases). Sources said the first phase of research analysis had been completed and the tenders might be floated anytime soon. Deputy Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Peerzada Muhammad Ashraf, said: “The final design by Matrica has already been approved and handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir Police Housing Corporation, which will float tenders for the construction purposes”. “The interior design is supposed to be the most intricate work. We might even employ artisans from outside for the assignment. We have been in touch with leading architects from the Valley and outside,” he added. The State Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Ringzin Jora, has directed the department officials as well as the private firm to expedite the work and ensure the deadlines are met. “We have clear instructions from the minister that in case the work is not completed on time, we might even look for another architectural agency. We are expecting that at least two galleries are completed and ready for use in another six months,” Ashraf said. Despite Kashmir’s magnificent heritage and culture, the successive state governments have paid no heed to the construction of museums. “The project cost has already crossed Rs 50 crore. The various intermediate agencies, which the state government employs, have been missing deadlines regularly. The construction of new SPS museum complex by the end of this year is unlikely,” an official said. |
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24 NYC volunteers detained
Srinagar, August 8 All-Jammu and Kashmir National Youth Corps Volunteers Association president Mudassir Hassan, said: “Around 8,000 volunteers were deployed to various departments like Rural Development, Youth Services and Sports, Tourism, Finance, Social Welfare and others in 2010. But now we are not being allowed to continue our services. We do not want regularisation of services. We are only demanding continuation of our services.” Earlier in May-June, the NYC volunteers sat on a nine-day-long fast at the Press Enclave to highlight their grievances. The fast was called off after the government promised that their demands would be looked into. The NYC volunteers threatened to intensify their stir if the government continued to ignore their demands. Besides continuation of services, they were also demanding conversion of monthly honorariums to salaries and also increase in remunerations. |
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Workshop on research methodology at KU
Srinagar, August 8 Prof Ahmad said: “Research is an art of scientific investigation and a systematic effort to gain new knowledge and provide direction for the future”. He stressed the need for developing strong acumen of research methodology among the faculty and scholars of the university. He said adopting sound research methodology tools could make research more result-oriented and meaningful. “By adopting latest trends and tools in the area of research methodology, we can address most of our problems and can make our decision-making more effective and efficient,” he said. Prof AM Shah, Dean (Academic Affairs), highlighted the role of research methodology in extending the frontiers of knowledge in today’s globalised environment. Prof Shabir A Bhat, Director, Business School, said: “Choosing the appropriate research methodology and formulating research questions is not an easy and clear-cut process as it appears to be. The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures.” The other eminent speakers included Prof Kaleem Mohammad Khan and Dr Mohammad Naveed Khan from Aligarh Muslim University, among others. |
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One killed, 26 hurt in road accidents
Srinagar, August 8 “All the injured were admitted to the sub-district hospital for treatment where Ghulam Mustafa, son of Abdul Rahim, resident of Trongen, Drass, succumbed to his injuries,” a police spokesman said. The victim’s body was handed over to his relatives for the last rites. In another accident, 16 persons were injured in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district when a bus (JK03/0945) on its way from Sheer Hamdan to Anantnag hit a steel pole at KP Road, Krangsoo. All the injured were admitted to hospital for treatment. The police has registered a case. In yet another incident, a motorcycle bearing chassis number 25837 collided with a Maruti car (JK03A/8006) in Kulgam in south Kashmir, resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist and a pillion rider. Both the injured have been shifted to hospital for treatment. In the fourth incident, two persons were injured when a Tata Mobile (JK03C/7601) turned turtle near Charitanz Vailoo in south Kashmir. Both the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment. |
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PDP demands probe into youth’s killing
Anantnag, August 8 Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a Youth Convention of the party held at Town Hall, Anantnag, Mehbooba said, “The act cannot be condemned with mere words. There must be an independent inquiry into the matter and the guilty should be brought to book”. A 20-year-old youth Shabir Ahmad Bhat was killed and two others were injured in Sendbal village of Ganderbal, in what was termed to be sectarian clashes. A religious group, Jamaat-e-Islami, ruling out that there were any ‘sectarian clashes’, termed the killing as a cold-blooded murder by a sarpanch of the ruling National Conference (NC). Accusing the ruling National Conference of weakening the state’s economy, Mehbooba said the precedent was set by the NC founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and both his son and grandson, NC patron Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, have been following his footsteps. “They have sold our power projects. We demand the implementation of the Rangarajan committee’s report at the earliest, so that the people of the state are benefited,” she said. While criticising the working of the National Conference-led coalition government, she said the whole of south Kashmir had been ignored on developmental front. “The projects started in south Kashmir and elsewhere by the Peoples Democratic Party patron, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, during his tenure as the Chief Minister, have either been shelved or are being implemented at a snail’s pace,” Mehbooba said. |
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Andar Nag site in a shambles
Anantnag, August 8 The place has a special reference in the Hindu mythology. It is a
pilgrimage site for the Hindu devotees, who keep thronging the place round the year. “We are organising a mahayajna at the revered site on the eve of Janmashtami. It is painful to see the whole place in a mess,” said Chaman
Lal, a devotee. The place is littered with garbage, say devotees. The once sparkling water of the Nag (spring) has turned murky due to its poor upkeep. Local residents blamed the presence of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp inside the premises for this. “The place has been occupied by the security personnel for 20 years now and the entry to the
place is restricted,” said Ghulam Qadir, a local resident. They said the security personnel had done little to ensure the well-being of the revered site. “Half a dozen concrete structures have come up in the compound for the past 20 years. So many structures at such a fragile place can damage the surroundings,” said another local resident. The district administration taking cognisance of the squalid condition of Andar Nag, has initiated measures to restore its glory. “The Development Commissioner of the district visited both Andar Nag and Sherbagh at our request. He has said that proper measures would be taken for the facelift of the site,” said a local resident. |
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Forum flays parking fee hike at railway station
Jammu August 8 Parking charges were increased from Rs 20 to Rs 30 per vehicle per visit. The forum said this was causing considerable inconvenience to passengers who were forced to pay parking fee even if they would just come by to drop
someone there. The forum held a meeting here that was chaired by its president RK Chadda. He alleged the nexus was aimed at benefiting the parking contractors. He said the railway authorities were trying to erect a divider at a small stretch of the road up to the entry point of the main platform building which again was causing hardships to passengers. “The passengers are facing problems, particularly the elderly ones and those with some disabilities as they need to walk and climb stairs with luggage to a long distance,” Chadda said. He said that in response to a PIL filed by the
forum for upgrading and modernisation of the railway station, the J&K High Court had constituted a committee to look into the matter. The forum said the Inspector General (IG) of Police had given written assurance to the high court last year that a divider would be laid at the stretch of the road up to the entry point but the same had not been raised till date. The forum president further alleged the Divisional Traffic Manager (DTM) was not allowing the laying down of the divider in a bid to benefit the parking contractor. He criticised the DTM for arbitrarily allowing the contractor to increase the parking charges even if a vehicle only passed through the parking lot to drop passengers. |
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Killings in US gurdwara flayed
Jammu, August 8 At a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Gurdeep Singh Sasan, members condemned the brutal killing of innocent people. Sasan termed it as a blot on American society. The members expressed grief over the tragic killings. They appealed to the US government and civil society to take measures to stop the recurrence of such criminal attacks against the peace-loving Sikh community and other minorities. |
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Infighting among Jammu University faculty members
Jammu, August 8 Students from far-off places visiting the campus are also a harried lot. While higher-ups and senior faculty members are busy settling their personal scores, students are being subjected to umpteen hardships due to the “indifferent attitude” of the authorities. Long queues outside fee counters, application form sale counters and enquiry counters, besides students moving from one place to another to get their application forms attested, are a common sight on the university campus. Moreover, internal squabbling is taking a toll on academic affairs of the institution. Several posts on the campus have been lying vacant owing to “vested interests” of higher-ups and senior faculty members. “Infighting among the higher-ups has caught the varsity on the wrong foot. It is turning murkier with senior faculty members and other administrative officers virtually fighting it out in the open,” regretted a senior faculty member. He said the recent media reports on infighting between two senior professors of the mathematics department and two senior administrative officers spoke volumes about the situation. “The Vice-Chancellor should take a serious note of such incidents,”
he added. Rakesh Chib, president, Jammu University Research Scholars Executive Association (JURSEA), said there was no accountability in the university administration. “Professors and administrative officials have lost focus on genuine issues the student community confronts. The administration is lacking in vision to redress the grievances of the students,” he said. Chib said the university higher-ups did not involve the JURSEA or department representatives while making policy decisions, including formation of “students’ charter or quality policy”. Sunil Sharma, a scholar of the Dogri department said, “There may be a conflict of opinion among professors. However, they should not fight for personal gains as it adversely affects the functioning of the institution.” Prof NK Tripathi, Dean Students Welfare (DSW), however, chose to downplay the infighting on the campus. He said, “The university is like a family and there is always a difference of opinion on certain issues.” About the chaos outside fee counters, Chib said the university was contemplating to open its account so that students could deposit the fee from any bank branch in the state. Long queues
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I’ve realised that unless you hold a top-notch position in the government sector, people’s grievances remain unaddressed. I have been supporting social causes since college, but the impact has never been far-reaching. That is why I have decided to start studying for the IAS
examination 
Owaisa Iqbal of Ladakh and Syed Sehrish Asgar of Doda cracked the examination in two straight years. Clearing the examination does not seem unachievable. It is important for women to come forward and assume the responsibility of running the
administration 
Srinagar, August 8