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1,000 power units defunct
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Omar may sign off from Twitter for good
Rs 1-cr relief for displaced shopkeepers
Lone custodian of fading fragrance in the Valley
2 minor siblings drown in Dal Lake
50-bedded Unani Hospital without doctors, staff
EDI to impart entrepreneurial skills to Kashmir University students
US Embassy holds leadership workshop at KU
Two killed, 35 hurt in road accidents
Woman hurt in bear attack
Need to promote cohesion among state units: CPM leader
Srinagar pip Ramban in football
Baramulla Club defeated
Labourer charred to death
Army organises medical camp
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1,000 power units defunct
Srinagar, August 9 The power houses, each with a capacity of 3 to 5 kVA, were touted to be the biggest Sadbhavana initiative of the Army in the state. While the Army claims that these mini hydel projects (MHPs) had been handed over to the local authorities, the latter say most of these has been non-functional right from the start. “Faulty material and wrong techniques were adopted by the Army while setting up these power houses. Had it been done by the civil department, many heads would have rolled by now. No one is ready to take on the Army for causing losses to the exchequer,” said a senior officer in the J&K Government. He added that the Army “lacked” the expertise and that the entire work was done in “haste”. “The machinery and equipment were not subjected to third party checkup, which is necessary for such equipment. The state government was not kept in the loop during conception and implementation of these projects,” he added. The Army tried to involve the civil administration only after difficulties surfaced post-completion. In 2005, the Central government had sanctioned the setting up of 1,000 MHPs of 3 to 5 kVA under various categories by the Army. Reconstruction plan
Under the reconstruction plan for J&K announced by the Prime Minister, 435 MHPs were sanctioned to the Army by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, 265 MHPs were sanctioned under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and 300 MHPs under Operation Sadbhavana. Each project was set up at a cost of around Rs 2 lakh. Under the MNRE quota, 42 units were installed by 14 Corps in the Ladakh region, 203 by 15 Corps in Kashmir and 190 by 16 Corps in the Jammu region. Under the BADP component, 8 MHPs were sanctioned in the Ladakh region, 197 in Kashmir and 60 in the Jammu region. Under Operation Sadbhavana, the Army installed 50 power houses in Ladakh, 150 in Kashmir and 100 in Jammu regions. Lt Gen Om Prakash, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 15 Corps, said the Army had constructed the MHPs under Operation Sadbhavana. “All these units have been handed over to the state government for operational purposes,” he told The Tribune. J&K Minister of Science and Technology Aga Ruhullah said all these projects were lying defunct. “After a survey conducted by the Integrated Rural Energy Planning (IREP), these projects have been found defunct,” Ruhullah said. “The Union government had asked the state government to get these units renovated with the help of the Central ministry, but we did not agree as none can be renovated.” In fact, the Power Development Department (PDD) was assigned the task to inspect the units after these were set up. In its report to the government, the PDD said: “The quality of civil, electrical and mechanical works of the power houses set up by the Army was not up to the mark and that discrepancies exist in all installations inspected in various areas of Kashmir and Jammu.” The authorities had also reported that the power units were not functional and could not be handed over to the village-level committees. A joint committee of representatives of the Army and the district administration was set up to undertake a physical verification of these units. In 2009, the J&K government, through the science and technology department, was asked to conduct an inspection of these units. Besides finding most of the units non-functional, the team realised that some existed only on paper. Lt Col Rajesh Kalia, spokesperson for the Northern Command, said these power projects were handed over to the civil authorities after their completion. “The Indian Army executes small-scale projects in the field of education and infrastructure development under Operation Sadbhavana. While the Army plans and constructs these projects, these are handed over on completion to the civil administration in working condition under the policy,” Kalia asserted. |
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Omar may sign off from Twitter for good
Omar, a tech-savvy politician, termed tweeting as a “lose-lose situation” for him. “Don’t rely on tweets for what I think any longer, because it is a lose-lose situation for me,” Omar said in his address at the inaugural function of Kashmir Tribune. Omar said it was “amazing” how both his tweeting and silence on the website made news. “It is just amazing how one publication tends to dub me tweet-a-minute Chief Minister and when I go silent a week later, the sister publication puts a huge piece on where I have gone and why I have gone silent,” he said. For nearly a fortnight since mid-July, Omar remained silent on Twitter despite interesting developments in the Valley, country and abroad. Omar said he was undecided about whether to continue or suspend his Twitter activity. “It is one of those situations where you are damned if you do and you are damned if you don’t. So, I don’t know whether I will be doing so (tweeting) or not,” he said. Omar’s first experiment with highly volatile and anonymity-laden online forums began in April 2008 when he began writing a blog while being in opposition in the state. The tryst with blogging ended four months later when Omar decided to shut the blog after facing a “heap of personal abuse” from angry Kashmiri Netizens during the height of 2008 street protests. Omar made a second attempt to air his views online in 2011 when he regularly went to Twitter to write his opinion about issues ranging from local politics to sports to national events. As the number of followers increased on a daily basis, the Chief Minister used the micro-blogging platform to promote tourism in the Valley — posting pictures of the landscape and inviting people by handing them assurances. His “followers” have swollen to over 1.6 lakh in nearly two years of tweeting. He has been successful in making it to newspaper headlines with his tweets on issues of governance. The Chief Minister’s failed blogging and highly successful tweeting was a rare attempt by a mainstream politician to connect directly with people. The only other politicians to utilise the online networks were the separatist leaders who during the 2010 protests extensively accessed the online options, including video-sharing website Youtube and social networking website Facebook, to propagate their message and publish protest “calendars”. Buoyed by the online success of others, the ruling National Conference and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party have also started their Twitter “handles” over the past few months. Omar may now be deciding to call it a day as his last tweet, written this week after a fortnight-long silence was broken, said: “I never thought I’d say this but I love having nothing to say on Twitter.”
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Rs 1-cr relief for displaced shopkeepers
Srinagar, August 9 Over Rs 16.5 crore has already been spent on the Charar-e-Sharief Mosque Complex estimated to be built at a cost of Rs 26 crore. The Chief Minister also directed the executing agency, the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC), to ensure the completion of the complex by January next year. Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had earlier sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the provision of infrastructural facilities at the complex in the shape of sanitation units, bathrooms and ablution facilities for devotees. The problems faced by the people were deliberated upon with the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister paid obeisance at Dargah Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani today.
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Lone custodian of fading fragrance in the Valley
Srinagar, August 9 Like many other ancient crafts that bear Kashmir’s hallmark, the rudimentary industry of rosewater is on the verge of extinction. The single-room “Arq-e-Gulaab” shop, one of the only few left in Kashmir that continue to trade in rosewater, is located in Kozgar’s house, where his forefathers boiled rose petals, saved its vapours and condensed them into fragrant rosewater for several centuries. Kozgar may be the last in the family lineage of several centuries to make this scented water. “I am doing so to keep this tradition alive,” says Kozgar. The rosewater shop is a window into Kashmir’s past when modernity was yet to be imported into this mountainous land. It is a wooden structure bearing the ambiance and scent of tradition. Large bottles and glass jars, all part of the antiquity, bearing the labels of imperial England and France, are part of the shop’s history. Rosewater has for centuries been used for medicinal purposes in the Valley. After the era of local physicians or “hakeems”, who prescribed rosewater and other condensed potions, came to an end several decades ago, it brought down the sale of rosewater drastically. Now, rosewater is primarily being used as scent and for traditional sprinkling at Sufi shrines and homes. “I am running this
shop just to save this legacy for some more time. There is very little profit in selling rosewater,” says Kozgar, who now runs the shop full-time after retiring from government service several months ago. Kozgar’s son is not interested in the business, putting him among the last men who know this art. “My son is currently studying and is not interested in this art, as profits are very low. Our sales range between five and 15 bottles a day, which is not enough,” says Kozgar. Many traditional crafts in the Valley have been struggling for survival over the years, as the younger generation is drifting away from these and pursuing other vocations or government services. The history “Kozgar” is drawn from Persian words “koz” and “gar”, literally meaning “user of jars”. The story of Kozgars, rosewater and their linkage with Kashmir began many centuries ago when Muslim preachers from Central Asia travelled along the Silk Route to the Valley. As preachers and their disciples settled in Kashmir, new trades, crafts and cultures also started flourishing.Kozgars, who knew the art of mixing rose fragrance with water, were the disciples of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani, who travelled to Kashmir in the 14th century and built the Khanqah mosque The collection The shop has a collection of exquisite bottles labelled after different floral and herbal syrups - Arq-e-Baadiyaan, Arq-e-Kahzabaan, Arq-e-Neelofar, Arq-e-Maku. These syrups were prescribed by “hakeems” for different medicinal purposes. Kozgar says he no longer makes these syrups. “The last of reputed hakeems are no more now. So no one prescribes these syrups and no one comes for them,” he says Sprinklers at shrines For centuries, Kozgars were the “official sprinklers” of rosewater at three popular shrines in Srinagar. But they shifted to exploiting their art commercially around 200 years ago
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2 minor siblings drown in Dal Lake
Srinagar, August 9 Arif Abbas (6) and his sister Sakina (4) drowned when they were playing near the lake close to their house in the Rainawari locality of the city, 5 km from the city centre, a police officer said. The police officer said the girl slipped into the lake while she was playing with her brother. The boy attempted to save his drowning sister but he could not and drowned. Their bodies were later fished out from the lake and laid to rest, the police officer added. |
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50-bedded Unani Hospital without doctors, staff
Srinagar, August 9 Such is the state of affairs at Unani Hospital, located at Shalteng on the outskirts of Srinagar city, that patients who come with a hope to get themselves treated return disappointed. Besides, this is perhaps the only hospital in the Valley, which has no permanent doctors to treat incoming patients. With no permanent staff of its own, the hospital is being run on an internal arrangement basis by the directorate of the Indian System of Medicines (ISM), the parent department responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of this newly inaugurated hospital at Shalteng on the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway. Outside the hospital, a big hoarding greets visitors with the smiling faces of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma and his other Cabinet colleagues, which announces that the hospital has been inaugurated. But, once you enter the hospital building, harsh realities come to the fore. With no permanent and sanctioned staff, Unani Hospital currently operates only Outpatient Department (OPD) that, too, with the help of 10 doctors who are drawn from different dispensaries across the Valley on a rotational and ad hoc basis. Though the foundation stone of the hospital was laid around 25 years ago, it was only recently that the government started work on the site and completed the construction of the hospital building at the cost of Rs 8 crore. Strangely enough, however, it never occurred to the government that the hospital also needed doctors to treat patients. Confirming the shortage of staff at the hospital, Dr Abdul Kabir, Director, Indian System of Medicines, confessed that the Valley’s first-ever Unani Hospital was not able to serve the incoming patients as it should have been. “The hospital has zero sanctioned staff, including doctors. In fact, my proposal for creating 1,000 posts of ISM doctor is lying with the Planning Department for the past three years,” Kabir said, adding that he feared that if the hospital was not equipped with proper staff and equipment soon, it would fail to serve the purpose. Sources said the ISM Department was under instructions from the Health Minister concerned to make the hospital functional anyhow. The sources said the department was told to draw ISM doctors from different dispensaries to make the hospital functional, which was dedicated to people by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sham Lal Sharma. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Sham Lal Sharma had reiterated the resolve of the Coalition government to develop health infrastructure on modern lines as per the requirements of the people in every nook and corner of the state. Sham Lal had promised that Shalteng Unani Hospital would have all modern diagnostic facilities for the patients. However, facts and figures on the ground speak otherwise. In fact, ISM units created at around 20 district hospitals in the state are being run on a rotational and ad hoc basis with no permanent staff. “I request the government, especially Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to make this hospital fully functional by approving the requisite staff strength. “Otherwise, as the pressure of people increases, the hospital may prove to be a mockery,” Dr Kabir added. |
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EDI to impart entrepreneurial skills to Kashmir University students
Srinagar, August 9 The programme aims at sensitising the students and applicants of flagship schemes like Seed Capital Fund Scheme (SCFS) under which the would-be entrepreneurs (with qualification 10+2 and above) can get financial assistance ranging from Rs 8.5 lakh to Rs 21.5 lakh (approximately), which includes a significant amount in the form of non-refundable seed capital. The development comes as a result of a “capacity building awareness camp”, which was organised by Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC), University of Kashmir, in collaboration with Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), Sempora, Pampore, in which the EDI officials held one-to-one interaction with KU students. Besides giving some quick tips on how to establish a successful venture to the students, the entrepreneurship experts stressed on the need to avail maximum benefits under Sher-e-Kashmir Welfare and Employment Programme for youth (SKEWPY), the flagship programme of National Conference-led coalition government for unemployed youths. Entrepreneurship experts hope to engage in a major proportion of KU students for various government-facilitated entrepreneurship schemes. The EDI has already roped in a few KU students who wished to get trained under the skill development programmes in its Sempora, Pampore campus and pursue entrepreneurship careers. “Entrepreneurship is surely challenging but a way forward since there are not much public sector jobs in the offing. And we don’t have many youth-mobilised ventures in Kashmir. If EDI supports us financially, then our ideas might just prove fruitful and earn us a promising career,” said Maheen Khan, a KU student, and an applicant for Seed Fund Capital Scheme. |
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US Embassy holds leadership workshop at KU
Srinagar, August 9 Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University Prof Talat Ahmad inaugurated the workshop. Around 50 alumni of the Embassy of the United States of America participated in the workshop. “These workshops are bound to benefit participants in a big way and help further develop leadership qualities in them necessary for running big or small organisations. The Vice-Chancellor looked forward to collaborations with the US New Delhi Embassy, especially to run programmes at new satellite campuses at Kargil, Leh and Kupwara. The workshop focused on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) instrument, a widely recognised personality type tool, which provides a framework for understanding one’s way of both collecting information and making decisions to allow for maximising personal and interpersonal effectiveness. Prof Abdul Wahid Qureshi, Vice-Chancellor, Central University, senior faculty of the university, Kashmir journalists representing local and national newspapers and a few scholars and students of the varsity were the participants in the day long workshop which focused on understanding individual differences; uncovering new ways to work and interact with others; improving individual and team performance; developing effective leadership skills; reducing workplace conflict and enhancing teamwork. Earlier in her welcome address, Prof Nilofar Khan, Dean, Students’ Welfare, talked about the importance of the workshop and said the participants attending the workshop were from varied fields and they were bound to consolidate and share their experiences during the stay. Prof Khan thanked the US Embassy for their interest in KU and looked forward to many such workshops in future with them. Prof Abdul Wahid Qureshi, Vice-Chancellor, Central University, Srinagar, Stephanie F. Morimura, Cultural Attaché for Education and Exchanges, Embassy of the United States of America, New Delhi, and JP Das, country exchange adviser, American Centre, New Delhi, also spoke on the occasion. Sanjay Upindaram, CEO, Amarthi Consulting, took three sessions with the participants. “The workshop was a personality type indicator where you have an insight into your own professional and private sight,” Sanjay told the participants while talking about the importance of the seminar.
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Two killed, 35 hurt in road accidents
Srinagar, August 9 The deceased, identified as Ghulam Mohammad Malik, died on the spot in Baramulla district when he was hit by a vehicle on the highway connecting Srinagar with north Kashmir districts, a police spokesman said. In the second incident, a bus skidded off the road near Sangam bridge in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, resulting in on the spot death of the conductor. The police spokesman said 14 passengers were injured in the accident. In the third accident, a pedestrian was injured when he was hit by a motorcycle in Anantnag district. Five more passengers were injured in an accident when the vehicle they were travelling in turned turtle in Kulgam district. In yet another accident, seven passengers were injured when a bus turned turtle in Baramulla. In Srinagar, a passenger bus collided with a car injuring eight persons, the spokesman added.
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Woman hurt in bear attack
Srinagar, August 9 The woman, identified as Azi Begum (65), was attacked by a wild bear at Soin-Saidnar, her native village, near Sopore town of Baramulla district, a police spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the woman had been hospitalised. Wild animals, mostly bears, have attacked and injured, in many cases even killed, people as there has been an increase in the man-wild animal conflict across the Kashmir valley. |
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Need to promote cohesion among state units: CPM leader
Srinagar, August 9 “The spirit of autonomy or self-rule should be to empower the common people at the grass-roots level and not those who are already in the power corridors. The final aim of the political process should be to provide people economically better, socially healthy and politically a dignified life,” Taragami said. He said broader democratisation, devolution of powers and dialogue within should go in tandem with the establishment of cordial relationship among various countries of the sub-continent. “It is necessary for offering effective resistance to the imperialist designs of hegemony, exploitation and its age-old habit of fishing in the troubled waters. We cannot afford to overlook the imperialist tendencies and as such should realise that the amicable resolution of the Kashmir issue to the satisfaction of all concerned and putting an end to the alienation in Kashmir is a must,” he added.
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Srinagar pip Ramban in football
Jammu, August 9 Budgam outplayed Kishtwar 3-0. In the other matches, Pulwama dispatched Rajouri by 3-0 in which Mohammad Gous scored two goals. Baramulla thrashed Udhampur 4-0 while Ganderbal outplayed Anantnag 2-1. The match between Kupwara and Poonch ended in a draw. In all, 17 districts of the state are taking part in the tournament. — TNS |
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Baramulla Club defeated
Jammu, August 9 Leading by a goal in the first half, Jagjit Club scored three goals in the second half. Pardeep Singh scored two goals in the 55th and 60th minute, respectively, while Gurpreet Singh struck in the 57th minute. The match was officiated by Rajinder Singh (Jr), Maninder Singh, Rajinder Singh and Pardeep Singh. |
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Labourer charred to death
Srinagar, August 9 The spokesperson said a labourer, identified as Ram Babu, a resident of Bihar, was charred to death in the incident. He said the cause of the fire was being ascertained. |
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Army organises medical camp
Batote, August 9 A part of Operation Sadbhavna, the medical camp provided diagnosis facilities and medicines to poor villagers free of cost. The patients were examined by a team of a medical officer, nursing assistants and support staff of the Rashtriya Rifles. A specialised medical cover was given to the women, children and elderly people. |
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Srinagar, August 9
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