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Canine fear persists on city streets
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Major reshuffle in J-K judiciary on the cards
Six employees suspended
Postal stamp on Mehjoor soon
Bar Assn condemns killing of Muslims in Assam, Burma
I-Day arrangements finalised in Gurez
Tributes paid to Shanta Koul, Vinod Malhotra
CRPF organises blood donation camp
ACC Blues beat WCC Reds
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Canine fear persists on city streets
Srinagar, August 11 Only 500 dogs have been sterilised in the city since the sterilisation of canines began on May 4 under the Animal Birth Control (ABC), a programme aimed at checking canine population in the Valley. This despite the fact that the government claims to have taken various speedy measures to control the population of stray dogs in the city. “Since the sterilisation process began, we have operated on 500 dogs,” said Dr Dil Muhammad Makhdoomi, Chief Scientist and Head, Veterinary Clinical Services, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST). “In case of male dogs, both testicles are surgically removed, while in female dogs, the uterus is removed. The operation ensures that these dogs do not produce offsprings.” The dogs are sterilised under a project undertaken jointly by the Srinagar municipal corporation, SKUAST and the Animal Welfare Board of India. The government claims that the sterilisation of dogs will halt the alarming growth in the population of dogs. The MC catches canines in the early-morning and late-evening hours. The animals are then operated upon at SKUAST. After the operation, the animals are tagged with ear studs. A canine spends three days in the camp before being released back in its locality. Sources in SKUAST claim that the reason for the slow pace of sterilisation is the failure of the MC in providing them with facilities agreed upon at the initial stage of the project. “Under the MoU, the MC was to provide an operating theatre, dog kitchen, rest room for staff and office, a lab and preparation room. Barring kennels, the MC has not given anything to SKUAST,” said a senior official at the university. “If the government is serious about getting rid of stray dogs, it should provide requisite infrastructure and facilities to SKUAST. We have sufficient human resource to undertake 500 operations a day.” The MC officials said the pace of sterilisation campaign would speed up in the coming days. “We are constructing an operating theatre and are in the process of providing more infrastructure. The sterilisation process will gather pace in the days to come,” said Fayyaz Ahmed, MC Joint Commissioner. The dog population has already crossed one lakh in the city and the increasing dog population has resulted in an alarming rise in cases of canine attack. The figures with the state health department suggest that nearly 8,000 people have been bitten and injured by stray canines across the Valley in the first seven months of this year. Gnawing facts
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Major reshuffle in J-K judiciary on the cards
Srinagar, August 11
“On August 9, a meeting of full court was held in Srinagar, wherein all HC judges, including Chief Justice MM Kumar, were present,” a source said. Judges from the Jammu wing of the HC also participated in the meeting through conferencing, which lasted till Thursday evening. “The full court met again on Friday, as consensus could not be reached on certain issues,” a source added. A court official said no transfer or posting had been ordered so far, while refusing to divulge the details of the meeting. The new Chief Justice is reported to have “regulated” the roster in a bid to streamline the administration and ensure quick disposal of cases at the High Court.
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Kashmir varsity’s foray into philanthropy
Srinagar, August 11 Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Kashmir University, told a gathering of the Kashmir University faculty, students, members of the Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Foundation (JKYF) and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers that the university would contribute wholeheartedly to the cause of orphans. The Vice-Chancellor was speaking at the release of the JKYF’s annual report 2011-12, which entailed the concerns of orphans, half-widows and unmarried girls in the Valley. While talking to Kashmir Tribune, Prof Talat said the university had some schemes for orphans and the needy ones in the Distance Education Department, which would be implemented in full spirit. He said there was no provision of a special quota for orphans and widows. “Let us start contributing to the cause of orphans and widows beginning from this holy month of Ramadan. We need to acknowledge that not much work has been done to uplift the conditions of orphans and widows in the Valley,” Prof Talat said. Muhammad Ahsan Rather, chairman, JKYF, highlighted the role of his organisation in its 12-year-long journey for fulfilling the rights of orphans and widows in society. He also invited active participation from the university staff and faculty in addressing the issue, which has only gone from bad to worse over the past few decades. Prof S. Fayaz, Registrar, KU, said the moral and ethical values of society should not be forgotten and the upliftment of orphans and widows could be brought about only by spreading moral education. Er Sayid Hamid Bhat, patron, JKYF, presented the vote of thanks on the occasion. A copy of the annual report, “Ehsaas”, was also distributed among the audience. Later, Prof Talat also inaugurated a photo exhibition organised by the foundation highlighting its various activities. |
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It’s a battle for survival
Anantnag, August 11 The bat manufacturers say the industry has suffered extensively in the absence of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan by the government. “Most of the units have been out of business for the past two months, while some have been forced to move to other districts,” says Abdul Majeed, former president, Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association. “Though the government has compensated us for the demolition, it is not enough. We have been struggling for survival ever since the demolition took place,” says Abdul Majeed. He says even the Common Facility Centre at Halmulla, built at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore, will be partly demolished for the road widening work. The manufacturers say the industry, one of the biggest and finest in Kashmir, offers employment to over 10,000 people with annual revenue of over Rs 100 crore. “The lackadaisical attitude of the authorities towards such a large industry is disheartening. We have been demanding a proper place to carry on with our businesses but to no avail,” says Tanseer Salroo, owner of Salroo Sports, Bijbehara. The Sher-i-Kashmir Sports Complex was constructed at Bijbehara to accommodate all manufacturers under one roof, but the complex continues to be occupied by security forces for over decades now. “Our repeated pleas to get the complex vacated have fallen on deaf ears and despite assurances from the authorities, including the Chief Minister, nothing concrete has been done,” says Nazir Ahmad, president, Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association. He says they have been assured of being rehabilitated before any demolition takes place. The authorities maintain that all unit holders will be rehabilitated within a month. “Two-thirds of the sports complex in Bijbehara has already been vacated by the security forces and they will vacate it completely by the end of this month,” says Mehrajuddin Kanue, Director, Industries and Commerce. Sports complex
The Sher-i-Kashmir Sports Complex, constructed at Bijbehara to accommodate all manufacturers under one roof, continues to be occupied by security forces for over decades now |
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Srinagar, August 11 An official spokesperson said the six employees were found absent from work when the Additional Deputy Commissioner there inspected a Public Health Engineering division. The spokesperson said the six employees were placed under suspension. — TNS
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Drass fast catching tourists’ imagination
Drass (Kargil), August 11 Scores of tourists travelling to Ladakh stop over at his sleepy town to visit spots like Drass War Memorial, located near Just 150 km shy of Srinagar, this town is surrounded by the famous Tiger Hill and Tololing, which witnessed fierce gunbattle during the conflict. “After the reopening of the Srinagar-Leh road each year, a large number of visitors make a halt at the War Memorial to pay their tributes and know more about the two-month-long battle with Pakistani troops and intruders,” said hawaldar Sukhwinder Singh of 14 Sikh Battalion, who has been guiding visitors about the memorial. Sudesh Pandey, a resident of Mumbai, said he liked the Drass valley. “I wanted to trek to the hills where our soldiers had fought bravely, but could not do so due to restrictions. But I visited the Kargil War Memorial and paid my homage to the heroes,” he said. The inflow of tourists to the Drass valley has prompted businessman to open hotels and eateries in the town. “We had opened a hotel last year in the town and have been having good business,” said Bashir Ahmed, who hails from Baramulla district and runs a hotel at Drass during summer. This rush will continue till November, when the national highway is closed, he added. The Srinagar-Ladakh highway remains closed for over six months during winter following heavy accumulation of snow along the Gumri-Zojila axis that divides the Kashmir and Ladakh regions. While the Kargil War remains etched in the minds of local residents, they have moved on. They are now trying to revive local sports to draw tourists. “Polo - the traditional game of Drass - is the new attraction for tourists,” said Ghulam Hassan Zia, a local resident. “During the Kargil War, Drass became known for Tiger Hill and Tololing. Now we want to make it famous for polo,” Zia added. Famous peaks
Just 150 km shy of Srinagar, Drass is surrounded by the famous Tiger Hill and Tololing, which witnessed fierce gunbattle during the Kargil War. |
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Kashmir’s culture, heritage on display
Srinagar, August 11 The centre, located at Ganpatyar on banks of the Jhelum, is housed in a “heritage building of colonial era”, said Saleem Beg, Kashmir convener, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).@He said the exhibition of pictures, which were contributed by 22 photographers, was a “window” into Kashmir. The centre, which housed a school before the state government took over its possession, was thrown open to public as a museum a fortnight ago after being constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. “The centre offers a heritage package, including a river cruise from Zero Bridge to the Lal Ded Cultural Centre and back,” Beg said. After taking a cruise from Zero Bridge to the centre, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal said he was impressed with the “imaginative” planning of the centre. “A lot of imaginative thinking has gone into developing the centre. The best part is that they are involving youth,” Lal said. He said the photos depicted the heritage and crafts of the city. The heritage package has been introduced to diversify tourism options so that local residents and tourists can witness the centuries-old architecture and history of the city etched along the banks of the Jhelum. The cruise introduces the visitors to many ancient mosques, shrines, temples, ghats and houses. Rare and historical photographs of different heritage sites of Srinagar, handicraft and handloom items, old terra-cotta and wood carving works, and old maps of Kashmir are on display at the centre.
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Postal stamp on Mehjoor soon
Srinagar, August 11 Khalid Bashir Ahmad, secretary, Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), said Shair-e-Kashmir Mehjoor would be only the second Kashmiri after Shiekh Muhammad Abdullah to earn this honour. He was addressing a gathering of eminent poets, scholars and writers during a “Mehjoor Seminar” today. “We have provided relevant information on Mehjoor’s life and work to the Director, Philately,” he said. Prominent writers of Kashmiri language, including Prof Shafi Shoque, Prof Shad Ramzan, Prof Bashar Basheer, Dr Ayaz Rasool Nazki and Ghulam Nabi Aatish, read out papers on Mehjoor’s poetry. Muhammad Yusuf Taing, who was also the chief guest, said Mehjoor was asked by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to chronicle the history of Kashmir. He took him along to Delhi to consult sources. But Mehjoor did not live long to do the assignment. He spelt out Mehjoor’s contribution through his verses in creating political awareness among the masses against the autocratic rule. He called upon the
academy to reprint Mehjoor’s poetic collection for the benefit of scholars and students of Kashmiri literature. In his presidential address, Prof Rehman Rahi said through his poetry, which struck an instant chord with the masses, Mehjoor earned the befitting title of Shair-e-Kashmir. He read out a poem “Bayad-e- Mehjoor” (in Mehjoor’s memory), which was appreciated by the audience. Rahi complimented the academy for holding the seminar to commemorate the poet’s 125th birth anniversary. About the writer
Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad aka "Mehjoor" was born at Metragam village in Pulawama in 1885. He introduced a new style into Kashmiri poetry and also wrote his compositions in Persian and Urdu languages. His poetry revolved around subjects of love, communal harmony, social reform and the plight of Kashmiris. |
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PDP leaders host
Iftar party
Srinagar, August 11 Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad led the evening prayers on the occasion organised at Fair View, the official residence of Muftis on the Gupkar Road. The party leaders included senior legislators and former ministers, Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, Abdul Rehman Veeri Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Tariq Hameed Qarra and others. Senior members of society, including former Chief Justice of the state Justice BA Khan, were among those present. CPM state secretary and Kulgam MLA MY Tarigami also attended the party. “It was a gathering of our party colleagues, social and business community members,” said a party leader.
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Bar Assn condemns killing of Muslims in Assam, Burma
Srinagar, August 11 The Bar Association, in its meeting held today, expressed concerns over the events in Assam and Myanmar, said GN Shaheen, Bar Association General Secretary. “The Bar Association equally expressed concerns over the killing of Muslims in Assam in the name of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh by the armed Bodo militants,” he said. Shaheen said the Bar Association had appealed to the international community, especially the United Nations and the OIC, to use their good offices to stop the genocide of Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) and the
state of Assam. He added that the Bar Association also paid rich tributes to slain Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who was killed by security forces on August 11, 2008, as he led a “Muzaffarabad Chalo” protest march in Baramulla. The Bar Association has also called for a complete shutdown in Kashmir on August 15, the Independence Day. |
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I-Day arrangements finalised in Gurez
Srinagar, August 11 The meeting to finalise the arrangements was chaired by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gurez, an official spokesperson said. The spokesperson said during the meeting it was decided that the main function would be organised at Government Boys Higher Secondary School at Dawar in Gurez. Contingents of police, students from various educational institutions, Fire and Emergency Services Department and NCC volunteers would take part in the march-past on that day, he said. A cultural programme will be presented by students of various educational institutions on the occasion, the spokesperson added.
— TNS |
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Pampore stadium far from ready
Pampore, August 11 The condition of playing facilities at Pampore reflects the lack of will among the authorities in helping the youth divert their energy towards sports and other related activities. The foundation stone of a stadium at Pampore was laid in 2010 amid much fanfare and the work was set to be completed within three months. But two years down the line, the stadium is nothing more than a pond. “We have been protesting for the past two years to get sporting activity started at the stadium, but to no avail,” says Shabir Ahmed, a local youth. “We don’t have any other ground in the area. When the foundation stone was laid, we had hoped that the youth of the area would get a proper place to play. Barring the installation of goal posts for football, no other facility has been provided at the stadium so far,” he adds. Moin Ahmed regrets that the authorities have been slow in providing sports facilities to the youth. “It is not a tall order for the authorities to make the stadium ready for playing. But they are not willing to do so,” he says. Local residents have been repeatedly taking up the issue with the authorities concerned but to no avail. “We want better sports facilities in our town,” says another youth, Farooq Ahmed Malik. Pampore MLA Zahoor Ahmed Mir, too, seems to be helpless in solving the problems of the youth. “I have taken up the issue with Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports RS Chib several times, but nothing has been done so far,” he said. He met with Chib to get the stadium ready last week. “As an MLA, I have sanctioned Rs 10 lakh from my constituency development fund to improve the condition of the stadium, but the authorities are yet to utilise the funds,” he said. Owing to the lackluster approach of the authorities, he has now requested the minister to give back the amount so that it can be further given to the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department for the completion of work. The minister was not available for comments.
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Tributes paid to Shanta Koul, Vinod Malhotra
Srinagar, August 11 In a condolence meeting organised by the academy at its divisional office here today, the participants paid rich tributes to the two. Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, additional secretary, JKAACL, and Rouf Ahmad Punjabi, president, Chamber of Commerce, described the duo as devoted artistes, who ceaselessly worked for the promotion of excellence in their respective fields. Among others the condolence meeting was attended by GR Hasrat Gadda, a noted critic and art historian, Shaika Mohi, principal, IMFA, Srinagar, Satish Vimal, writer and broadcaster, and Vishal Malhotra. A two-minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
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CRPF organises blood donation camp
Srinagar, August 11 The camp was organised in association with SMHS Medical College Hospital of
Srinagar. The spokesperson said the CRPF was not only assisting the local police in maintaining law and order duty in the state but also rendering valuable social service to all sections of society.
— TNS |
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ACC Blues beat WCC Reds
Jammu, August 11 Batting first, ACC accumulated 183 runs in 35.4 overs. Ashraf was the top scorer with 48 runs while Adil Showket contributed 38 runs to the total. For WCC Reds, Sahil, Rajeev Pandita, Adil Bandey and Kifayat shared two wickets each. On the other hand, WCC Reds scuttled out for a paltry 77 runs in 24.4 overs to lose the match by a huge margin. Chander played a gutsy knock of 25 runs but in vain. Adil Showket and Ishtiyaq claimed three wickets each for ACC Blues. — TNS |
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Srinagar, August 11
Sources in the J&K High Court said all HC judges had been meeting since August 9 to finalise the transfer and posting of judges, including those of the lower judiciary.