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Illegal construction eats into farmland
Four docs, nurse found absent from work, suspended
Mallinson kicks off its centenary fest
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17 fined for smoking in public
Night Post Office starts today
Schools’ journey from breaking superstitions to surviving militancy
Fishing for jobs? Get the hang of it
Tahir Ahmad Lone (23), a B.Com graduate, at his trout farm. Photo by writer
Five years after deadline, NH 1-B still not ready
Work on portions of the National Highway 1-B awaits completion. photos by writer
‘NC committed to developing city’
KU students hold protest
10-day trip a learning curve for Bandipore students
Seminar concludes
CRPF holds medical camp
Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Sarmad Hafeez, inaugurates a medical camp organised by the CRPF on Friday. Photo: Suhail Shah
Junior National School Games from Sept 3
Finish work on colleges before winter: Minister
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Illegal construction eats into farmland
Kupwara, August 31
Thousands of kanals of land have been converted into residential colonies in violation of Section 133 (A) of the Land Revenue Act. At many places, commercial units have been set up. Construction work is going on rapidly on agricultural land (mostly paddy fields) on the outskirts of these towns. “If the construction work goes on at the same pace, we will soon be left with no agricultural land in the area,” said Abdul Ahad, a farmer. Sources say bureaucrats and top businessmen in connivance with revenue department officials raise residential colonies and put the houses on sale. “They earn handsomely from the practice as poor farmers sell their land for a song,” a source said. The priceless land is shrinking alarmingly as residential houses are fast replacing farmland. The shrinking of agricultural land is also taking its toll on the livestock as they suffer from insufficient fodder, with the degradation of pastures. “The conversion of land has led to a severe shortage of fodder for the livestock. The situation will get worse if the practice is not checked soon,” said Shahzad Ahmad, another farmer. Many believe increasing urbanisation is bound to thrive in the absence of a stringent law, preventing the use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes. “The government has failed to bring a Bill in the state legislature to put a blanket ban on construction on agricultural land. In such a situation, we are destined to lose agricultural land,” said Ghulam Nabi, a farmer. North Kashmir produces over 60 per cent of foodgrain (mainly rice) in the Valley, as over 90 per cent people are involved in the cultivation of paddy. Kupwara Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Hafeez said: “We have taken cognizance of the matter. A meeting of revenue, municipal and other officials was held in this regard. I have given directions to the agencies concerned to book the violators. The authorities will carry out demolition wherever required.”
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Four docs, nurse found absent from work, suspended
Srinagar, August 31 The doctors and the paramedic were found absent from work, he said. The doctors who were suspended belong to Lal Ded hospital, the only maternity hospital in the Valley, and the staff-nurse worked at Bones and Joint Hospital, Barzulla. Khan, who is the administrative in-charge of Srinagar, has also sought an explanation from the Medical Superintendents of Bones and Joints Hospital, Barzulla, Lal Ded Hospital and SMHS Hospital for not displaying a roaster sheet of doctors and paramedics. He also found that the doctors and the paramedic staff did not wear the mandatory aprons on duty, the spokesperson said. Khan warned that stern action would be taken against the doctors and paramedics found without aprons on duty. 36 suspended in Anantnag
Thirty six employees have been suspended for
remaining absent from various government offices in Anantnag district of south Kashmir, an
official said. Anantnag Additional Deputy Commissioner GM Dar inspected various offices and found 36 employees, including 12 from the Chief Education Office, six from the District Programme Office, four from the Assistant Director (Handloom) office, nine from the District Industries Centre, three from the Assistant Regional
Transport Office and one from the District Social Welfare Office, absent from work today. The absentees were placed under suspension with immediate effect and the officers concerned were asked to charge-sheet the suspended employees. |
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Mallinson kicks off its centenary fest
Srinagar, August 31
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference chief Dr Farooq Abdullah, who was also the chief guest, gave the “Miss Mallinson Life-time Award” to Dr Mehmooda Ali Shah, one of the pioneering educationists of Kashmir and a student of the school. Dr Abdullah thanked Dr John Ray, former Principal of Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson School, for flying down from the UK to attend the celebrations. He also congratulated the Principal of Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson School, Parwez Samuel Koul, for heading an institution that had given Kashmir many towering personalities. “I take pride in being part of this institution and I have seen it grow into an excellent seat of learning for many generations,” Farooq said. Koul felicitated Dr Abdullah and said the institution was honoured to have him and many other legendary figures from Kashmir as part of its alumni. “We at Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson School are simply honoured to have figures like Dr Abdullah as our alumnus,” he said. Dr Abdullah also inaugurated the three-day centenary celebrations by lighting the traditional lamp. Junior, middle and XII students gave performances in traditional folk dances like Kashmiri Rouf, Punjabi giddha and Ladakhi dance. A centenary memorial was unveiled on the school premises in Sheikh Bagh. Centenary exhibitions and prize distribution ceremonies will continue over the next two days. Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Nasir Aslam Wani; National Commission for Minorities chairperson Wajahat Habibullah; John Mead Ray and Dr Catherine Ray, ex-Principal, Tyndale Biscoe School, John Samuel, Post Master General, and Parikshit Sahni, son of veteran Bollywood actor Balraj Sahni, were among the dignitaries present.
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17 fined for smoking in public
Srinagar, August 31 An official said the fine was recovered by a team headed by food safety officer Shabir Ahmed Lone that inspected Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS), Government Medical College (GMC), GB Panth, Bone and Joint and Lal Ded hospitals besides the Batamaloo, Rajbagh and Lal Chowk areas. Another team destroyed adulterated milk at Pampore in south Kashmir and imposed a fine of Rs 1.1 lakh on milk vendors. The adulterated milk was bound for Srinagar. Pulwam DC Shafat Noor has appreciated the action and stressed strict vigilance for the safety of consumers. — TNS |
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Night Post Office starts today
Srinagar, August 31 Through its Night Post Office, the department will offer postal services till 8.30 pm. It will also remain open on Sundays and holidays till 6 pm. “We do not open on Sundays and holidays but people can now avail of services like Speed Post, sending parcels and money orders through the Night Post Office. While the services will be offered till 8.30 pm on weekdays, our counter will remain open till 6 pm on Sundays and other holidays,” an official of the GPO said. The Night Post Office will, however, remain closed on Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15) and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2). The Night Post Office is scheduled to be inaugurated by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah. Besides the usual postal services, the postal department also delivers Valley’s famed saffron and dry fruit products to any part of the world through online bookings in collaboration with the Horticulture Department. The postal department had recently launched another service, “Expressions”, enabling locals
to send flowers, chocolates, cakes and other gift items in the capital on specific dates. |
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Schools’ journey from breaking superstitions to surviving militancy
Srinagar, August 31 When Tyndale Biscoe, after whom the TBMS boys’ school is named, arrived in the Valley towards the end of the 19th century, he had to deal with many challenges in his mission to spread education.
In his book “Kashmir in Sunlight and Shade”, Biscoe remarks that the handful of local Pandits, who got admitted to the school founded in 1880, resisted kicking the football, saying its leather was made of cowskin. While educating the boys was a challenge, Ms Mallinson, had to face greater challenges when she started the girls’ school in 1912. On the challenges faced by those who started the school, TBMS Director Parwez Kaul says: “Initially, there was stiff opposition to the exposure of Kashmiri women to awareness in health and educational activities. Deep-rooted superstitions and beliefs were a clear obstruction to their efforts.” The Christian missionaries from London in the UK managed to overcome the hiccups and the school gradually made a place in the heart of the locals. After initial hiccups, the smooth ride of the Valley’s first boys and girls schools continued till the eruption of militancy in 1989-90. As almost all areas, including education, took a hit, TBMS schools bore the brunt. “We lost 56 teachers overnight, mostly Kashmiri Pandits. The schools continued to show good results barring the period of 1990 to 1994,” says Kaul with reference to the migration of Pandits from the Valley and other non-state subjects. The four school branches run by the TBMS have a staff strength of 500 with around 8,000 students. Mallinson Girls School, which started functioning with just six students in 1912 in a rented building, now has 3,000 students at its bustling Sheikh Bagh campus. The TBMS-run schools are considered among the best in Kashmir and are particularly known for a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including camping, swimming, mountaineering and cross-country runs. The school now has a full-fledged IT and HR departments.
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Fishing for jobs? Get the hang of it
Kupwara, August 31 Last year, Lone, a resident of Warnow, Lolab, in Kupwara district received a cash award of Rs 10,000 from the fisheries
department for record sales of trout fish in the district. He sold around 17 quintal of fish for over Rs 4 lakh. “The department guided me and provided full financial support to set up a fish pond. I am supporting my family financially now,” said Tahir. Fish lovers in Lolab buy trout fish from his pond. “Due to drought-like conditions this summer, I did not put more seeds in the pond. The water level is low for the past five weeks. There are about 8 to 10 kg fish in the pond. If
temperature recedes, I will add more seeds to enhance the produce,” he said. Many jobless youth are inspired by Tahir’s initiative and want to follow in his footsteps. “I intend to set up a fish pond in my area. I hope it will generate good and sustainable income,” said Abdul Majid of Lalpora in Lolab. Tahir’s parents were against his investing in business, but he had
made up his mind, even before he completed his graduation, to invest his youthful energy in a business venture. “I learnt about the initiative of the fisheries department of sponsoring fish ponds for employment to jobless youth through an advertisement. Although I had almost no resources to invest, I took the initiative with full financial support from the department,” he said. The department had
given him Rs 1.50 lakh, seed and feed to set up the pond. “Trout is a meat-eater, so I ensure that adequate supplies of meat are available to sustain the fish,” said Tahir, adding that jobless youth should not waste precious time in hunting for government jobs. Hailing Tahir’s determination, Sajad Hussain Dar, Assistant Director (Fisheries), said: “Tahir has shown great determination towards his job. Jobless youth should also take a cue from him and take full benefit of various government schemes.” |
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Five years after deadline, NH 1-B still not ready
Anantnag, August 31 The all-weather road, being constructed by the Border Roads Organisation, was expected to be made functional for two-way traffic by 2006-07. But after five years of missing the first deadline, the project remains far from completion. This, 161-km-long stretch, aimed at connecting the mountainous Chenab valley region of Doda-Baderwah-Kishtwar in Jammu to the Kashmir valley, is expected to open new avenues of economic development and growth for both regions. “The road will end our woes. Not only will it help us economically, but also address our health concerns, as it will be a lot easier to reach Srinagar for treatment,” said Adil Hussain Faridi, a lawyer from Kishtwar. Besides, the people believe that the tourist destinations along the way will get a new lease of life. “Tourist destinations like Achabal, Kokernag, Daksum, Sinthan (Top) are some of the scenic locations that fall along the way. While the state government is mulling over identifying new tourist destinations, these places will find instant recognition on the tourism map with the completion of the road,” said Tawseef Ahmad, a travel agent. The road is also an alternative link to the National Highway 1-A through the Baderwah-Chamba road. Though Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated five bridges along the road in June, locals say the road is still not fit for handling traffic. “The road is yet to be metalled at many places. The Anantnag-Kokernag stretch has not been widened despite the fact that demolitions have been carried out all along the road,” said a resident from the Kokernag area. The locals allege that they have not even been compensated for their land and demolished structures after all these years. “Neither have we been compensated nor has the road been completed,” said a local form the Brakpora area of Anantnag.
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‘NC committed to developing city’
Srinagar, August 31 He said: “Omar Abdullah is monitoring the progress of development of the city and has firmly given directions for early completion of various works.” The spokesperson said the inauguration of the Chunt-kul bridge, Parraypora flyover and a dozen more bridges nearing completion at a cost of Rs 40 crore in addition to the Rs 356 crore Jehangir Chowk flyovers was indicative of the pace of development in the city. He said: “A major facelift of the city is going on and people will soon get all facilities. The successful installation of traffic lights, landmarks and malls are some of the steps taken in that direction.” On the newly started radio taxi service in the city, the NC spokesperson asked the young entrepreneurs to come forward with innovative business ideas to benefit the city. “To develop the city every resident has to contribute in a positive manner and youngsters have to play a vital role,” said Tanvir. “The government has already taken steps to revive and restore the glory of the Dal Lake.” He said the cultural centre restored by INTACH was yet another landmark and the government was committed to protecting and showcasing the rich traditions of Kashmir. The NC spokesman said new state-of-art ventilators had been installed in the ICU of the children’s hospital at Sonawar and apart from that, six bubble CPAP ventilation systems, seventeen vital sign monitors and 10 high-end radiant warmers with multi-sensors had been installed there. |
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KU students hold protest
Srinagar, August 31 “The Controller Examinations is not in the town. We are already late by three months in conducting the examinations. Their concerns on extending the number of preparation days may be considered,” Prof Abid Qadri, Assistant Controller Examinations, Kashmir University said. — TNS |
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10-day trip a learning curve for Bandipore students
Srinagar, August 31 The Bandipore students are staying at the residences of the children of the Noida School. The parents of the Bandipore children are happy that their children are away on a learning process. “Though we miss them, we feel happy that our 10-year-old child is at a good place where he will learn the experiences of life. We chat with our child every day on Skype,” said a parent. “The trip will provide exposure to the students where they will learn through new teaching techniques,” said Brigadier Anil Puri, Commander of 81 Mountain Brigade. “The trip will create a right connect between “Parents of the students of SBS, Noida, had extended an invitation to these children to stay with them as their guests so that the children from the Valley could experience the academic, social and parental environment under which SBS students were growing. These children will not only carry back a lot of love, care and academic experiences but also leave a lasting impact on the families that are eagerly waiting to host them.”
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Seminar concludes
Srinagar, August 31 Former Dean Academic Affairs, University of Kashmir, and historian Prof Mohd Ishaq Khan said: “Maulana Rumi is not just a poet but an ocean of knowledge and wisdom and in these contemporary times, his teachings and moral values which are an embodiment of love, peace and unity is an answer to the growing trends and
apprehensions of Islamophobia in the western countries.” — TNS |
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CRPF holds medical camp
Kupwara, August 31 Medicines were also distributed free of cost to 300 CRPF and police personnel. Around 800 civilians, including children, were also provided with medicines. District Nodal Officer, AYUSH, Dr Shabir Ahmad, and CMO, Kupwara, were also present. Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Sarmad Hafeez, inaugurated the camp. SP Kupwara, Irshad Ahmed, ASP, Kupwara, Tejinder Singh, and senior officers of the CRPF were also present. According to a statement issued here today, the aim of the camp is to connect with the people and treat the ailing through herbal medicines and Yoga.
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Junior National School Games from Sept 3
Srinagar, August 31 Nearly 600 players, officials and volunteers from 30 teams representing various states and Union Territories of the country are likely to take part in the tournament, Jammu and Kashmir Youth Services and Sports Minister RS Chib said. Governor NN Vohra will inaugurate the tournament, being organised by the Youth Services and Sports Department of the state under the aegis of the National School Games Federation of India, at Bakshi Stadium on September 3. Chib said the matches will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis. “Over 65 matches will be played at five venues, including Islamia College, Polo Ground and Kashmir University grounds A and B,” the minister said. The final match will be played on September 7 at Bakshi Stadium, he said. Chib also appealed to the youth to witness the matches. “This will encourage them to take the game of football and also improve their skills,” the Minister said. He said celebrated football team Mohun Bagan will visit the state and play matches in Srinagar and Jammu on September 8 and 11.
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Finish work on colleges before winter: Minister
Srinagar, August 31 Each college is being constructed at a total expenditure of Rs 6 crore. Their construction work has been going on at a snail’s pace. Pleading for the third-party monitoring mechanism, the minister said in view of the slow pace of work executed so far, the government would be constrained to avail the services of the third party so that the students did not suffer and the college complexes were built within the stipulated time frame. The minister was addressing a meeting convened to review the construction of new college complexes of the Valley at Government Women’s College, MA Road, yesterday. Secretary (Higher Education) Gazanffer Hussain; Special Secretary (Higher Education) Hemant Kumar Sharma; Director (Colleges) Prof Nalni Kohli; Joint Director (Planning) Ishfaq Ahmad; principals of various colleges and officers of the R&B and the JKPCC were present in the meeting.
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The unabated conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes in Kupwara, Handwara and Baramulla towns of north Kashmir is taking its toll on productivity.
Srinagar, August 31
Tahir Ahmad Lone (23), a BCom graduate, has set a precedent for educated jobless youth to earn their livelihood by exploring other viable avenues instead of hankering after government jobs for sustenance.
Last year, Lone, a resident of Warnow, Lolab, in Kupwara district received a cash award of Rs 10,000 from the fisheries
department for record sales of trout fish in the district. He sold around 17 quintal of fish for over Rs 4
lakh.
The work on the Anantnag-Sinthan-Kishtwar road, declared as National Highway 1-B, has been going on at a snail’s pace, leaving people from both sides of the Sinthan top in despair.
Kupwara, August 31
Srinagar, August 31
