Srinagar, September 5
Information Technology (IT) stalwarts of Kashmir today emphasised on the revision of the academic curriculums of the Valley’s schools and colleges to bring them in consonance with global IT trends and for opening more vocational training institutes in the Valley.

In the ongoing three-day national information technology festival, “Vastoorvan Tech Fete-2012”, at Islamic University of Science and Technology, IT experts while interacting with students laid thrust on seeking career opportunities in the Valley.

Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Chief Operating Officer, iQuasar Technologies, said: “College technological festivals could bring more awareness about the significance of the IT sector.”

He said the development of IT in the Valley would add value to other sectors like tourism and governance.

He said, “Students should keep positive attitude after completing their degrees. There are numerous opportunities in the IT sector. It is a new area and is yet to be explored by the state in full capacity.”

Bhat said that there was an urgent need to rope in skilled IT professionals of the Valley.

He said, “More vocational training institutions should be established. Subjects like Web designing, animation could be taught in them.”

IT entrepreneurs from outside the state praised the Kashmiri youth and hoped that they could use their skills to the best of their abilities in the development of IT sector in the state.

Society for Human Resource Management Director Rashmi Bhargava said, “The Kashmiri youth are reliable and sincere towards work. The youth should inculcate the fighting spirit for better results in the field.”

Aditya Malik, senior partner, Lumis, said: “The students should have a multiple set of skills to increase employment opportunities as the competition is tough in the private sector.”

Later on, various competitions, including Code-Da-Vinci, Shell Craker, web Weever, Innovators , Search the Serps, Dumb Charads, Crush’em All, IQ Blitz were held on the campus in which universities from Kashmir, Jammu and Rajouri divisions participated. 

Srinagar, September 5
Even as the traffic police has tightened its noose around rash bikers, the locals are complaining that the department is going easy on scooty-borne young women and girls, who can be seen vrooming through the city roads, mostly without helmets.

The locals, especially the young men, are complaining that the traffic police is ‘letting away’ the fairer sex.

“I only see the police stopping and challaning boys on bikes but so far I have not seen a girl being fined. Moreover, I rarely see a scooty-borne woman wearing a helmet. They are openly throwing the rules to the wind,” said Saleem Khan, a college student.

Other locals said seeing minor girls driving scooties too was a common sight on the roads of the summer capital.

“I have on many occasions seen school girls driving scooties and I wonder if they possess a driving licence,” said Sahil. “The drive by the police against stunt bikers and others is welcome but they have to act tough against the girls too,” he said.

When asked to comment over the matter, DIG Traffic Shafqat Watali said laws were same for all and they would act tough against the scooty drivers as well. “It is a wrong notion that we are going soft. The laws are the same for all. Very soon you will notice a visible difference,” he said.

As the police has currently launched a counselling drive against traffic rule violators, SP Traffic Srinagar Haseeb-ur-Rehman said: “Today, we counselled many girls who were riding scooties without helmets. We have also taken the mobile numbers of their fathers, who will be urged to ensure that their daughters follow the rules.”

Srinagar, September 5
As the police counselling drive against traffic rule violators got underway today, around 900 motorists were counselled by senior traffic police officials on the city roads.

The first day of the drive was a success. Around 800 to 900 violators, particularly bike riders, were sensitised by senior police officials at three different locations in the city, SP Traffic, Srinagar, Haseeb-ur-Rehman, told The Kashmir Tribune.

Counselling camps were held at Parray Pora, Exhibition Ground and near the J&K Bank headquarters areas of the summer capital.

The drive was announced by DIG Traffic Shafqat Watali yesterday. He had said the drive would be mainly targeted against two-wheelers. “There have been many complaints of triple-riding and stunt biking. Besides counselling, we also seek cooperation from the parents and public to make our drive successful,” he had said.

Meanwhile, the SP Traffic said the drive would continue for the next four days and at the Parraypora area, some civilians too came forward to deliver lectures to the traffic rule violators.

The locals welcomed the police drive while hoping that it did not loose steam soon.

“It is a welcome move but we hope that the initiative does not loose steam as has been observed regarding other drives launched by the authorities in the past,” said Ishfaq Hussain, a local.

The traffic police intends to launch challaning after the counselling drive.

Srinagar, September 5
The University of Kashmir will host the 8th J&K Science Congress from September 17 to 19 with around 800 delegates from across the country participating.

Around 600 research papers would be read during the event.

During the proposed Science Congress, renowned speakers from within and outside the state will deliberate on important research topics for the benefit of local researchers in a series of keynote addresses and panel discussions.

A large number of young budding scientists are expected to participate in the event.

“The main objective of the science congress is to provide an opportunity to the participants of the J&K State to interact with the leading scientists from other parts of the country. The event will help in the improvement of research and science teachings in the state. It will also encourage inter-disciplinary research and promote scientific temper,” said Professor Mohammad Afzal Zargar Convenor of the congress.

Dialgam, September 5
People of Dialgam and adjoining villages in Anantnag have no medical facilities. There is no Primary Health Centre (PHC) near their villages.

The people of the area said despite repeated promises by the authorities concerned, the health care scenario in their villages remains grim as ever.

“A dispensary comprises only a doctor and a couple of paramedics. The dispensary has two rented rooms,” said a resident Ishfaq.

People say that the irony is that their villages don’t even have an ambulance and almost always a patient’s condition worsens by the time he reaches the hospital in Anantnag.

“The dispensary has no night staff, making it difficult for patients during the night hours,” said Irfan Sheikh, an engineer.

Dialgam village has a population of around 6,000 which means the dispensary staff are already overworked. The adjoining villages being devoid of even a dispensary visit here regularly, further overburdening the staff.

The locals put the blame squarely on the authorities saying that they have turned a blind eye to the suffering of the people.

“We plead to the authorities time and again for the basic health care facilities but they don’t care. The Health Minister on a visit to our area recently promised a PHC to be sanctioned. However, I’m sure that he has forgotten the promise,” said Irfan.

The doctor posted at the dispensary says that even though new equipment are being sent to the dispensary every now and then but theser remain unused because of the lack of proper space.

“Even if a PHC is not sanctioned to the village, the dispensary should get some more place so that the equipment can be put to good use,” said Dr Showket Ahmad Sheikh.

While the authorities keep promising a better health care system in the rural areas of Kashmir, the people of these villages still a neglected lot as far as the health care facilities are concerned.

Srinagar, September 5
Vice-Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Wakf Board Professor MY Qadri today said the Wakf Board is making all efforts for the welfare of people irrespective of their religion, caste, colour and creed.

He said the board came into existence for the general benefit of people and would be committed to the same.

“Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Wakf Board today resolved to initiate various reformative and constructive steps to make the board more accountable and meaningful so that the main objective of setting up of the board is translated into action and people in general are benefited by the activities under taken by the board,” said Qadri.

He said the society comprises of various sections of people. They should remain united for the sake of welfare of society.

He said all religions, including Islam teach the lesson of tolerance, brotherhood and amity so that every soul on earth lives peacefully and in harmony.

He said, “The wakf board has come into existence for the betterment of people. The board authorities shall leave no stone unturned in the mitigation of the grievances.”

Srinagar, September 5
The Department of Education, University of Kashmir, today organised a function to celebrate Teachers’ Day. Teachers, students and scholars from various departments of the university participated in the event.

The theme of the function revolved around the roles and responsibilities of a teacher and challenges faced by the teaching fraternity in contemporary times.

Underscoring the need for the teachers to brush up their skills, the acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Professor NA Shah, said: “The teachers should benefit from various refresher courses and skill development programmes under UGC and CSIR in order to learn the effective tools of teaching which will enhance their teaching skills in the classrooms.”

He said, “As teachers, we have to inculcate values of morality and honesty in our students and inspire them to strive for excellence which will make them better citizens of tomorrow.”

Professor Nighat Basu, Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Kashmir, said: “A good teacher is a role model for his students and his actions and motivations play an important role in shaping their destinies. Students remain associated with them through out their lives in a close teacher-student relationship.”

Dr Gulshan Wani from the faculty of education presented vote of thanks on the occasion.

Srinagar, September 5
Taking charge to educate the masses, the Bhand Pather groups of Kupwara staged plays of immense public importance and concern.

The fifth day of the Bhand Pather series kicked off at Kawadi, Kupwara, with staging of the play ‘Jungle Chor’ (Timber Smugglers) by a local group Dilkash Folk Theatre of Hathmula, Kupwara. It was written and directed by Manzoor Ahmed Bhat.

The play established the fact that theatre can bring complete change in social. The concerns over deforestation of the Valley and larger environment concerns were also discussed in the play.

Another play ‘Zulmuch Talwar’ (Sword of Opression) was staged at Handwara in Kupwara. It was written and directed by Bilal Ahmed Mir. The play was literally a Bhand’s cry for peace. The play started with glorifying immense talent and possibilities in the Kashmiri youths and how the hostile environment never allows them to grow and prosper. 

Srinagar, September 5
Shah Rukh Khan, who is enjoying every bit of his stay in the Valley, was all praise for the gesture of the people of Anantnag and arrangements made by the district administration.

District Deputy Commisioner Farooq Ahmad Shah accompanied by Anantnag SSP RK Jaala met Shah Rukh at the Yash Raj’s movie set in the Chandanwari area of Pahalgam and presented to him a traditional Kashmiri Samawar and a Kashmiri shawl. He wore the shawl for sometime during the meeting.

Film maker Yash Chopra recalled having met Farooq Shah in 2009. They had discussed the revival of the Bollywood in Kashmir.

Actress Anushka Sharma was present during the meeting.

The DDC Anantnag, urged Yash Chopra and Shah Rukh khan to promote Kashmir in Bollywood so that more film crews and movie stars explore Kashmir and Ladakh .

He informed the actors about tourism and cultural importance of Kashmir in general and informed Anantnag district in particular.

Srinagar, September 5
In an effort to bring Tossmaidan plateau of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on the tourist map, the government today said it would construct a road from Drang to Tossmaidan.

MLA Khansahib Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, who toured Drang and adjoining areas, said the road would be constructed at a cost of Rs 13 crore.

He said a concrete bridge connecting Khaipora village with Rangzaban in the area had already been completed.

He said, “The road will provide connectivity to a large chunk of population which is mostly backward and living below poverty line.”

Yasin said, “The construction of the roads and bridges would also help in bringing the socio-economic development of the area besides uplifting the living standard of the people, who are mostly depending on forest related activities to earn their livelihood.”— TNS

Srinagar, September 5
The home team of Jammu and Kashmir was knocked out of the ongoing 58th U-17 Boys’ Football National Tournament as Chandigarh defeated J&K 2-1.

In other matches, Tamil Nadu defeated CBSE by 7-0 while Uttrakhand beat Chattisgarh 3-0.

The match between Manipur and Goa ended in a draw (2-2) while Uttar Pradesh defeated Madhya Pradesh 1-0.

Punjab thrashed Kerela 4-1 while the match between Karnataka and Assam ended in a draw (1-1).

Andhra Pradesh lost to Tripura 4-1 while Delhi defeated IPSC 4-1.

In another match, Orissa defeated Vidya Bharti 7-0.

Srinagar, September 5
The Kashmir valley today got its first artificial climbing wall aimed at attracting domestic and international adventure sports lovers.

The J&K Government claims that the 12-metre-tall wall, which has come on the outskirts of Srinagar at Tourist Reception Centre, Nowgam, will also help promote tourism in Kashmir.

“The climbing wall, which has come up at a cost of nearly Rs 1 crore, will allow 6 to 7 climbers to climb simultaneously,” said a tourism official.

He said, “With Kashmir turning out to be a favourite resort for tourists, it is important to promote the new facets of tourism. The artificial climbing wall will help tourists interested in adventure sports.”

The climbing wall was inaugurated by State Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora today.

The minister said with the availability of climbing wall, the government would organise north zone rock climbing competitions from September 9 to 14.

He said,“Apart from attracting adventure tourists, the artificial climbing wall will also help in training local boys and girls interested in rock climbing for various events.”

“A professional trainer will impart training to boys and girls interested in rock climbing. We have natural rocks at different tourist destinations and before climbing natural rocks the youth will be highly benefited with this facility,” said the official.