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8th J&K Science Congress
Vice-President returns to Delhi
Scientists, policy-makers must work in tandem: Guv
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Country needs more resources to promote research, says Omar
First batch of pilgrims leaves for Mecca
Kandahar plane hijack case
High Court turns down bail application of accused in acid throwing case
Court reserves decision on plea for release of Faktoo
Anti-US protests continue in Kashmir
Panthers Party supports BJP’s ‘Bharat Bandh’ call
Tunnelling Threat
BJP out to strengthen base in Ladakh region
Panthers Party presses for early urban local bodies poll
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8th J&K Science Congress
Srinagar, September 17 “The state of Jammu and Kashmir faces many challenges in the area of science and technology education and research infrastructure,” he said while inaugurating the 8th J&K Science Congress at the University of Kashmir here today. Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were also present at the inaugural function of the three-day science congress at the Convocation Complex of the university. Ansari said most of these challenges could be addressed by the adoption and implementation of various schemes of the Central government aimed to attract students towards science subjects. He stressed the need to implement in letter and spirit the special packages announced for the science and technology sector in the state from time to time to give a fillip to the development of scientific temper among youth of this region. The Vice-President urged the need to link vocational training to employability and therefore to different segments of local economy. “Acquiring excellence in traditional crafts results in value addition. Similarly, training in service skills needed by the tourism sector could add considerably to employment generation,” he said. “In view of the geographical contours of the state, the focus of scientific and technological research and innovation should emanate from the requirements of hydroelectric power generation, rail and road infrastructure, protection of bio-diversity of flora and fauna, Himalayan glaciology, ecological study of lakes and rivers and marine science.” “While each researcher ploughs the field individually, he or she should also be aware of, and benefit from, what is being done elsewhere in that branch of knowledge. Modern communication techniques have made this much easier. It is said that internationally, one-fifth of the research papers are co-authored; this percentage should be higher in national terms. I am sure universities in J&K are conforming to this pattern and encouraging it,” the Vice-President said. He also referred to various areas of critical importance in the state like agriculture, which includes horticulture, forests, sericulture, fisheries and animal husbandry. He held that in each of these areas there were ample opportunities for the scientific community to extend help in realising aspirations of the
region. |
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Vice-President returns to Delhi
Srinagar, September 17 He was seen off at the Srinagar Airport by Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other senior dignitaries this afternoon. Earlier during the day, the Vice-President inaugurated the 8th J&K Science Congress. During his four-day stay, the Vice-President visited Pahalgam in south Kashmir and the Wildlife National Park at Dachigam near here. |
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Scientists, policy-makers must work in tandem: Guv
Srinagar, September 17 He was addressing the inaugural session of the three-day 8th JK Science Congress at the University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, here today. The congress on “Science, Technology and Regional Development: Opportunities and Challenges”, has been organised by the University of Kashmir in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir State Council for Science and Technology, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the J&K Academy of Sciences. The Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the university, observed that with dedicated efforts in the past decades it had been made possible to lay the foundations of growth and development. Among the most significant achievements was the success of the Green Revolution which helped the country in achieving self-sufficiency in food grain production. India has also made a mark in atomic and space research, aviation, medical and agricultural research and in other spheres of scientific knowledge. He said the University of Kashmir, other universities in the state, and various institutions of technical learning and research had talented faculty members and gifted students. He said there was no reason whatsoever for the state not being able to achieve excellent outcomes if all available potentials were effectively exploited. As far as constraints in infrastructure are concerned, he reiterated that universities and institutions of higher education must share faculty, exchange students and utilise infrastructure through collaborative understandings to fill gaps and secure desired results. Referring to the phenomenon of global warming, climate change, receding of glaciers and serious challenges arising on the environment front, the Governor emphasised the need for finding appropriate solutions within envisaged time frames through feasible technological interventions and cost-effective approaches to preserve the state’s rich biodiversity and its precious water bodies. He pointed to the urgent need for cleaning up of the Dal Lake and restoring the Wullar Lake and other water bodies in the state. |
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Country needs more resources to promote research, says Omar
Srinagar, September 17 Omar said India lagged behind China in quality education as was evident from her slipping down the world list of top rank universities. “Forget about competing with the US, we are nowhere even close to China,” said Omar. Omar was speaking at the 8th J&K Science Congress 2012, held today at the University of Kashmir. Around 1,448 leading scientists and research scholars from the country participated in it. The Chief Minister said the country needed to create more resources for promoting activities in the research and development division, thereby creating success stories. “It is the numbers which disappoint me. Whether it is Indian universities on global lists, research activities and research scholars, the numbers have gone down drastically. We are producing less number of scientists and scholars. Though we should produce 9,000 Phd scholars every year, India is producing 200 Phd scholars,” he said. Omar said though the country was confronted with many challenges, more so by Jammu and Kashmir in the science and technology arena, more platforms like the Science Congress should be created for not only academic purposes but also for addressing issues of global warming, climate change and shrinkage of water bodies specific to the Valley. “I hope the Science Congress inspires youth to take up science and promote the culture of science and technology in the state,” Omar added. Prof Krishan Lal, president, Indian National Science Academy, described the Science Congress as a curtain raiser for the National science Congress to be held in Kolkata as part of the centenary year celebrations of the Indian Science Congress. Prof Lal emphasised the introduction of liberal sciences in the education system of the country to promote sciences at the elementary level of academics. He also underlined the need to overcome the challenges faced by the country in terms of inadequate research infrastructure, development and education and said India had a long way to go. “Despite founding fathers of India having pioneered the concept of science and technology and produced some brilliant scientists, we need to keep up with the pace of developed nations for scientific and technological growth,” he said. |
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First batch of pilgrims leaves for Mecca
Srinagar, September 17 The first batch of Haj pilgrims was seen off by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with the Minister of State (MoS) for Haj Ajaz Ahmad Khan later in the morning at the airport. While Air India is operating direct Haj flights from here to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia after a gap of four years, an official said each flight would carry 270 pilgrims. Around 9,170 pilgrims from the state are expected to perform Haj this year. This year’s quota for Jammu and Kashmir had been increased from 8,441 to 8,670. In addition, private Haj operators are facilitating 500 intending Haj pilgrims. Omar also interacted with pilgrims before seeing them off. The Chief Minister prayed for the good health of pilgrims and hoped that they would successfully perform the pilgrimage, an official said. He also inquired about the facilities provided to the pilgrims by the agencies concerned at the Haj House, the airport and other places. The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the direct flights from Srinagar to Madinah Sharief by Air India will make the journey of pilgrims hassle-free. The last Haj flight from here is scheduled to leave on October 10. |
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Kandahar plane hijack case
Jammu, September 17 “The NIA and CBI teams today put him to sustained questioning. The teams arrived in Kishtwar some days ago,” said Superinten dent of Police (SP), Kishtwar, Bhim Sen Tutti. Tutti, however, refused to share more information disclosed by Dand. The Kishtwar SP said Dand’s police remand had been extended till September 22. The CBI team is being headed by the DIG, TN Bala Ji, while the NIA team is being led by DSP Sanjay Sangaria. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kishtwar, Ajay Gupta today extended Dand’s police remand till September 22, said a lawyer from Kishtwar. If sources are to be believed, Dand, who enjoyed ISI’s patronage and was close to a former Pakistan embassy diplomat, Arshad Cheema, smartly used his (Cheema’s) diplomatic channels to push over 80 subversive elements, including some top militants, into India from Nepal. “He told his interrogators that after receiving these subversive elements over a period of time from Pakistan, he pushed them into India,” a source said. He has revealed that he recently facilitated the entry of five militants into Jammu and Kashmir from Nepal, they added. He has also disclosed that the ISI and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim had arranged a fake Pakistani passport in the name of Wazir-ur-Rehman, said the sources. They added that before landing in police net, Dand, who had been running a small provision store close to Kathmandu, had been leading a luxurious life. |
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High Court turns down bail application of accused in acid throwing case
Jammu, September 17 According to the allegation, it has been submitted that Sharma had allegedly thrown acid on Sohan Singh as the girl to whom the petitioner-accused wanted to get married was engaged to Sohan Singh. While rejecting the bail plea of the accused, the High Court observed, “The allegations against the petitioner-accused is that he along with Arun Singh, a co-accused (already granted bail), have thrown acid on Sohan Singh and his brother Dara Singh. Arun has not been ascribed any specific part. On the perusal of order dated July 25, 2012, the state counsel was directed to produce injured Sohan Singh. On July 30, 2012, Sohan Singh was not produced as per the earlier direction to the SSP, Udhampur. The Udhampur SSP was directed to ensure Sohan’s presence.” “The Registrar, Judicial, was also directed to ensure that the order was conveyed to the SSP by fax, telephonically or any other mode which he deemed fit. Record reveals that a copy of the order was sent to the SSP, Udhampur, through fax on July 30, 2012, at 2:45 pm. Despite that he did not make any attempt to ensure Sohan’s presence. No intimation from him is available on record. Refraining from taking any stern action in this regard, the Director General of Police, J&K, is directed to inquire into it and take appropriate action so that in future such type of lapse does not occur.” The High Court dismissed the bail application with the direction to the Registrar, Judicial, to communicate a copy of the order to the DGP for taking an appropriate action for the Udhampur SSP’s lapse. |
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Court reserves decision on plea for release of Faktoo
Srinagar, September 17 Faktoo, who is hardline separatist leader Asiya Andrabi’s husband, was convicted of murdering human rights activist HN Wanchoo and handed down a life term. He was arrested on December 5, 1992, along with two others in the case. The petition seeking the release of Faktoo was listed today before the single Bench of Justice Mansoor A Mir, which after concluding the arguments, reserved its final decision in the matter. The court, however, did not specify any date for announcing the final verdict. While arguing on behalf of the state government, senior additional advocate general AM Margay opposed the release of Faktoo on many grounds. In his
defence, Margay also cited the state government’s objections, wherein the plea for Faktoo’s release had been rejected Saying his release will undermine public confidence in the justice delivery system, the government in its objections had said Faktoo has not yet completed his sentence. “As on August 12, 2012, Dr Ashiq Hussain Faktoo has undergone actual sentence of 16 years, seven months and 13 days,” the government had said in its objections filed to the court. “The terrorist act for which he is facing life imprisonment is a crime against society and his release from custody shall undermine public confidence in the justice delivery system,” said the government in its
objections. Mian Qayoom, Faktoo’s counsel, who had completed his arguments, has been seeking his release on the ground that he has already spent over 20 years in prison. |
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Anti-US protests continue in Kashmir
Srinagar, September 17 A protest was held at city centre Lal Chowk where members of the Muslim Khwateen Markaz (MKM), led by its chairperson, Yasmeena Raja, raised slogans against the US and Israel. Around 12 members of the MKM appeared near the clock tower, Lal Chowk, where they held a demonstration against the film. The members of the all-women outfit later burnt a US flag, leading to the detention of the group leader. She was later let off. Another anti-US and anti-Israel protest was held at the campus of the Islamia College for Science and Commerce in Srinagar’s old city. Over hundred students held placards denouncing the US and shouted slogans against the makers of the film. The students of the college later marched towards the Hawal area of the city where they burnt a US flag before dispersing peacefully. A source said the protesting students carried a placard which read “Obama, we are all Osama”. Since the eruption of protests over the anti-Islam film in the Kashmir valley, the students have for the second time carried placards mocking US President Barrack Obama and supported slain Al-Qaeda leader Osama-bin-Laden. When protests over the film began in Kashmir on Friday, students at the University of Kashmir had carried a placard denouncing Obama. The protests have continued into the second week. A group of Islamic scholars have called for a shutdown on Tuesday to protest against the movie. Hardline Hurriyat faction headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has also called for a shutdown tomorrow against the film. |
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Panthers Party supports BJP’s ‘Bharat Bandh’ call
Jammu, September 17 “We condemn the steep hike in diesel and cooking gas and the highly obnoxious Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy of the Centre. We will hold statewide protests on September 20 to show our resentment against the Union Government which has failed to protect the interests of economically weaker and marginalised sections of society,” said working chairman of the NPP Harsh Dev Singh after chairing a meeting of party leaders. Singh said the hike in prices of diesel would have a cascading effect on the prices of all goods and services, thereby compounding the problem of the common man. Describing the present scenario as the “worst economic disaster”, Singh demanded an immediate roll back of diesel prices and the FDI policy. While opposing the Centre’s decision to allow the FDI in the retail sector in India, the leader said it would not only jeopardise the business prospects of Indian businessmen but could also eliminate marginal traders from the market. He described the decision as “highly illogical, irrational and prejudicial” to the interests of Indian traders, particularly small and marginal retailers and consumers. “The idea of the FDI was ill-conceived and inexorable as the marginal Indian trader would be pitted against powerful multinational companies,” he said. Demanding an early roll back of the policy, Singh said the people of the country were concerned as there were apprehensions of unemployment, elimination of small traders, besides onset of inflationary tendencies with the advent of the proposed policy. — TNS |
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Tunnelling Threat
Jammu, September 17 On July 28, the BSF had detected a 540-metre long transborder tunnel 25 feet beneath the ground at the Chalyari border outpost in Chachwal village of the Samba sector. “Since we detected the transborder tunnel in Samba, the BSF with the assistance of the GSI had started a survey all along the international border to detect vulnerable spots. After completing the survey, measures are being initiated to check such occurrences in future,” said a senior BSF officer. He, however, refused to give the exact figure of such spots along the border in the Jammu region. Out of 198-km international border in the Jammu region, the BSF guards 192 km. “Though it is not possible to detect tunnelling activity beneath the ground, such secret tunnels do have an entry and exit point besides other tell-tale signs. So, our assessment is on and, accordingly, requisite measures are also being initiated,” he said. After hitting the dead-end of Pakistan’s secret tunnel inside the Indian territory at
Chalyari, the GSI team had started its investigations towards the Zero Line to find out the exact length, origin and alignment of the tunnel. The DIG said: “Despite stiff resistance by Pakistan Rangers, our investigation in Chalyari is on. We are now just 20 to 25 metres short of the Zero Line.” The BSF is now looking into the minute details of the Samba tunnel, he added. The officer said in the next six to seven days, the BSF would draw its final conclusion about the origin, length, alignment and other details of the tunnel. |
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BJP out to strengthen base in Ladakh region
Jammu, September 17 With the merger of the Ladakh Union Terrority Front (LUTF) with the party two years back, the BJP has strengthened its base in Leh and now the party is concentrating on Kargil to emerge as a force to reckon with in the entire Ladakh region. “Our first test in the Ladakh region is the next Lok Sabha elections and we are trying to strengthen the party base in both Leh and Kargil,” said newly appointed general secretary of the state BJP Ashok Koul. On September 16, 2010, the LUTF had merged with the BJP in a bid to meet its long-pending demand of declaring Ladakh as a union territory. Former national president of the BJP Rajnath Singh had especially gone to Leh to attend the function for the LUTF’s merger with the party. Veteran leader of Leh Thupstan Chhewang and other stalwarts of the LUFT had joined the BJP. The party has assigned the job to a few senior national leaders to give special attention to the Ladakh region. The party has also devised a strategy to strengthen its base in Kargil. As this region is dominated by Shia Muslims, the party has assigned the job to its national spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to rope in some important persons from this belt. The recent visit of Naqvi to Kargil gave a boost to the morale of the party. Naqvi along with national chairman of the BJP minority cell Ali Mohammad Rizvi had participated in the training of BJP workers of Kargil last month. Rizvi, who came from Delhi, spent three days at Kargil to “clear the misconception” created by some vested interests about the party The BJP is also highlighting the plight of “deprived and subjugated” residents of Gilgit-Baltistan at the national level to make inroads into Kargil. Residents of Kargil have ethnic, cultural and religious affinity with residents of Gilgit-Baltistan. Before Partition, Gilgit-Baltistan was part of Greater Ladakh so there are a number of families in Kargil who have their relations across the Line of Control. Sources in the BJP said the party was working on a well-knit strategy to bring people of Jammu and Ladakh on a single platform to oppose any move of the Union Government to give further concessions to the people of Kashmir at the cost of other regions. The BJP leadership has realised that involvement of the Ladakh region was a must to oppose any such move of the Union Government. Party leaders, during their frequent visits to the Ladakh region, highlighted the issue of discrimination with some regions of the state, especially Jammu and Ladakh regions. |
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Panthers Party presses for early urban local bodies poll
Jammu, September 17 In its working committee meeting on Saturday, the NPP passed a resolution seeking early elections to the urban local bodies of the state, which were due to be held in January-February 2010. “The government owes an explanation for the inordinate delay over holding of elections as a result of which the state has been deprived of Central funding,” the party said. The party also demanded filling of all posts lying vacant in various government departments. It sought the absorption of unemployed youth, particularly those technically and professionally trained, in government jobs. The party condemned the “open loot of public exchequer by ministers and bureaucrats”. “Public funds are being squandered for personal and political reasons. The taxpayers’ money is being treated as personal property and abused by ministers and bureaucrats,” the party alleged and sought a probe into “the violations of procedures by ministers and bureaucrats in the use of public funds”. The working committee meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Bhim Singh and was attended by MLAs Harsh Dev Singh and Balwant Singh Mankotia among others. |
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Srinagar, September 17
Srinagar, September 17
