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Tin roofs, cold
floors for school kids
Three booked for smuggling timber
Protest against KU student’s arrest
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75 pc women are anaemic in Kashmir
School girl killed, 2 hurt in mishaps
GRP gets 4 new buildings
Temperature dips as rain lashes Valley
Power goes erratic as winter sets in
Blood donation camp held in Valley
CM on LPG crisis: minister to stay even after darbar move
Pakistan FM invites Geelani
Make each student computer literate, says Minister
Dawood Lodhi joins Peoples Conference
Udhampur win U-17 volleyball title
Govt approves administrative shift
of health institutes
Urs Shah-i-Hamadan holiday on
October 23
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Tin roofs, cold
floors for school kids
Anantnag, October 20 Parents of these children as well as teachers at government schools say the winter season has become a major cause of concern for them over the years and the authorities have done nothing to improve the situation. “We are running the school from a tin shed, we have to bear the brunt of both summer as well the winter season,” said a teacher at Government Primary School in Housing Colony area of Bijbehara. He said despite repeated pleas to the authorities no steps have been taken to improve the situation. The students of Government Middle School, Darbandi, Bidder in Kokernag area, study under even more harsh conditions. Reports say the school has only two rooms and the number of students is more than 250. “So be it summer or winter we have to teach children under the open sky. Exposing them to harsh weather conditions takes a toll on their health,” said a teacher. Some government schools in the area may have slightly better infrastructure, but they are not equipped to fight the cold weather, he added. “Most government schools don’t even have windowpanes and the students have to sit on the floor on rags. As a majority of children who get enrolled in government schools belong to poor families, the authorities do not take any action to improve the situation,” he added. |
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Three booked for smuggling timber
Kupwara, October 20 The police had arrested the trio on October 6 and also recovered illicit timber worth lakhs of rupees from their possession. The police had also seized two vehicles used by them to transport timber. The smugglers are wanted in a case under an FIR 13, lodged against them in the police station at Kupwara in February, a senior police officer said. “They were arrested during a nocturnal raid conducted near Drugmulla in possession of illicit timber. The notorious smugglers were actively involved in several acts of smuggling for past years. We got them booked under the PSA,” the official said.At least 33 timber smugglers have been booked under the PSA in Kandi range of Kamraj forest division in North Kashmir between March 2011 and June. A senior official of Kamraj division claimed that the PSA has proved to be a strong deterrent against potential smugglers in the smuggling-prone compartments of the forest range. — TNS
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Protest against KU student’s arrest
Srinagar, October 20 The student was arrested from his residence on Friday by the Special Operations Group (SOG). Munazir has been lodged at SOG Srinagar headquarters and the reasons of his arrests have not been divulged by SOG so far, the students alleged. Students also staged a protest outside the Vice Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad’s office demanding intervention of the university authorities into the matter. The students were dispersed by the security staff of the university. The Vice Chancellor was not present in his office. “The Vice Chancellor is not in town. So we cannot help the students,” the head of the security staff told the protesting students. Meanwhile, the students alleged that Munazir’s arrest had no grounds as he had no criminal or militant background and is a meritorious student of university. “Munazir is innocent and he has been regular in studies. The University should save Munazir’s career and life. It is the responsibility of the authorities to come to the rescue of innocent students,” a protesting student wishing anonymity said. Registrar, KU, could not be reached for his comments despite repeated attempts.
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75 pc women are anaemic in Kashmir
Srinagar, October 20 As against the normal haemoglobin count of 12-13 gram per decilitre of blood, women in Kashmir have haemoglobin count of only 9- 10 gram per decilitre of blood, thus falling short of 3 gram of haemoglobin count per decilitre on an average. Dr Javaid Iqbal Khan, the head of the Department of Haematology at Lal Ded Hospital said the number of anaemic women in Kashmir is on a rise especially those living in the rural areas. Interestingly, anaemic women not only put their lives at risk during pregnancy but also of their child. “Often pregnant women suffering from anaemia put their unborn child at risk. During pregnancy, anaemic women pass lesser iron to the growing foetus which an increases the chance of pre-mature births, with less body weight and even death,” Dr Javaid Iqbal added. Anaemia is not looked upon as a serious health condition by people here, which aggravates the problem and can have dangerous consequences. Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Medical Superintendent, LD Hospital, said a number of maternal deaths during pregnancy and at the time of child birth have an underlying cause in anaemia due to severe blood loss at the time of delivery. Statistics say one in four women worldwide due to excessive bleeding during child birth and the mortality risk increases manifold in the case of anaemic women. “Our women have not been able to maintain a healthy haemoglobin count which puts their lives at risk during pregnancy and at the time of child birth. In fact, young girls and their families should keep a check on haemoglobin count so as to avoid any complications later,” Dr Mushtaq said. Among the many causes which have led to a large number of Kashmiri women suffering from anaemia are nutritional deficiencies especially that of iron and lack of balanced diet. Lack of awareness is the major reason of this rampant health disorder among women who usually see it as a normal problem. It is true for women in the rural areas who take a high carbohydrate-lipid and less protein and iron intensive diet.
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School girl killed, 2 hurt in mishaps
Srinagar, October 20 The child died on the spot. The girl has been identified as Syed Mahvish, a student of Delhi Public School, a police spokesman said. At Anantnag, Niha Rashid, 11, of Tungpawa village was injured in an accident after a car hit her. A 65-year-old man was injured when he was hit by a motorcycle in at Kunserbal in Kulgam district.
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GRP gets 4 new buildings
Srinagar, October 20 The buildings have been constructed by Northern Railways for GRP
Kashmir. The SSP GRP, Kashmir, BA Yitu, Senior Security Commissioner, RPF, Dr SK Saini; Chief Area Manager, Northern Railways, VK Sharma, SDPO, GRP, Srinagar, GA Bhat, and other officers of the GRP accompanied the IGP. The IGP railways stressed upon the GRP officials to closely co-ordinate with all sister agencies, including the RPF and the RPSF to maintain the security of railway tracks, property as well as the passengers,” the spokesman said. The SDPOs, SHOs and in-charge of police posts have been directed to ensure that necessary briefing is given to all jawans to remain extra vigilant and be punctual. |
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Temperature dips as rain lashes Valley
Kupwara, October 20 Residents of low-lying Bohipora and Gushi villages demanded that a protection bundh be formed on the fringes of Nullah Kehmil to prevent flood. These villages had witnessed floods in 2003 and 2006 and land was washed away. A senior official in DC Kupwara said there was no need to panic as the water level was not alarmingly high in major rivers across the district. The demand for woolens picked up following the rains, which continued till late this evening. Residents were seen trying to keep themselves warm by lighting bonfires in Kupwara and Handwara markets. “The mercury has dipped considerably since last evening and the chill has set in increasing the sale of woolens especially jackets and sweaters,” said Ashiq Ahmad, owner of a garment shop at Jamia Masjid road in Kupwara. Many people were seen wearing Phirans (traditional loose gown) and using Kangris (firepots) to keep themselves warm. The upper reaches of north Kashmir also received heavy rainfall since last evening, reports said. Pedestrians faced great difficulty in crossing the water-logged streets, lanes and bye-lanes in Handwara and Kupwara. People rued that the drains were ill-maintained and even light rains had blocked them. “We are facing great difficulty in walking through the water-logged streets and lanes. The drains are so ill- maintained that rain water overflows, making the movement difficult here,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a Handwara resident. The rains also hampered the movement of traffic in Kupwara and Handwara, causing inconvenience to commuters. The dip in temperature was more in the upper reaches. A majority of residents have started wearing phirans besides using kangris to keep warm. Power supply to several villages in north Kashmir was disrupted due to the heavy rains, reports said.
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Power goes erratic as winter sets in
Srinagar, October 20 The power supply to the residential areas is becoming erratic with each passing day. Over the last few weeks unscheduled cuts are becoming a regular feature throughout the day. The unscheduled power cuts are increasingly becoming a nuisance for the residents as the winter months are set to begin and evening have grown colder. Residents from several neighbourhoods of the Srinagar city, who have metered electricity connections, are complaining that they are facing a growing electricity crisis. Some of the residents said, “The electricity supply has become more erratic is the last few days as power supply remains suspended most of the time through the evening.” A resident of Natipora locality of the city said the evening power cuts to their neighbourhood has become of daily affair. “As per the weekly electricity schedule, we have one day a week for power curtailment, but since last one week the supply remains suspended almost daily,” said Sheikh Sibtain, Natipora resident. Similar complaints of unscheduled and near daily power cuts are pouring in from almost every locality of the Srinagar city. The state electricity department had recently announced a revised power curtailment schedule under which the metered area will have the service suspended for one night a week and non-metered areas will have three-night suspension every week. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is also the state’s Power Minister, on Friday refused to make any comment when asked about the unscheduled and frequent power cuts which have hit the city. “No comments,” said Omar, when asked by the reporters on sidelines of a function yesterday about the growing power cuts in the region.
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Blood donation camp held in Valley
Srinagar, October 20 The blood donation camp was inaugurated by the Principal, Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, Dr Rafiq Ahmad Pampori, in the presence of the Medical Superintendent, LD Hospital, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, and the medical staff at hospital. The blood donation camp was attended by the Central University students and social activists apart from the medical/ para-medical staff and the attendants at the Valley’s lone maternity hospital today. As many as 20 units of blood were donated by the young students, hospital staffers and attendants. Andleeb, head, Al-Nisa Trust, said: “The blood donation camps are yet to be established for a regular supply to the healthcare facilities of the Valley, especially maternity care where the demand for blood at the times of emergency child deliveries is manifold.” In today’s camp, young girls from Mass Communication Department donated blood which they said was their contribution to improve the healthcare of women in the Valley. “Usually women are scared to donate the blood, thinking it at par with donating an organ. But with proper awareness, such misconceptions can be avoided. Blood donation can save somebody’s life,” said a girl student after donating blood. Dr Mushtaq Ahmad rather, while appreciating the effort of young students and activists who donated blood, said: “It is through these youths that awareness campaigns can be launched to aid public healthcare.” “I have seen in a majority of cases where even the relatives of a dying patient are not willing to donate blood thinking it as a major risk to their own life. Not only is blood donation a savior of people in emergency cases, but it also is beneficial for the person donating blood as it revitalizes the blood circulation,” said Dr Mushtaq.
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CM on LPG crisis: minister to stay even after darbar move
Srinagar, October 20
This was announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while addressing a public gathering in the interior city after inaugurating the new shrine complex of great saint Hazrat Sharf-ud-Din Abdul Rehman Bul Bul Shah Sahib at Bulbul Lanker here today. He said that he was fully aware of the difficulties being faced by the commoners on this count. "I have given categorical directions to the police and the departments concerned to take sever action against unscrupulous agents indulging in black marketing and creating false scarcity," he said adding that he has directed the CAPD Minister to remain stationed here till the problem is over. "I have told the Central Government that Jammu and Kashmir cannot be placed at par with Delhi and other states so far as supply of LPG is concerned. The people here have to live in sub-zero temperatures and face the difficulty of heavy snowfall. Our highways remain cut off for days together during winter months. There is already a ban on cutting of forest trees. The supply of electricity to the state is limited and when we restrict the supply of LPG to them where will they go," said Omar. He said state government is strongly advocating the case and some solution to the problem will be sorted out. The Chief Minister expressed joy over the completion of the shrine and congratulated the people for it. He said that the community hall announced by him would provide facility to people for social gatherings, holding of marriage ceremonies and other functions in this congested area. Omar Abdullah paid obeisance at the Shrine and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state and welfare of its people.
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Pakistan FM invites Geelani
Srinagar, October 20 “Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner in India Babar Amin on behalf of the Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has invited chairman Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Geelani to visit Pakistan in December 2012,” said a Hurriyat spokesperson. Such invitations from Pakistan to the hardline Hurriyat leader are a routine affair and don’t carry much weight, sources said.
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Make each student computer literate, says Minister
Srinagar, October 20 “Education is the investment in growth and development of a society thus each one of us must contribute a bit in making every soul a literate in real sense, both morally and academically,” said Malik. He praised the role of SP College, Amar Singh College, Government Women College, MA Road, and Government Women College Nawakadal of Srinagar city, in spreading education among the people of the state. He said colleges’ role was vital for bringing about change in the society. “The facilities in these colleges are doing yeoman’s services in providing quality education to the students, however, there is dire need to bring change in present educational system to avoid multiplication of number of unemployed youth,” said the Minister. He said that government has a massive programme of popularising skill development among youth so that they become self reliant and self-dependent in future. Quality education in the state came into sharp focus recently when experts emphasised skill development as the core area of higher education. On the occasion meritorious students were awarded with trophies and certificates. |
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Dawood Lodhi joins Peoples Conference
Srinagar, October 20 “It is not a political entry, it is a reunion between the two families,” said Lone. Lone said Peoples Conference would strengthen its presence in central Kashmir and expressed hope that Dawood will strengthen the party in Budgam district. Lone asked the Peoples Conference cadres to work with utmost honesty, diligence and passion to bring about a change in the political system in the state. Dawood is son of Bilal Lodhi, a militant who later become the member of the state Legislative Council in 2002. Bilal, who was from central Kashmir’s Budgam district, died in 2008 after suffering a cardiac arrest. |
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Udhampur win U-17 volleyball title
Jammu, October 20
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Govt approves administrative shift
of health institutes
Srinagar, October 20 As per the Government Order number: 633-HME of 2012 of 17-10-2012, the Health and Medical Education Department has accorded sanction to the shifting of administrative control of 32 health institutions, including Community Health Centres (CHC ), Primary Health Care Centres (PHC) in various south and north Kashmir districts. MK Dwivedi, Commissioner Secretary, HME Department, said: “Changing the jurisdiction would save the residents of the areas concerned from unnecessary hardships and also improve the effectiveness of district administration in dealing with the institutions.” He said, “The reorganisation did not require any financial implication and provided relief to the residents of three districts, including Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian. For instance, residents of Kulgam had to depend on health institutions linked with other districts, which now has been rationalised.” Conceding to the persistent demand of the residents, the government approved the change of jurisdiction and the newly constituted districts were given the control of health institutes, which fall in their own jurisdiction. The healthcare institutions whose administrative control has been shifted include PHC Ruhmoo, PHC Sangerwani, PHC Hawal, AD Abhama, AD Shadimarg, MAC Tujan, SC Wasanmargh, SC Kasbi-Yaar, Sc Achigoze, SC Kamrazipora, SC Thokerpora, SC Drabgam, SC Zagigam, SC Gulshanbad, SC Below, SC CB Nath, AD Gudar, MAC Brainai, SC Lammer, AC Akhall, SC Lanker Pombay, SC Dardgund, MAC Muskhud, SC Pariwan, SC Balsoo, SC Bachroo, SC Manchowa, SC Hangulbuch, SC Katapora, SC Yamrach and SC Sonigam. |
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Urs Shah-i-Hamadan holiday on
October 23
Srinagar, October 20
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Lack of school buildings and other necessary infrastructure becomes a major cause of concern for parents whose wards are enrolled in government schools in
Anantnag.
Kupwara, October 20
Srinagar, October 20
Dawood Bilal Lodhi, son of a former state legislator Bilal Lodhi, today joined Sajad Lone’s Peoples Conference party along with hundreds of his workers.
While welcoming Dawood, Lone described his joining the party as home coming and said that Dawood’s father had also started his political inning from Peoples Conference.
I have told the Central Government that Jammu and Kashmir cannot be placed at par with Delhi and other states so far as supply of LPG is concerned. The people here have to live in sub-zero temperatures and face the difficulty of heavy snowfall. Our highways remain cut off for days together during winter months. There is already a ban on cutting of forest trees. The supply of electricity to the state is limited and when we restrict the supply of LPG to them where will they
go