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LPG dealers’ 2-day strike from today
Valley gears up for harsh winter
Teenager among two killed in road accidents |
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Employees’ union calls for two-day strike
Handwara graduate boy sets an example for jobless youth
KU against installing CCTVs on campus
Jhelum bundh painted with graffiti
Next Education organises seminar for principals
Army holds run-for-fun in Baramulla
MLA inaugurates Farm Machinery Fair in Handwara
Workshop on research methodology begins
Tral school celebrates annual day
Kashmir division log win
Suspense thriller ‘Murder’ leaves audience spellbound
Vijay Club log win
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LPG dealers’ 2-day strike from today
Srinagar, November 5 The decision was taken by the LPG dealers after their meeting with the divisional administration, which was slated for today, could not take place. The agitated dealers later staged a protest at Press Colony here wherein they conveyed their decision to go on strike from Tuesday. They accused both the state government and the oil companies for creating confusion over the policy matters. “All LPG dealers of the Valley were summoned by the divisional administration today for a meeting. Despite waiting from morning till afternoon, nobody from the administration talked to us”, said Khursheed Iqbal Shah, president of All-LPG Dealers Association of Kashmir. Around 40 Valley-based LPG dealers, who had come for the meeting with Divisional Commissioner, raised slogans against the government, oil companies and the Union Petroleum Ministry. The LPG dealers said “the attitude of the administration shows that they have no clear-cut policy on the gas distribution, which is creating problems” for the dealers. So far, there have been several rounds of meetings between the government, LPG dealers and the representatives of the oil companies. However, the confusion on the policy matters, like validation process, supply of subsidised and non-subsidised LPG cylinders still exists. “On the one hand, the state government tells us to issue LPG cylinders on ration cards till the time re-validation process is complete. But, on the other hand, the oil companies are not ready to relax their norms for re-validation, which has created a dicey situation for the dealers”, Shah said, adding that the Kashmir-based dealers have now decided to go on a strike for two days. For the next two days, he said the LPG dealers won’t supply LPG cylinders to consumers. They will also not open their counters for re-validation of the LPG documents. Asked if this step may further exacerbate the LPG crisis in the Valley and put the public to more trouble, the protesting LPG dealers said they have no other option but to go on strike.
Officialspeak While talking to The Tribune, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Asghar Samoon said the dealers were not called for the meeting by his office. “I did not call them for the meeting. However, on the directions of the high court, today I had a meeting with representatives of the oil companies, including Hindustan Petroleum, BP and Indian Oil”. When asked how the administration will handle the crisis created by the strike of LPG dealers, he said, “The law will take its own course”. High Court directions Taking cognisance of the media reports about LPG crisis, specially the reports carried by The Tribune, the high court had on November 2 directed the state government to depute teams for smooth distribution of LPG in the Valley. The media reports have now been converted by the high court into a public interest litigation and the government has been given two weeks time to act on the directions. The Divisional Commissioner in his affidavit to the court had said there was a demand of 18,000 LPG cylinders everyday in the Valley during winter. He had also given a detailed account of the verification and distribution procedure adopted by the state government following the Union government’s ruling to cut down subsidised gas cylinders in the country.
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Valley gears up for harsh winter
Srinagar, November 5 The result is that the ordinary consumer has been caught in a precarious situation ahead of the winter season when the LPG is most in demand. When Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his views on the opening day of the Durbar in Civil Secretariat earlier on May 7 this year, he said the Durbar move was a necessary evil. He opined that the government was needed in Kashmir during the winters and in Jammu during the summers for providing adequate facilities to fight the chilly winters and hard summers. The state government has announced the positioning of the Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, in the Secretariat here next week to look into the problems of the people. The two essentials, LPG and power supplies, would hit hard the common man this winter once again. It is the lack of power supplies, which declines due to the lowering of water-level in the hydel projects during the winter months that would be hitting hard the consumers. But the disturbance in the LPG supplies in the wake of the Central government’s decision to put a cap on the subsidised domestic LPG cylinders has hit the common man hard this time. The domestic LPG distribution is already irregular with little number of outlets in Kashmir. The crisis has been further created by streamlining the process ahead of the winters, when the LPG is more in demand due to the declining temperatures to sub-zero level. As the Durbar moves to Jammu, the Valley’s population would be looking more towards the government in resolving the crisis even as it had announced that the Minister for Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) would be stationed in the summer capital till the LPG crisis are over.
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Teenager among two killed in road accidents
Srinagar, November 5 The boy died on the spot and a case has been
registered, a police spokesman said. In south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, a 50-year-old woman died when she was hit by a truck at Qoimoh. The woman, identified as Raja Bano of Qoimoh, was shifted to a hospital but she succumbed to her injuries while on way to the hospital, the spokesman said. In another accident, a load carrier rammed into a car that was parked at the Industrial Estate, New Light Colony, in Sopore town of Baramulla injuring the car driver identified as Tanveer Ahmad Bhat. The car was also damaged in the accident. A two-year-old boy identified as Atif Maqbool was injured when he was hit by a load carrier at Nowhard village near Charar-e-Sharief in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. The injured boy has been shifted to Charar-e-Sharief hospital for treatment and a case has been registered at the local police station, the spokesman said. |
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Employees’ union calls for two-day strike
Srinagar, November 5 The committee has, however, exempted the essential services from the strike, which is expected to affect all the government offices in the state. The government employees (approximately 4.5 lakh) are at loggerheads with the state government over a number of issues, including release of arrears and regularisation of the employees who work on a daily-wage basis. The consultative committee has decided to stage a march from the office of the Food and Supplies Department to the Divisional Commissioner’s office where they will submit a memorandum of demands to the Divisional Commissioner, the statement said.
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Handwara graduate boy sets an example for jobless youth
Handwara, November 5 He set up a unit in June procuring three beehives from the department. Over the past three years, by dint of his hard work and support from the department, Gulzar owns as many as 27 beehives and successfully earns a living. “I sold honey for about Rs 80,000 last year. I have managed to add eight more beehives this year and am hopeful that by the end of November, I will sell honey for over Rs 1 lakh,” said Gulzar. Gulzar's parents initially opposed his idea to invest in this business but it did not deter his commitment as he invested his youthful energy in a business venture. “I learnt about the Apiculture Department’s initiative through an advertisement. The department officials guided me to set up the unit and provided me three beehives at the first instance. Although my parents opposed the idea and urged me to make efforts for a government job, I took the initiative,” he said. Many jobless youth in Mughalpora are inspired by Gulzar’s initiative and want to follow the precedent set by him. “I intend to set up a bee-keeper unit. I hope it will generate good and sustainable income,” said Muneer Ahmad, a local youth. Honey bees collect pollen and nectar as food for flowering plants colony around them and as they collect pollen, they pollinate plants. “I have planted adequate flowering plants in the vicinity which provide the bees enough nectar for honey. Nectar stored within their stomachs is passed from one worker to the next until the water within it diminishes. At this point, the nectar becomes honey, which is stored in the cells of a honeycomb,” Gulzar explained. Although main diet of honeybees comprises honey and pollen, they collect other liquids and juices from plant and fruit exudates as well. “If they encounter insects that secrete honeydew, honeybees collect these liquids and store them as honey,” said an expert at the Apiculture Department in Kupwara. |
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KU against installing CCTVs on campus
Srinagar, November 5 Kashmir University Registrar Prof Zafar Ahmad Reshi told The Tribune that the campus activities could not be monitored at every step by the installation of CCTV cameras. He said this would create an atmosphere of unrest in the colleges/university. He added that at some strategic locations CCTV cameras might be justified but not everywhere on the campus. “Although we are yet to get any information about the installation of CCTV cameras on the university campus, I think we should not put a strict surveillance system in place in educational institutions. We cannot monitor all the campus activities,” Prof Reshi added. Although the Higher Education Department has maintained that protection of college property is a prime motive behind the installation of CCTV cameras, the probability of monitoring the students activities cannot be overruled. Students and teachers have flayed the move terming it as an invasion of their privacy and disruption in normal proceedings of educational institutions. “I think college/university life is about freedom and studies. But when you have CCTV cameras watching you, you don’t feel like going to a college,” Shehla, a student of Govt College for Women, MA Road, said.
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Jhelum bundh painted with graffiti
Srinagar, November 5 The graffiti, painted with different colours, have been emblazoned on a wall along the bundh close to headquarters of the state police’s Criminal Investigation Department. Bansky’s famous graffiti “flower thrower”, which depicts a masked man throwing flowers in a pose akin to those of a stone-thrower, has also been painted on the huge white wall along the bundh. Bansky is a pseudonymous of an England-based graffiti artist and political activist who has pumped a new life into the art of drawing graffiti. Among the other graffitis painted along the bundh is written ‘Intifada’, an Arabic word for the two Palestinian uprisings of 1987 and 2000 against Israel. The term has also been connected to the street protests of 2010, which shook the Kashmir region for several months. ‘Enqilaab’, an Urdu word for revolution, ‘Hurriyah’, an Arabic word for freedom and ‘This is a PSA ZONE’, a reference to the act which is frequently invoked by the state government to detain protesters without trial for upto six months, has also been etched on the wall. It, however, remains unknown who has painted these intricate graffiti along the bund near a highly guarded security complex which also mocratic Party. The section of the bund from Zero Bridge to Amira Kadal, where the graffiti has been painted, has an important place in Kashmir’s history. It was along this bund that British Residency, an official rapporteur of the British crown in the Valley during the early twentieth century, lived. Along the bund is also a graveyard of English nationals’ officials of the Imperial British Army and other British, who died in the region, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Graffiti, as an art is largely unknown to Kashmir region, but became popular in the summer of 2010 when street protests had swept the region and most of the communication systems were grounded by the authorities.
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Next Education organises seminar for principals
Srinagar, November 5 Next Education assistant vice-president Yog Raj discussed about the benefits of adapting digital technology in the schools. Syed Afadatul Mujtaba, Deputy Inspector General, central Kashmir was the chief guest on the occasion. Veena Raizada, director-academics, Next Education highlighted the advantages of using technology to empower schools with the technology to deliver effective teaching-learning in the digital classrooms. "The seminar provided an opportunity for the experts from the industry and school decision-makers to share their experiences and challenges faced by them in imparting quality education to children," a spokesman of the company said. Raizada discussed educational technologies and created awareness about digital technology and shared the best practices across the school education fraternity. The principals were given a run through of the Next Education product.
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Army holds run-for-fun in Baramulla
Srinagar, November 5 “With the support of local population of Baramulla, continuous tournaments were organised by 46 Rashtriya Rifles
Battalion (SIKH), under the aegis of the Dagger Division,” the Army spokesman said. He said, “The event started from Khanpur Bridge in the town, while the other students started their run from St Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Baramulla. The event culminated at Shaukat Ali Stadium in Baramulla. |
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MLA inaugurates Farm Machinery Fair in Handwara
Srinagar, November 5 He made these comments while inaugurating the Farm Machinery Fair organised by the Agriculture Department at the chinar park in Handwara. Chowdhary said the objective of organising the fair throughout the Valley was to acquaint the farmers with the modern agriculture machinery, tools and equipments and also help them to avail benefits of various schemes at their doorsteps. He appreciated the efforts of the department for organising such fairs. He said the welfare of farming community was on the top priority of the state government. Chief Agriculture officer Mushtaq Ahmad Parray said the Department of Agriculture was making all efforts for achieving higher productivity by way of tapping the land resources, irrigation potential, introduction of high yielding varieties, maintenance of soil fertility and farm mechanisation. “He advised the farmers to avail the benefits of various schemes launched by the department,” the spokesman said.
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Workshop on research methodology begins
Srinagar, November 5 Internationally acclaimed research expert, Prof VV Haragopal from the Department of Statistics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, and Farooq Ahmad Shah, coordinator, Department of Management Studies were also present on the occasion. During the week-long workshop, the resource persons drawn from various institutions would discuss research methodology related issues, including sampling framework, data collection tools and techniques, questionnaire: designing, validity and reliability, hypothesis: setting and testing, data analysis, correlation and regression analysis using minitab, report writing, and descriptive statistics. Abdul Gani underscored the need for conducting quality research work in relevant fields, industry and in different areas of study at a particular place. He said the research helps in creation of knowledge, which is later disseminated through education. He asked the research scholars to conduct a follow up of their study. “The researchers should check as to whether their recommendations have been implemented or not,” Gani said while referring to the numerous studies conducted by the scholars on the deteriorating condition of world famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. Prof VV Haragopal asked the research scholars to conduct the studies thoroughly. He discussed various methodologies used for conducting research and highlighted the importance of research in the contemporary world. |
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Tral school celebrates annual day
Srinagar, November 5 A large number of people, including the doctors, lawyers, teachers and journalists attended the function. Justice Kirmani stressed on concerted efforts to strengthen the value-based education system for creating generations of repute and integrity. He impressed upon the common people to impart top priority to quality education. Prof Madhosh said for a strong education system, the quality of teachers’ personality requires to be improved. “The teachers must possess knowledge, which can be transferred to the children,” he said. Prof Madhosh identified the knowledge, skills and positive attitude of teachers as the building blocks for real human resource development. Ashiq Hussain Nadvi, principal of RP School, Srinagar, said the de-linking education had resulted in knowledge and power abuse acquired through the scientific advancement. The students presented scintillating theme-based performances, including skits, songs and comedy shows to enthrall the jam-packed audience. A group of four students conducted the proceedings.
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Kashmir division log win
Jammu, November 5 Batting first after winning the toss, Kashmir division accumulated 131 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Shabir Ali struck a fine half-century (50) off 49 balls while Rashid contributed 19 runs. Ikhlaq was the pick of the bowlers for Jammu
division with a haul of three wickets. In reply, Jammu division managed to score 111
runs in 20 overs losing seven wickets in the process. Akhlaq (26) and Ankush (15) were the main contributors. For Kashmir division, Shahid and Dawar claimed two wickets apiece. The match was officiated by Jagtar Singh, Suresh Singh, Pankaj Sasan, Madan Mohan and Mukesh Sharma. Meanwhile, in U-17 boys hockey played at KK Hakoo Stadium, Jammu division beat Kashmir division by a solitary goal. |
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Suspense thriller ‘Murder’ leaves audience spellbound
Srinagar, November 5 Omar said he was delighted by the performance of the artistes and remained stuck till the end to know the climax of the play. The play revolved around the playwright Sidney Bruhl, played by Hussain, who stages the murder of his wife, with the help of an aspiring playwright Clifford Anderson. The play was riveting throughout and was an unusual experience for the Kashmiri audiences. The play was sponsored by the Aircel telecom company. It was for the first time that renowned theatre artistes of the international fame performed in the city. The Chief Minister, who briefly spoke after the play ended, invited the group to perform more such plays in the city. “All of us in the audience were extremely delighted. I am unable to recall when we saw such productions performing here,” Omar said. |
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Even as the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has asked the state government to constitute a task force for ensuring a hassle-free distribution of LPG
cylinders.
For about two years after he graduated in arts in 2006, Gulzar Ahmad of Mughulpora village in Handwara of north Kashmir was worried when he would be able to earn a living for himself. In April 2009, he came to know that the Apiculture Department provides a bee-keeper unit to educated jobless youth.
Srinagar, November 5
MLA, Handwara, Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan today advised the farmer community to adopt latest technology in agriculture field to increase production, productivity and the economic status.
Theatre artiste Aamir Raza Hussain performed a suspense thriller ‘Murder’ at the Banquet Hall of the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre on Sunday.
The play fascinated the audience, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, SM Sahai.
