Trehgam (Kupwara), November 10
Residents of Muqam, two kilometres from Trehgam in Kupwara district of North Kashmir are facing severe shortage of drinking water for past many years. The village elderly say the village never had a source of water supply since it was established in the early 1920s. The village has 300 houses. The worst affected pockets in the village include Charhar, Manzar, Muqam Malik Mohalla and Khan Mohalla.

Noor Jahan Begum, 103, says, “In my lifetime, I have heard the word “water-supply” for the first time. I have seen women carrying buckets of water on their heads throughout my life.”

The only source of drinking water for village residents is a small pond in village. In the summers, the water level in the pond recedes adding to the woes of the villagers. “We have never had water supply till today. We are forced to fetch drops of drinking water from the only pond in Muqam, which is one Km away from our homes. The water level in the pond, which is the only source of drinking water recedes drastically in the summers,” said Rubina of Charhar.

People of Pahari tribe living in the village alleged that despite many representations to the authorities concerned nothing has been done so far to alleviate their problems.

They said the much-hyped Panchayat polls last year, which saw the village representatives elected also proved a failure in mitigating their problems.

“The successfully held Panchayat polls last year rekindled our hopes of mitigation of our problems but despite our support to the village representatives, we continue to suffer for want of drinking water,” said Farooq Ahmad, a resident.

Executive Engineer (EE) Public Health Engineering (PHE) division, Kupwara, Riyaz Ahmad, said he and a team of officials will visit the village on Wednesday. “I will visit the village to see the problems faced by the residents. We have already commissioned a water supply scheme at Trehgam and I will see that the village residents get water supply,” he said.

I will visit the village on Wednesday to know the problems faced by the residents. We have already commissioned a water supply scheme at Trehgam and I will see that the village residents get adequate water supply — riyaz ahmed, executive engineer, PHE division, kupwara

In my lifetime, I have heard the words ‘water-supply’ for the first time. I have seen women carrying buckets of water on their heads throughout my life — noor jahan begum, 103-year-old resident of muqam village

Baramulla, November 10
The management of St Joseph School has once again declined to teach 15 children with special needs.

The school management has refused to change its decision to stop education of 15 children with special needs.

Principal St Joseph School said the school management had already informed parents of the children a year before that the school will stop providing education to their wards and that they should make alterative arrangements to continue their education.

“On the request of Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, last year, we held classes of such children for one year despite shortage of teaching staff. I had asked the parents last year that the school will stop providing them education from next year," Principal of St Joseph School said.

“It is not a sudden decision but the parents of children were made aware of it in time. They are raising a hue and cry over nothing and leveling unfound allegations," he added.

The school management had suspended the classes of 15 CWSN since Tuesday and asked them not to attendant school.

Principal said, “The school never provided them schooling but only part-time education. It is not mandatory for the school to accommodate these children unless we have adequate infrastructure and teaching staff."

The parents of specially-abled children on the other hand allege that they were not informed by the school management about suspension of class work a year before. The parents also alleged that the sudden and ‘harsh decision' of the school management had jeopardised the career of their children.

Srinagar, November 10
Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora has lauded the efforts of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for lifting the advisory by the British Government for its citizens against visiting Kashmir.

Jora hoped that with the lifting of advisory for J&K by the UK Government, other Common Wealth countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada, would also change their attitude towards advices. He added that these Common Wealth countries provide a rich source for enhancing the inflow of tourists to the Valley.

Britain is the third country after Germany and Japan to have lifted the advisory to the state.

A spokesman said efforts of the Chief Minister Omaqr Abdullah and participation of the state Tourism department in the World mart held at London since 2002 also impacted the British attitude paving the way for withdrawing the negative travel advisory.

Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani has also welcomed the decision.

Srinagar, November 10
One of the prolific poets of North Kashmir Mohammad Amin Zargar, who preferred to live in oblivion, died on November 7.

Zargar was bedridden for a long time due to a paralytic attack. Those who know him said he was very active even when he was unwell.

Zargar, who retired as a lecturer in 1995, was known for his poems, artistic trade. He was one of the founders of the cultural forum that was set up in early 70s in Baramulla.

“Apart from being a teacher by profession, Zargar was also known for his poetic works, which are revolutionary in nature and deal with different aspects of human emotions and life. The Kashmiri ghazals and poems written composed by him are popular among the masses in the region,” recalled Mohammad Amin Bhat, a renowned playwright and director.

Zargar, who was born in the old locality of the Barmulla town, was also honoured by the Mehboob Cultural Society for his extra-ordinary contributions in the feild of literature and performing art.

Srinagar, November 10
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said the state government was blind to the problems faced by the people.

A PDP spokesman said during Mehbooba's day-long tour to Anantnag constituency she came to know that the government is charging electricity fee at different rates from the consumers.

The spokesman while quoting the party president Mehbooba said the state government was blind to the problems faced by the people but it was taking a more cruel turn every day for every one.

“On one hand, the government has been unable to fix the gas crisis and on the other it has been depriving people of power supply which has now become worst ever since 2003. Given the climatic conditions of Kashmir, people could face a real threat to their lives in the absence of any fuel options,” the statement said.

During the visit to Anantnag, Mehbooba went around various localities and villages, including T B Shah, Muniwara, Nowathoo, Hanji Danter, Mir Danter, Bangidaar, Kamad, Wanihama, Pethdialgam, Kabamarg, Gund Fatehpora, Fatehpora, Gundi Jaffar and Kuchipora.

“The PDP president urged the administration to immediately start work on some important road links, including Muniwara T B Shah Road, Schichen Dialgam Road and Danter road,” the spokesman said.

Srinagar, November 10
The police today foiled an attempt by hardline separatist Hurriyat Conference to organise a seminar on the construction of road to Amarnath shrine, which is strongly denied by the state government. The police sealed the main office of the group and the residence of group leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

The seminar was called by the hardline Hurriyat faction to talk about the construction of the road to the Amarnath shrine. It was supposed to be held at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence, on outskirts of the city, which also houses the main office of the separatist group.

Geelani in a statement said the siege of his residence and office was the worst example of the state terrorism.

“On one hand, India claims to be a champion of the democracy and free expression and on the other hand, it is continuously suppressing the voice of the people by force,” Geelani said.

No official from the state police agreed to comment on the order to seal the Geelani's residence.

The separatist group had invited intellectuals and experts from the civil society to participate and express ideas with regards to functioning of the Amarnath Shrine Board and its modus-operandi.

The group had earlier said that it would decide the future course of actions after considering suggestions made at the seminar.

The issue of construction road to the Amarnath shrine, as alleged by the hardline separatist leader Geelani and denied by the state government, has triggered a verbal duel between separatists and the government-led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The state administration, along with a selected group of journalists, took an aerial tour over the Baltal route to check the ground reality. Geelani reacted by saying he never mentioned the construction was taking place at the Baltal route but at Pahalgam route to the cave.

Hardline Hurriyat had earlier threatened an agitation if government moves ahead with construction work of the road. 

Srinagar, November 10
Kashmiri theatre will see a shift from merely an entertainment medium to an intellectual expression as a way forward to preserve a cultural heritage of the state.

As the two-day long ‘National Seminar on Kashmir Theatre’ concluded on Friday, veteran theatre personalities, playwrights and actors of the Valley presented their research papers during various technical sessions held during the seminar.

It was impressed upon that Kashmir’s drama sector should be more research-oriented.

Various research papers presented focused on subject matters related to experimentations in Kashmiri drama, Kashmiri drama in the backdrop of world drama, Kashmir’s theatre on social issues etc which provided an insight into the numerous aspects of this traditional art form.

Various critical analysis sessions of some famous contemporary plays like Gruce Seund Ghar (villager’s home) chaired by the veteran drama and stage directors, who laid emphasis on the shortcomings in the representation of stage dramas and efforts needed to overcome these.

The concluding day of the seminar also hosted a panel discussion chaired by Dr Aziz Hajni, convener of Sahitya Academy. Leading names of theatre industry like Mushtaq Ahmad, Ayash Arif, Tariq Javed provided their valuable suggestions during the discussion.

“It was all in all a successful first-ever attempt in bridging the gap between the art and its creator. A stage performance or a Bhand Pather (street theatre) is the outcome of strong team efforts. It requires months and even years’ time to get the perfect coordination. Hence, the ground work is really important for the final success, which is getting appreciation from the audience of the performance,” said leading playwright and theatre director Muhammad Amin Bhat.

“Though the traditional touch to the Kashmiri theatre makes it classy but the issues raised by it should be more contemporary,” he added.

Anantnag, November 10
Not just cricketers but the bat manufacturers of Kashmir are also gearing up for the long season of international cricket to be played on the Indian soil. The manufacturers are particularly banking on the upcoming India-Pakistan series.

They say India-Pakistan contests have always been good for their business as the cricketing fever is on a rise across the country.

“We were already flooding with orders for bats given the upcoming holiday season in many parts of the country,” says, Tanveer Ahmad, a bat manufacturer from Sangam area in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

He said the resumption of the cricketing ties between arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, will be a huge boost to the sales of bats across the country.

“It does not matter who wins and who loses. Business is an important factor and these highly contested series are very good for our business,” said Shakeel Ahmad, another bat manufacturer from the area.

The manufacturers say that the sale of bats gets a boost on a local level too despite the harsh winter.

“The local sales otherwise nosedive during the winter; however the contest between India and Pakistan gets the adrenaline pumping in cricket lovers,” said Tariq, a cricket bat stall-owner.

The bat manufacturers are hopeful that the long home season of the Indian cricket will overall help to revive the industry.

“The series against England is beginning from November 14 and then the series against Pakistanis lined up, which will be followed by a series against Australia. So it is a long cricketing season and we have our fingers crossed,” said Tanseer Ahmad, a bat manufacturer from Bijbehara area. Meanwhile, the cricket lovers in the Valley are hopeful that they will get good nail biting cricket to watch.

“I am really looking forward to this wonderful cricketing season. There is a lot the young cricketers will get to learn from the up coming series,” said Parvez, who represents J&K in the Ranji Trophy. 

Srinagar, November 10
The first 42 km Srinagar marathon was held on Friday being organised by the J&K Sports Development Association (JKSDA). It was flagged off by Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) president, Rouf Ahmad Tramboo from Jamia Masjid Gojwara, Srinagar.

Top 12 selected athletes of the state participated in the event. For the first time, 42-km long marathon was organised in the Valley.

It took Reyaz Ahmad 2 hours 43 minutes to complete distance while last competitor completed the stretch in 3 hours.The route of the event involved both old city and civil lines. The athletes passed through Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal, Bohrikadal, Police Station Khanyar, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Hawal, back to Nowhatta, Kathi Darwaza, Saidakadal, Rainawari, Sheeraz Chowk, Babademb, Polo Ground, MA Road, Fly Over, back to MA Road, Oberio Crossing, Nishat, Foreshore Road and culminated at Kashmir Harvard School Malabagh.

Continuing his legacy in the field of long-distance running, Reyaz Ahmad of J&K Police wrote his name in the history books by becoming a champion of the first ever Srinagar marathon.

At the prize distribution ceremony, JK Bank executive president and chairman of the Sports Board, Taffazul Hussain was the chief guest while as MD TCI Umer Tramboo, Greater Kashmir Communications president (operations) Rashid Makhdhoomi, renowned sports analyst Sajid Hamid, and principal of Kashmir Harvard School Irfana were also present.

Appreciating the participants for competing in the historic event, Taffazul Hussain said, “I congratulate players and the organiser for organising the first marathon in the Valley. It is not small thing to run 42 km in the winter. They players have proved today that they have got lot of talent.”

“I assure both organisers and players that we at J&K Bank are always ready for the upliftment of the sports in the state. Whenever you need any help or support you are welcome at J&K Bank,” he said.

Umer Tramboo said, “We need to organise more such events in the future as well. Many social evils, like drug addiction, are prevailing in the state. These events can help to curb these evils and guide youth not to indulge in them.” “We at TCI are working for the eradication of social evils and will be glad to be part of events like this one,” he added.

TAAK president Rouf Tramboo spoke on the occasion and he said, “Our state has got lot of potential for the sporting events like cycling, athletics and adventure sports. Only thing needed is to promote and support the organisers.”

Later, Taffazul Hussain, Rashid Makhdoomi, Rouf Tramboo distributed prizes among all participants and winners.

Srinagar, November 10
Three houses and a cowshed were damaged in separate fire incidents across the Valley, the police said today.

The house belonging to Sanaullah Tantray of Ring Bala village in the frontier Machil area was completely damaged in fire, the police said. Fire damaged the house of Abdul Aziz Mir of Handi village of Nowshera. The fire damaged the structure of the house.

In the third incident, house of Abdul Majeed of Chettergul village near Kangan was damaged completely. A cowshed at Gasoo village near Zakoora, was also partially damaged in fire.