Jammu, January 12
It’s indeed debatable whether Elementary Teaching Training (ETT) institutes’ decision to minimise their staff strength after running into losses owing to a sharp decline in admissions was inevitable. Those sacked from their jobs are left in the lurch as clouds of uncertainty prevail over their future employment.

Sources said after the notification issued by the J&K State Board of School Education (JKBOSE) regarding commencement of admissions for ETT 2012-14 batch in more than 400 institutes, just over 1,000 students were enrolled for the said course. Following this decline, the owners of ETT institutes had taken a decision to issue pink slips to their staff.

Sources added that most of the teachers who were employed by the ETT institutes at the time of introduction of the course have now crossed the age limit for applying for the post of teachers in government schools. “When I got a job in an ETT institute to teach aspirants, I was very happy for I had succeeded in achieving my aim to become a teacher. There is no doubt that many aspire for government jobs. We were nonetheless happy about getting to teach in a private institution,” said Ramesh, an ETT. “The salary package and other emoluments for ETT teachers as compared to government schools are less, but we were largely satisfied with our jobs. However, the ETT institutes’ sudden decision to sack their employees is no less than a shock,” he added.

“We were already aware of admission crisis in ETT institutes and the management does what best suits it under the prevailing circumstances. But at the same time, if they had given us a hint about such a decision being in the offing, we would have looked for other options,” said another teacher Pramod.

“We are passing through a difficult phase in our lives. We are not eligible to apply for government jobs not only in the education department but also in other departments, for we are now over-age. In fact, some of our colleagues are the only bread earners of their families, but after their sacking, they are now left with a Herculean task - that of managing the affairs of the family in a smooth manner,” said Pramod. “We really feel sorry for all those employees who are being sacked by the management of ETT institutes, but there is no other option available for the colleges,” said an ETT institute owner.

Jammu, January 12
Civil society members in Poonch hope the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan will continue despite recent tensions on the border.

In a press statement, Iftikar Ahmed Bazmi, a local leader, has said peace process means different things for the people living in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

“For people residing alongside the 103-km-long LoC in Poonch region, ceasefire of November 26, 2003 had brought peace, security and created conducive atmosphere for development in the border areas,” Bazmi said.

This was important as in this region, the people and their socio-economic needs had remained neglected for 58 years, due to continuous firing and shelling across the LoC.

Another civil society member, Krishan Singh, said these conditions had subjected people to limitless pain and sorrow, death and injuries and filled their life with misery.

“In November 2003, for the first time in 58 years, people of border areas got relief from war-like situation. When LoC confidence-building measures were introduced in 2005 and the cross-LoC bus service started, it provided an opportunity for the divided families to meet their relatives after decades,” Singh said.

In 2008, traders from both sides of the border were able to establish relations. Thus, an atmosphere of hope was created during the past 10 years, it has been stated.

The members of civil society of Poonch would like to make a humble appeal to the government of India and Pakistan to take immediate steps towards restoration of peace on the border, it has further been maintained.

Jammu, January 12
Kashmiri Pandits organised a three-day seminar for need to save Kashmiri language within the displaced Hindu community from the Valley, despite the community living away from its homeland.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, in collaboration with the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, has organised a national seminar-cum-workshop on the maintenance of Kashmiri language, literature and culture in New Delhi.

All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) president Moti Koul, in his presidential address, stressed on the need to preserve and promote Kashmiri language, terming it as “the soul of our existence”.

“The language is the main component which edifices the richness of identity and culture of a community or a nation. Our responsibility towards safeguarding language doubles as the community is physically away from their land of birth,” Koul said.

He said, “Our sustained link with roots importantly depends on how the community treats the language. In this e-age, we have to explore new methods to bring about a permanent connect among the youth and the Kashmiri language will prove an essential factor in this regard. This, in turn, will yield results of massive promotion of our language, which is as sweet as any other language of the world.”

“It is also a wrong notion that the Kashmiri language is nearing annihilation. Even today, we frequently quote Kashmiri sayings of Lal Ded and of Nund Reshi. The language is the boon of seers and saints and it cannot die but we have to responsibly play our role in enriching it,” Koul said.

Describing AIKS initiative as a step forward in this connection, Koul said the AIKS accords a focused attention to this sensitive issue. Though various KP organisations are rendering their service to this issue, the need of the hour is to create a group of authorities on this subject, he suggested.

Jammu, January 12
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Jammu and Kashmir, Legislative Assembly today visited Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), Jammu and inspected various renovation works executed by the tourist corporation.

The PAC, headed by its chairman MLA Rafi Ahmad Mir, appreciated the overall performance of the corporation, however, the panel stressed for more improvement.

The committee comprises Vijay Bakaya, Niza-mu-Din Bhat, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain and Syeed Bhasrat Ahmad Bukhari.

The panel recommended for enhancement in the budgetary allocation to the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Development Corporation (JKTDC) for maintenance of the infrastructure and the assets raised by the corporation and development authorities.

The committee directed the management of the corporation to ensure public conveniences along national highway (NH) and tourists destinations of the state to facilitate the passengers and as well as tourists.

Earlier, the panel convened a meeting with the officers of the KTDC and reviewed overall working of the corporation.

JKTDC managing director Satish Nehru said at the meeting wayside facilities are available on the national highway. The corporation has consistently shown progress. He said the corporation has incurred Rs 30.44 crore against the revenue target of Rs 33.25 core and earned net profit Rs 2.81 crore during 2011-12. He said revenue receipts of Rs 36.18 crore in 2012-13 and Rs 39.95 crore in 2013-14 are anticipated.

Jammu, January 12
Minister for Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma said on Saturday that there was a dire need to develop formal linkage between the growers and the marketing agencies with strong networking of a cold-chain and communication system.

He said this during his keynote address at the International Horticulture Congress 2013 being organised at NSIC Exhibition Ground, Okhla, New Delhi.

It was stated that the international exhibition was inaugurated by Tariq Anwar, Minister of State for Agriculture And Food Processing, Government of India.

Sharma highlighted the various achievements of the department of horticulture and floriculture of the state and the steps being undertaken to strengthen the activities of the line departments and to facilitate growers across the state in particular.

Jammu, January 12
Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik on Saturday called upon the students to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the state.

The minister made this statement at celebration of ‘Jashan-e-Virasat’, a function organised by Montage Films in collaboration with Doordarshan Jammu and the University of Jammu, at the auditorium of the Government College for Women, Ghandi Nagar, here on Saturday.

Many students of different colleges attended the function. Mailk said the need of the hour is to preserve the culture of the state. We have to work collectively to promote composite cultural of the state for future generations. The history of a nation can only be identified through its rich cultural ethos.

The minister said the schools and colleges have a greater role for acquainting the younger generation about their culture and heritage and in this direction all educational institutions have been directed to promote composite culture and heritage through organising traditional shows through out the year on different occasions and festivals. He said the aim is to encourage youngsters so that they can take charge to preserve the state’s culture and take pride in their rich cultural heritage.

Members of the Swami Vivekananda Sardh Sahati Samaroh Samiti take out a procession to celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in Jammu on Saturday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

The CPMG announced that philately workshops will be organised in various schools in J&K. School principals can contact the philately division, Chief Postmaster General’s office at Jammu/Srinagar in this regard. Director Postal Services, Jagdeep Gupta and Superintendent Post Offices, Jammu Postal Division, JR Angral were also present on the occasion.

Tributes paid to Vivekananda

The city unit of the National Secular Forum (NSF) organised a programme in the University of Jammu to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

NSF state president Dr Vikas Sharma was the chief guest and state vice president and organiser secretary of the forum Sukhdev Singh presided over the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sharma appreciated the initiative taken by members of the forum to celebrate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

He said the government had decided to observe January 12 (the birthday of Swami Vivekananda) as National Youth Day in 1984. He said an inspiring spiritual and social leader Vivekananda left an indelible mark in history with his teachings, which are studied around the world.

Sukhdev Singh also addressed the gathering and threw light on the life and preaching of Vivekananda.

105 patients get free consultation

The Jammu Yatri Bhawan Trust (JYBT) on Saturday organised a free medical camp, to synchronies with the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda and Lohri celebrations. As many as 105 patients suffering from cancer related ailments were given free consultation by Dr Ashok Vaid, chairman of Institute of Oncology Medanta Medi City, Gurgaon.

Jammu, January 12
Expressing displeasure over meagre participation of students from government educational institutions in the recently concluded district and state-level competitions organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS), the department has instructed these educational institutions to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to ensure maximum participation.

According to sources, the sports department had raised objections the previous year too when a majority of students from private educational institutions competed in individual disciplines like table tennis, judo, badminton and fencing. Sources added that the department asked various heads of the government institutions concerned about the poor turnout of students in these medal-winning disciplines despite deputing NIS qualified instructors in the institutions.

Sources said the government schools had assured DYSS of maximum participation of students in the next season of sports activities, but that did not happen as a majority of students participated in competitions like kho-kho, kabaddi, volleyball and tug-of-war. Sources added that Physical Education Teachers (PETs) were recruited by the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) a few years back in different districts of the state in order to overcome this problem.

“When the newly recruited PETs were allotted the schools, they were told by the officials that the department wanted maximum participation of students from government schools in medal-winning competitions so that they could get the much-needed exposure to perform at the highest level,” sources in DYSS told The Tribune.

“After witnessing another spell of poor representation of government schools in the competitions, the department recently asked the heads of institutions concerned to prepare a decisive strategy to ensure more participation of its students. We are not against participation of students from private institutions, but at the same time, we want that a student of a government school gets opportunities like his counterpart in a private school does," a source added.

Sources further said, “If you look at the list of outstanding sportspersons who bagged medals in individual disciplines in National School Games, you find that students belonging to private institutions have a distinct advantage over their counterparts from government institutions. It is high time this gap is bridged to ensure that it does not widen further.”

Tirath Ram, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu, said, “Right now, we are busy preparing the reports of Panchayat Yuva Khel Krida Abhiyan (PYKKA) competitions which the department has conducted in the previous year”.

"Yes, the poor representation of government schools in medal-winning games is a cause of concern but I am hopeful that the recent steps taken by the department will solve the issue to some extent,” he maintained.

Jammu, January 12
Government Degree College (GDC) Mendhar continued its brilliant run as it defeated Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) by 4 wickets to enter the semifinals in the ongoing Inter-College Cricket (men) tournament being played at the University of Jammu grounds here today.

Batting first, GCET accumulated 133 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 8 wickets. Farhan was the top scorer with 36 runs while Anoop Thakur contributed 25 runs studded with three hits to the fence and a six. For GDC Mendhar, Irfan was the pick of the bowlers, scalping three wickets conceding 27 runs while Saddam Hussain and Iftikar Ali shared a wicket apiece.

GDC Mendhar, in reply, overhauled the target in 19.4 overs by losing 6 wickets. Motein Khan struck a brilliant half-century (51 runs) . For GCET, Vishal Pandita took three wickets giving away 24 runs while Kuldeep Thakur and Anoop Thakur chipped in with one wicket each. The match was officiated by Sudhir Singh and Vijay Dogra as umpires while Manu Khajuria was the scorer.

In another match, GDC Poonch notched up a thrilling 7-run win over Commerce College to advance in the tournament. Batting first, GDC Poonch garnered 132 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Asad-ur-Rehman and Gurjinder Singh contributed 36 runs each. For Commerce College, Prashant, Ravi Kumar, Pankaj and Shub Karan claimed one wicket apiece.

Commerce College, in reply, fell short of the target by just 7 runs. Vikas Sharma took a lethal hat-trick just when the match was evenly poised. Vikrant scored a quick-fire 29 runs with the help of three sixes and a four. Vikas Sharma and Yasir scalped 3 wickets each for GDC Poonch. The match was officiated by Sadiq Hussain Malik and Raman Dogra as umpires while Manu Khajuria was the scorer.

Jammu, January 12
The boys and girls team of the Jammu division got the better of their counterparts from the Kashmir division in the Inter-Division U-19 Kho-Kho Tournament, which commenced at the Youth Hostel, Nagrota here on Saturday.

Earlier, in the U-19 boys’ category, Jammu toppled Kashmir by five points (10-05). Kulwinder Singh, Shahid Hussain and Ajay Kumar were the outstanding performers from the winning side. In the girls’ section, Jammu drubbed Kashmir with utmost ease by 9 points (12-03) with Shivani Sharma, Diksha Manhas and Indu Sharma were the main performers.

The matches were officiated by Suraj Dev Singh, Narayan Singh, Balwan Singh and Gagan Kumar.

The Department of Youth Services and Sports has organised the tournament and District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu, Tirath Ram inaugurated it.