Jammu, July 1
Mental health ailments are on the rise in the region. The worst sufferers are women and teenagers.

Nearly 40 patients, mostly teenagers and women are part of the average 150 patients coming to the Out Patient Department (OPD) at the Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital, the region’s only government psychiatric hospital, with problems related to depression on a daily basis.

“There is a constant increase in the number of cases of depression in Jammu. We register 100 to 150 patients in the OPD on a daily basis and out of them, nearly 20 to 25 per cent suffer from depression,” Dr Manu Arora, senior psychiatrist at the Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital, Jammu, said.

Dr Arora said depression had largely been witnessed among young adults especially teenagers and women, which, sometimes, resulted into suicidal tendencies.

“This being a conflict-ridden region, we have also been registering cases of depression among the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans who also visit the hospital for treatment,” he said.

He claimed that depression, which is the fourth most common disease worldwide, will become the second predominant disorder by 2020.

Besides biological factors that initiate the disease in a normal human being, other aspects like stress, growing competitiveness in case of youngsters, environment and family atmosphere can also lead to depression, he said.

The only 75-bed government hospital here on an average witnesses 150 patients suffering from depression at the OPD every day.

Depression, a mental disorder, is a condition of mental disturbance, with symptoms such as lack of energy and difficulty in concentrating or lack interest in life.

“The main symptoms of depression include negative thinking, difficulty to concentrate, remember details, and make decisions, besides feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, irritability, restlessness, sleeplessness, feeling of persistent sad, anxious, thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts etc,” the senior psychiatrist said.

It is worth to mention here that a rehabilitation centre is still elusive in the conflict-ridden state where stress continues to take a heavy toll on the mental health of the people. Owing to various factors like protracted militancy, killings and disappearances besides unemployment, the state has witnessed a sharp increase in number of mentally disturbed people especially among young adults.

There has also been a persistent demand for setting up of rehabilitation centrein the state in the wake of rise of mental disorders, including schizophrenia.

There has been a constant increase in the number of cases of depression in Jammu. We register 100 to 150 patients in the OPD on a daily basis and out of them, nearly 20 to 25 per cent suffer from depression. This being a conflict-ridden region, we have also registered cases of depression among BSF jawans — DR MANU ARORA, SENIOR PSYCHIATRIST, GOVERNMENT PSYCHIATRIC DISEASES HOSPITAL, JAMMU

Rajouri, July 1
The district administration has served flash flood warning to the residents in the low-lying areas like Naban Mohalla, Bela colony etc. the residents have also been asked to go to safer places.

The action has been taken after news report published in Jammu Tribune on 29 of June about illegally mushrooming structures in flood prone low-lying areas of Rajouri River with the title 'Many live under fear of flash floods at 'Suicide Colony.'

District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, Faqir Chand Bhagat, has instructed Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Sachin Dev, to serve warning notices to the people living in the low-lying areas like Bela colony, Naban Mohallah and riverbeds where the chances of flash floods are high.

DDC, Rajouri, FC Bhagat said, "I have instructed Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Sachin Dev, to serve warning notices to people and asked them leave their houses ahead of the approaching rains.” He said the rampant increase in illegal constructions in the riverbed of Bela Colony, Naban Mohallah, and many other places posed a major threat of destruction. Last year, flash floods caused massive damage to property and washed away a number of vehicles in the area.

Assistant Commissioner Revenue Sachin Dev said, “We have served notices warning residents about possible flash floods in Bela Colony, Naban Mohallah and others living on the riverbeds. They have been asked to go to safer places owing to higher chances of floods during monsoons."

“Despite several notices and personal requests, people are not cooperating with the district administration and waiting for a tragedy, it seems," he rued.

“We have taken several measures like installation of alarm system during any emergency of floods and also taking help from other departments like municipality, police as well."

Katra, July 1
The eleventh batch of constables today passed out of the Police Training Centre (PTC), Talwara. Of the total 836 recruits, 209 graduates and 364 are undergraduates. It was also for the first time that when computer training was imparted.

Umar Farooq of Srinagar, who was the topper, was given out-of- turn promotion, whereas Narinder Sharma of Samba was adjudged the second all-round best followed by Bilal Ahmead of Handwara who was adjudged third.

Director-General of Police (DGP) Ashok Parsad after inspecting the passing out parade, asked them to make public service their aim and deal with the criminals with a firm hand. He said the pass outs would have to safeguard the interests of the people, especially women, children and the poor to get cooperation of the people for better results.

Stressing upon the officers to sharpen the training skills, the DGP said with the changing times, latest techniques of policing should be adopted to deal with the new challenges of cyber crime and terrorism. He said besides its professional duties, the force has always remained on the forefront in different fields and due to its efforts, developmental activities and a large flow of tourists has been witnessed in the state during the bygone year.

The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), S M Sahai, also addressed the function. 

Jammu, July 1
The University of Jammu may fall short of boarding and lodging facilities for of more than 12,000 delegates, including 400 senior scientists, who are expected to take part in the Indian Science Congress in February. The city has limited accommodation facilities to offer the guests.

There are 300 hotels, guesthouses and lodges in the city with the facility to house 7,000 to 8,000 guests. The university authorities may have to hire some hotels for the delegates in Katra, 45 km away from the city.

Being the winter capital, 40 hostels and lodges will be occupied by the Civil Secretariat employees in February when the event is scheduled to be held.

“There are only 300 hotels, guest houses and lodges in Jammu city with accommodation facility for 8,000 guests. At the time of the Science Congress, Civil Secretariat will be functional in Jammu and nearly 30 to 40 hotels will be occupied by the employees of the Civil Secretariat,” Inderjeet Khajuria, president, All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association said.

He said the university authorities were told about the problem when during discussion about the preparations.

Rajouri, July 1
Rashtriya Rifles, Kalakote, launched a tree plantation drive to celebrate the Raising Day of its unit here. The soldiers planted various kinds of saplings at the Tehsil Office, Inspection Bungalow, and the CHC, Kalakote.

Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar Block Medical Officer, Sarpanch, SHO, Kalakote, and 100 schoolchildren also took part in the plantation drive. This initiative of the Army has witnessed an overwhelming response from the residents especially the youth.

Rajouri, July 1
To acknowledge the sacrifice by Brig Mohammed Usman, the Nowshera Brigade is organising an artificial limb replacement camp here from June 30 to July 2, in collaboration with Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti and Pritam Spiritual Trust, Poonch.

Forward areas close to the Line of Control (LoC) are extensively mined and at times, civilians unknowingly enter these minefields and suffer grievous injuries. The Army took it upon itself to provide relief to such civilians by providing them replacement of artificial limbs to enhance their mobility and improve quality of life.

Major General VP Singh, GOC, Ace of Spades division, visited the camp and interacted with the beneficiaries.

Rajouri, July 1
Minister for Hajj, Auqaf and Floriculture, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, inaugurated a guest house at Ziarat Shahdara Sharief here today. The complex has 13 rooms and is equipped with all modern facilities for the guest has been constructed by spending Rs 89 lakh from the sources of the Ziarat.

Minister of State for Health, Shabir Khan, who was accompanying the minister announced opening of the Out Patient Department (OPD) with one doctor at the Ziarat. MLC Jehangir Mir was also present. Later, the Minister also laid the foundation of kitchen-cum-dining hall at the Ziarat Sharief.

Jammu, July 1
The J&K Sikh United Front has welcomed the decision of the Union Government to appoint Anil Goswami as the Union Home Secretary.

Sudershan Singh Wazir, former president, J&K Sikh Gurudwara Parbandak Board, while addressing a meeting of various Sikh organisations, said it was a matter of great honour that a person belonging to the state had taken over as the Union Home Secretary.

All the speakers welcomed Goswami’s appointment and hoped the issue of permanent rehabilitation of the displaced persons of 1947, 1965 and 1971 would be looked into. They further hoped that Goswami’s presence would create a conducive atmosphere with regard to security scenario in the state for its overall progress and development.

Wazir called upon all the members to support Goswami in his endeavour. Those who attended the meeting included Mohinder Singh, Paramjeet Singh, Gajan Singh, Kultar Singh, Manmohan Singh, Ramneek Singh Bijral, Kapoor Singh Dutta, TP Singh, Sandeep Singh, Surjeet Singh Sukhi and Rajinder Singh. —TNS

Jammu, July 1
On the occasion of 58th Bank Day, the staff of State Bank of India (SBI), J&K Zone, today organised blood donation camps at the administrative office of the Jammu and Srinagar branches of the bank.

In Jammu, the camp was conducted in association with the Red Cross Society and Government Medical College, Jammu. A total of 33 units of blood were collected in Jammu and 25 units were collected in Srinagar.

Almost all the branches of SBI undertook at least one CSR (corporate social responsibility) activity in their area of operations, like donation of an ambulance to a charitable hospital, water purifiers to government schools, distribution of stationery items to poor children etc.

Ajit Kumar Jain, DGM, State Bank of India, J&K Zone, thanked the Red Cross Society and doctors of the Government Medical Society for providing support for the noble cause. On this occasion, all staff members pledged to improve the customer services at all outlets and branches of SBI, throughout the state.

Rajouri, July 1
Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi has called for launching an awareness campaign at the block level to make aware the farmers and breeders about the latest techniques and the schemes meant for livestock growers. He said the awareness camps will help in transferring modern technology at the grass-root level.

The Minister was addressing a Technical and Breeders conference at Rajouri district today. The conference was organised by the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Departments. Gurezi said under Animal and Sheep Husbandry sector several welfare schemes have been launched by the Government for the benefit of the farming community and breeders,which need to be publicised.

He also appealed to the people especially youth to come forward and take advantage of these schemes. Speaking on the occasion, Shabir Khan,Health Minister, emphasised the necessity of introducing latest technology in all productive sectors like agriculture, horticulture, sericulture and livestock with the view to increase the socio-economic conditions of the farming community.

Later, the Ministers handed over 11 motorcycles installed with Artificial insemination (AI) kit and liquid nitrogen cane and one vehicle to Animal Husbandry Department, Rajouri. This facility is of its first kind in the state with an aim to give relief to the breeders and farmers for the AI purposes at their door steps.

MLA Kalakote, Rashpaul Singh, Director Animal Husbandry, Jammu Dr SL Bhagat, Director Sheep Husbandry Jammu, Dr Sanjeev Kumar, a large number of breeders, farmers, prominent citizens and officers of Animals and Sheep Husbandry departments attended the conference.

Earlier, Gurezi inspected various veterinary centers, including Animal Migration Camp, Dubjan enroute Mughal road and inquired about the facilities available at these camps.

Jammu, July 1
The 166 Military Hospital celebrated the 43rd Raising Day at the hospital complex, Satwari, here today.

Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC, White Knight Corps, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Gen Hooda inaugurated the technical complex of the new hospital building by unveiling the plaque in the foyer of the hospital in the presence of Brig Pawan Kapoor, Brigadier Med of White Knight Corps and Brig Man Mohan Harjai, Commandant of the 166 MH, Jammu.

Lt Gen Hooda also visited the photo gallery exhibition depicting the history of 166 MH and appreciated the rare pictures.

The Military Hospital, Jammu, was raised on July 1, 1970, as a 180-bedd section of Military Hospital, Udhampur.

It now has a layout of 531 beds in the hospital. It is equipped with all specialised and diagnostic services under one roof and is the center of medical activity during active operations and hostilities.

It is the largest garrison hospital for troops in Jammu, Nagrota and adjoining areas.

The occasion was marked by a special blood donation camp organised on board the mobile blood donation van, in collaboration with GMC, Jammu, in which more than 100 serving soldiers enthusiastically donated blood.

The blood donation camp was inaugurated by Lt Gen Hooda, who also interacted with the soldiers donating blood. He appreciated their noble contribution for the humanitarian cause.

Rajouri, July 1
To bring people together and provide them quality entertainment, a cultural evening was organised at Kalakote Stadium by Kalakote Rashtriya Rifles yesterday.

The evening presented by Saraswati Sangeet Kala Kendra of Poonch, headed by Pradeep Khanna and was inaugurated by Abdul Majid Tantray, tehsildar, Kalakote. Besides Army personnel, about 1,000 people graced the occasion. The show started with a local patriotic song, dedicated to the jawans of Army.

The conduct of the programme was liked by all and people from all age groups, including women, witnessed the event.

An awareness skit by Kalakote Jan Jagran Manch was also staged on the theme of ‘effects of intoxication and drugs’, which was appreciated by the audiences.

Artistes from the manch also gave individual performances. The event culminated with felicitation of all members of the cultural group by Tantray.

Poonch, July 1
Under Operation Sadbhavana, a National integration tour for students of Jhallas village, Poonch district, was flagged off to Aurangabad, Nanded and Pune today.

The 10-day tour is being conducted by Nangi Tekri Battalion, under the aegis of Krishna Ghati Brigade and Ace Spades Division.

Brigadier Tejinder Singh, Commander, Krishna Ghati Brigade, flagged off the tour from Jhallas.

Brig Singh asked the participants to spread the message of peace and harmony to the places they would visit.

People present on the occasion expressed their gratitude towards the Army for giving their children an opportunity to visit other parts of the country.

The tour will provide the 23 children an exposure to the educational prospects, economic prosperity, religious diversity and quality of life in other parts of the country.

The tour will encompass a visit to Ajanta and Ellora caves, Baba Sahib Ambedkar University, Salim Ali Lake and Bird Sanctuary, Bajaj Auto Industries, Skoda Factory, Bibi Ka Makbara and Kali Masjid in Aurangabad, Ryan International School, Kandhar Fort, Vishnupuri Dam, Sugar Factory, Sachkhand Gurdwara and Mahur Garden in Nanded. In Pune, the children will visit the National Defence Academy (NDA), Ordinance Factory, National War Museum, Polyplastics Industries, Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune University, Parvati Hill Temple, Aga Khan Palace and Phoenix Mall.

Jammu, July 1
Street Warrior, Akhnoor, got the better of FCC Bhalwal by 1 run, in an exciting contest today in the ongoing 5th Pawan Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament.

The tournament is being organised by Singh Cricket Club at Government Higher Secondary School Ground, Akhnoor.

Batting first, Street Warriors posted a total of 175 runs in 18.5 overs. Sonu, Amit Singh, Roshan Verma and Dilawar Singh contributed 40, 37, 34 and 22 runs to the total, respectively. For FCC, Bobby was the pick of bowlers with three wickets while Jonu took two wickets. Jatinder, Ajay and Manu claimed one wicket each.

FCC Bhalwal, in reply, fell short by just one run as the team managed to accumulate 174 for the loss of 7 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Sahil was the top scorer with 40 runs while Sanju and Atul Sharma contributed 33 and 28 runs, respectively. Jonu also chipped in with 13 runs. Roshan Verma was the chief destroyer with three wickets for Street Warriors while Ubey took two wickets. Sourav and Amit claimed one wicket each. Roshan Verma was declared the man of the match. — TNS

Batote, July 1
One person was killed while two others were injured when the vehicle they were traveling in from Srinagar to their native place Chanderkot, rolled down a 200-feet gorge from the Jammu -Srinagar National Highway at Sherbibi in Banihal today.

The deceased has been identified as Akhter Ali while those injured are the driver of the vehicle Adil Sharief and Gulzar Ali. Akhter died on the spot and the injured were referred to the Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla, Srinagar. —OC