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Jammu limps back to normalcy
Landslides disrupt rail line
Rainwater finds its way into SMGS Hospital building
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New Rajouri Dist Hospital building poses threat to lives
Net loses: City residents feel isolated
DoP extends last date for acceptance of application forms
67th Independence Day celebrated with patriotic fervour
A boy plays with balloons at the Raghunath market
in Jammu on Friday. Tribune photos: Anand Sharma
Sports in school curriculum on the cards
BJYM holds protest against Pakistan
Rain damages 100 Reasi houses ADM imposes fine under Public Safety and Standard Act
Album released Charak condemns Kishtwar violence
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Jammu limps back to normalcy
Jammu, August 16 After six days of strikes and curfew, the vehicles were on the roads and shopkeepers were cleaning up their shops as they were closed for the last six days. Employees were on their way to offices at the routine time while the schools and colleges were closed today. "We are relaxed after almost a week's time as the curfew had affected normal life badly. No vehicle was on the road," said Saurabh Sharma, a sales executive. "I hope the situation will remain normal in Jammu now and we would not have to face these problems again," he added. Aaruhi Gupta, a student, said, "I am out to buy some items for my project which I have to submit on Monday, feeling good after six days as the curfew has been lifted today, but worried about the project as there are only two more days to go for the project submission." "It's really very tough to be at home for more than five days, that too without internet; thank god it's open today," he said. The internet services and the news bulletin on the local channels were also restored on Thursday. These were banned by the administrations till further order, due to the tense situation in Jammu, but the administration has issued an order to restore both (internet and news bulletin) to the offices concerned and these were restored by Thursday evening. After the strike call given by the BJP on Saturday, the administration had imposed a strict curfew on the city from Sunday, which was lifted on Thursday evening after an indefinite relaxation. |
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Landslides disrupt rail line
Jammu, August 16 Heavy rainfall for an hour this afternoon once again led to landslide near tunnel-12 (T-12) on Jammu Udhampur rail track. As it was a minor landslide, the rail traffic was later restored after two hours, affecting two trains including the DMU. There was no report of any loss in the incident. Railway officials said due to continuous rain over the last three days, landslide struck near T-12, due to which Uttar Sampark Kranti was delayed by more than two hours. After restoration, other trains are running on time. RN Meena, Divisional Traffic Manager, Northern Railways, said, “The morning DMU from Udhampur to Jammu has been cancelled till further orders, because the restoration work is still on, but other trains are plying on the track at a slow speed.” Earlier too, due to overnight heavy rainfall for 48 hours, a major landslide occurred near tunnel-16 on August 7, and the engine of Malwa Express was stuck in the debris. The track took five days to be restored, on August 11. A landslide disrupted the train traffic again on August 13. The line is an important link for Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (JUSBRL) Project to connect Kashmir valley with the rest of the country. Construction of the line was the biggest project undertaken by the Indian Railways in the mountainous terrain which runs to some of the lofty mountain ranges of Pir Panjal and Himalayas. |
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Rainwater finds its way into SMGS Hospital building
Jammu, August 16 There was total chaos in the hospital for the last 48 hours as incessant rainfall in Jammu did not allow carrying out of any repair to plug the leakage. Water began dripping from the roof on the first floor of the only maternity hospital in the region about two days back and several rooms were affected by it. "Many people feared that roof may collapse and they were quite concerned about their dear ones admitted in different wards of the hospital," said Naresh Chib, whose wife is admitted in SMGS Hospital. "We have laid polythene sheets on the roof so that entry of water is prevented. At the moment, we cannot carry out any major repair due to continuous rainfall, which has affected normal working in the hospital," said Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Dara Singh. However, Dr Singh claimed that it has not affected the patients and necessary steps have been taken in the wards. All the same, what has got everyone alarmed is that the paediatric block has been affected by the rains. "We are surprised even the new building constructed with crores of rupees and modern construction technology could not prevent the entry of rainwater. It shows poor construction techniques used by contractors," said an attendant with a patient, Rajesh Sharma. Meanwhile, rains continue to disturb normal life in the city with several areas flooded for the last three days. In most of the areas, drains have been completely choked and water is continuously entering the homes, causing losses to property. Reports say the worst affected areas include Dogra Chowk, Jewel, BS Road, Canal Road, Bhagwati Nagar, Beli Charana, Sanjay Nagar, Qasim Nagar, Gangyal, Gadigarh and Shastri Nagar locality adjoining canal, Cooperative Society Milk Satwari, ward number 2, Bishnah Shiv Colony and several localities of RS Pura. In anticipation of the rough weather condition, Irrigation and Flood Control department has also directed the field staff to keep a watch on the water level in Chenab and Tawi river so that necessary measures are taken if there is any rise in the level. |
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New Rajouri Dist Hospital building poses threat to lives
Rajouri, August 16 The hospital in the border district Rajouri got its new building in 2005-06 constructed by J&K Projects Construction Corporation Ltd. This report was confirmed by a letter written by Superintendent of District Hospital Rajouri Dr Arun Sharma to The Managing Director of JKPCC, the construction agency, wherein serious question marks over the safety of this structure have been brought to his notice. In the letter, major seepage in basements from the upper floors causing damage to the building, major seepage in right half toilets, Medical Superintendent Room, seepage in other parts like ASHA workers rooms, PPC rooms and seepage from ceiling throughout the building have been mentioned. “When we are walking around, water keeps dripping on us. It is very annoying. If this is the condition of the new building, it would surely be in a precarious state a few years from now," said a hospital staff member. Ironically, this letter mentioned that there is no drainage system in all the floors of the hospital and while washing the wards, corridors, stairs and ramp water has to be diverted towards toilets. Not only this, it has been revealed that the building has developed cracks at certain places on the walls of emergency entrance and diagnostic block. The hospital of Rajouri has been built without a proper plan as it lacks a number of life-saving mechanisms including fire service system within the hospital which are supposed to be on the priority of such an institution. Dr Arun Sharma, in his letter, called for the existing flaws to be corrected as continuous seepage and other problems may decrease the life of the building and also requested inception of a committee of engineers and hospital experts to check the OPD building complex and existing building complex. Speaking to The Tribune, Deputy General Manager Maqbool Chowdhary said, “We are a construction company and had handed over this building to the health department. It’s their or other maintenance agencies' responsibility to maintain this building.” However, he said seepage is caused due to toilet blockage and on request, we have started work there.
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Net loses: City residents feel isolated
Jammu, August 16 The situation could be gauged from the fact that lakhs of mobile phone subscribers in the state remained without GPRS and Internet facilities for five days after the violent clashes broke out in Kishtwar on August 9. The government banned the GRPS and Internet services, though unofficially, across the state on the August 10 midnight following protests across the Jammu region. The services were restored on August 15 after it lifted the day curfew from seven out of 10 districts in the region. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also confirmed ‘unofficial’ ban on the Internet and GRPS services imposed by the government when he tweeted, “I am very glad that the day has passed peacefully in the state baring the ceasefire violations and Internet connectivity has been restored.” “It has become a routine affair in Jammu and Kashmir. The government, which always lays emphasis on the e-governance, bans the Internet and mobile phone services soon after a minor unrest in any part of the state. The government must focus on reducing the trust-deficit among the people, especially the youth, as the ban on social media or GRPS services is no permanent solution to any problem,” said a government employee. He said the government was yet to lift SMSes ban from millions of pre-paid mobile phone subscribers in the state. “It is now an open secret that the Jammu and Kashmir government is behind the ban on SMSes in the state following the violence and unrest in the Kashmir valley in 2010. Despite the fact that the situation has improved significantly over the period, the government has always showed its reluctance in lifting the ban from SMSes,” he said. It may be placed here that the Government of India owned-BSNL had recently told the State Human Rights Commission that the ban on prepaid SMSes in the state was ordered by the Jammu and Kashmir government after a Jammu-based activist filed a complaint with the commission in this regard. The commission had fixed next hearing on August 27. Sachin Sharma, a resident of Pacca Danga, said, “It appears that the government is running short of options while dealing with protests and unrest in the state. I would not criticise the government if it bans Internet or mobile services for restoring normalcy, but the question arises as whether or not such bans make any impact on normalising the situation on the ground level.”
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DoP extends last date for acceptance of application forms
Jammu, August 16 John Samuel, Chief Post Master General (CPMG), while briefing the media today, said the decision was taken due to the curfew in many parts of the Jammu region in the last few days. “In order to facilitate the candidates, we have decided to extend the date,” Samuel said. He further announced that there would be 112 posts of postmen and multi-asking staff. The minimum qualification would be matriculation and the recruitment would be purely based on merit in the aptitude test to be conducted in October. It was also decided that there would be no interview for the recruitment and it would be only based on the marks obtained on the aptitude test. The CPMG said the DoP had also initiated the process of filling up of over 200 posts of Gramin Dak Sevaks for strengthening the postal service in villages and offering efficient services through branch post offices functioning in villages. “In Jammu and Kashmir, we have six postal divisions-- Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Baramulla and Ladakh-- and the concerned divisional heads are recruiting men for branch post offices. The details of the notification are available on the department website,” Samuel said. He said the revenue of the Jammu and Kashmir circle had increased up by 42 per cent during the first quarter of 2013-14 over the corresponding period and further expressed confidence that the pace of growth was expected to be continued during the current fiscal. The advertisement notice for the posts of postmen and other supporting staff has been placed and applications forms are available at main the post offices namely the Jammu head post office, Gandhi Nagar HO, Srinagar GPO, Udhampur HO, Rajouri HO, Kathua HO, Baramulla HO, Anantnag HO, Leh HO, Pulwama MDG, Kupwara MDG, Budgam SO, Ganderbbal SO, Bandipora SO, Kargil SO, Shopian SO, Samba MDG, Poonch MDG, Ramban SO, Reasi SO, Kishtwar SO and Doda. Samuel also announced that the facilities in Sainik Colony, Pooran Nagar, Roop Nagar, Rehari, Samba, Jourian, Hira Nagar, Basholi, Jammu University and Roop Nagar would be upgraded and modernised. |
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67th Independence Day celebrated with patriotic fervour
Jammu, August 16 National Conference provincial president Devinder Singh Rana also unfurled the Tricolour at the party headquarters to celebrate the day. Speaking on the occasion, Rana underscored the need for unity and amity between various segments of society and said preserving secular ethos and democratic spirit would be the biggest tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for freedom of the country. Greeting party workers and functionaries present on the occasion, Rana described India as a beautiful garden of colourful flowers, saying it could bloom only when nurtured with care and compassion. The 67th Independence Day was celebrated at the Jammu Airport with great gaiety and fervour. Airport Director Ramesh Kumar hoisted the Tricolour and greeted the airport staff on the occasion. In his address, the Airport Director emphasised the role of means of communication in the progress and development of the nation. He also said the process of the extension of the terminal building would soon begin and better services and facilities would be made available to the passengers. The J&K High Court Bar Association also celebrated the day at the Court Complex, Janipur. More than 150 advocates were present on the occasion when Bar president MK Bhardwaj unfurled the flag. He recalled the sacrifices of the martyrs who laid their lives for the independence of the country. The Power Grid Northern Region Transmission System-II (NRTS) celebrated the day at all its establishments across the region. At its regional headquarters, Grid Bhawan, the national flag was hoisted by JP Singh, Executive Director, NRTS-II. Senior officials, including SK Sharma, General Manager (in charge, projects), KR Suri, General Manager O&M, Sunil Agarwal , General Manager, PSTCL, Meena Sharma, president, Shrishti Mahila Samiti, employees, their families and children were present on the occasion. The National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) also celebrated the day at its Narwal office. On the occasion, S Kalgaonkar, Executive Director, hoisted the Tricolour. Kalgaonkar said the NHPC had successfully commissioned the third unit of the Nimoo Bazgo project. JP Chowk Below Gumat Traders’ Association president Gurdarshan Singh also unfurled the national flag. He appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony and work for the betterment of the state. |
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Sports in school curriculum on the cards
Jammu, August 16 It was discussed at the meeting that early identification of skills of sportspersons on a scientific basis was necessary in order to assist them in identifying their protential. It is important to identify sportspersons from the state who have special abilities and can excel in their chosen field of sports. They should then be put through intensive and scientific long-term training programmes and exposure in order to ensure that they do their best. It was also discussed
at the meeting that sports should be included in the overall economic activity in the country. This would entail providing better employment opportunities to promising sportspersons, including better opportunities for career progression, commercialising and developing certain
aspects of sports development and marketing, so as to attract private sector participation and capital investment in sports. The meeting also highlighted the need for setting up specialised institutions for the
development of coaching skills, sports medicine, associated skill sets like physiotherapy, recovery management etc. Representatives from various states and UTs emphasised the need
to provide sportspersons with assured employment opportunities and also career progression opportunities. They were also in
favour of providing opportunities to the private sector to invest in the sports sector. |
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BJYM holds protest against Pakistan
Jammu, August 16 Addressing the media, BJYM state president Ravinder Raina said India should immediately call off all its talks with Pakistan. He said the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including the territory forcibly and illegally occupied by Pakistan, was an integral part of India. Raina said the resolution passed by the Pakistan’s National Assembly vindicated that Pakistan was patronising the terrorists and providing them arms training and all other aids to target India and is responsible for the killings in Jammu and Kashmir for 23 years. He called on the Union Government to declare Pakistan a terrorist state. Prominent among those who took part in the protest were senior BJP leader Yudhvir Sethi, Chander Mohan Gupta, Bharat Sharma, Karan Sharma, Ajay Pargal, Secretary Ishant Gupta, Ravi Sharma, Manav Gupta, Vikaramaditya Singh, Ajay Vaid, Kulbir Charak, Keshav Chopra, Amit Gupta, Naresh Sharma, Rinku Chouhan, Vijay Sharma, Balbir Ram Rattan and Ashok Khajuria. |
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The 67th Independence Day was celebrated in Jammu with patriotic fervour.
Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand hoisted the national flag at the mini-stadium. Addressing the people, the Deputy Chief Minister said India’s journey from an underdeveloped nation to an emerging superpower had been laid on the foundation of the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and the harmonised efforts of all its citizens. He said the nation stood strong on the dictum of live and let live.
The announcement was made in the recently concluded Conference of Ministers of States/Union Territories In charge of Sports and Youth Affairs held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. It was discussed at the meeting that there was a need to develop special sports schools, separate from the mainstream schools, with greater emphasis on training and coaching support. The curriculum for these schools has to be determined with greater care.