Jammu, October 18
With opposition to the construction of a multi-level parking lot on a park in Gandhi Nagar getting widespread support, a senior officer from Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) today claimed that they would be making room for underground parking space and the park on the surface will be kept intact in view of environmental concerns. Residents demand that they should be shown blueprint of the plan.

The official further claimed that vacant land on the left and right hand sides of the park is a matter that is subjudice as management of Peer Baba committee and government are still fighting the case in the court.

"Use of land for any developmental project is a decision taken by the government and the agency is an implementing body. The design will be such that environmental aspects will be taken into account," the official said on condition of anonymity.

The ERA official said that people need to understand that the project is necessary because in the next few years, the condition would become so chaotic that even walking on the road would be impossible, as vehicles would eat up all the space available.

"We have already declared that no commercial complex will be built and eco-friendly construction will be carried out," said Urban Development Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora.

Sources said growing opposition to the proposed Rs 75 crore project to create parking for nearly 600 vehicles has got officials worried as a team from Asian Development Bank (ADB) is likely to visit the place in a few days.

Association for Self Help and Awareness, an organisation which started the campaign against the project, said despite sending memorandum to the Urban Development Department, they have received no message.

"The government should show us the blueprint - what they intend to construct. Residents are opposing the project but the administration is acting in an arrogant way. We are not against development work, but it should not be at the cost of the environment," said Anil Gour, president of the association.

Residents said they were ready to meet ERA and Urban Development Department officials. "Government needs to clarify apprehensions of local residents. People have always supported development projects," said association member Jagjeet Singh.

They say the park makes for the lungs of the area and this green patch is vital for morning and evening walkers, children and people who spend their time amid the lush green tall trees.

Jammu, October 18
The rural youth of the state have comparatively lesser access to information, educational and career opportunities, and training facilities. This has been revealed in the National Youth Policy (NYP) draft prepared by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The policy said the rural youth find it difficult to compete with urban youth in terms of opportunities for jobs and higher education because of tough competition. It added that full information about state policies and programmes is often not available to them.

“The government has many programmes like MGNREGA, total sanitation, NRHM etc about which the youth of rural areas of various districts of the state have little information and therefore, the benefits of these state-sponsored schemes are not known to them,” the policy claimed.

NYP claimed that many young people belonging to tribal communities are facing problems of unemployment and displacement, which has disrupted their life. It maintained that poor connectivity in their habitat was an impediment to development reaching them and further alienates the tribal youth.

“Youth fall prey to trafficking as they are generally from poor families and later, they are lured by false promises and exploited physically and economically. Further, substance abuse among young people, particularly in some border districts of the state, is on the increase. That could be due to peer pressure or stress and frustration or due to deliberate endeavours from across the border,” the National Youth Policy observed.

The policy also defined the categories of youth who are particularly at risk. These included unemployed university graduates; youngsters who have migrated from rural to urban areas; tribal youth; youngsters who have been victims of discrimination or injustice or youth who have been misguided by concerted propaganda by perpetrators of separatism and militancy.

National Youth Policy said whether the rural youth are participants in violent conflicts or their victims, they are undoubtedly the worst sufferers. Their very future gets severely compromised. Even when they desire to return to normal life after realising that they had wrongly got themselves inducted into conflict, the society does not offer them an opportunity.

Jammu, October 18
The health centre, in collaboration with the Department of Student Welfare, organised an awareness lecture on dengue fever at the Jammu University on Friday.

Dr Ishfaq Chaudhary, Consultant, Department of Medicine, Government Medical College (GMC), spoke about prevention, complications and management of the fever and said due to lack of awareness among masses about dengue, panic has gripped our state and everyone is running to the medical college for admission even in case of slight fever and common cold.

He said people themselves are going to private laboratories for the dengue fever test, but the state government has banned this test by these private labs. He said adequate hydration and tablet of paracetamol form elements of management of dengue fever.

He emphasised that the patient should not take any medication like aspirin for pain management, which could further complicate the situation. In case of fever with rash and severe headache and body aches, the patient should report to the nearest primary health centre or hospital, wherein symptomatic treatment would be prescribed and the patients do not need to stay or require admission in the hospital.

He also said the number of cases of dengue is declining as the winter season is approaching. He further said till date, there has been no immunisation of dengue available, but research is on in Thailand to discover its vaccine. — TNS

Jammu, October 18
The road to the tourist spot of Jammu region, Surinsar lake, has turned into a virtual slush pond these days.

While the authorities have turned a blind eye to the prevailing mess on the complex, the local residents and school children have been facing hardship as it has become difficult to even walk in the area because of knee-deep mud and slush.

“It appears that we have been living in the medieval era as mud and slush have taken over the road, where we expect tourists from the outer states to visit. The main road connecting to the Surinsar lake is full of slush and potholes, but the authorities didn’t bother to repair the damaged portion, resulting in miseries for the pedestrians,” Suresh Kumar, a local resident of Bajalta, said.

“A few two-wheeler riders have even received injuries after their vehicles slipped in the area, but the authorities seem to be waiting for a big tragedy to happen,” he added.

Arun Kashyap, a tourist, said, “I had seen the Surinsar lake in pictures. I wanted to go there; the lake was so beautiful, but the road was in a miserable condition.”

Kishtwar, October 18
Former Congress Minister and MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori has exhorted upon the officers of various departments to discharge their duties with a missionary spirit.

The MLA was chairing a meeting to review the performance of various departments of the district. He asked the officials concerned to meet the expectations of people of the remote and backward district.

While reviewing the performance of the Education Department, the CEO of Kishtwar informed Saroori that lack of staff in the schools had hampered the functioning of schools. He claimed that around 29 posts of teachers were lying vacant in Kishtwar zone, 48 in Chatroo zone, 23 in Drabshallah zone, 34 in Thathri and Bhatyas zone.

Saroori urged upon the Director, School Education, to fill up all vacant posts in the department to ensure quality education in the backward area.

Officials of the BRO informed MLA Saroori and DDC Kishtwar that Rs 324 crore had been released by Minister of Surface Transport for widening and upgrade of 52-110 km up to Kuleed Chowk, Kishtwar.

He also urged the BEACON officials to speed up all ongoing work and engage more beacon labour from Chatroo and Chingham side so that work will be completed in a time-bound period.

Jammu, October 18
Candidates who had appeared for an interview for the selection of a warden in the Jammu and Kashmir Police prisons jail today held a demonstration against the state government for the delay in their appointment.

The protest was led by president Pankaj Sharma who claimed that about 40,000 unemployed youths had appeared in the selection process and nearly 1,200 candidates qualified for the interview session.

“More than two years have passed but the authorities concerned have not released the list of selected candidates. The interview of the same was held in November 2010,” Sharma said.

Sharma said, “With effect from 1995, no selection has taken place in the department. There are more than 2,000 vacancies in the department.”

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should take a personal intervention into the matter and final orders should be issued in favour of all 1,245 candidates who have passed the interview,” he further said.

Others who were present during the protest included vice-president Yashpal Sharma, secretary Mohan Lal, Romy Sharma, Ashwani Sharma and Satpal Khajuria.

Jammu, October 18
As Karva Chauth is round the corner, markets have been decorated with bangles in different colours, jewellery of various designs in both gold and artificial, designers’ suits in various colours, varieties and patterns for the day. Even mehndiwalas are having a busy time applying mehndi on the hands of the ladies.

The day on which married women pray for the happy and prosperous life of their husbands is observed by fasting for a day. Apart from this, ladies are dressed up like brides, and shop for cosmetics, dresses and bangles.

“There are four days to go for Karva Chauth; there would be hardly any space out there in the market on the day or right before that. The rates of the bangles and other products go up as the day draws nearer. So it is better to shop a few days before the festival,” said Dimple Chopra, a housewife from Roop Nagar who was shopping in Patel Bazar for bangles.

The festival gives women a chance to explore the markets without bothering about the limitations of their pocket. As the day approaches, shopkeepers and customers have a busy time.

Mehndi artists and beauty parlour owners have a busy schedule, with customers going in for bookings weeks before the festival.

Deepika Jamwal, a make-up artist working with a saloon, said, “This weekend is going to be very hectic as the customers start preparing for the day a week before the festival. We are doing good business at this time as there is a heavy rush of customers for hair-styling and make-up. We are not entertaining anyone without prior appointment."

Even designer suits are in great demand for the festival.

“This time, the ladies will get to buy designer suits in new patterns and vibrant colours,” said Arun Tak, owner of a designer suit store.

Jammu, October 18
Despite high prices of gold ornaments, jewellers in the city are hopeful of huge sale of their products on Karva Chauth. They are confident of about 60 per cent rise in their sale of gold products during the Karva Chauth week. To lure customers, many of them are offering heavy discounts on purchase of gold and diamond products.

“The sale of gold items, particularly of ‘Mangalsutra’, is comparatively higher on Karva Chauth,” said jeweller Vishavdeep Sharma.

Looking at the rising trend of branded diamond jewellery, jewellers have displayed huge banners in the city offering special discounts on diamond jewellery.

Customers purchase ‘Mangalsutra’, bangles and chains with diamond lockets.

Sanjeev Jain, a jeweller, said, “Sale of gold and diamond jewellery always goes up during Karva Chauth."

“We have started getting a good response from our customers and I hope like always, we will do good business this year,” he added. 

Jammu, October 18
District Development Commissioner Ajeet Kumar Sahu today convened a meeting to discuss the installation of crackers stalls and other arrangements being made by the civil administration for ensuing Divali festival. He said the sale of cracker would start from October 24.

The meeting was attended by ACG Shehnaz Chowdhary, Joint Director Information, Jammu, Smita Sethi, CMO Javed Chib, SP City, JS Johar, senior officers from PDD, PHE, Municipal Corporation, Fire Services, R&B and other departments concerned.

The DDC directed the authorities concerned to keep a strict vigil on the sale and storage of fire crackers, besides ensuring that the shopkeepers were adhering to the guidelines laid down in this regard. He directed the Fire and Emergency Services Department to keep the fire tenders ready to meet any eventuality at various sale outlets.

He directed the officials concerned of different departments to put in all possible efforts for ensuring smooth celebration of Divali festival by providing essential commodities, power and drinking water supply, medicare, security, sanitation and other basic needs to the people of the region well in time.

Sahu asked the health, information and fire services authorities to make the masses aware about the safety measures to be taken during Divali for safe and secure celebration through electronic and print media. He directed the PDD and PHE to ensure un-interrupted power and water supply during festival days.

He instructed the traffic authorities to prepare a comprehensive traffic plan for a smooth flow of traffic and launch special drives near crackers sale stalls. The DDC directed the Municipal authorities to ensure cleanliness in the city.

Katra, October 18
With a view to create awareness of the latest technology and programmes of various schemes under implementation in Reasi zone, a farmer awareness camp under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) was organised by the Department of Agriculture at Bagga village of Reasi zone in the district.

Over 100 farmers, including sarpanches, panches and women from adjoining villages, attended the camp.

Ajit Kumar, zonal agriculture officer, Reasi, along with other field staff, attended the camp. He advised farmers to adopt modern technology in agriculture, allied sectors and take benefits of the schemes launched by agriculture and allied departments.

He asked farmers to participate in the training camps being organised by the Agriculture Department to remain updated with the latest techniques and machinery. He also urged the community to come forward in order to take maximum benefit of different schemes, including crop insurance, agri machinery equipments, KCC, NAIS, RKVY, vermi compost and ATMA to boost the cash crops. He also acquainted the farmers about the preparation of compost pits and also informed about soil testing facilities.

Jammu, October 18
"Beyond three Words", an English fiction authored by Abhimanyu Jamwal was released today by the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), Kuldeep Khoda.

Khoda appreciated the efforts of the young author and said it was a matter of pride for the state. He said the author has come up with an extraordinary work and needs appreciations.

Jammu University Vice-Chancellor MPS Ishar was the guest of honour while Balwant Thakur, a Padmshree awardee, presided over the event.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Isher urged the people to take lead in exploring their inner potential while Balwant Thakur said such efforts would help in inculcating a sense of cultural awakening among the youth. He admired the unique initiative taken by author and asked him to carry on similar work in the days to come.

The book is a romantic thriller. Character Daniel Hart is a psychotherapist who meets and gets attracted to a schizophrenic girl Minerva, in a ghastly asylum called the Lighthouse. Soon he is tied in chains for ten long years. Daniel keeps falling for this irresistible girl as he gets close to her but the diabolic past keeps tickling in his head as well. Abhimanyu Jamwal is a law graduate, passed out from The Law School, Jammu University. The book is his debut book. 

Jammu, October 18
Jammu Women Credit Cooperative Limited (JWCCL) chairperson Kailash Kumari today said the individuals who tried to derail the expansion of the organisation by approaching the court would not succeed.

She said this while briefing mediapersons regarding vacating of stay by the court on the elections held to elect the new Board of Directors of Jammu Women Credit Cooperative Limited. “After the completion of first tenure of the Board of Directors, the organisation initiated the election process wherein MD Sharma, former deputy registrar, Cooperative Societies, Jammu, was nominated as the returning officer in the AGM called in November last year,” Kailash Kumari claimed.

The election was conducted smoothly and 11 persons were elected as the Board of Directors. These included Reetu Sharma, Sureshta Devi, Kalash Kumari, Manju Kumari, Renu Bala, Kamlesh Kumari, Bimla Rajput, Zohara Khatoon, Neelam Kumari, Nirmal Sambyal and Ranjna Gupta, she added.

Kailash Kumari alleged that some persons had challenged the election in the court, but finally it was stayed. The Board of Directors had also lauded the efforts of the chairperson for seeking licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RB) for converting Jammu Women Credit Cooperative Limited into a bank.

Jammu, October 18
The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), J&K Centre, will organise a four-day-long building material exhibition (BME) at Royal Retreat Hari Niwas, from December 19 to 22.

While briefing mediapersons here today, IIA chairman SL Suri said it would be a unique opportunity for the manufacturers and dealers to display their materials and products and also for various professional and financial institutions to project their programmes.

The chairman said there was a need to bring together the architects interior designers, manufactures, professionals and other allied agencies in the building industry to display their products, latest technologies and programmes in the field of architecture, interiors and materials.

The J&K centre at Jammu is associated with the IIA Northern Chapter, with its headquarters at Delhi. Devinder Gupta, Vikas Dubey, Harbinder Pal Singh, Anil Anand, and Krishan Sharma were also present on the occasion.

Rajouri, October 18
The Army today flagged in an educational and motivational tour for the youth of remote areas of Rajouri district.

The tour was organised by the Gambhir Battalion of Bhimber Gali Brigade under the aegis of the Ace of Spades Division from October 9 to October 18.

The aim of the tour was to spread the message of peace, harmony and national integration. It was an endeavour to provide exposure and education to the youth by witnessing the pace of infrastructure development, educational institutes and visiting places of religious and historical significance in other parts of the country.

As many as 23 youth and two teachers from the remote areas of Rajouri district, along with representatives of the Gambhir Battalion, visited Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, including Red Fort, Paramount International School, National Rail Museum, India Gate in Delhi, Taj Mahal, Sikandra Fort in Agra and Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Amer Fort in Jaipur.

The tour was a golden opportunity for the students to motivate the local youth to take up education and self employment in a bigger way. 

Jammu, October 19
Sarthak Peshin and Paras Khajuria played splendid knocks to help Academy Blue register a resounding win by 156 runs over Academy Reds in the Col RN Chopra Challenge Cup Cricket Tournament being played at the Academy grounds.

Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Academy Blue rode a brilliant knock of 67 runs by Sarthak Peshin and a equally good innings of 48 runs by Paras Khajuria to post a mammoth total of 250 runs in the stipulated 30 overs.

Sarthak pierced as many as 10 delectable hits to the fence while Aditya Uppal and Aryan Gandral contributed 28 and 26 runs to the total, respectively.

For Academy Reds, Vidhant Handa was the chief destroyer with an impressive five-wicket haul in his quota of six overs.

In reply, Academy Reds was bundled out for paltry 94 runs in 17 overs to lose the match by a big margin. Akshun Singh was the top scorer with 39 runs while Harsh Dev Singh contributed 18 runs to the total.

For Academy Blue, Abhishek, Marutwan and Aryan Gandral shared two wickets each while Sarthak bagged one.

For his brilliant knock of 67 runs, Sarthak was adjudged the man of the match.

In another match, Academy Green defeated Sidhant Cricket Academy by 43 runs.

The tournament is being organised under the supervision of Rakesh Basin, organising 
secretary Zabeer Ahmad, coach Sukomal Ganguly and assistant coach Deepak Dogra.

Batote, October 18
With an alleged suicide by a local elderly man, incidents of suicides have become rampant. The body of the missing person, identified as Ghulam Nabi, 65, of nearby Tatarsu village was yet to be found and search by the police and the family members was on till reports came in.

Nabi, a retired Girdhawar (revenue official), was reportedly upset after being diagnosed of cancer for the past few days.

On October 11, a youth of the same village, identified as Manzoor Ahmed, 25, had allegedly jumped from a bridge. His body is yet to be found. “My sister had drowned in the Chenab after reportedly ‘slipping’ from the dilapidated bridge in April 2011,” said Gopal Gupta of Ramban city. The death of Arti, a postgraduate, who was a teacher at a prominent local private school, is still a mystery and the exact reasons of her drowning have not been ascertained yet.

A schoolgirl, Rekha, 17, of Bandhera village, Batote, too had committed suicide near Maitra in October 2008.

“The frequent reports of suicides or accidental or drownings are a matter of concern, but what can the administration do to check it? So we have never raised the issue with the administration,” said Vishvabandhu Sharma, a prominent local political activist.

“There is a need for change in the society, especially in behaviour with depressed persons and also to increase availability of psychiatrists at all district hospitals,” said Ashok Kumar, MLA, Ramban.