Category: Union Territory

Stresses on quality education, fee waiver for poor students

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar today directed private coaching center owners operating in the district to ensure safe and secure atmosphere for the girl students in their institutions.

The DC made these remarks while chairing a meeting of the owners/heads of the coaching centers here.

The DC warned that there will be zero tolerance against indiscipline and asked heads of the coaching centers to install CCTVs and keep close eye on anti- social elements at their centers.

Stressing on quality education, the DC warned that action will be taken against the coaching centers for failing to meet the criteria set by the Education Department. She also directed them to provide all facilities including separate washrooms for male and female students, proper seating and heating arrangements, adequate space, drinking water, library and reading room facilities to the students.

The DC directed that all coaching centers operating in the district must get registered with the education department else the centre violating the norms will not be allowed to operate.

She asked the coaching center owners to apply for registration in time and directed concerned to expedite registration formalities.

The DC warned the owners of coaching centers against misleading students by titles of the nationally acclaimed (brand names) of coaching institutions.

She said action will be taken against such coaching centers for “misusing” brand titles.

The DC enquired from the owners about the arrangements, intake capacity, time schedule and fee structure for different classes and courses.

The DC further urged them to accommodate poor students on complimentary/concessional rates and take fee from the students installments.

Among others, the meeting was attended by District Education Planning Officer, Farooq Ahmad Raina and owners/heads of scores of private coaching centers operating in Magam, Narbal, Beerwah, Khag, Budgam, Char-i-Sharief, Chadoora and in Khansaheb areas.

Srinagar, January 11: Suspected militants on Friday evening lobbed a grenade on 132 bn of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in business Hub Lal Chowk. Official sources told KNO that suspected persons lobbed a grenade in this evening at 132 bn of CRPF at Palladium Gully Lal Chowk.

However, they said that no loss of life or injury was reported in the incident while the area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers.

Panic gripped in the Lal Chowk after the explosion took place this evening. Witnesses said that the shopkeepers run for the safety this evening.

The shopkeepers have also shut their shops following the incident, they said.(KNO)

‘Since 1931, party did no good for JK, brought militancy by rigging polls in 1987’

Srinagar, Jan 1: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has questioned the recent statement of NC General Secretary, asking that if the party betrayed people’s mandate, why national conference offered its unconditional support to the PDP recently to form the government.
“The problem is that the national conference still believes that it can hoodwink people as it used to in late 80s. Sagar sahib has probably forgotten that the trend of assassinating people’s character by singing street songs, leveling baseless allegations and making bizarre claims is gone forever. The youth of today are well aware about the doings of their leadership, their actions and what lies inside the closets. NC would do better if it reads what is written on the wall in bold letters,” said senior PDP leader and MLC Mohammad Khurshid Alam in a statement.
He added that history bears testimony to the fact that it is national conference that has been betraying peoples trust since 1931.
Alam said that at times the party supported state’s accession with India months before Maharaja Hari Singh actually signed the accession instrument and later it was the same party that after showing people green pastures in plebiscite front threw itself into Congress’s lap in 1975 and signed another accord of treachery.
“After coming to power in 1996, the party surpassed all records of tyranny and made catch and kill a normal routine in Kashmir. Creation of Ikhwan and task force are NC’s remarkable achievements and people still remember how NC leaders used to advocate killing of militants on the spot as there was no space left in jails. Just compare the state taken by Mehbooba Mufti as the chief minister of the state at the time of Rasana case and how NC pushed the gruesome Shopian episode under the carpet,” Alam said.
He added that the turbulent situation in the state being witnessed at present is the outcome of the blunders committed by the national conference as the party came to power in 2009. “NC has perhaps forgotten the Shopian, Machil, Bumai encounters, killing of Tufail Matoo and Wamiq Farooq in cold blood, turning jails into juvenile homes by bundling kids no older than 12 years in torture centers and killing 120 people. All such incidents are still fresh in people’s minds,” Alam said.
He added that on the other hand, the PDP while being in government compelled the government of India to withdraw thousands of cases against the protestors, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was made to announce a unilateral ceasefire with Pakistan and offer dialogue with Hurriyat. “Had Mehbooba Mufti made compromises, she would have been sitting on the Chief Minister’s chair at the moment. The spike in violence that the state has been witnessing ever since Mehbooba Mufti resigned, is a proof in itself that BJP in actual since day one wanted to turn Kashmir into a theatre of war and it was Mehbooba Mufti alone who stood like a wall in front of the BJP and prevented it from fulfilling their agenda in Kashmir.

Says ‘No plans to join any existing mainstream party, won’t join Hurriyat’

Srinagar: The IAS topper Shah Faesal who resigned from the country’s elite service recently, Friday said that he is deeply inspired by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, stating that he would like to serve the people of Kashmir, saying his entire life is for Kashmir now.
However, the record maker IAS officer also said that he has no plans to join any existing mainstream party ‘as of now’.
As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, addressing a press conference here at a hotel in Rajbagh, Shah Faesal said that he has no plans to join any existing mainstream political party ‘as of now’. He also rejected to join the Hurriyat, saying that he is the man from the system and would be happy to change things by being in the system.
“Hurriyat doesn’t give me that opportunity as they don’t believe in electoral politics,” he said while reacting to a question asked to him over the tweet of Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He said that Mirwaiz’s tweet was not an invitation but a suggestion.
“I am qualified enough to become Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Member of Parliament (MP),” he said while reacting to a question of a journalist in a presser.
“As of now, I have no plans to join any existing mainstream political party. My future course of action lies in the suggestions of the youth whom he is scheduled to meet from tomorrow. We will reach to consensus before taking the final decision,” he said. Referring to a query, Shah Faesal said that he is deeply inspired by Pak PM Imran Khan and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal but “as we are operating in a conflict zone and is not very easy for us to work in that space, which is not pleasant. I wish if youngsters give me support then I will be very happy to do a retake of Imran Khan and Kejriwal.”
Asked whether he is going to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections, Shah said, “I believe parliamentary and assembly is an important space. We need well-meaning people there. Due to de-legitimization of mainstream politics, youth were not interested towards that politics. We need to change that. I would like to use parliament an important and useful tool of engagement for bringing solution to our state.”
“I will make people believe that it is a credible institution and not to destroy people. We want destroy the politics the way it has been happening,” he added.
He said that after resigning from the country’s elite service has no work now and his entire life is for Kashmir now.
Reacting to a question over mixed response by denizens on social media over his joining of politics, Shah Faesal said, “The movement you started own party, people believe it is sponsored by agencies. If you contest independently then you are an agency person for them. If you join exiting party, then people have problem with that too. We will take any decision once I get suggestions from the youth. I will go to the grass-root level and will start work.”
In reply to a question, Shah Faesal also praised the former chief minister and Nationals Conference (NC) Vice President during the presser, saying “Omar is a gracious person and supported me. Omar is a leader who guided me always. I would like to make it clear in this press conference that NC never approached me but I went to Omar Abdullah for suggestions,” he said.
Shah Faesal in the beginning of the press conference said it is an important day of his life after serving the people from past nine years at different posts.
He reiterated that he resigned from country’s elite service as mark of protest, saying rise of lynch mob extremism is another reason for my decision.
The culture of undermining the institutions like CBI, NIA are part of the provocations that have resulted in my decision to resign from the IAS,” he said, adding that the return Kashmir Pandits should be made possible, which the Central government hasn’t done so far.
He added that there were constant attacks of the identity of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that “Article 370 and 35A must be guarded to strength the bound between India and Jammu and Kashmir.” (KNS)

Srinagar: As most of the places across the Valley received light snowfall this night, the weatherman on Friday expected adequate snowfall in the month of January, saying that the department has forecasted snowfall till January 13 and in between Jan 19-20.
Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Director Meteorological department (MeT), Sonum Lotus said that there is possibility of rains and snowfall for the next two days and the higher reaches of the Valley would experience light snowfall in the intervening night of Friday-Saturday.
Lotus added that the Valley received fresh snowfall in last night while some of the places received 5 inches of snowfall as well. He said that the Valley would receive light snowfall on tomorrow again while as the weather conditions would improve from January 13 (Sunday) afternoon.
He also said that the department is predicting an adequate snowfall in this month, saying that there is possibility of snowfall in between Jan 19-20 as well.
Sonum told KNS that some of the areas don’t receive snowfall as the system in not that fast, which would led to the snowfall across Kashmir and Ladakh.
Notably, the Valley received a fresh snowfall in the intervening night of Thursday-Friday while it is the third snowfall in Kashmir from past 10 days. (KNS)

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq releases the Islamic #JamaMasjid calender for the year 2019 at Jama Masjid today.

Get Your Copy From Jama Masjid & Mirwaiz Manzil.

If U Want To Deposit Any Amount As Per Your Wish Deposit The Same in Darul Khair Account Mentioned Below Or Pay in Cash Aganist a Proper Receipt.

Darul Khair, Mirwaiz Manzil JK Bank Account No: 008601010003534

Srinagar, Jan 11: As swine flu raises its ugly head once again in Kashmir valley with sixty-nine positive cases and seven deaths so far this season, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday advised people to take precautions to protect themselves from getting flu.
“Simple precautions would help prevent the spread of flu,” said DAK President and flu expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a communiqué.
He said covering your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and washing your hands with soap and water will keep you and people around you healthy and well.
“People should avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands,” he added.
“If you are down with flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after you’re symptom-free (unless you need to receive care),” Dr Nisar said.
He said wearing a mask will prevent transmission of flu virus from infected person to others as well as protect caregiver from picking up an infection.
Dr Nisar said people should drink plenty of fluids and take adequate sleep and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
“Swine flu, also known as H1N1 virus is a contagious viral infection of respiratory tract that spreads from person to person through the inhalation of respiratory droplets. Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sorethroat, runny nose and bodyaches,” he said.
“Elderly, children under the age of five years, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions are prone to develop serious complications from flu,” he informed.
“It is not too late to get a flu shot. It can be given as long as the flu is circulating. If you haven’t yet, go get it,” suggested Dr Nisar.
“If you are vulnerable to severe flu, see your doctor as soon as flu symptoms start, as early treatment with antiviral drugs can help prevent complications,” he said.

KOLKATA — National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has said that lasting peace can be achieved in Kashmir only through dialogue and the Centre should hold talks with the Hurriyat leaders.

Referring to Army chief Bipin Rawat’s comment a day earlier on engaging with Taliban without any preconditions, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Thursday said if the Army could suggest it, then the Centre should also talk with the Hurriyat leaders to solve the Kashmir issue.

Speaking at a discussion on “J&K The Road Ahead”, organised by the Centre for Peace and Progress here, Abdullah said the leaders of Hurriyat have Indian passports and in the past, leaders such as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee have held dialogue with them.

“The Army and use of force can never be a solution to the Kashmir crisis and lasting peace can be achieved only through dialogue,” he told the gathering which included retired senior army officers and academicians from the city.

Expressing hope that dialogue on the Kashmir issue could start after the Lok Sabha polls, Abdullah said each election has divided the country instead of uniting it.

“There is mistrust between Delhi and Kashmir and an atmosphere of hate has been created in the country,” he said.

Rawat had Wednesday said that at a time when the US and Russia are reaching out to the Taliban in Afghanistan, the terror outfit should be engaged with but talks should be held without any preconditions.

The Army chief’s comments at the Raisina Dialogue, on engaging with Taliban, were the first such public remarks by a senior functionary of the government.

Former Army chief Shankar Roy Chowdhury, taking part in the discussion, raised the issue of resignation of Shah Faesal, an IAS officer who topped the civil services examination in 2009.

“We are shocked to hear about his resignation. He should not have resigned,” Roy Chowdhury said.

“One positive thing that has surfaced from Kashmir in the past few years is that youths from the region have joined the Army and taken up government jobs in large numbers,” he added.

Srinagar: A day after quitting the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Shah Faesal, who topped the exam in 2009, on Thursday said his next course of action will depend on what the people of Kashmir, especially the youth, want him to do.

Faesal said he received both abuse and adulation over his decision to quit the government service but he had “totally expected this”.

“As of now I have quit the service. What I am going to do hereafter also depends on what people of Kashmiri want me to do. More so the youth,” he wrote in Facebook post.

Faesal asked people if they have any ideas for him before he takes a final decision about his future.

“If you are ready to come out of Fb/Twitter and show up in Srinagar tomorrow (Friday), we could think this through together. My choice of politics will be decided by real people not Fb likes and comments,” Faesal added.

The MBBS degree holder said he would share the venue details after he knows who all are coming to meet him.

“Let’s see out of those hundreds and thousands how many are ready to walk the talk. Type yes in the comments below. Don’t tell me later that I should have asked the youth first,” he said.

The former IAS officer is widely tipped to join the National Conference but his Facebook post has given rise to more speculation.

Faesal had resigned Wednesday, protesting against the “unabated” killings in Kashmir and a “lack of sincere reach out” from the Union government.

The 35-year-old said his resignation was also to protest “the marginalization and invisiblisation of around 200 million Indian Muslims at the hands of Hindutva forces reducing them to second-class citizens; insidious attacks on the special identity of the state and growing culture of intolerance and hate in mainland India in the name of hyper-nationalism”.

Without naming it, Faesal launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, saying the “subversion of public institutions like the RBI, the CBI and the NIA has the potential to decimate the constitutional edifice of this country and it needs to be stopped”. PTI

For a year now, fully equipped four-bedded ICU for influenza cases defunct at CD Hospital

ZEHRU NISSA

A swine flu patient inside an isolation ward at Srinagar’s SMHS hospital was Thursday struggling for life for want of a ventilator even as a fully equipped ward meant for similar influenza cases is lying unused for a year without any medical staff to run it.
Reflecting the callous and unacceptably sorry state of affairs, an H1N1 positive patient is unable to get a ventilator anywhere in the two hospitals of the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar “equipped” with isolation wards, even as his condition continues to deteriorate.

At SMHS Hospital, authorities have isolated a four-bedded ward for H1N1 and other influenza cases where three patients were admitted on Thursday. Two of them were in a critical state and battling for life, a doctor said.
The doctor said the isolation ward can manage “just isolation” without any life-support machines, which are often needed for critically sick influenza patients.
The absence of ventilators was proving costly for the critically sick swine flu patients, the doctor said.
“They are dying. Their life perhaps could be saved if they had ventilator support well in time,” the doctor said, adding a patient’s relatives were running from pillar to post for three days in a bid to save her life.
She had been kept on an Ambu Bag, a basic device used to assist breathing, for three days and was shifted to a medical ICU ventilator only when it fell vacant on Thursday evening.
“However, another patient,” another doctor said, “is still without any life support despite clear indication.”
A four-bedded isolation ward equipped with ventilators and other critical equipment has been ready since a year at the Chest Diseases Hospital in the city under GMC Srinagar. But it has not been made operational.
An official at GMC Srinagar said this ICU, meant for H1N1 and other influenza patients, was not functional because no staff has been allocated by GMC Srinagar to run it.
“That ICU (at CD Hospital) could have saved lives of these patients if it was operational,” the official said.
According to the source, although CD Hospital could arrange doctors for the ICU, but it required GMC to post staff from its department of anesthesia to run the critical care facility. The administration has not even bothered to post nurses, technicians or other staff to run the unit.
The ICU and a laboratory meant for influenza patients was set up at a cost of Rs 5.63 crore in 2015 when scores died due to N1H1 infection.
Principal GMC Srinagar, Prof Samia Rashid acknowledged the CD Hospital ICU for H1N1 cases could not be made functional for paucity of staff.
“When that facility was commissioned, no simultaneous staff creation was made to run it,” Prof Rashid said, adding it would be made functional from “coming Monday (January 14)” by arranging staff internally.

The Story Was Published in Greater Kashmir Largest Circulated Daily Of Jammu Kashmir