Srinagar, Feb 3: After yet another successful Ranji trophy season, J&K all-rounder, Parvez Rasool has been named in the Rest of India squad for Irani Cup that will take on Ranji champions, Karnataka, at Bangalore from February 9.
Harbhajan Singh has been named captain of the team which includes 15-memebers.
The squad includes, JK’s top cricketer, Parvez Rasool, who will be seen leading the spin department along with Harbhajan and Amit Mishra.
It is first time that Parvez has been named in the Rest of India squad and will play the match of Irani Cup against Ranji champions.
“I am happy to see myself in the list of Rest of India squad. It is a great chance for me to prove my credential before all important Indian premier League bidding process,” Parvez said.
“If I am included in the playing-XI, I will try my best to get maximum out of this chance. I will try my best to derail the Ranji champions Karnataka,” he said.
About playing under the captaincy of Harbhajan, he said: “It is a dream come true. It gives me yet another chance to learn from greats like Harbhajan Singh”.
Harbhajan’s inclusion as the captain means that he is still on the selectors’ radar for the longer version of the game. Ditto for Gambhir, who has scored close to 600 runs this season and is likely to open with Punjab’s Jiwanjot Singh.
The squad has Ranji Trophy’s top-scorer Kedar Jadhav (1223 runs) along with talented youngsters like Jiwanjot, Tamil Nadu’s Baba Aparajith, Maharashtra’s Ankit Bawne, Punjab’s Mandeep Singh, who have scored heavily in this year’s national domestic tourney.
Odisha’s Natraj Behera, who had a prolific season despite his state not qualifying for the knock-outs, was included in the side.
The spin department will be taken care of by Harbhajan and leggie Amit Mishra while Jammu and Kashmir captain Parveez Rasool will be the third spinner.
The only questionable non-inclusion was Himachal Pradesh seamer Rishi Dhawan, who ended as the highest wicket-taker with 49 scalps.
However, the selectors have finally found a place for veteran Rajasthan seamer Pankaj Singh, who has been performing in the domestic circuit year after year. This year also, he has taken 39 wickets.
Varun Aaron is also there in the squad and the selectors would be interested in checking out whether he lasts in a rigorous five-day game where one needs to bowl a long second and even a third spell.
Bengal’s Ashoke Dinda and Railways’ Anureet Singh have also made it to the squad on the back of some match-winning performances for their respective teams.
Squad: Harbhajan Singh (Captain), Jiwanjot Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Baba Aparajith, Kedar Jadhav, Ankit Bawne, Dinesh Kartik, Amit Mishra, Pankaj Singh, Ashoke Dinda, Varun Aaron, Parveez Rasool, Anureet Singh, Natraj Behera and Mandeep Singh.
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Parvez Rasool named in Rest of India squad
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Season 4 of Kashmir Heli-ski begins at Gulmarg
Srinagar, Feb 3: On the back of three successful seasons in the past, the 4th season operations of Kashmir Heli Skiing were kicked-off at at Gulmarg on Friday.
The operation run by a local company has emerged as top source of extreme skiing for the skiers from all over World while bookings have doubled as compared to the last season.
Launched in 2011 at Gulmarg by locally owned company, Kashmir Heli-Ski, with the support of J&K Government, has turned out to be a major attraction for high end skiing. The event, run by a local extreme skier and guide, Billa Majeed Bakshi, has become hit all over the world attracting some of the well known extreme skiers. Initially it targeted the customer base in Australia, New Zealand but with the success of each year it extended its horizon to Europe and United States of America.
This season everything has been perfect for company so far, snow, conditions, and Government and Defense Ministry support.
According to Billa the 4th season operations have started at the right time.
“We started the 4th year of operation on Friday. Though many consider it late but I and my fellow experts know that it is right time to start heli and back country skiing operations at Gulmarg. The snow conditions are good and weather forecast also shows encouraging signs,” Billa who is also lead guide said.
Apart from making the virgin turfs of different sections of Pir Panchal mountain range accessible, the skiers are also able to get access to those peaks and slopes which were out of bounds for the adventure sports lovers.
“This year we have already registered 1500 clients. All the clients are from West and none among them is local. We have got customers from Australia, New Zealand, Europe and USA as well. With each year we are adding new success stories and it is working well for us. Those who ski along with us give good word of mouth and media publicity in their parts of the World. Hence they help us and State a great deal,” Billa, who is Company Director, said.
About the area of operation, Billa says, “Most of the area that we covered last year was Pirpanjaal range and some little area on Poonch side. This year we want to explore 5000 metre peaks and that is an added attraction for the skiers. Our area of operation extend upto around 75-kiloemteres of Pir Panjal range”
“We are the only heliski company in Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir Tourism have given us permission for heliski for the entire Pir Panchal Range. We have amazing terrain, few kilometers long open Alpine bowls for intermediate skiers and snowboarders up to 5000 metres untracked and undiscovered peaks in tour long terrain,” Billa said.
“Himalayas are known for remarkable deep dry powder snow. The high quality powder snow, with perfectly spaced pine trees, open alpine bowls and mighty peaks of the Himalayas makes the experience best in world. Our Alpine area holds a variety of exceptional terrain for all abilities from wide open bowls to virgin peaks of Himalayas. Tree line skiing is a complete adrenalin rush during bad weather days,” he said.
About the prospects of Sonamarg, he said: “When you think about extreme Heliski, It is not Alaska, Sonamarg is the place with most challenging terrain on the Planet. Due to heavy snowfall, place remains closed from December to May. Only accessible with helicopter Sonamarg has so much to offer for Extreme Skiers”.
He said that this season the administration at the ski resort of Gulmarg are well prepared and have kept Cable Car Gondola operational even in extreme conditions.
“This season we are lucky to have Gondola operational even in extreme conditions. When the conditions doesn’t support flying we take our customers to back country skiing with help of Gondola. Cable Car Managing Director Tufail Matoo and his team deserve applauds,” he said.
About the experts that help him to run such an adventurous venture, he said, “We have got the experts of international repute who have achieved lot in their illustrious career. We have got Dean and Woody who both have climbed highest mountain peak in the World Mount Everest nine times. Another senior pro, Tim is chief guide who has got experience of more than 20 years in the operations of Heli-Skiing”.
He said that his aim is to groom local ski guides in the operation of Heli Sliiing and time is not far when whole operation would be run by local lads.
“We have got around nine local guides and our aim is to groom them to become full-fledged experts. Some of them have been with us since the first season and have got ability to run operation on their own,” he said.
On the number of choppers employed, he said, “The operation is almost unimaginable to be run by one chopper. It requires two and we have employed two as well. The second chopper is mostly kept for backup, rescue and any sort of medical emergencies”.
Pertinently it was Sylvain Sudan in late 70’s to start Heli-Skiing in the Valley and he is known as pioneer of extreme skiing. Known as a ‘skier of the impossible’, for his dare-devil skiing feats in Alps and other peaks in Europe and Asia, the 74-year old Swiss born French Heli-skier Saudan was considered to be instrumental in launching Heli-skiing in the Valley in late ‘70s.
He continued his date with Kashmir even during the years of conflict by bringing skiers.
However, Sudan stopped to come to Kashmir after his helicopter crashed in a mountain range on way to Sonamarg in 2007. The skiers in Heli-skiing dive from a helicopter on top of mountains. It is considered to be an extreme form of skiing offering the ultimate powder skiing experience. -
I don’t expect justice from Govt: Afzal’s wife
I don’t expect justice from Govt: Afzal’s wife
‘One day Guru will be buried here with an epitaph on his grave’
=> “Omar Abdullah signed the death warrant a month before hanging of my husband. He knew it all along,” she said, adding Omar Abdullah did not even ask the Center to allow a meeting between Afzal and his family.=>Sepratists are playing their politics
Srinagar: Tabassum Guru, wife of Muhammad Afzal Guru of Sopore Kashmir who was hanged on February 9 last year in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Monday said she doesn’t expect justice from Central or State government but would continue to demand the return of her husband’s body till her death.
“I will demand the body of my husband. I will wait for his body till my last breath. He is a Shaheed (martyr) and everybody knows this,” Tabassum told Greater Kashmir.
“If they return the body, I wish to be buried besides his grave,” she said.
Tabassum said they tried to get back Afzal’s body, however there was no reply from Government of India. “My written request for the return of the body has not been replied till this day,” she said. “I do not expect any justice neither from Government of India nor from J&K Government,” Tabassum said.
Tabassum said questions by her son Ghalib worry her. “He always asks me about his father. He was not allowed to meet his father before the hanging and this is the question I have to confront,” she said.
She said she or her son won’t visit Tihar Jail on the death anniversary of her husband. “Why should we go? There is no expectation from Government of India. They did not allow my 14-year old son to meet his father before hanging him,” she said.
“One day people will get the remains of Afzal and he will be buried here with an
epitaph on his grave,” she said, adding her wait for the body will never die out till her last breath.
She blamed J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for hanging of her husband. “Omar Abdullah signed the death warrant a month before hanging of my husband. He knew it all along,” she said, adding Omar Abdullah did not even ask the Center to allow a meeting between Afzal and his family.
“They are befooling the people of J&K. The CM just shed crocodile tears after the hanging of my husband.”
Tabassum is also disappointed with the separatist camp, saying if they would have made efforts, Afzal would not have been hanged. “Ajmal Kasab’s hanging was a signal for them, but they made no efforts to save my husband,” she said, without naming any separatist leader or group. “They are playing their politics,” she said.
She said now the Government of India has given relief to the assassins of Rajiv Gandhi and Beant Singh who were also given death sentence. “Afzal Sahib was hanged because he was a Muslim,” she said -
“Ph.D. candidates disqualified to accommodate 10+2 persons”
CCAK accuses SSRB of destroying thousands of careers
“Ph.D. candidates disqualified to accommodate 10+2 persons”
Srinagar, February 04: The Coaching Centres Association (CCA) of Kashmir has accused the Service Selection Recruitment Board (SSRB) of cleverly flouting rules to accommodate thousands of their blue eyed persons.
The Association demanded an inquiry into the entire episode wherein highly qualified candidates like Ph.D. holders were dropped to accommodate 10+2 candidates. “SSRB had asked the candidates not to fill application form for the posts advertised under Notice No. 05 dated 02/03/2013, as their previous forms would be considered for the same,” said G N Var, chairman CCA. “And now when the results came, the board has disqualified thousands of students on account of not filling the form.”The association alleged that this modus operandi was used to keep the highly qualified candidates out of the race of competition to accommodate some blue eyed candidates.
The association demanded that all the lists be merged together in accordance to merit. “There is a clear rule about advertising multiple posts under the same category,” said Var. “They have not followed the rule in this single notification and incidentally it has the maximum number of posts.”
The association also condemned the board for hiding the merit list. “We demand that SSRB publishes the entire merit list as soon as possible so that everybody knows about his or her position,” said Var. “And until then no interview be conducted as we fear they try to finish the entire process in haste.”
The association said that if government doesn’t take any remedial step, it may send a wrong signal to the youth. “Tens of Thousands of candidates have been working hard to qualify these exams, but due to this peculiar strategy, a Ph.D. candidates has been termed disqualified against a 10+2 candidate,” said Var. “That is gross injustice.”
The association said that going by the reports of heavy corruption in the board, government needs to rethink the ways selection is being done. The association said that it is the same Board where scamster Mushtaq Peer’s wife was elected as a member and despite many allegations, her tenure was never investigated.
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Jammuites demand delimitation of Assembly constituencies
Jammuites demand delimitation of Assembly constituencies
JAMMU: Panthers party and BJP have refused the allegations of a section of Kashmiri political and business voices that the recent creation of New Administrative Units ‘was to weaken the Muslim areas of the state’.
Chief of Panthers Party, Harsh Dev Singh said that the argument dished out by the separatists and the valley based traders thatsince the valley had more population it deserved increased share in the new administrative units was not tenable because the difference in the population ration between the Kashmir valley and the region of Jammu was quite small.“While the valley has a population of about 69 lakhs the region of Jammu has a population of about 55 lakhs against this the total area of the valley was over 15000 sq kms when the total area of the region of Jammu was over 26,ooo sq kms,” Harshdev said.
BJP leader, Dr Nirmal Singh said that the Ganai Committee report on new administrative units was yet another case of discrimination with Jammu. The two leaders said that they have not yet expressed their opinion on the merits and demerits of the new scheme related to the administrative units but they wish to clarify that the Kashmiri separatists and traders should not give a communal touch to a mere administrative exercise.
Singh and Harsh further said that for decades the region of Jammu has been given a raw deal and the basic cause for the regional discrimination has been the wrong delimitation of Assembly and the Lok Sabha constituencies. They said that with a bigger area and with least population differences the Kashmir valley has 46 Assembly constituencies, three Lok Sabha segments against 37 Assembly segments and two Lok Sabha constituencies in the Jammu region.
“We have been campaigning against regional discrimination by focusing on equal share in the allotment of Assembly and Lok Sabha segments but we do not protest against regional discrimination by communalizing the issue,” Harsh said adding that neither the separatists nor the valley based traders should give a communal colour to the Government’s exercise on setting up new administrative units.If the separatists want more units they should demand it to bring about parity between the two regions and if they do so let the process start from increasing the number of Assembly segments in the Jammu region to 46.”
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Suspected militants open fire at forces in south Kashmir, search operation on
Suspected militants open fire at forces in south Kashmir, search operation on
SRINAGAR — Panic gripped the Gadoora hamlet of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday after a joint column of Army, CRPF and police was fired at by suspected militants.
Locals told CNS that Army personnel from 55 RR, 183 Battalion CRPF and SOG Pulwama cordoned off Gadoora village.
“As the joint column entered into the village, gun shots were heard in the area which created panic and people ran for cover,” an eyewitness told CNS adding that the forces have started search operation in the village.Sources told CNS that the forces received an input about the presence of militants in Gadoora village and as they laid siege around the village, they were fired upon by unidentified gunmen.
Reports said that search operation was going on to track down the militants.
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Fourth round of meeting of Cross LoC officials remains inconclusive
Fourth round of meeting of Cross LoC officials remains inconclusive
Srinagar, Feb 04: (GNS) The fourth round of talks between the state officials and the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) government at the Kaman Post in the north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday over the resumption of the trade ties remained inconclusive with Pakistan officials reiterating their demand for the release of their detained driver.
Officials told GNS that the meeting between the two sides couldn’t break the ice, as the PaK authorities refused to resume the trade unless their driver arrested on charges of smuggling narcotics into Valley is not released. The PaK delegation was led by Retired Brigadier Mohammad Ismail Khan, while the delegation from this side was led by Deputy Commissioner (DC), Baramulla, Ghulam Ahmad Khwaja. The meeting started at 3:30 pm and ended at 5:30 pm without any conclusion.
A senior official who was part of the talks told GNS that the meeting remained inconclusive as PaK authorities demanded immediate release of the driver.
“The next meeting will be held on February 10 to break the deadlock,” the official added.
Pertinently, Indo-Pak officials have held three meetings in the past to resolve the crisis caused by the arrest of the Pakistani driver. The first and second meetings on January 18, and January 27, remained inconclusive, while the meeting on January 30 was partially successful as both the sides announced to resume travel ties.
However, trade across the Line of Control (LoC) remained suspended. The commerce was suspended on January 17 after the arrest of the driver and seizure of the vehicle by India. Pakistani authorities later detained 27 drivers and their vehicles from India who had gone to Chakote near Muzaffarabad with trade goods.
Pakistan also refused entry to 48 of its own trucks, demanding the Indian authorities to release the arrested driver and allow the return of all 49 trucksthat had come to the Salamabad trade centre in Baramulla district Jan 17. (GNS) -
Give new administrative units to agitating areas: PDP asks Government
Give new administrative units to agitating areas: PDP asks Government
‘Alliance with Cong or BJP not a prerequisite for a breakthrough on Kashmir’
Srinagar, Feb 4 (KNS): Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday reaffirmed her party’s ability to persuade the central government for any breakthrough on Kashmir issue irrespective of whichever national party comes in power in Delhi.
Addressing a press conference on creation of new administrative units in the state, at her official residence in Gupkar, Mehbooba said that besides providing god governance to people, resolution of Kashmir issue is of utmost importance for her party’s agenda. “Had forging alliances been important then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was a minister in NDA rules when autonomy proposal of his party (National Conference ) was thrown to dustbin,” she said.
The PDP president said that he party was able to persuade the BJP led central government for major Confidence Building Measures on Kashmir like opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and it has the potential to persuade the any national party which comes in power when it comes to taking of initiatives on Kashmir.
Ridiculing the state government decision of creating new administrative units without following any set criteria, Mehbooba urged the state government to fulfill the demands of new administrative units pout forth by people in many left out areas.
She said that the present dispensation has taken the decision keeping its narrow electoral interests into consideration. “It is a simple propaganda otherwise, one cannot expect any sincerity from a government which is bankrupt, not able to pay the bills of contractors, pay for transformer oils or for that matter salaries of the employees,” she added, according to KNS correspondent.
She said that PDP-Congress coalition government had appointed a committee of experts under former chief secretary SS Biloeria. “The committee was tasked to make recommendations about creation of new administrative and development units in the state on a rational basis. Since Biloeria had to opt out of the committee after some time it was continued under Mushtaq Ahmed Ganai.”
Mehbooba said the committee under both chairpersons made a detailed exercise, met people across the state and made some recommendations in 2011. “Since then the report had been gathering dust and the cabinet had been tossing the issue without taking any decision. Repeated demands were made to table the reports in the state legislature but without any response from the government.”
According to KNS correspondent, Mehbooba said that election time is the occasion to provide an account of a government’s performance. “As the elections approach the discomfort of the government became very obvious as it has nothing positive to tell the electorate. The watermarks of this government have been corruption, lawlessness, nepotism and lack of governance. A record number of civilian killings at the hands of government forces, thousands of youth victimized with false, multiple cases, dissent criminalized and opposition voices gagged, the government is clearly on the back foot.”
She said the people seek answers to their questions on the BOPEE scandal, back door recruitments, sale of jobs, re employment of the retired and the dead wood and subversion of the examination system and erosion of its sanctity and credibility.
Mehbooba alleged that like always in its history the NC looked for easy way out. Since people have seen through its emotional tricks it knew that the usual plank of autonomy or anti centre tirade was not available to it in the vastly changed circumstances. “The game started with a mock fight between the coalition partners, threats of resignation, hobnobbing with new possible allies and the stage was set for an unprecedented chaos in the sensitive state. Election time has been converted deliberately into a virtual social upheaval, with only elections in mind.”
She said the state was made to pay the price in the shape of chaos, collision and hostility. Villages have been pitted against villages. Tehsil, CD block and niyabat have become new prestige symbols because the government did not follow any rules or criteria. Every village feels equally qualified for an institution as the other one.
“People of Kaprin (Shopian) are protesting wearing shrouds and in Budhal (Darhal) people are on hunger strike. Similarily, other areas in Kashmir also protesting that include: Wachi, Turkehwangam in Shopian; Karna, Chumkoot, Gabra, Lolab, Wavoora, Kalaroos in Kupwara; Wasoora, Shadimarg, Shahoora, Drubgam, Awantipora in Pulwama; Seer Hamdan, Ashmuqam, Shangus, Nowgam, Achabal etc in Anantanag district; Manigam, Faag in Ganderbal and Soibug in Budgam. Kandi (Sangrama) in Baramula. In Jammu: Kotdaran (Budhal), Doongi Dodsan, Dudaj, Palma, Jamola, Peeri etc in Rajouri district. Buffliaz, Fazalabad, Gunthal Lolwer, Lathone, Chari Khawaja, Shendhra, Loran Gund etc in Poonch district Jib, Ghri and Rohan Dumail in Udampor district.”
She said PDP calls upon the government to take note of the protests that have spread to every nook and corner of the state. PDP is apprehensive, if the government doesn’t respond positively to the demands of the protesting people that may lead to untoward incidents resulting in some sort of tragedy. “Therefore, immediate remedial measures should be taken to satisfy the urges of those areas that feel left out.” (KNS) -
AFSPA should stay on borders, says Farooq Abdullah
AFSPA should stay on borders, says Farooq Abdullah
‘NC worried about India’s security after US troops withdrawal’
Jammu, Feb 4: Union Minister Farooq Abdullah Tuesday said India would have to be “extremely cautious” after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, and ruled out any security relaxation claiming that “terrorist outfits will try to destabilise” the country, particularly Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah said his party was worried about security of the country after the US troops leave Afghanistan.
“We are worried about what is Taliban going to do, what is Al-qaeda going to do? Because there is a feeling that the Pan-Islamism want to spread trough gun and it is going to be dangerous for all of us,” the National Conference chief said.
Referring to its impact on Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “Our region is one (which is in the focus), and we will have to be extremely cautious.”
Speaking on whether there would be security relaxation with the abrogation of the AFSPA, he said, “No, never… Not only in J&K, but in entire India… We should not lower our guard against those forces that are trying to destabilise India.”
“We have to be very cautious. We have to be very very careful in whatever steps we take,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function to felicitate the state cricket team for their good performance in the recently-concluded Ranji Trophy season.
“That is why it is important that we choose a government that can hold India together and fight the menace of terrorism and create strength,” he added.
The Union minister, however, said the AFSPA should be revoked from areas where it was no longer needed.
He said, “As far as AFSPA abrogation is concerned, NC’s view is that there is no need for AFSPA. It should go from those places where Army is not operating.”
“On the border you need AFSPA. You have got problem from our neighbour. So, you cannot give up from the border areas. But in the hinter lands where there is no question of militancy of that nature, AFSPA should be revoked,” he added. PTI -
I don’t expect justice from Govt: Afzal’s wife
“Omar Abdullah signed the death warrant a month before hanging of my husband. He knew it all along,” she said, adding Omar Abdullah did not even ask the Center to allow a meeting between Afzal and his family.=>Sepratists are playing their politicsSrinagar: Tabassum Guru, wife of Muhammad Afzal Guru of Sopore Kashmir who was hanged on February 9 last year in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Monday said she doesn’t expect justice from Central or State government but would continue to demand the return of her husband’s body till her death.“I will demand the body of my husband. I will wait for his body till my last breath. He is a Shaheed (martyr) and everybody knows this,” Tabassum told Greater Kashmir.“If they return the body, I wish to be buried besides his grave,” she said.Tabassum said they tried to get back Afzal’s body, however there was no reply from Government of India. “My written request for the return of the body has not been replied till this day,” she said. “I do not expect any justice neither from Government of India nor from J&K Government,” Tabassum said.Tabassum said questions by her son Ghalib worry her. “He always asks me about his father. He was not allowed to meet his father before the hanging and this is the question I have to confront,” she said.She said she or her son won’t visit Tihar Jail on the death anniversary of her husband. “Why should we go? There is no expectation from Government of India. They did not allow my 14-year old son to meet his father before hanging him,” she said.“One day people will get the remains of Afzal and he will be buried here with anepitaph on his grave,” she said, adding her wait for the body will never die out till her last breath.She blamed J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for hanging of her husband. “Omar Abdullah signed the death warrant a month before hanging of my husband. He knew it all along,” she said, adding Omar Abdullah did not even ask the Center to allow a meeting between Afzal and his family.“They are befooling the people of J&K. The CM just shed crocodile tears after the hanging of my husband.”Tabassum is also disappointed with the separatist camp, saying if they would have made efforts, Afzal would not have been hanged. “Ajmal Kasab’s hanging was a signal for them, but they made no efforts to save my husband,” she said, without naming any separatist leader or group. “They are playing their politics,” she said.She said now the Government of India has given relief to the assassins of Rajiv Gandhi and Beant Singh who were also given death sentence. “Afzal Sahib was hanged because he was a Muslim,” she said