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  • I’m a Kashmiri Pandit, says Rahul Gandhi in Jammu

    SRINAGAR, SEP 10: ”The feeling of love, brotherhood, and composite culture exists among you all. I feel sad that the RSS and BJP are trying to break this culture,” Rahul Gandhi said in his address to Congress office-bearers and workers at a party function here on the second day of his two-day visit to Jammu.

    He said that when I came to Jammu and Kashmir, I feel that I have come to my home. My family has an old connection with Jammu and Kashmir. Rahul said that I am happy to be here, but I am also sad. The reason for sadness is that here the spirit of brotherhood, RSS, and BJP are working to eradicate it.

    Addressing Congress workers, Rahul Gandhi said that the economy, tourism, and business of Jammu and Kashmir have been hurt. Questioning the policies of the BJP, he said, “Due to demonetisation and GST in India, has the power of Maa Lakshmi Ji decreased or increased? Has the power of Durga Maa decreased or increased due to the three black laws made by the farmers?

    “When an RSS person is installed in every institution, college, and school in India, does the power of Mother Saraswati decrease or increase? The answer is – it happens. Rahul Gandhi said that all these powers had increased during the tenure of Congress.

    He said, “On the other hand, when Congress party implemented MNREGA when Congress party gave 9% GDP growth to India, has the power of Maa Lakshmi, Maa Durga and Maa Saraswati decreased or increased? The answer is has increased.

    Those who call themselves Hindus, insult these powers. “What did you do, attacked the brotherhood, love that existed between you, weakened you, and then took away your statehood. When your statehood is gone, the power of Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga has increased or decreased.”

    “You should ask these questions to BJP that why are you destroying the powers of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati.” Comparing the symbol of the hand in different religions with the symbol of the Congress party, he said that the hand does not mean blessing but “it means do not be afraid, do not be afraid to speak the truth and that is why the Congress party is left.” He said that “BJP is afraid of the truth, BJP is afraid.”

  • Grenade attack in Chanapora, CRPF man, lady suffer minor injuries

    Srinagar, September 10: A Paramilitary trooper of Central Reserve Police Force and a lady were injured after militants lobbed a grenade on security forces in Chanapora area of Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district on Friday.

    A senior Police officer while confirming to GNS said that militants lobbed a grenade towards CRPF BN 29 in Chanapora. In this incident a CRPF trooper and a civilian(Lady) received minor splinter injuries.

    Meanwhile whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers. Details still emerging. (GNS)

  • KashmirFight-blog case: After collection of solid proof, all four Journalists to be arrested: IGP

    Four journalists quizzed, questioning to continue tomorrow also: Police

    Scrutiny of their gadgets shows numbers of Pak, Turkey, Saudi; credible evidence shows four scribes were linked with mastermind of kashmirfight blog IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, says it’s not harassment of journalists, medimen shouldnt spread false news

    Srinagar, Sep 09 Jammu and Kashmir police Thursday said that four journalists were quizzed in connection with the investigations related to a blog—Kashmirfightwordpress.com case and they will again be questioned tomorrow while as scrutiny of their gadgets have showed they had numbers of Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

    The police also said that the four journalists, whose residences were raided on Wednesday, were in touch with many virtual numbers as well.

    Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that during investigation of FIR 82/2020 Police Station Kothibagh, “credible evidence was found which links the following persons with the mastermind who is behind the blog [email protected].”

    “Based on this evidence, search was conducted at four places with search warrant from Special Designated court under NIA Act, Srinagar and some mobiles, laptops and other gadgets were seized on 8th August,2021,” he said, adding the four journalists are: Mir Hilal S/O Ghulam Ahmed Mir, R/O- Bemina, Journalist- TRTworld.com, Md Shah Abbas S/O Abdul Khaliq Shah, R/O- Yaripora, Anantnag presently at- Rajbagh, freelance journalist Azhar Qadri S/O Farooq Ahmed, R/O Bemina, Journalist- The Tribune and Showkat Motta S/O Abdul Samad Motta R/O- Lalbazar, who was editor-in-chief of The Narrator. Currently working at a wholesale shop.

    “All the above four persons were called for questioning and were allowed to go in the evening and have been called again tomorrow,” the IGP said, adding that “Currently scrutiny of electronic gazettes is going on. Various Numbers of Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi have been found. They are also in contact of many virtual numbers.”

    He said that it wasn’t an issue of harassing journalists. The IGP advised all media persons & bodies not to spread false news and don’t interfere unnecessarily in investigation of case by spreading false narrative. “It is an investigation of an extremely sensitive case. After collection of solid evidences they would be arrested in this case,” the IGP Kashmir said—(KNO)

  • Ford to end it’s operations, shutting down all vehicle manufacturing factories in India

    Reuters

    Ford Motor Company said on September 9 that it will end manufacturing operations in India, shuttering its two plants in Sanand and Chennai, a decision forced by huge accumulated losses and lack of growth in a difficult market.

    Ford will wind down the manufacturing of vehicle for exports in Sanand, Gujarat by the fourth quarter of 2021 and vehicle and engine manufacturing in Chennai by the second quarter of 2022, the American company said in a statement.

    This is the second major exit of local manufacturing operations in India by a global automotive brand. US giant General Motors, which entered India just a few years before Ford, stopped selling cars in India in 2017.

    Ford Motor Co (F.N) will stop making cars in India and take a hit of about $2 billion because it does not see a path to profitability in the country, becoming the latest automaker to leave the major growth market dominated by Asian rivals.

    The U.S. carmaker entered India 25 years ago but still has less than 2% of the passenger vehicle market having struggled for years to win over Indian consumers and turn a profit.

    Ford said in a statement on Thursday that it had accumulated operating losses of more than $2 billion in 10 years in India and demand for its new vehicles had been weak.

    “Despite (our) efforts, we have not been able to find a sustainable path forward to long-term profitability,” Ford India head Anurag Mehrotra said in the statement.

    Ford’s decision to cut its losses in India after leaving Brazil earlier this year underscores the pressures on global automakers to invest more in electric and automated vehicles, as well as connected vehicle technology.

    Global automakers once fought to maintain a presence in every major market, and were willing to lose money to do so.

    Now, companies such as Ford, General Motors (GM.N), Renault SA (RENA.PA) and Stellantis NV (STLA.MI) are walking away from money-losing ventures and redirecting capital to electrification and investment in technology they need to survive.

    Ford’s decision also comes as a setback for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” campaign. It follows other U.S. vehicle makers such as General Motors (GM.N) and Harley Davidson (HOG.N) that have left India in recent years.

    Mehrotra said Ford’s decision was also reinforced by “persistent industry over capacity and lack of expected growth in India’s car market”.

    India was expected to become the world’s third-largest car market by 2020 after China and the United States with sales of some 5 million vehicles a year. Instead, sales have languished at about 3 million, still trailing Europe and Japan too.

    India’s car market is dominated by low-cost, mainly small cars made by Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp (7269.T). Its Maruti Suzuki brand accounts for seven of the top 10 sellers with South Korea’s Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) making the other three.

    WINDING DOWN

    Ford has been escalating investment in electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced software. In May, it said it would boost spending on EVs by a third to $30 billion by 2030.

    With so much on Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley’s plate since he took charge last year and limited financial resources, India was a lower priority, a source previously told Reuters.

    As part of the plan, Ford India will wind down operations at its factory in Sanand in the western state of Gujarat by the fourth quarter of 2021 and vehicle and engine manufacturing in its southern Indian plant in Chennai by 2022.

    Ford has the capacity to produce about 440,000 cars in India a year across both plants but is only using about 25% of that, according to data intelligence company Global Data.

    The U.S. automaker will continue to sell some of its cars in India through imports and it will also provide support to dealers to service existing customers, it said. About 4,000 employees are expected to be affected by its decision.

    The decision to stop production came after Ford and India’s Mahindra & Mahindra (MAHM.NS)failed to finalise a joint venture partnership that would have allowed Ford to continue making cars at a lower cost than now but cease its independent operations.

    Ford said it had considered several other options for India including partnerships, platform sharing, contract manufacturing and the possibility of selling its manufacturing plants, a plan that is still under review.

    Ford will continue to operate its engine factory in Sanand which exports engines for its Ranger pick-up trucks globally. It will also continue to rely on India-based suppliers for parts for its global products.

    India’s Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations said in a statement that it was shocked by Ford’s move, saying the U.S company’s decision only to compensate dealers who offer vehicle services to customers as well was “not enough”.

    There are 400 Ford outlets in India where dealers over time have invested 20 billion rupees ($272 million), the association said in a statement, adding that the automaker had been appointing new dealers until as recently as five months ago.

    “Such dealers will be at the biggest financial loss in their entire life,” it said.

    ($1 = 73.5740 Indian rupees)

    With inputs from Reuters

    (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

  • Over 84 % population in Kashmir have COVID-19 antibodies: Seroprevalence Survey

    Can’t be complacent, new variants could emerge, follow SOPs, go for vaccination: Dr Salim Khan

    Srinagar, Sep 09: As per the population based Seroprevalence of Covid-19 in Kashmir valley, over 84 percent people have antibodies against the Covid-19 infection.

    An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a pan-Kashmir cross-sectional sero-study was conducted among general population and various subsets of population which include police personnel, healthcare workers, pregnant women by government medical college Srinagar in collaboration with Community Medicine departments of SKIMS, SKIMS Medical College Srinagar, Government Medical College Anantnag and Government Medical College Baramulla with full support and cooperation from directorate of health sciences Kashmir and supported by National Health Mission.

    He said that the Department of Community Medicine GMC Srinagar was the nodal center while all testing procedures were conducted by department of Biochemistry, GMC Srinagar. The study was approved by institutional ethics committee of GMC Srinagar.

    “In the general population of seven years and above, the study was conducted in all 10 districts of Kashmir. The data was collected in the month of July 2021 with each medical college mentoring two districts. Within each district, 10 clusters were randomly selected and within each cluster 40 samples were collected from individuals more than 7 years of age after obtaining proper informed consent for the study,” an official said.

    “The household and individual data was collected on customised Epicollect5 software,” he added.

    Official said that all the blood samples were sent to BSL-2 lab at Biochemistry Department of GMC Srinagar for analysis on high end Abbott Architect i1000 & i2000 automatic analysers.

    Total samples processed and reported include 3586 samples from general population with mean age of 35.33 ±18 years.

    “Further, 2077 samples have been processed and reported from among the police personals, HCW and antenatal women,” he said.

    “Our study among general population in 10 districts of Kashmir shows 84.3 percent anti-bodies of our study population which was positive for IgG-II (or the anti spike protein) antibody, produced after infection with SARS CoV -2 as well as after vaccination, he said.

    “The IgM antibody which is usually produced by recent infection with SARS Cov-2 (can rarely also be produced in recent vaccination) .This antibody was positive in about 20.75 percent of participants,” he said.

    District wise anti spike antibodies status show that in Anantnag 87.23 percent population has antibodies against the Covid-19, Bandipora has 84.42 percent, Baramulla -84.91percent, Budgam – 83.68 percent, Ganderbal – 82.8 percent, Kulgam – 82.95 percent, Kupwara- 81.05 percent, Pulwama – 78.24 percent, Shopian – 86.89 percent, and Srinagar 89.77 percent.

    Srinagar and Anantnag have the highest seroprevalance in terms of IgG II (antispike protein IgG antibody), official added.

    During the time of study in July 2021 a total of 20.3 percent participants had received 2 doses of vaccination and majority (79.25) had received none. “However, since then the vaccination has scaled up and the sero positivity due to vaccination would have gone up also,” an official said.

    “We encourage people to follow COVID appropriate behaviour by using face masks, maintain social distancing, hand hygiene and more importantly go for full vaccination,” said Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor and HOD Community Medicine Government College Srinagar and principal investigator of the study.

    “While analysing the data from various subsets, we would definitely request every eligible person to go for vaccination against COVID as over these months we have seen a significant drop in number of death cases who have been admitted in hospitals with moderate to severe diseases,” he said.

    “Further, scaling up vaccination would reduce chances of any possible severe third wave, Khan asserted.

    “We need not to be complacent with the results as new variants could emerge and apprehend immune escape. So we need to follow CAB SOPs and all those who haven’t gone for vaccination yet shall do it urgently,” he said—(KNO)

  • COVID-19: Kashmir has four times positive cases compared to Jammu

    Srinagar has over 500 active cases, Jammu 250 only

    Srinagar, Sep 09: The Kashmir division has four times more active positive cases of Covid-19 as compared to the cases in Jammu division.

    As per the data available with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) till 08 September, Kashmir has around 1000 active cases while as Jammu has just around 250 active cases.

    Data also reveals that more than 50 percent of the active cases in Kashmir are from Srinagar which has over 500 active cases.

    In Jammu division, Doda has highest active cases of 80 while as Kathua has no active case. In Shopian, Udhampur and Samba there are just five active cases in each district.

    Apart from Srinagar in Kashmir division, Budgam and Baramulla have active cases of over 100, however, rest seven districts of the valley have below 50 active cases.

    Total active cases in Kashmir division are 999 which includes 558 from Srinagar, 156 Baramulla, 131 Budgam, 32 Pulwama, 31 Bandipora, 24 Kupwara, 21 each from Anantnag and Kulgam, 20 from Ganderbal and five from Shopian.

    In Jammu division, only Jammu and Doda districts have active cases above 50 while as rest eight district have below 40 active cases.

    In Jammu division there are 252 active cases, which includes 80 from Doda, 59 Jammu, 31 Reasi, 26 Rajouri, 20 Kishtwar, 14 Ramban, 12 Poonch, 5 each from Udhampur and Samba and none from Kathua—(KNO)

  • Kashmir University figures among top 50 universities in NIRF Ranking-2021

    Srinagar, Sep 09: Continuing its march towards academic excellence, the University of Kashmir has figured among top 50 universities in the all-India ranking of varsities conducted by the Union Ministry of Education under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2021.

    The University has ranked at 48th position among universities assessed under NIRF-2021, with an overall point score of 46.97, in key parameters including Teaching, Learning and Resources (60.49 points), Research and Professional Practices (19.51 points), Graduation Outcome (77.03 points), Outreach and Inclusivity (50.12 points) and Peer Perception (25.52 points).

    Notably, the University of Kashmir has also bagged an overall rank of 76 (from 78 in 2020) from amongst all universities, IITs and other institutions assessed by the Ministry of Education under NIRF-2021.

    According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, who e-released the NIRF rankings today, said in all, 6272 applications for ranking were made by 4030 unique applicant institutions under various categories/domains, marking a noticeable increase in institutional participation in the rankings exercise this year.

    “Number of unique applicants to India Rankings have increased from 2426 in 2016 to 4030 in 2021 whereas total number of applications for ranking in various categories have increased from 3565 in 2016, to 6272 in 2021 i.e. total increase of 1604 (66% increase) in unique institutions and 2707 (76% increase) in total applicants,” Pradhan said.

    KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad said the university’s ranking at 48th position is a testimony to the fact that the varsity is making remarkable progress in its continuing march towards academic excellence.

    “It is also an endorsement of the great commitment of our teachers, officers, students, scholars and non-teaching staff to take this institution to newer heights vis-à-vis academics, research and extension education,” he said, asserting that the varsity has dedicated its plans and policies to set new academic benchmarks and standards and make every effort to figure among top 20 universities in the country in near future.

    Prof Talat appreciated the efforts of the Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance (DIQA) of the University for its sustained focus on rankings and parameters governing the same.

    KU Registrar Dr Nisar A Mir also congratulated all stakeholders for achieving the new milestone which will go a long way in shaping the university’s policies for its continuing growth, progress and excellence.

    Pertinently, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was approved by the Ministry of Human Resources Development and launched by the Minister of Human Resource Development on 29th September 2015. It outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country. The methodology draws from the overall recommendations broad understanding arrived at by a Core Committee set up by MHRD, to identify the broad parameters for ranking various universities and institutions.

  • No change in our stance for restoration of Article 370, statehood to J&K: Farooq Abdullah

    Srinagar, Sep 08: Former chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that his party will participate in assembly elections, but the central government must first restore statehood in Jammu and Kashmir.

    While talking to reporters on the sidelines of 39th death anniversary of the party’s founder Sheikh Abdullah at his mausoleum, Farooq Abdullah said that “I do not know when the elections will take place in Jammu and Kashmir but it is certain that our party will not stay away from the elections as we have to fight elections, “.

    He also said that before elections the central government should first restore the status quo in Jammu and Kashmir.

    As far as the statehood of Kashmir and restoration of Article-370 and 35A is concerned, “We are adamant on this and There is no change in our stance. We are fighting and will continue to fight for it., ” he said.

    On Afghanistan, he said that Taliban must protect human rights and follow Islamic principles and should develop friendly ties with all countries.

  • DAK urges flu vaccination for children ahead of third Covid wave

    Srinagar, Sep 08: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday urged parents to get their children vaccinated against flu ahead of third Covid wave which is predicted to happen sometime in the fall of this year and is expected to affect kids the most.
    “Receiving a flu shot could make it easier to tell if your child has Covid-19 in the event he/she gets sick as both illnesses have similar symptoms,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
    “This year’s flu season will likely coincide with the predicted third Covid wave. Administering flu vaccine would reduce the number of unnecessary Covid-19 tests that would limit the burden on hospitals and healthcare workers,” he added.
    Quoting a recent study conducted at the University of Missouri School of Medicine Columbia, Dr Hassan said flu vaccination may offer some protection against Covid-19 in the pediatric population.
    “The study found that those Covid-19 positive patients who had been administered the flu vaccine in the 2020 flu season had reduced odds of experiencing symptoms, respiratory complications and severe disease,” he said.
    The DAK President said we would be facing a double whammy of flu and Covid this fall.
    “You can catch the flu and Covid at the same time which could increase your risk of ending up in ICU or on a ventilator. That makes this season’s flu vaccine vitally important,” he said.
    “Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine before the start of flu season which begins in October and can last late into May. Since it takes 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to become fully effective, it is best to get the vaccine in September,” said Dr Nisar.
    “This season’s flu vaccine has been updated to better match currently circulating viruses. This year a quadrivalent influenza vaccine containing H1N1, H3N2 and two B viruses – Victoria and Yamagata is recommended,” he said.
    “While the vaccine is recommended for all, it is especially needed in young children, elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions.
    Vaccination to expectant mothers is critically important to protect their new born babies’ upto 6 months who are too young to receive the vaccine,” he added.

  • No forecast for major rainfall in J&K for next 10 days: MeT

    Srinagar, Sept 8: Weatherman on Wednesday said that there is no forecast for any major rainfall in next ten days in Jammu and Kashmir.

    While it rained at many places of Jammu and at scattered places of Kashmir, Director of local meteorological department Sonam Lotus said that intermittent light to moderate rain was likely to occur especially in morning and evening during next two days and mainly dry thereafter.

    “There’s no forecast for any major rainfall for next 10 days,” he added.

    Meanwhile a meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a low of 19.2 degrees Celsius against normal of 13.7 degree Celsius.

    He said Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded minimum of 15.8 degrees Celsius against 11.7 degrees Celsius.

    Pahalgam, the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, witnessed a low of 11.8 degrees Celsius.

    Kokernag had a low of 15.2 degrees Celsius against normal of 12.1 degrees Celsius, the official said.

    Northern Kashmir’s Kupwara town recorded minimum of 15.5 degrees Celsius while Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in Baramulla district had a low of 12.6 degrees Celsius.