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Srinagar, July 14: The Enforcement Directorate has sent a demand notice of over 14 lakh to Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani asking him to deposit the penalty amount, imposed upon him under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, within 10 days.

As per the notice, a copy of which lies with Asian News Hub, the ED said that a penalty of Rs 14,40,000 was imposed upon SAS Geelani on 2019, which he till date has failed to deposit.

“Adjudication Order No.ADJ/02/SRZO/2019/AD-NG dated 20.03.2019 passed by Assistant Director, a penalty of Rs. 14,40,000 was imposed upon you under section 13(1) of Foreign Exchnage Management Act, 1999. And whereas, the penalty of Rs. 14,40,000/- has not been deposited by you, till date, as per records of this office,” it reads.

It reads that: “Now therefore, you are hereby given notice to deposit the aforesaid penalty amount within 10 days of receipt of this Demand Notice by means of Demand Draft in favor of the “The Pay and Accounts Officer, Pay & Accounts Office, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi”, failing which action contemplated u/s 14 and 14A of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 is liable to be initiated against you, as per law.”

It also reads that in case of any ‘Stay Order’ passed by any Court, Tribunal Authority, in respect of the penalty imposed upon you, a copy thereof be provided to ED office within 10 days of receipt of this demand notice. (ANH)

Pehalgam, July 14: Islamic Fraternity (IF), an organization working in the field of Da’wah, education and social welfare, wrapped-up its Ten days Da’wah program in Pehalgam on Tuesday.
A tent and Dawah tables was erected by the organization inside Pahalgam where dozens of volunteers distributed Islamic literature particularly the Holy Qur’an in various languages, for the purpose to clear the misconceptions about Islam in the minds of non-Muslims.
The tourists were also served traditional Kashmiri Kehwa.

The programme was part of a series of campaigns that Islamic Fraternity has started to spread awareness about Islam among non-Muslims and to break the propaganda created by “biased” media against Islam across the globe.

The volunteers of IF had come from several districts of Kashmir launched a mass campaign for the awareness of COVID protocols besides Dawah camp at Pehalgam and distributed masks free of cost among the tourists and the locals.

“The main aim of organizing such programs in the valley is to remove misconceptions and to give the true message of Islam” said Muhammad Aamir the president of Islamic Fraternity Kashmir.

Ambulance service was also made available to meet the emergencies.

People, especially locals, hailed the organisation for their efforts to counter the propaganda manufactured by the anti-Islam elements, particularly by a section of media trying to demonise Islam and weaken the Muslims around the world.

‘Internet remains suspended in district’

Pulwama, July 14: Authorities on Wednesday imposed strict curfew in south Kashmir’s Pulwama town following a gunfight in New Colony area of the district on Wednesday

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that curfew has been imposed in entire Pulwama town “as a precautionary measure” to avert any untoward incident.

He said that announcements were made in the town about the curfew.

Pertinently, three militants including a LeT commander were killed in an encounter in New colony area of Pulwama town on Wednesday.

Internet services have been also snapped in the police district Pulwama as a precautionary measure—(KNO)

Anantnag, Jul 14 : Three Lashkar-e Toiba militants including a top commander wer killed in an encounter that broke out between militants and security forces at new colony Pulwama on Wednesday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a joint team of Police, Army’s 55 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

In the ensuing gunfight, three militants including a commander of the outfit were killed while the search operation is going on in the area. Meanwhile, Kashmir Zone police tweeteed : “Pulwama encounter update: Pakistani LeT Cmdr Aijaz @ Abu Huraira killed along with 2 local militants. Congratulations to Police & SFs: IGP Kashmir.”—(KNO)

An increasing number of suicides is an alarming trend in Kashmir valley and a matter of concern these days. It is a social evil and threat to mankind and humanity itself as a whole. Rising suicide trend in Kashmir has emerged as one of the biggest challenge for the whole society.

Suicide is a slur on Society and even State of Jammu & Kashmir has not been left untouched by the menace of suicides. It is not unusual to see the reports of suicides in daily newspapers. The purpose of the present study is to find out the role of newspapers in highlighting the increased suicide rates in the Kashmir valley.

Talking exclusively with Asian News Hub, popular religious preacher Hafiz Aadil Ahmad Pala said that the rising trend of suicide in Kashmir has become a very serious issue as young people, women and children are also choosing death over the precious blessing of life.

In Islam, ending one’s life is a serious crime, a grave sin and a cause of punishment, popular religious preacher said, adding that it is strictly forbidden and condemned in the Holy Qur’an and the Ahadeeth as life is the trust of Allah, who alone holds the authority over life and death.

Pala said, The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that, “Whoever throws himself down from a mountain and kills himself will be in the fire of hell, throwing himself down therein for ever and ever. Whoever takes poison and kills himself, his poison will be in his hand and he will be sipping it in the fire of hell forever and ever. Whoever kills himself with a piece of iron, that piece of iron will be in his hand and he will be stabbing himself in the stomach with it in the fire of hell, for ever and ever.” (Bukhari)

He said,“it’s an idea of Shaytaan to drag the believers towards hell-fire”. Never fall into it.

Whenever u feel like ending-up your life say these words, “ Inna Lihalli Wa Inna ilhahi raji’un” because Allah says:“Who say, when afflicted by calamity:“To Allah we belong,and to him is our return:—they are those on whom (descend)blessings of Allah,and mercy,and they are the ones that receive guidance.”

He further said that “Women are far more sensitive and emotionally weaker than men. They have lesser tolerance levels than men, which explains why a higher number of persons who commit suicide belong to the fairer sex”.

He said most of the women, who committed suicide, were generally fed up with marital discord in their lives.

“There might be some young girls also who committed suicide due to failed family issues, depression. There is need for a support system to check the trend of rising suicides,” he added.

Persistent conflict between parents can affect a child’s mental health. It hinders emotional and psychological growth of a child and can impact their ability to form future relationships.” Hafiz Aadil Siddique said that “In extreme cases, they may develop suicidal feelings.”

He said that parents should note what are the daily happenings among their children’s life. “What are the things which ignite emotions in them,” he said, adding that system too needs to be proactive in this matter.

“If we compare Kashmir to western societies the rate is less, but among Muslim societies the suicides in Kashmir are very high -the highest, she says. The reasons are turmoil, modernization, unemployment, business failures etc,” Hafiz Aadil says. Suicide is haram-prohibited in Islam.

We need to pinpoint the causes that are pushing our youth towards this extreme and un-islamic step and then plan a way out how we can prevent the youth from going towards suicides,”there is a need to put efforts to curb the number, adding that the parents can play a pivotal role in this matter. “We should talk to the people facing mental issues and help them to come out from such a situation,” he said.

Notably, “Medical and psychiatric experts believe that the main cause of suicide deaths and suicide attempts is constant financial stress in the families and least physical movement and advise the people to be more interactive with the near and dear ones to overpower the mental stress increased due to covid and financial distress”.

Outlook India

Chinese soldiers and some civilians came inside “Indian” territory and objected to the birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama along the Line of Actual Control in the Demchok area of Ladakh.

Chinese troops carrying banners came along the LAC at Dalocamgo, Demchok, on July 6 and objected to celebrations. The PLA troops shouted at locals to stop celebrations. The locals, however, remained undeterred and celebrations continued throughout the day.

“The locals told me that PLA troops came along the LAC early morning in two to three vehicles. They were carrying banners too on which it was written that celebrations should be stopped. PLA troops also shouted at the locals and asked them to move back from LAC. However, due to the strong presence of the Indian army, locals stayed there and celebrations were completed, ” Ishey Spalzang, Councilor Nyoma told Outlook over the phone.

Dolacamgo comes under the Nyoma constituency of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh. Demochok is also part of the Nyoma constituency where no agreement has been reached between India and China for disengagement, to restore the pre-April 2020 position.

Ishey said in the past too China had objected to these celebrations. The Councilor said the apparent reasons are China doesn’t want any Indian activity along the LAC and it deliberately chose the day as a large gathering was expected.

“However, unlike in the past, this year the celebrations were muted affair due to COVID19 restrictions. Very few locals came along the river Indus for celebrations. The PLA troops had been consistently dissuading locals from carrying out any activity along the border, but it has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of locals,” said Ishey .

On July 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had first time publicly stated that he had spoken to the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on his birthday. The phone by the PM to the Tibetan spiritual leader came at a time when China has still not agreed to restore the status quo ante along LAC in eastern Ladakh. Beijing calls the Dalai Lama a “splittist”. India has in the past been very careful and calibrated in its engagement with the Dalai Lama.

Konchok Stanzin, Councilor Chushul constituency said off late China had started objecting to these and it’s time the Indian government registers strong protest with China. ” Celebrations were being held inside Indian territory. China has no business in objecting to it. His Holiness is revered not only by Buddhists but all. Even people along LAC in Chinese territory celebrate his HH’s birthday. It has hurt the religious sentiment,” said Konchok.

Locals say the area across the river Indus in Dolacamgo was also once “Indian territory” as per the local revenue record before it was “taken over” by China. About three-year back, the Chinese had objected to the same celebrations in the Demchok area, which even then were resisted by the locals. The Chinese had then asked the locals to move back some distance from the LAC for the celebrations, which was agreed by the locals, but celebrations had continued.

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

Srinagar, July 13: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday said people who are vaccinated likely need a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine to stay protected against the newly emerging variants of coronavirus.

“Booster shots would help broaden individuals’ immune response against the emerging variants of Covid-19,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“Ever since the pandemic began, the virus has been mutating,” he said, adding most of these mutants are insignificant, but some can make the virus more infectious and even deadlier.Dr Hassan said while the current Covid vaccines still protect against the circulating variants, antibodies naturally wane over time, so booster dose is needed to ensure that the protection is maintained against the new variants.

Dr Hassan said while the current Covid vaccines still protect against the circulating variants, antibodies naturally wane over time, so booster dose is needed to ensure that the protection is maintained against the new variants.

“A booster shot is to increase the body’s antibody response to a virus after the immune system has been primed by the initial vaccination,” he said.The DAK President said currently, the timing for Covid booster dose has not been established, but the early data that is coming is in support of a need for booster dose somewhere between 8 and 12 months after full vaccination. Then from there, a yearly shot is possible.

The DAK President said currently, the timing for Covid booster dose has not been established, but the early data that is coming is in support of a need for booster dose somewhere between 8 and 12 months after full vaccination. Then from there, a yearly shot is possible.“The booster dose can be the same as your original vaccine or it can be from a different vaccine. The booster can also be a tweaked one to include the variants that have mutated significantly from the original version you were vaccinated against,” he said.

“The booster dose can be the same as your original vaccine or it can be from a different vaccine. The booster can also be a tweaked one to include the variants that have mutated significantly from the original version you were vaccinated against,” he said.“A recent Oxford study found that a booster dose of AstraZeneca vaccine increases antibody and T-cell immune response,” said Dr Nisar.

“A recent Oxford study found that a booster dose of AstraZeneca vaccine increases antibody and T-cell immune response,” said Dr Nisar.

 “United Kingdom is planning to offer a booster jab to its citizens from September this year.”

“Pfizer plans to seek US FDA emergency authorization next month for the booster dose of its Covid vaccine, based on the company’s initial data showing that the booster dose raises antibody levels by 5 to 10 fold compared with the original vaccine,” he said.

 “Moderna is working on a tweaked booster shot. The trial results show that the vaccine works well against Covid variants.”

 “Bharat Biotech, the makers of India’s Covaxin is conducting trials for a third dose which will be administered as a booster shot,” he added.

Srinagar, Jul 12 : From being a student of the medical science stream to choosing computer sciences as her subject, this young artist has come a long way to find solace in the art of calligraphy and drawing her imagination on the canvas.

For 22-year-old Urooj Latief, hailing from Karan Nagar locality of Srinagar, learning the art calligraphy has been a “blessing in disguise” during 2019 when the entire Jammu and Kashmir was under a security lockdown and communications blackout that had been imposed throughout the Union Territory, following the revocation of Article 370 on August 05, 2019.

It was when Urooj learnt the titbits of calligraphy until she joined an academy in 2020, for a two-month course in her locality.

“I used to learn the titbits of calligraphy during 2019 lockdown from a teacher, who resides in the locality and then I used to practice it at my home. It was not inborn, I learnt it in just 3 years and though there are special and different tools for calligraphy, like pen, ink and pages, I started with normal tools and learnt the basics at home,” she said.

Urooj, while talking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that after learning the basics at home, she joined an academy in her locality to do a two-month course in calligraphy and after that, she started drawing on the canvas. “This is when I created an Instagram page to showcase my talent and upload my customized calligraphic painting on the page, and soon I started getting a good response from the people,” she said.

Urooj, who is pursuing a course in computer science engineering (CSE) from the IUST before being a student of medical science stream in class 12th, said that though she was not inspired by anyone, she used to follow several calligraphy pages on Instagram and Facebook and she got attracted by the work, the calligraphy artists have been doing.

“Lockdown in 2019, post abrogation of article 370 was a sort of blessing in disguise for me as I learnt the art of calligraphy, which needs a lot of time and patience, and then Covid-19 lockdown also helped me in honing my calligraphy skills, as by then I had already done a two-month course in it. After completing my course, I practised for about 4 months, till the perfected the art and then I started customizing orders for my customers,” she said.

She said that she has participated in several calligraphy competitions and has won several prizes for her work at various levels in the past 3 years.

Urooj says there are different genres in calligraphy as well and Khattinasakh, Thuluth, Kufi and Dewani are among those she has learnt and are well-versed in them.

“Dewani is the one, which I love the most, but I usually do calligraphy in other remaining genres as I still need some more practice in Dewani. This art needs a lot of practising and learning and one has to keep working and practising it, otherwise, you forget about what you have learnt,” she said.

She said that besides doing calligraphy she also has to study, and she has to maintain a balance between the two so that her studies do not suffer as well. “You have to maintain a balance between your studies and your hobby, to keep them going. And there are some hobbies which do not want to lose and keep them with you forever and keep them alive as well,” she said.

Like many new aspiring artists, who are emerging on different social media sites to make people aware of their art and the services they offer, this young artist is no exception. So to expand her clientele, Urooj started her official business page on Instagram by the name “calligraffiti__”

Urooj, who is the youngest among her two other sisters, besides her father (a government contractor) and a housewife mother, said that she plans to open an academy in future, where she can teach children calligraphy for free to keep her hobby alive.

“I want to keep this hobby of mine alive, so I am planning to open an academy, where I can teach children the art of calligraphy, and it will be free of cost. I won’t charge for it as this is not just my hobby but my passion as well. I also want to provide a platform for the children who want to excel in the field of calligraphy,” she said—(KNO)