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  • Engagement with central leadership the only way to bring back Pre-August 5,2019 position to JK : Sajad Lone

    Srinagar March 29: Peoples’ Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone on Monday said that the only way to bring back Pre-August 5,2019 position to Jammu & Kashmir lies in engagement with the central leadership of both the ruling and opposition parties. He was replying to questions from reporters after welcoming Syed Basharat Bukhari, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain and Khursheed Aalam the three political functionaries of different parties into the party fold after their announcement to join the party at the press conference.

    Addressing the press conference that was called on the joining of a former minister Syed Basharat Bukhari, a former MLA Peerzada Mansoor Hussain and a former MLC Khursheed Aalam the Peoples’ Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone said that he stand for what he said after release from the detention over the current political scenario and status of Jammu & Kashmir.

    Replying to volley of questions from the reporters Sajad Lone said the legal course which his party has already taken in the Supreme Court and the political initiative which lies in engagement with the central leadership of both the ruling in the opposition parties are the only two options for getting back pre-August 5,2019 position to Jammu & Kashmir.

    Stating that the legal course would be long drawn battle for people of Jammu & Kashmir bring back August 5,2019 position to Jammu & Kashmir Lone said ” there is no alternative to reach out to the top leadership of both the ruling party and as well as the opposition parties particularly the Congress party for getting back the Pre-August 5,2019 position in Jammu & Kashmir.

    Speaking on the occasion Syed Basharat Bukhari said that there is nothing wrong in it if political leaders change parties for growth with sincerity and commitment to public services. Making his point at the press conference Peerzada Mansoor Hussain said ” we only raised slogans during last seventy years but did not get whatever we demand. All that was with us was taken away from us. Now there has to be a beginning for getting what we lost”. He claimed to have found sincerity and commitment in Sajad Lone during his detention with him after August 5,2019″(KNS)

  • WHO report says animals likely source of COVID

    Beijing: A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is extremely unlikely , according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.

    The findings were largely as expected and left many questions unanswered. The team proposed further research in every area except the lab leak hypothesis.

    The report’s release has been repeatedly delayed, raising questions about whether the Chinese side was trying to skew the conclusions to prevent blame for the pandemic falling on China.

    A World Health Organisation official said late last week that he expected it would be ready for release in the next few days .

    The AP received what appeared to be a near-final version on Monday from a Geneva-based diplomat from a WHO-member country. It wasn’t clear whether the report might still be changed prior to its release. The diplomat did not want to be identified because they were not authorised to release it ahead of publication.

    The researchers listed four scenarios in order of likelihood. They concluded that transmission through a second animal was likely to very likely. They evaluated direct spread from bats to humans as likely, and said that spread through cold-chain food products was possible but not likely.

    The closest relative of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in bats, which are known to carry coronaviruses. However, the report says that the evolutionary distance between these bat viruses and SARS-CoV-2 is estimated to be several decades, suggesting a missing link.

    It said that highly similar viruses have been found in pangolins, but also noted that mink and cats are susceptible to the COVID virus, which suggests they could be carriers.

    The report is based largely on a visit by a WHO team of international experts to Wuhan, the Chinese city where COVID-19 was first detected, from mid-January to mid-February.

    Peter Ben Embarek, the WHO expert who led the Wuhan mission, said Friday that the report had been finalized and was being fact-checked and translated.

    I expect that in the next few days, that whole process will be completed and we will be able to release it publicly, he said. (AP)

  • Selection done purely on merit: J&K Bank

    Srinagar: Reacting to the allegations of favouritism in recently declared selection results, J&K Bank today said that selection has been done purely on merit.

    “The public should be aware of the transparent selection process conducted by IBPS which conducts the recruitment exams of all the banks including SBI, PNB and all other nationalised banks and the selection process is purely merit based irrespective of religion or region,.” a senior J&K Bank Official told to KNS.

    A senior J&K Bank Official suggested the aggrieved candidate to contact the IBPS authorities to clarify the doubts.

    “I don’t think Bank has anything to do with the selection process.”(KNS)

  • No Shab-e-Baraat congregation At Jamia Masjid Srinagar

    Srinagar, Mar 27: The Shab-e-Baraat congregation, scheduled to be held at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar on March 29, the night of the 15 Sha’ban-ul-Muazzam after Isha prayers, has been cancelled in view of the fresh wave of Covid-19, the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar announced on Saturday . Besides due to Mirwaiz e Kashmir’s continued house detention, since August 2019, Majlis waz o tableeg led by him cannot take place

    Anjuman in a statement said that the Shab-e-Baraat congregation, stands cancelled in view of the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and medical experts in wake of the resurgence of Covid-19 cases .

    Anjuman has appealed to people to religiously follow the Covid-19 guidelines and pray at their individual level for refuge from the deadly virus.

    Anjuman said it will soon announce a decision regarding the Taraweeh prayers in Jama Masjid in the coming month of Ramadan.

  • RTO Kashmir Makes J&K Registration Mandatory for Non-J&K Purchased Vehicles

    Ubaid Bhat

    Srinagar, Mar 28:Regional Transport Office for Kashmir has asked the non-registered vehicle owners in Kashmir to get any such vehicles registered to local ARTOs to avoid seizure.

    A notification issued in this regard, a copy of which lies with GNS, reads that “Vehicles purchased outside J&K with non-J&K registration numbers and not registered with local ARTO offices are being seized.”

    Asking the owners to avoid seizure of their vehicles, the notification maintains that “If you own any such vehicle, get it transferred and registered with local ARTO immediately to avoid seizure.”

    Meanwhile when contacted RTO Kashmir Ikramullah Tak told GNS that “All such vehicles are being directed to get their registrations done as soon as possible.” (GNS)

  • Video Viral | Police refutes the claim of using force

    Srinagar, March 28: Police on Sunday denied the allegations about using force after a video went viral yesterday in which a lady is seen alleging about use of force by Police in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

    In a statement to GNS, the police said that the truth about the video being circulated on social media by a lady levelling allegations of use of force or rather show of force by Police is not based on facts.

    There is a long pending dispute pending between the two parties on a pathway and is sub judice in different forums. A case FIR No.458/2020 under sections 379,451 and 506 IPC stands already registered at Police Station Budgam and the investigation into the matter is going on.

    The police Party was on the spot to assist in the implementation of order issued by Tehsildar South City Srinagar for which proper communication and request was made by concerned revenue authorities in writing. No use of force was made or any misbehaviour was done by Police.

    The Police party was there to aid and assist concerned revenue authorities.

    Moreover SSP Budgam have called the party to Budgam SSP Office today at 10 30 am to listen to any issue/ grievances if they have @PCR Budgam, reads the statement.(GNS)

  • Elderly Man Dies Hours After Covid-19 Vaccine Jab In Handawara

    Srinagar, Mar 27: A 70-year-old man has died, hours after he was administered COVID vaccine jab in Handwara of north-Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday.

    A close relative of the deceased told GNS that the septuagenarian— Ghulam Mohammad Ganie son of Habibullah Ganie of Haril Mawer— was inoculated this afternoon. However following some ‘complications’, he subsequently died at around 3 P.M.

    Village-Head of the area while talking to GNS said that the person was administered the vaccine at around 12:40 p.m., at Serial number 67, following which he normally went home and took his meals. The elderly man, as per the Village-Head, had taken his sheep to a nearby field for grazing, where he felt dizziness and went to fetch some water from a house.

    During the course of time, he felt unconscious and was removed to a nearby hospital. However the doctors there declared him as brought dead on arrival, he said.

    Meanwhile when contacted Dr. Lateef who was part of the drive told GNS that the person was vaccinated this afternoon by a team of doctors and kept him under observation for AEFI (adverse event following immunization).

    The elderly person didn’t show any complications during the time, he said. “However we have learnt that he has died at 3 PM”, he said.

    “As mandated by the protocol we are supposed to keep a patient under observation for half an hour, and he didn’t showed any signs during that time”, he said adding that “There may be some underlying reasons causing his death.”

    He said that in two days, 250 doses—(100 on March 26 and 150 on March 27) were administered and “none of the persons vaccinated showed any complication.”

    On Tuesday, Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey told Rajya Sabha that as on March 16, a total of 89 deaths of vaccinated persons have been reported following COVID-19 vaccine vaccination. “None of the deaths so far have been causally attributed to COVID-19 vaccination as per the current evidence,” he said.

    To a questions on authority responsible, the MoS said adverse event following immunization (AEFI) are monitored through a well-structured and robust AEFI surveillance system.

    “Causality Assessment of all serious and severe AEFIs are done by the designated AEFI committee to determine if AEFI is related to vaccine or vaccination process or otherwise,” he said as per the reply, a copy of which lies with GNS.

    Adequate measures, he said, have been put in place to manage AEFIs like availability of anaphylaxis kits at each vaccination site, immediate referral to AEFI management center and observation of vaccine recipients for 30 minutes at session site for any adverse events so as to take timely corrective measure. “Also the AEFI management of such cases are provided free of cost treatment in Public Health Facilities,” he said. (GNS)

  • J&K Reports This Year’s Highest Single Day-Spike With 210 Covid-19 Cases

    Srinagar, March 26: Jammu and Kashmir recorded sharpest single-day spike in number of covid-19 cases this year as 210 fresh infections were reported in last 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 129413. Also, the officials told GNS, one person from Kashmir Valley died due to the virus, taking the fatality count to 1984—732 in Jammu and 1252 in the Valley.

    Among the fresh cases which include 57 travelers, they said, 41 cases were reported from Jammu division and 169 from Kashmir Valley. While it was for the first time that 200 cases were reported in a single day, it was also for the tenth consecutive day that more than a hundred cases were recorded in the J&K.

    Giving district wise details, they said, Srinagar reported 98 cases, Baramulla 33, Budgam 12, Pulwama 5,

    Kupwara 2, Anantnag 9, Bandipora 3, Ganderbal 2, Kulgam 4, Shopian 1, Jammu 30, Udhampur 4, Rajouri 2, Doda 0, Kathua 1, Samba 1, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 0, Ramban 3 and Reasi 0.

    A number of these cases including two minors were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of SKIMS Soura, CD Hospital and GMC Anantnag.

    The SKIMS cases were include female (20) from Beerwah, female (54) from Nowgam, male (45) from Budina Budgam, male (65) from Zakura, male (36) from Zoonimar, male (46) from Safakadal, male (53) from Zainakadal, male (22) from Khaniyar, male (58) from Sopore, male (30) from Skims, female (40) from Ahmed Nagar sgr, female (38) from Botakadal, male (60) from Soura, female (26) from Mumbai, male (37) from Bemina, female (60) from Elahibagh male (63) from Lalbazar, male (52) from Mumbai, male (80) from Shalimar, male (48) from Elahibagh Sgr, male (45) (NA) from Shopian and male (65) from 4-Way Shopian.

    CD cases include three males (13, 44, 15) and two females (09, 39) from Indranagar, two males (18, 45) from Nageen Kanitar, female (25) from Bandipora, female (70) from Batwara, female (50) from Nishat, two females (20, 20) from Noorbagh, male (33) from Gilli Kadal, male (60) from Nowshera, male (43) from Lalbazar, male (22) from Arigam, female (09) from Seer, male (32) from Shalimar, male (59) and female (58) from Bemina, female (55) from Baghi Mehtab, female (58) and male 70) from Mehjoor Nagar, male (33) from Hazratbal, female (39) from Sopore, female (32) from Eidgah, two males (40, 65) from Shah Anwar Colony, three males (45, 30, 19) and female (25) from Kawdara, female (31) from Srinagar, female (40) from Zakura, male (82) from Srinagar, male (62) from Hyderpora Srinagar.

    The GMC Anantnag cases include male (22) from Main Town Kulgam, male (21) from Akhran Mirbazar, female (20) from Rangmarg.

    Meanwhile out of 129413 positive cases, they said, 1681 are active positive. 125748 people have recovered and 1984 have died. (GNS)

  • All you Need to Know About your Child’s Teeth: A Healthy Baby is a Happy Baby

    File Photo | Dr. Humairah Shah

    Photos by Jonathan Borba

    By : Dr Humaira Shah

    Whether you’re a parent in the US or anywhere else in the world, raising your first child is invariably a steep learning curve. With so much on our plates, it’s easy for parents to overlook caring for baby’s teeth, but a few useful tips will keep us on track.

    Aww…the First Tooth

    A baby’s first tooth erupts between four to eight months of age and typically by the time he or she is two-and-a-half to three-years old, every baby tooth should have erupted. Some children have a difficult time during teething, while others sprout teeth effortlessly. When babies are teething, they tend to be droolers and often refuse to eat because their gums hurt. Excessive drooling can irritate skin around the mouth causing rashes. Babies can become restless and fussy; the pain even keeps some from sleeping well. Tiny hands in the mouth and a willingness to bite on everything are sure signs of the baby being uncomfortable. You may even find them rubbing their cheeks to deal with the discomfort associated with teeth erupting at the back of their mouth.

    What Should Parents Do?

    Massage baby’s gums with your finger or damp gauze. Keep the area clean, use a soft toothbrush and use teething rings. Chilled teethers are the way to go. Do not freeze the teether. Cold carrots are good substitutes if your baby can chew on solid food. To prevent skin rashes caused by excessive drooling, dab dry their chin regularly.

    Tooth Care Starts Early

    Start cleaning baby teeth and gums as soon as they erupt. Use damp gauze to clean them when they are just peeking and graduate to a soft tooth brush once they have erupted. Brush twice a day and floss once. Stick flossers are ideal for babies. Use safe-to-swallow, no-fluoride training toothpaste until your child turns one. After their first birthday graduate to a fluoridated tooth paste, use a smear layer till the age of three and pea size after.

    Save Your Child from a Nightmare: Nursing Bottle Syndrome

    Picture of a 5-year-old patient

    Nursing Bottle Syndrome (NBS), also known as Baby Bottle Syndrome, affects children less than five years of age. NBS is caused when baby teeth have prolonged contact with liquids containing sugar such as milk, formula or juice, resulting in extensive decay. I frequently see children as young as two years old who need fillings, crowns or extractions.

    What’s to be done? Wean babies from the bottle around 12-14 months. Never let your child walk around with a bottle filled with milk for more than 20 minutes. When children fall asleep while having a bottle or breastfeeding, they generally don’t swallow the last part of the milk and that remains in their mouth all night long. Bacteria present in the mouth breaks sugar down into acid causing tooth decay. Breastfeeding is great for children but after their first birthday, have a bottle of water ready to swap after feeding so that any residual milk or formula is rinsed down. Aim to gradually reduce the frequency with which you feed at night.

    Juices and sodas cause erosion of teeth and should be avoided. 4oz is the maximum amount of juice a child should consume in a day. Limit sticky snacks to once a day. Children should be fed every 2-3 hours. A typical schedule could be breakfast at 8:00 am, snack at 10:00 am, lunch at 12:00 pm and so forth. Water is the only thing they should be consuming between the meals. Also, dental examinations should begin at 12 months.

    Here Comes the Tooth Fairy

    Time does go by fast and before long, your six or seven-year-olds will come and tell you that their teeth are loose. Some may start losing their baby teeth a year earlier or later. Often, kids avoid brushing around loose teeth, so it is important to help them keep those areas clean.

    Over retained lower anteriors

    Shark teeth

    Baby teeth usually fall out on their own. However, in some cases they can stubbornly stick around even after permanent teeth have erupted. Often, this happens with lower front teeth, resulting in ‘shark teeth’. The permanent teeth grow behind the over-retained baby teeth. If the baby teeth are loose, they will fall out in a week or two and the tongue will push the permanent teeth forward. Sometimes the roots of baby teeth don’t get resorbed; in that case, they might need to be extracted by a dentist. ‘Shark Teeth’ in upper arch often needs to be extracted and might not be a self-correcting issue. If neglected, it can require orthodontic intervention in the future.

    The Six-Year Molar

    Permanent tooth erupting behind the baby Teeth

    Another important development is the appearance of the first permanent molar, also called six-year molar. This is a very important tooth that erupts behind the baby teeth. The jaw grows to accommodate the molar.

    Children aren’t used to having a tooth so far behind in their mouths and can inadvertently skip brushing them. Given how big a tooth this is, it can cause considerable pain if it gets infected with food collecting around it. Salt water gargle, brushing and massaging the area will help ease the discomfort. As soon as the six year molar makes an appearance, it needs to be sealed. Sealant is like a nail polish coat that goes on top surface of the molar. It prevents food from collecting in groves and helps reduce the incidence of cavities.
    Yes, dental care starts young. The better and more regular the care, the smaller your future dentist and orthodontic bills!

  • Meet Faizan Arif: New Sonam Lotus of Kashmir

    Srinagar, Mar 25: A youth from Srinagar is becoming a new weatherman in the valley, who by using top weather models of the world provides a perfect weather prediction report each day on social media.

    Faizan Arif, 20, a youth from Nawakadal area of Srinagar who is pursuing his graduation from Amity University Lucknow with physics as one of the main subjects is providing information to thousands of his followers on his weather channel “Kashmir Weather”, available on almost every social media platform.

    Faizan while talking to Kashmir News Observer said that since his childhood he used to wait outside his house to see lightning and thunder, the pattern of rain along with the formation of clouds which slowly inclined him towards weather prediction.

    “I started going through different weather models and I found them quite interesting with so much to learn about the climate,” he said.

    Faizan said every day, he goes through reports by UKMO, GFS, GDPS, ECMWF, ICON, Access Global and others to understand weather pattern and on the basis of all the information prepares the weather report.

    Despite that Faizan doesn’t have sophisticated equipment to match the meteorology department but he claims his analysis is equal and sometimes more accurate, adding that he keeps an eye on humidity, wind direction, rainfall and temperature as weather can change quickly.

    Faizan says predicting the weather has become his passion and will now make his career in the same field by pursuing MSc in Meteorology and so on.

    Faizan also claims that he last year in November has given a detailed long-range weather forecast (for November 2020 to February 2021) for Jammu and Kashmir – predicting the behaviour of temperature and precipitation during the winter and before him no one has issued such a detailed forecast for the region.

    “Besides this, my research with Sonam Lotus and Mukhtar Ahmad is currently in progress. The research is based on the effect of La Niña and El Niño on precipitation and temperature pattern of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

    “I have sometimes received jibes from some people who believe weather forecasting is anti-Islamic ,” he said, adding that, he only predict the weather based on the knowledge Allah has given to us but only Allah knows and decides what will happen at any point—(KNO)