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  • Ramadan commences: Mosques, markets witness huge rush

    Srinagar: As the holy month of Ramadan commenced on Monday, people in Kashmir observed fast with religious zeal and fervor. In large numbers, people were see participating in congregational prayers in mosques. The shops in the city centre on Monday opened late due to the first day of the Ramadan with the roads witnessing less traffic as compared to other days. According to the KNS correspondent, people here were seen busy in buying fruits and other eatable that would be consumed at the dusk (Iftaar). Also the officials of the market checking squad were observed making rounds of the various markets to check the rates and quality of the food items being sold to people at present.

    Also due to the increase in the temperatures, people were seen busy in the purchase of juices and ice creams, meant to be consumed later. The Naats and the Quranic recitations were being played at the various shops selling CDs and audio cassettes at Lal Chowk.

    Huge rush was also witnessed at the Mutton and Chicken shops with the people purchasing the commodities in large numbers. Various others accused that the prices in the markets is not being monitored and that the sellers claim the rates of the certain commodities as per their own wish with no rate list hanging around the shops.

    The vendors in the city centre Lal Chowk made good business on Monday with the fruits, vegetables being sold to people at large. Polythene was widely used in the Srinagar markets on Monday with the concerned authorities on the deep slumber over the open usage of the banned entity.

    The people also accused that the authorities didn’t announce the rates of the essential commodities for the holy month, hence paving ways for the black marketing and illegal price hikes. Masses urged the state government to come up with the detailed rates of the items being sold in the markets so that buyers could not be deceived with the wrong rates.

    Also the mosques were seen crowded for whole days with particularly special lectures of Quran and Hadith were arranged at certain places for the people. Kashmir’s historic grand mosque witnessed the huge rush of believers on the very first day with the individual recitations of Quran going on for several hours inside the mosque premises.

  • 75 days on, Geelani still under house confinement

    Srinagar: From the last 75 days, the senior separatist leader and Chairman Huriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani continues to remain under the house arrest with the amalgam stating that the octogenarian has missed 11 consecutive Friday prayers.

    Reports have informed KNS that the state authorities had placed curbs on Geelani’s movement April 16 when the hawk returned from Delhi after a month.

    Geelani on that day addressed the gathering wherein he issued the poll boycott call against the LS election in the state. Geelani at that time had also hailed people for protesting against the conduction of election rallies in valley’s various areas.

    Authorities later placed Geelani under house arrest deploying the police personnel outside the gate of his Hyderpora residence.

    The Huriyat (G) stated that the senior separatist leader since April 16 continues to remain under house confinement with the government here caring little about the health condition of the aged separatist leader.  The spokesman had in the earlier issued statement maintained that due to the house detention Syed Ali Geelani has been denied to offer the congregational Friday prayers for the 11th time in 2014.

    Reports have also informed that since June 23 when a youth in Sopore was killed during the firing, the government has put curbs on the movement of several Huriyat (G) leaders including Mohammad Ashraf Sehraie, Ayaz Akbar and Altaf Ahmad Shah. The trio continues to remain under the house arrest from the last seven days.

  • Valley reeling under scorching heat

    No major change expected in weather: Met office

    Srinagar: With the increase in the temperatures in Srinagar on the very first day of Ramazan, the weathermen here predicted light to moderate rain and thundershowers at some places.

    According to the KNS correspondent, Srinagar recorded 32.6 °C temperatures on Monday with the night temperatures recorded as 19.2.  The state metrological department has stated that there is a possibility of light rain, thundershower in Srinagar with the maximum and minimum temperatures will be round 32°C and 19°C respectively.

    In Jammu region there will be Rain at some places and the maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 36°C and 27°C respectively.

    According to MET office reports, Kashmir valley witnessed much increase in the temperatures during the last few days with Sunday’s temperature recorded as 31.6 degrees Celcius. In Jammu, the temperatures on Sunday were recorded as 33.7 degrees Celcius. The people of the region from the last several days are witnessing unabated increase in the temperatures. In Leh, the temperature remained 28. 2 on Monday. The state metrological department Monday maintained during the last 24 hours there is a possibility of light rain and thundershowers.

    Maximum and Minimum temperatures will be around 30°C and 15°C respectively in Srinagar. In Jammu, the weather department predicted rain and thundershowers. Maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 37°C and 29°C respectively. Ladakh will be partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 25°C and 11°C respectively. 

  • Amnesty in Ramadan: Govt likely to consider release of stone pelting youth

    Srinagar: In view of the Ramadan, the state authorities are likely to take some important steps vis-à-vis the release of the youth, detained on the grounds of  stone throwing in various parts of valley.

    Reports informed KNS that around hundred youth are at present behind bars for cases pertaining to stone pelting. Now the authorities have decided to initiate necessary measures that could pave way for their release, sources told KNS.

    The government has received various deputations- urging the authorities to release the youth arrested in the recent past on the grounds of stone pelting.  The deputations have also urged the government that the release orders be issued keeping in view the sanity of the ongoing month of Ramadan.

    Authorities earlier had taken several youth into preventive custody as the polls for the parliament were conducted in the recent past in Jammu and Kashmir. The state government had also maintained at that time that the youth involved on the stone throwing have been kept under the police custody so that the situation of law and order could not get disturbed in valley.

    The police authorities at that time had stated that it has detained the youth who had the past cases of disrupting law and order, registered. It was later informed that Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir is all set to ‘review’ cases of at least 50 youth detained under various charges, including rioting and stone pelting, since 2010.

    National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah stated that there is a need to review the case of youth involved in minor offences of stone pelting. The NC patron had advocated for granting ‘amnesty for boys and (that) their cases be withdrawn’. Reports have also informed that majority of the youth are detained in different police station in North Kashmir’s Baramulla and Sopore town.

  • While beating the heat, 3 teens drown in the valley

    Srinagar: Three teenagers including a girl were drowned at different places while bathing in nallahs to beat the summer heat.

    Shareen Tariq son of Tariq Ahmad Mahjoor resident of Sangri Baramulla a 9th class student who had come to visit his relatives in Drugmulla on June 29,  got drowned while bathing in Nallah Pohru.

     The Police and civil administration launched a rescue operation with the assistance of Army. Later the assistance of marine commandos of Indian Navy Marcos was also sought by the administration. After tiring efforts the body of the boy was fished out from the nallah Monday morning.

    In another incident, a 7 year old girl Meema daughter of Ghulam Qadir Bakerwal (nomads) resident of Jammu Dansal Jajeer Kothli at present Hutmurrah, in Mattan Islamabad got drowned in Shahkul near Sundose. Police and Civil administration are on job to fish out the body from the nallah.

    In Ganderbal, another teenager Ziyafat Ahmad Mir son of Manzoor Ahmad resident of Sheikh Zoo Batwina, Ganderbal got drowned in river Jhelum at Sheikh Zoo, in Ganderbal. The body was fished out by locals and his relatives.

  • How to stay healthy during 15-hour fasting this Ramadan

    Saudi Gazette report

    RIYADH — Despite the happiness expressed by all with the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, people are wondering how they will be able to fast for 15 hours in soaring temperatures sometimes reaching 50 degrees Celsius, Al-Riyadh daily reported.

    Fasting is beneficial for the body. It activates the fasting person’s immune system. It is also a great treatment for the body and soul, especially amid the rise in temperatures. However, one ought to implement some precautions, like drinking a lot of water and fresh juices during the hours following Iftar (breakfast). One should not hurry in consuming food, no matter how hungry and thirsty he or she is, to prevent indigestion. It is necessary to include vegetables in your meal. When fasting, it is important to add salads to your main course. It is advisable to stay indoors the whole afternoon because the heat is at its peak then. Finally, the health benefit from fasting should not be nullified by eating different kinds of food.

    Abdulkareem Al-Musnid said: “Fasting during Ramadan requires some precautions to guarantee the safety of your body. It is important to consume food containing complex carbohydrates for the last meal (suhoor), like dates, vegetables and fruits. Such foods help in delaying the feeling of hunger during the day. It is also advisable to wear light cotton clothes to manage the heat.”

    Salim Al-Mijlad said he goes out for shopping after Taraweeh (special night prayer in Ramadan) and stays at home throughout the day. He added that he exercises to safeguard his health because this helps the fasting person remain fit and prevents him from feeling lazy.

    Hasna Al-Shihri, who is in her 50s, said: “I am suffering from chronic heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Therefore, my health condition and age don’t help me fast in Riyadh, so I spend Ramadan in the southern part of the Kingdom, as it has a cooler climate and beautiful scenery. These factors help me fast during Ramadan without facing any health problems.”

    Fouziyah Al-Shaibani, a teacher, said: “I have no problem with the rise in temperatures because I usually fast on Mondays and Thursdays every week as well as the 13th, 14th and 15th of every Islamic month. Therefore, the seasons of the year pass with their different rites without me facing any problems.”

    Ibtisam Al-Harbi, a private sector employee, said: “There is no solution for the hot climate except to get acclimatized. I purchase my Ramadan needs in the afternoon after finishing work.”

    Mirvat Ahmed, a doctor, said: “A fasting person must consume moderate quantities of sweets, preferably dates. Also, one should take proteins and vegetables as they contain fibers and avoid taking large quantities of fats. The focus should be on natural vitamins and minerals. Aside from taking a lot of vegetables, fruits and grains, one should drink balanced quantities of water at intervals to prevent indigestion. This helps the body get rid of accumulating toxins.”

    She said people suffering from diabetes should consult their doctor before attempting to fast because there are cases of diabetics who can fast safely by following certain instructions. “Also, there are cases that must not fast due to fear of serious health complications.”

    Dr. Haya Al-Mazyad, head of the Clinical Social Service Department at King Saud University, stressed the need to eat grilled food instead of fried food to avoid the dangers of cholesterol. She said one could eat unsalted nuts to provide the body with anti-oxidants and beneficial fats. One should reduce taking sweets as much as possible.

    She stressed the need to drink green tea with mint or mint tea as they are relaxing agents. Also, one should drink sufficient quantities of water after iftar.

  • ISIS reaches Saudi borders

    Iraq/Syria: According to reports the Sunni rebels ISIS have reached the border of Saudi Arabia. ISIS the most extreme faction is mobilizing its forces to face Assad’s regime and recently, Maliki’s government. ISIS has built an army of thousands of different nationalities.
    Reports said thatTurkey, which was at first confused between Syrian nationalists and Islamist rebels, has finally decided to close its borders to Islamic rebel groups, declaring that they are now threatening its security and not the Assad regime. Jordan and Saudi Arabia had from the beginning distinguished the moderate national Free Syrian Army from the rebels ISIS and al-Nusra Front, despite the fact that all three of them are against the Assad’s regime.

  • Kashmir’s historical Hari Parbat Fort thrown open

    Srinagar: After the renovation of historical Hari Parbat Fort, authorities in Srinagar Thursday threw it open for tourists and public.

    The fort was opened after 24 years by the Union Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan and other officials of tourism department.

    It was occupied by paramilitary forces and for a brief time, it was reopened in 2007 after 18 years but was again closed for some restoration work. Authorities took seven years to renovate it.

  • Wash fruits, vegetables before consumption: SKIMS

    Srinagar: Cautioning of health hazards, the SK Institute of Medical Sciences Thursday appealed the general public to properly wash fruits and vegetables before consumption. 
    “The experts at SKIMS warn people about consumption of unwashed fruits and vegetables, loaded with pesticides which they said can lead to serious health issues,” an official handout said. 
    “Prof Showkat Ali Mufti HOD Emergency Medicine informed that they received 18 years old patient with MRD No. 801755 on 15-6-2014 in coma and shock who had consumed about one Kg unwashed cherries. Examination and investigations revealed that she had developed Organ Phosphorous poisoning,” the handout said. 
    “It was revealed that the pesticide was sprayed on cherries few days back. However, the patient was saved by team efforts of doctors at emergency medicine, he added. We request people to take only washed fruits and vegetables and in appropriate quantities to stay safe and healthy.” 
    Director SKIMS & prominent gastroenterologist of the state Dr S A Zargar said “maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is essential for health.” 
    He said: “Number of infectious diseases can be prevented by simple measures like hand washing and proper washing of fruits/vegetables particularly to prevent the spread of various forms of gastroenteritis as number of infectious diseases can be spread by contaminated hands and food, particularly gastrointestinal infections.” 
    He appealed general public to “wash fruits/ vegetables thoroughly before consuming and store properly to avoid serious health problems.” 

  • First state woman IPS officer goes from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari

    Wednesday, 25 June 2014 | Place: Srinagar 

    Jammu and Kashmir’s loss is Tamil Nadu’s gain.

    The northern state had, for long, cherished the dream of getting a Muslim woman IPS officer someday. When the time came that the first Muslim woman from Jammu and Kashmir cracked the services, the Centre spoilt the state’s party by allocating Ruveda Salam to the Tamil Nadu cadre.

    More and more youth are taking the civil services route in the state after Shah Faesal of Kashmir created history by topping the All India merit list in 2010. Coupled with the new initiative taken by serving bureaucrats and police officers to coach local youth, the civil services have become the new craze in Kashmir.

    The daughter of a former Doordarshan deputy director general, Ruveda comes from the far-flung Farkin village in the border district of Kupwara. She had qualified for MBBS before she cracked the Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) in 2009. In 2013, she was one of the 11 people who qualified for the civil services from Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from Ruveda, two other women — Sehrish Asgar and Anchita Pandoh both from Jammu region — were among last year’s qualifiers from the state. Ruveda was allotted the police services, and joined the police academy in Hyderabad for training. But after she completed her training, the lone Kashmiri Muslim policewoman was put in the Tamil Nadu cadre.

    “That we have lost out on getting our first Muslim IPS officer from Kashmir is indeed depressing,” said civil service aspirant Mehnaz Nazir. “We have no idea what criteria was followed while deciding the cadre. We are in dire need of having the first direct IPS officer.”

    Jammu and Kashmir minister of state for home, Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo, told dna that the cadre allotment for the civil services qualifiers is done by the Centre, and that the state plays no role in the decision.
    “I will check if there were posts available (to allot the home cadre to the J&K qualifiers). We will talk to the chief minister and then write to the government of India,” said Kitchloo. “There is already a shortfall (of officers) here. I do not know what is the present status? How many posts are vacant?”