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  • Western Disturbances May Bring Season’s First Snowfall In Kashmir

    Srinagar: It seems that winter is all set to make onset over the hilly states of North India. All thanks to the fresh Western Disturbance which is approaching the Western Himalayas around November 13.

    Weather across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand has been almost dry for last many days. Though on and off Western Disturbances were travelling across Western Himalayas but they were feeble in nature and thus, failed to give any weather activity over the region.

     First spell of winter rains in Punjab, Delhi, Hary… Dense fog to persist in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajas… Pollution in Delhi Live Update: NGT questions the … Delhi Pollution: Air quality to start improving no…

    Now, we are again expected a Western Disturbance to affect the region very soon, which is likely to be the first active weather system of the season that would give rain and snow. Initially, we can expect light rains over Jammu and Kashmir on November 13.

    November 14 onward, we can expect rains to intensify over Jammu and Kashmir and also cover parts of Himachal Pradesh. In fact, the higher reaches of these mentioned regions may receive season’s first snowfall activity.

    With this, both maximum and minimum temperatures would also start dropping across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The night temperatures are already settling below 10°C but day temperatures will now witness a major fall.

    Now, the frequency as well as intensity of Western Disturbance will also start increasing. Not only this, they will now start travelling in the low altitudes and impact the weather over the hilly regions more often.

    Western Disturbances are primarily responsible for setting in the winter season over North India. Once these active systems approach the region, they usually stay for 1-2 days and give spells of rain and snow of varying intensity.

  • This Kashmiri’s Company is one of the Top Brand-Rating Companies in Asia

    Don’t settle for something you are not passionate about and never be afraid of taking risks. Personally I think this generation from Kashmir is doing pretty well, with a lot of them venturing into fields whether that be of business, art or social work that were hard to think of a few years back.

    Tell us about yourself

    My name is Asif Var, I am the Founder and Director Business & Strategy at White Page International.

    I am basically from HMT in Srinagar. I belong to a working class family, my father works in a bank while my mother is a teacher. I did my schooling from Srinagar British School till 10th and after that 10+2 from Tyndale Biscoe School, Srinagar. After completing my graduation from S P College, Srinagar I moved to United Kingdom to pursue management degree in International Marketing & Project Management. While studying at University of Cardiff I had an opportunity to intern with M& M Associates that introduced me to the world of branding and advertising. Post my MBA I had the opportunity to work with some of the reputed firms like Compass Group, M&M Associates in the UK and Economic Times in India.

    Give us a little insight about Whitepage International 

    In 2013 after working with a number firms we felt there was a void in the industry for a credible research based branding platform in the market. We saw an opportunity and we grabbed it. 

    White Page International is a consulting firm with a diverse portfolio that includes brand consulting, print advertising, brand Shows, creative advertorial promotions, PR and research. White Page Consulting was born out of the need to create platforms for brands to communicate with their audiences in a manner that is easily understood. We work with media houses like CNN News18, India Today TV and ET Now to brand shows along big 4 consulting firms like Ernest & Young and PwC to create some of the best branding platforms in Asia.

    In 2017 we released  5th edition of  ‘Most Admired Brands & Leaders’ coffee table book at our 2017 The Brand and Leadership Conclave which features the epic journey of prominent brands and leaders across Asia. It is research based listing of 100 Brands across 25 categories from 16 countries in Asia, research was conducted on an initial list of 2,000 brands.

    Watch full episode of India Brand & Leadership Conclave by Whitepage International on India Today Tv at 4:30 pm on 25th & 26th March 2017.

    You quit your full time job to do something of your own, tell us about that

     Those fancy salaries, fancy business-class flights and fancy five-star hotels were tempting, but not tempting enough to break my dream of doing something of my own. If  you don’t enjoy what you are doing, no point of doing it, that is why I quit my job.

    I will be honest though, with the mindset we dwell in, quitting the job felt like a big risk. On that if you have friends and family who are not entrepreneurs, they won’t truly understand what you are trying to achieve and the public pressure will start going even higher.

    We had to go through difficult times initially at WhitePage and on that managing the expenses in a metro like Delhi was not easy for the months. It all started to get better when we were up and running at WhitePage.

    Being a Kashmiri its not easy to quit your job and go after your passion, how did you tackle LUK Kya Wanan epidemic

    Initially I used to care so much about what other people think of me– so much that it would lose my focus towards my goal.  On that it was also a quite a task to convince my parents what I was doing was right and it was going to work out. Like any other Kashmiri parents they wanted me to have a job security.

    But then I realized that if you care too much about what others think of you and your work, you will waste your time trying to prove that you are or will be successful instead of focusing on your startup. 

    Alhamdulilah we have done well as a company in last couple of years. However, my parents still remain skeptical Yi Chuon Kaar Chun Aasi Samjhi Yiwaan.

    What difference do you feel between working for someone and working for yourself?

    I must say that when you work for yourself every day is a new challenge, it brings in a whole lot of responsibilities. You learn every step of the way, you grow as your company grows. 

    Speaking of the perks of having something of your own is that it’s your gig and you’re the boss,  who would mind to work the days you want and take off the days you don’t? Also their is a freedom to build your business around the life you choose. Yes – you’re free to build your work around your Ideal Life; instead of letting your work dictate the life you’re supposed to live. No more chains to hold you down. 

    Who is the team behind WPI?

    I started it with two other colleagues of mine Sarmad Zargar and Shahid Bhat. White Page team is a mix of young exuberant individuals and old experienced industry experts, the work place is lot of fun, we enjoy what we do. With teams in Delhi and Mumbai and consulting partners in Singapore, Dubai and London  it a mix of work and play.

    What are your future projects ?

    Our next target is the Infra and Education summit in Mumbai and we head to London in the later part of the year where we are currently working on a brand research project with UK Asian Business Council.

    Any message for the people reading this ?

    Don’t settle for something you are not passionate about and never be afraid of taking risks. Personally I think this generation from Kashmir is doing pretty well, with a lot of them venturing into fields whether that be of business, art or social work that were hard to think of a few years back.

    So to all of them work hard, relish your experiences at work and in life, there is no better time or moment than now.

    By arrangement with the Gyawun.com

  • ‘Inside’ Job Suspected In Islamic University ‘Spray Attack’

    Srinagar: The officials of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Thursday described the ‘spray attack’ on some students as ‘inside’ job promising stringent action against the culprits involved.

    “Prima facie it looks like a prank gone wrong,” Vice-Chancellor IUST, Prof (Dr) Mushtaq Siddiqui, told.

    At least a eight students, six of them female, suffered from acute to mild difficulty in breathing after inhaling some toxic substance. It was not immediately known whether the chemical had been sprayed from a canister or simply spilled from a bottle.

    “While a professor went inside the MBA classroom, she felt a kind of suffocation and came out immediately,” Dr Siddiqui said. “After some time some students especially who were sitting in the front row also complained of suffocation and came out from the classroom.”

    The VC, however, said some leads on the matter point to an inside job and the culprits would soon be identified.

    He said the university has framed a committee to look into the matter. “We’ve constituted a committee headed by the Dean Business Studies, Prof M Y Shah, and I’m sure the leads available would take us to the culprits soon,” Dr Siddiqui said. “We’ll not hesitate in rusticating the students.”

    The affected students were taken to a health centre. “Four students have been discharged after administering first aid where the others have been shifted to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) for better treatment,” he said.

    A similar attempt had reportedly been made earlier on the students a few days back but it failed.

    A recent wave of braid-cutting incidents has sparked fear and anger throughout the Valley, with locals blaming the government for not acting quick enough against the culprits.

    So far not a single alleged braid cutter has been arrested by police. But with each new incident both fear and confusion are on the rise, making the government the target anger amid a larger rise in anti-government protests.

    That the police have so far failed to come up with anything concrete explanation for the incidents has not only put the government in the dock but reinforced the perception among masses that law enforcement agencies are allegedly behind the incidents.

    The general surmise among victims of braid chopping in the Kashmir Valley is that attackers use some anaesthetic spray to overpower them.

  • Army Holds Social Media Responsible for Radicalisation in Kashmir

    Jammu: Army chief General Bipin Rawat today blamed social media for the rise in radicalisation among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and said it was being tackled with a “lot of seriousness”.

    Rawat, on a day-long visit here, also brushed aside the issue of alleged braid chopping incidents in the state as a “routine matter” which the civil administration and the police would deal with.

    “Radicalisation is taking place. It is a worldwide phenomenon that radicalisation is taking place. We are addressing it with a lot of seriousness,” Rawat told reporters here when asked about radicalisation in the Kashmir Valley.

    Rawat, while speaking on the sidelines of a function where he presented the President’s Standards to 47 Armoured Regiment, said that the Jammu and Kashmir government, the police, the administration and everybody was concerned about radicalisation.

    “We are trying to ensure that people are being weaned away from this kind of radicalisation,” he said.

    The Army chief blamed the social media for the radicalisation of people, particularly the youth in the state.

    “It (radicalisation) is happening mainly because of the social media,” he said.

    Asked if the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raids were aimed at mellowing down the separatists in the Valley and giving a jolt to the stone pelters, Rawat said, “When the whole of the government approach is adopted then every aspect and every machinery of the government is to play a part and whatever success the NIA raids have achieved will emerge in the near future.”

    On the challenge being faced by the government and the security agencies due to the alleged braid chopping incidents which have triggered violent protests in the state, Rawat said, “Why do you see it as a challenge.” It has been happening in other parts of the country and now it has started happening in Kashmir as well, the Army chief said.

    “We don’t see it as a challenge. It is a routine matter. Civil administration and police is taking action into it and it will be foiled,” he said.

    Asked if the separatists were taking advantage of this to trigger turmoil in the Valley, he said the role of the media was important to uncover the truth behind it.

  • Now Vigilantes Thrash Militants

    Pulwama: At a time when hair vigilantes are manhandling braid chopping suspects in different parts of Valley, the locals in South Kashmir’s Pulwama village reportedly thrashed a group of Hizbul Mujahideen militants on Friday night.

    Locals from Thokarpora village, barely 7 kilometers away from Pulwama district told news agency CNS that a group of three Hizb militants were passing through the village, when hair vigilantes stopped and questioned them.

    “As the vigilantes equipped with sticks, iron rods and spades found the trio armed, they thrashed them mercilessly even though one of them was repeatedly telling them that he is Hizb militant Sameer Tiger,” said an eyewitness.

    “Vigilantes continuously harassed, thrashed and abused them. Some of the vigilantes even tried to snatch weapons from them, which they resisted but exercised restraint. The agitated locals were labelling them as braid choppers,” said the villagers’ witness to the account.

    According to them, the trio managed to escape from the spot after their two more associates appeared there and fired at least 8 rounds in the air. “The aerial firing created panic forcing the vigilantes to disperse from the spot,” they said.

    Locals said that government forces rushed to the village after the incident and cordoned off the hamlet, however, no arrests were made as the militants had managed to leave the village.

    A police official while confirming the incident said that five Hizbul Mujahideen militants were passing through the village in two groups. “Three militants were thrashed by locals of Thokarpora village who mistook them as braid choppers while another group comprising two militants came to their rescue after resorting to aerial firing,” he said. (CNS)

  • Meet this Kashmir youth who decked up historic bridge without Govt help

    But even after two months of its installation, no government agency or department has so far owned the project. It continues to remain a property of Waseem.

    Srinagar: The water fountain installed on the Budshah Bridge might have brought a new charm to the bridge attracting hundreds, but there is a 10-years long story behind the completion of the project.

    Surprising to know that the project has not been set up by any government agency or department, but it is a pure volunteer work of a local youth. It is an outcome of 10-years long efforts of Old City boy Waseem Hassan Raja, who completed the project without any help from the government.

    But even after two months of its installation, no government agency or department has so far owned the project. It continues to remain a property of Waseem.

    “The concept of bridge fountain was submitted to the commissioner SMC in the year 2007. We were asked to collect the NOCs from almost every department – R&B, P.H.E, Irrigation and Flood Control, Traffic department and PDD. It took us around two years to collect all the NOCs,” Waseem Raja said.

    On 23rd April 2008, he presented the idea in the “Review meeting with regard to the beautification of Srinagar City”.

    “It was appreciated by the then Mayor, and it was unanimously decided to install the fountain on the Budshah Bridge by the developer. However that time I didn’t get the chance to install due to certain obstructions,” he said.

    Later, Waseem Raja continues his efforts and approached numerous departments and well off persons for funding. “I failed at every level. But I continued the struggle,” he said.

    Recently in the month of July 2017, Waseem discussed it with one of his friend Mohammad Afzal who showed his interest to help him financially.

    “We started the work and it’s done. The fountain is lively seen on the Budshah Bridge during the day and evening times which has changed the scene of Budshah Bridge. It has been appreciated by general public at large,” he said.

    Waseem Raja said the fountain gives a cooling effect especially when the sun hits the highest point. “The water used for the operation of fountain is purely river water being lifted by the submersible motors. We have paid Rs 10,000 to PDD for electricity charges,” he said.

    Now he wants the government to appreciate his initiative and allow him to install more fountains on the other bridges so that the city of Srinagar looks like a smart city in one or the other way. “I want financial help from the government to continue with these projects,” he said.

    He said the SMC has assured him that the Corporation would own the Budshah bridge fountain.

    SMC Commissioner Shafqat Khan when contacted said SMC has not owned it yet. “It has been done by someone voluntarily. I have no idea who made it. We will see if we can own it, if it comes in our budget competence,” he said.

  • Without Evidence, How Can We Find Braid Cutters?: DGP Vaid

    Srinagar: Director General of Police S P Vaid Monday said police has constituted an SIT in every district and the DySP headquarters has been made member of the SIT’s which shall be headed by the concerned DCs.

    Vaid said the members of the SITs will visit the victims and record their statements. He, however, said the reports about braid chopping are pouring in but they don’t have evidences to probe the cases. “We don’t get witnesses. We have lack of evidence. When we don’t have evidence how we can find the braid cutters,” he said.

    He said such cases occurred in UP where 3000 incidents were reported and later it spread to Haryana and Punjab. “254 cases occurred in Jammu. It then spread to south Kashmir and now in Central and north Kashmir,” he said.

    He said wherever they have arrested suspects; they turned out to be labourers or other people who were not involved in braid chopping. “We can’t book innocents. The society has to cooperate with us,” the DGP said. (KNS)

  • Braid Cutters On The Loose In Valley? Protests Spread

    Srinagar: Fresh incidents of braid-chopping triggered protests and clashes in various areas of Srinagar city and other parts of the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday with people complaining that the police was merely watching these events as a mute spectator.

    On Tuesday a soldier was beaten up by a mob on suspicion of being involved in a braid-chopping incident in north Kashmir while protests broke out at over a dozen places elsewhere against fresh incidents. 

    Maisuma locality in the heart of Srinagar city and its adjoining areas observed a shutdown while heavy presence of government forces was made there to prevent any flare up. The movement of the people was restricted there using concertina wires. Shops and other business establishments remained shut in Maisuma, Gawkadal, Basant Bagh, Kokar Bazar, Budshah Chowk while Auqaf market too remained shut.

    Protests erupted at Narparistan Fathekadal in old city over an overnight braid chopping incident. Another women of a family was targeted by braid choppers there, leading to protests by the residents.

    Witnesses said that the braid of a woman was chopped off by miscreants while during confrontation, the victim suffered fracture in the neck. “The victim’s niece was earlier attacked few days back and her braid was also chopped off,” the witnesses said. (See photo above)

    Angry residents blocked Rambagh-Natipora road in the city in the morning to protest against a braid chopping incident in the Beighpora area, the officials said.

    They said traffic on the road, which leads to Chrar-e- Sharief, remained suspended for a couple of hours.

    Protests also broke out in the neighbouring old Barzulla locality where a girl was allegedly attacked by the mysterious braid choppers during the night, the officials said.

    The locals approached the police for registering case but were not satisfied with the response of the law enforcing personnel.

    The residents then came out on the main road to protest against the incident, leading to a massive traffic jam, the officials said.

    Police had to fire tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters, they added.

    SOLDIER CAUGHT

    Clashes broke out between police and protesters in Reddi Chowkibal and Kralpora areas of Kupwara district in north Kashmir on Tuesday after a woman’s braid was chopped off.

    Reports said that locals caught hold of a Territorial Army man, suspecting him to be the braid-chopper.

    He had barged into the home of one Ghulam Nabi Peer and cut the hair of his daughter, they alleged.

    A hue and cry over the incident brought people in the neighbourhood out of their homes, who chased and caught the man and beat him up, they said.

    He turned out to be a jawan of the Territorial Army after his identity card was checked, they said.

    People clashed with the police and army who came rushing there to rescue the soldier from the mob, reports said.   

    A police officer was among four persons injured during the clashes, police said.

    A video, showing locals thrashing him while the army and the police were trying a rescue, went viral on the social media.

    Army officials did not respond to calls seeking the forces’ version of the incident.

    The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Kupwara Shamsher Hussain dismissed the allegations of the locals.

    He however admitted that the hair of the woman had been cut, and that the police would be recording her statement.

    “We have launched investigations,” he said.

    South Kashmir’s Pulwama district observed a complete shutdown against the braid chopping incident. On Monday, the braid of a woman was chopped off at Dangarpora vicinity of the district.

    Reports said that all the shops and business establishments remained shut while transport also remained off the roads.

    Auqaf Committee Pulwama organized a protest march that was attended by a large number of people. The protesters alleged that government and district administration have failed to nab the culprits. They raised slogans against police and the government.

    Meanwhile, sources said that locals from Kakapora area of the district Pulwama seized a vehicle with Punjab registration plate (PB10B-G3418) when a couple of persons from the vehicle alighted from it and tried to enter into a house. The locals raised hue and cry while unknown persons managed to escape from the spot, leaving the vehicle there.

    Locals said that the abandoned vehicle was later on handed over to police. “We are investigating the matter,” said a police official.

    Police lobbed tear-smoke shelling to disperse protesters at Gongoo Pulwama who were protesting against fresh braid chopping incident in the village. The protesters had blocked the road prompting police to resort to tear-gas shelling.

    Similar protests were reported from Shopian in south Kashmir where protesters hurled stones at vehicles of the security forces passing through the area, the officials said.

    Pertinently, over a 100 incidents of braid chopping have occurred in different parts of Kashmir Valley during the past month while police is still clueless.

    The victims have told their families and police that unknown persons cut their hair after knocking them unconscious with some spray.

    The police have formed Special Investigation Teams to probe the incidents. However, so far the police and the authorities have been clueless.

    The police have announced a reward of Rs six lakh for credible information leading to arrest of any person behind braid chopping incidents. So far, no arrests have been made.

    At several places, vigilante mobs have thrashed innocents mistaking them for braid choppers.

  • Kashmir’s Gulmarg receives season’s first snowfall

    Srinagar: Gulmarg, the famous tourist destination in Kashmir, Sunday received this season’s first snowfall, with the temperature dipping below zero.
    The snowfall was not as much as expected but has raised hopes among people associated with tourism for good upcoming winter tourism.
    Gulmarg is a world famous destination for snow skiing, athletes as well as tourists who always keep an eye for snowfall at the tourist spot.
    “For last five months, due to uneasy calm, least number of tourists visited Kashmir. Now with winters nearing and situation is improving. We expect tourists in coming months,” a tour guide in Gulmarg, said.
    “The season for the snowfall has started. We are hopeful it will attract tourists in the coming months,” said a hotelier. (KNS)

  • Cop Clicking Photos of a Woman Caught by People, Tied Up

    Videos and photos circulating on social media show residents catching the constable, taking off his jacket, and tying him to a chair.

    Srinagar: A Jammu and Kashmir policeman was on Saturday caught and given a thrashing by locals for allegedly stalking and taking pictures of a woman in Ganderbal.

    Videos and photos circulating on social media show residents, including the woman, catching the constable, taking off his jacket, and tying him to a chair.

    They alleged that the constable hurt the dignity of a woman.

    According to reports, the cop allegedly took pictures of a woman while she was standing on the roadside at Manigam in Ganderbal.

    The cop was overpowered by the locals after the woman raised objections and tied him to a chair till his superiors arrived and took him in the custody.

    “We registered an FIR and he was arrested soon after. Law will take its course,” senior superintendent of police Fayaz Ahmad Lone told reporters.

    Police claimed to have found some photos of the woman in the constable’s mobile.

    A clip shows a screaming crowd vowing to teach a lesson to anyone caught hurting a woman’s dignity. Slogans against police and in support of Zakir Musa could be heard in the videos.

    Earlier this year, a J&K police official was suspended after he snatched away money from a roadside beggar.