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  • Unite on poll boycott: Geelani ‘Kashmir, Palestine are under illegal occupation’

    M Aslam Bhat 

    Q: You recently called for anti-Israel protests in Kashmir and said that there is no difference be- tween Kashmir and Palestine as far as the atroci- ties and genocide of innocent people is concerned. It is not understandable how Gaza is like Kashmir? 

    A: It is quite understandable that there is absolutely no difference between Palestine and Kashmir. Both the regions are under illegal occupation. Jews were under a proper plan set- tled in Palestine so that West could control the Muslim world and now genocide against the Muslims is carried out with the sole objective to suppress the just voice of the innocents. Had it been the government of Al-Ikhwan in Egypt, Israel would have never dared to attack Gaza.

    Al-Ikhwan people were brave hearts and their priority was to safeguard the interests of  Ummah but their regime was crushed and Fa-tah was installed on the chair. Fatah is an offshoot of Israel. The move was made just to bring Egypt under control of the western powers so that the region could not become a hiding place for the Palestinian Mujahideen. In Kashmir, the forces were settled without any legitimacy. Otherwise, Kashmir was the natural part of Pakistan. In 1947, Kashmir had 85 percent Muslims; 750 miles of borders were with the Pakistan. We had rivers that flow towards that country.

    Q: What is your opinion about the announcement of Caliphate in Iraq and Al-Baghdadi as a Caliph?

    A: Nothing can be said about this situation. We have to see whether those persons who claim to have established the ca- liphate in Iraq are that much qualified or not. We must under- stand that the present status of the caliphate must meet the requirements for the same we have witnessed the four pious caliphs of Islam in the past.

    As far as our stand is concerned, we will keep wait and watch policy vis-à-vis the situation in Iraq. If they are in real terms meet the requirements of the caliphate establishment. Later, it will be their principle to strive for the rights of the oppressed Muslim world. If you read Quran you will find what is written there. Quran clearly says in Surah Nisa ‘And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Al- lah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, “Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and ap- point for us from Yourself a protec- tor and appoint for us from Your- self a helper?”

    Q: What would be your strategy vis-à-vis the coming elections in Jammu and Kashmir?

    A: As far as the polls are concerned, our strategy is clear. The people at present who are asking for the votes in no way deserve the same. They are the looters and legitimize the il- legal occupation. Voters here have no reason to vote. We have adopted this stand after the elections of 1987 when the losers were declared win- ners and vice-versa.

    When Huriyat Conference was constituted in 1993, its constitution clearly says that elections are unacceptable in JK and that no person associated with the amalgam will take part in the fray. In 1996, there were mainly three active players in the election boycott campaign. It was me, Late Abdul Gani Lone and Mohammad Yasin Malik. Other parties of the Huriyat used to send their constituents. In the same way, there must be unanimous approach by the pro- freedom camp about the election boycott campaign.

    I want all the resistance parties to extend a call for complete boycott of elections. We have seen earlier that some parties termed it as a non-issue, then the administrative mater and later when they saw people in large number boycotting the polls, they too issued a boycott call.

    Q: There is a perception that boycott benefits a particular mainstream political party. What is your opinion about it?

    A: No, this assessment is not based on facts. This is absolutely absurd. We have seen that recently when we launched Boycott cam- paign, it didn’t benefit the particular party, rather PDP got anti-NC votes. The votes were not actually in PDP’s favor.

    Q: You in a recent interview said that for Kashmir resolution you will seek help even from Hafiz Sayeed. Could you elaborate that?

    A: I was quoted wrongly. I didn’t ask for Hafiz Sayeed’s help as was reported. I stated that it is the moral responsibility of every Pakistani citizen to raise voice for Kashmir. Isn’t that a policy of Pakistan? Hafiz Sayeed is also a Pakistani cit- izen and in that capacity it is also his moral duty to support Kashmir cause.

    Q: It is being observed at present on ground that there is no coordination between the pro-freedom groups of valley. Are there any chances of unity among pro freedom groups?

    A: There are sometimes the serious issues that need immediate reaction. We cannot discuss that prior to that incident. We keep on discussing the issue. We may miss the chance to react.

    Q: What is your stand on dialogue if UN resolutions are not implemented?

    A: Our stand is clear. We want India to fulfill its promises it made to the people of Kashmir in the United Nations. If the same are not implemented, then the dialogue over the issue is conditional. India, Pakistan and resistance leadership of Kash- mir must sit together and the same be done under the purview of United Nations or any third friendly country.

    And later by consensus, if Independent status of Kashmir emerges as a solution, we are ready to accept that also. But at the same time, any solution is not acceptable of Kashmir that would be under the purview of Indian constitution.

    Q: During the participation of Pak premier in the oath ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Kashmir word was skipped. How do you view that?

    A: We cannot say that there is any change of strategy in Pakistan’s approach vis-à-vis Kashmir. We know that Pakistan right from the day one is striving for Kashmir cause. This could be there strategy but we cannot say that they have changed their stand.

    Q: There are the reports that GOI is initiating track- II dialogue with the separatists. What is your stand?

    A: No person has approached us. We have no such information. We have already made it clear that Kashmir is not an issue between India and Pakistan. We cannot accept any  ready made solution of Kashmir.

     

  • J&K BANK STUDENT Savings Bank Account

    Of saving habits in kids

    Guide your children to reap the benefits of financial world

    independently for their bright and prosperous future.

    SAJJAD ‑ BAZAZ

    Most of us are well aware of the importance of financial planning to realise our goals for prosperity.

    However, most of the time we forget to pass on some les- sons of financial planning to our children to help them to create a saving and spending plan towards their sound financial future. In today’s time, when we incur lot of expenditure on our child’s education, it’s at the same time inevitable for us as parents to ignore money manage- ment lessons to our kids. What I mean to say is that we need to give the power to our children to decide how much to save and how much to spend. Of course, this basic financial em- powerment in making adult deci- sions would be exercised under your umbrella. Let me make a bit of more clarification here that giving power of financial planning to kids is to incul- cate good saving habit among them. So the mantra is to teach the kids to save and then spend out of this savings Where from a child would get mon- ey to save? Of course, money doesn’t grow on trees. Besides, a child is not an earning hand.

    So, the main funding source for the kids to save is their parents. It’s basically the pocket money, a sort of daily allowance, which parents give to their children. And it is here the parents can get started and as a first step have their child dedicate a por- tion of the pocket money to saving and a portion to spending. As far as spending part is concerned, we as parents should least interfere in how our kids spend money. How- ever, the interference should be to the extent of pointing out to the kid that money once spent won’t come back to his or her kitty.

    The most important part of money management skills is inculcating sav- ing habit among the kids. And it’s not an easy task to motivate children to cut down a portion of pocket money – exclusively given to them for spending – and save. Explaining the importance of saving with a motivational force is a challenge and don’t be surprised when your child asks you why he should save money. It is not a one day’s job to con- vince your child to cut down spending out of your daily allowance. Discuss with your child the importance of sav- ing for the future and spending it to achieve goals for living a prosperous life.

    As a parent you should remember that nurturing habitual saving in your child is more important than his or her monetary progress. Now, most important question what method should be adopted to help your children to save? After the child is con- vinced to bifurcate his or her pocket money or daily allowance, the saving portion has to be parked somewhere?  The saved money should not only be in safe hands, but it should over a period of time also multiply. In our childhood, our parents would gift us money box or coin box to lure us towards saving. We have these money boxes even today. Our children too make use of these boxes to save, but for fun. They don’t seem attracted to this concept of saving money. We have to make use of modern ways of luring our children to save and at the same time expose them to the excitement of earning on their savings. So, the best mode to attract your kids towards sav- ing concept is to guide them to have a savings bank account.

    The amazing part of savings bank account is that an account holder automatically gets eli- gible to get an ATM/ debit card. Your kid having an ATM card in his pocket will feel financial empowerment. J&K Bank has recently introduced “Student Savings Bank Account”. Even you can open an account for a KG stu- dent under the scheme with initial deposit of Rs.50. There is no need to maintain minimum balance, which means that the account can run even with zero balance. Debit Card/ATM Card (For Students above the age of 10 years are eligible to get a debit/ATM card free. Cheque book of 20 leaves for one year shall be issued to students above age of 18 years free of cost. Even e-banking and SMS alert facil- ity can be availed by the students once they open a savings bank account.

    The bank shall not be charging for these services. So, you should visit your bank along with your children to open a savings bankaccount for him. A visit to a bank branch will infuse a dose of confi- dence, excitement and magical em- powerment in the children. Explain that a bank is a place you put your money until you need it. Let the bank official on the desk explain about the account and its benefits. Your child’s involvement in the account opening process will definitely be a source of excitement for your child. In succinct, guide your children to reap the ben- efits of financial world independently for their bright and prosperous future.

     

  • Human Meat Found In McDonald’s Meat Factory

    McDonald’s has been in controversies in the past for so many reasons.

    Use of ingredients in their burgers and patties have been in news for use of meat that is not acceptable to all.

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    A news report from Oklahoma, US suggests that McDonalds had human meat in its meat factory. The report said that inspectors allegedly found human meat and horse meat in the freezer’s of an Oklahoma City McDonald’s meat factory.

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    Human meat was also found in several trucks that were on their way to deliver the patties to the fast food restaurants.

    Several other reports also suggested that authorities found human meat in 90 pc of the locations across America when officials inspected them. Authorities also found horse meat at 65pc of  locations.

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    FBI agent Lloyd Harrison said, “the worst part is that it’s not only human meat, it’s child meat. The body parts were found across the US factories and were deemed too small to be adult body parts. This is truly horrible”.

  • JK Bank Q1 net up 8.6% at Rs 130 cr

    Worst seems to be over: Chairman

     Srinagar: J&K Bank Wednesday posted a net profit of Rs 130.05 crore for the quarter ending June 2014. The Bank, according to its spokesman, announced its reviewed financial results for the quarter following the approval of its Board of Directors at a meeting held here at the Corporate Headquarters.

    The Bank’s operating profit for Q1 is Rs 447.52 crore as against Rs 480.99 crore recorded during the corresponding period of previous year.
    The deposits grew by 8.62 percent for Q1 to stand at Rs 63651.94 crore as against Rs 58601.09 crore for Q1 FY 13-14. The advances have increased by 13.11 percent to Rs 44430.73 crore from Rs 39282.20 crore as recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year.
    The total business of the Bank is up by 10.42 percent when compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
    The bank’s non-interest income improved to Rs 130.99 crore in the quarter under review as against Rs 92.23 crore recorded during the corresponding quarter of the previous year, while as net interest income stood at Rs 637.69 crore as against Rs 654.89 crore.
    The Gross NPA ratio of the bank stood at 4.16 percent for the quarter, while as the Net NPA ratio is 2.18 percent. The NPA Coverage ratio stood at 55.08 percent.
    The Net Interest Margin (NIM) remained at 3.63 percent as against 4.20 percent recorded for the corresponding period of the previous year.
    The Capital Adequacy Ratio of the bank under BASEL 11 is 13.28 percent as on June 30, 2014.
    During the quarter, the bank added 18 Business Units and 25 ATMs to its expanding network across the state.
    Worst seems to be over: Chairman
    The J&K Bank Chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Wednesday told Greater Kashmir that the Bank sacrificed a portion of its profits in the first quarter of the current financial year to maintain a strong and clean balance sheet.
    “Similar measures have been taken by other banks to beat the stress away from their assets. Since economic slowdown is not yet over completely; asset-quality pressures on banks have not abated even during the first quarter,” he said. “As such banks had to go for higher provisioning on account of fresh slippages to NPA category and additions to restructured assets.” However, Ahmad said, the J&K Bank will strictly focus on asset quality monitoring and maintenance for the next couple of quarters of the current fiscal till the economic situation in the country improves. “The bank is optimistic to continue with its growth momentum in the coming quarters and maintain profitability along with improvements in net interest margin (NIM) during the current fiscal,” he said.
    Ahmad said exhibiting exemplary act of financial disclosures, the J&K Bank in a most transparent and straightforward action has disclosed its bad loans. “During the quarter the gross non-performing assets (NPA) have risen 250 basis points (Q-o-Q and Y-o-Y) to 4.16 percent and net NPA soaring around 196 basis points Q-o-Q (up 204 bps Y-o-Y) to 2.18 percent. This was necessitated because of stress on few assets. These ratios are below the industry average,” he said.
    He said the bank’s gross non-performing assets ratio has remained in the narrow band of 1.6-1.7 per cent of advances over the past six quarters. “We have been improving our performance year-on-year and managing stress efficiently. We have evolved a system to effectively monitor accounts that are stressed. Also, a stressed account does not always turn into an NPA. It requires close monitoring and on most  occasions, we have been able to revive such accounts,” he said.
    Anticipating smooth recovery of non-performing assets (NPAs) at the end of the FY15, Mushtaq Ahmad said, “In the medium to long term I expect our gross NPA level to stabilize around two per cent. One must remember there has been stress in the system for three or four years; we have been managing it fairly well. We are confident of managing the quality of our portfolio in the coming quarters. We have the ability and strength to brave any sudden shock in the system.”
    The chairman while giving details of the future growth plan said, “Going forward as well, the bank expects loan growth in J&K state to be above 25 per cent while that outside the state to be about 15 per cent.”
    He said the Bank management is conscious of the fact that people of Jammu and Kashmir have a huge emotional equity invested in J&K Bank and it values it to be the most important asset the bank has.
    “We have braved so many challenges throughout our remarkable journey of 75 years and we have innate capacity to meet any future challenges midway as well. Having invested in a major way in J&K, the bank is the major contributors in the state’s total lending, which currently stands at more than 65 %.   Last year increased 100000 to 200000. Besides, the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility is completely focused on welfare activities within the state of J&K,” Mushtaq remarked and added that the bank shall continue to expand its branch network with focus in increasing low cost deposits and scaling up the flow of credit to priority sector to boost lending to agriculture and allied activities besides retail handicrafts and SME sectors.
    Meanwhile, the chairman disclosed that the bank is contemplating its maiden overseas expansion in near future. “We are exploring possibilities to establish our presence in centres like Dubai and London,” he said.
    He concluded that the management of the bank is firm on maintaining asset-quality.

     

  • Gaza baby delivered from mother killed by Israeli airstrike

    Staff writer, Al Arabiya News, Saturday, 26 July 2014

    A baby girl has been rescued from her dead mother’s womb by caesarian after an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza strip, the BBC reported on Friday.

    The girl – who has not yet been given a name – is being cared for in hospital, where doctors say she has a 50 percent chance of survival.

    “I’m very angry, I’m very sad. I feel that this baby is mine,” said a Palestinian doctor interviewed by the BBC.

    The bombing which killed the baby’s mother took place on a small block of flats housing civilians, the news channel reported. The attack took place at around 2 o’clock in the morning.

    The 18-day conflict has so far killed more than 845 people, most of them Palestinian civilians, while world powers scramble to mediate a ceasefire.
     

  • Forces open fire in South Kashmir, youth killed

    Srinagar: A youth sustained bullet injuries after government forces allegedly opened fire on protesters at Khudwani area of Kulgam in south Kashmir on Saturday.

    Official sources told GNS that the government forces fired teargas shells and opened few shots in air to disperse the protesters resulting in injuries to at least three persons, sources said.

    However, the sources said that one among the three youths sustained serious bullet injuries.

    The sources identified the injured youth as Suhail Ahmad Lone son of Ghulam Qadir Lone of Havora, Mishpora in Khudwani was immediately shifted to Janglat Mandi hospital Anantnag  where he succumbed to injuries. (GNS)

  • Kashmiris And Palestinians Are One: Palestine Ambassador

    ISLAMABAD – Reacting to massive pro-Palestine protests in Kashmir, the Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan, His Excellency Walid Abu Ali said that “Kashmiris and Palestinians are one” and expressed his gratitude for the tremendous support that Pakistanis and Kashmiris have shown for the people of Gaza.

    A delegation of Youth Forum For Kashmir (YFK) visited the Ambassador and presented to him a report and an album of pictures from various demonstrations in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir against the massacres in Gaza.

    Conveying YFK’s message of solidarity, Executive Director Ahmed Quraishi said the youth organization condemned the deliberate and unjustified targeting of Palestinian civilians. He said the civilians and especially children should never be targeted in war and that the international community should take strong exception to this because this is what the Indian army is also doing in Kashmir.

    The young Kashmiri and Pakistani members of YFK are trained lobbyists working for bringing Kashmir to the top of the regional agenda.

    Shaista Safi, from Baramulla presented the album to the Ambassador. In return, he presented to each member of the delegation a pin with a joint Palestinian and Pakistani flags.

  • YNC HOLDS MASSIVE PROTEST RALLY AGAINST ISRAEL

    PRESENTS MEMORANDUM AT UN OFFICE IN SONAWAR 

    Srinagar: Youth National Conference held a massive protest rally in Srinagar today to protest against Israel’s unacceptable atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza. Hundreds of Youth National Conference activists led by NC Youth President Salman Ali Sagar marched with black flags and raised slogans in favor of Gaza and Palestine and against Israel’s inhumane and barbaric war-crimes against innocent men, women and children in Gaza. NC Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal also participated in the protest rally to encourage the YNC activists and addressed the protesters and Youth National Conference activists at various places till the rally reached the UN Office at Sonawar. 
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while speaking to protesters at various stops during the protest rally, NC Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal lashed out at Israel for engaging in wanton genocide by killing innocent, unarmed civilians in their homes. “Israel should know that Allah has warned unjust and barbaric nations against his wrath. Allah’s wrath cannot be averted by Israel no matter how many super-powers try to lobby for it. Israel, by killing innocent Muslims in the Holy Month of Ramadan has scorched the hearts of Muslims all around the world. National Conference Youth Activists have gathered to oppose Israel and extend their solidarity and moral support to the people of Gaza today”, Dr. Kamal said. 
    The Protest Rally started from National Conference Headquarters at Nawa-e-Subah Complex and went through TRC, Dalgate Chowk and finally reached the UN Office at Sonawar where NC Youth Leaders addressed the protesters and raised slogans against Israel. Hundreds of youth activists of National Conference demanded that the United Nations wakes up and introspects in time to understand that its criminal silence and ineffectiveness to deliver justice to the oppressed was an utter shame. National Conference Youth President Salman Ali Sagar decried the UN Office’s refusal to acknowledge the memorandum of protest and stated that United Nations cannot wash its hands off of their duty to protect the people of every nation and community from genocide and injustice. 
    Youth National Conference activists raised slogans like “Down with Israel”, “Gaza Gaza, Save Gaza”, “Down with Injustice”, “Palestine Zindabad”, “NC’s voice – Save Gaza” at various places and stops during the rally. 
    The protest rally was led by NC Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, NC Youth President Salman Ali Sagar, NC Spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu, NC Students Union President Imran Pandit, NC Women’s Wing Provincial Vice President Sabiya Qadri, Vice Presidents Youth National Conference Ian Nabi Dar, Yunis Mubarak Gul, Najeeb Khan, Provincial Secretary YNC Mudassar Shahmiri, Joint Secretary YNC Farooq Ganderbali, YNC Organizer – North Kashmir Advocate Jehangir Yaqoob, YNC Organizer – Central Kashmir Advocate Ehsan Pardesi, YNC Treasurer Saleem Akhoon, Sara Hayat Shah, Hilal Ahmed Sofi and Sajad Mir (Major) among other youth activists and workers. 

  • Image shows Israelis gathering to watch nighttime attacks on Gaza

    Southern Israeli city is in the Negev desert close to the Gaza Strip.

    Journalist Allan Sorenson posted this photo on Twitter, which he told The Stream was taken in Sderot on July 9.

  • Pendency reaches 1,80,000 cases in JK courts

    With the state authorities promising the deliverance of justice at peoples door steps, the figures reveal that the masses here since years are being moving from pillar to pots in search of justice as the same is pending in the courts from the years.

    There are more than 1, 80,000 cases of criminal and civil nature pending at various courts of law across Jammu and Kashmir with officially no fast track court in function as the government shelved High Court’s proposal over the establishment of fast track courts. The details available informed that in the high court of Jammu and Kashmir around 5244 criminal cases are pending with no final verdict ordered so far. Also there are around 87 thousand civil cases pending in the high court here.

    In the subordinate court, mostly known as the lower court, around one lakh criminal cases are pending. The details provided by the authorities in the month of March this year stated that around 1067740 cases of criminal nature are pending in the lower court. Also the details maintained that 76680 civil cases are pending- waiting for the final j udgment. T he t otal number of the cases both criminal and civil pending before the high court here are 93038 and in the lower court 183420 cases have not been given the final judgment.

    The government when contacted said that there are presently no fast track court in the state except for the five existing regular courts of additional district and sessions which were earmarked as fast track court by the high court here. The courts were given the authority so that the cases against the women could be heard. Details informed that the government here in the past has received as proposal by the high court regarding the creation of eight fast track courts of the rank of district and sessions judge and 10 fast track courts of the rank of civil judge senior division. No further step has been taken by the state government over the proposal made by the high court in the past.

    The state authorities maintained that the government is committed to provide justice to the masses at door steps and that by virtue of Jammu and Kashmir Delhi Adalat act, 2013, it is ‘contemplating’ to create 22 Delhi adalats in the state with at least one in a district that too at a block level. The details also informed that the government here has taken up the issue with the high court here for identifying the places where Delhi adalats will be established. The Chief Justice has also constituted a committee of two judges to nominate the blocks for the same.

    However, the state government has no proposal under consideration wherein the benches of high court will be available at remote places other than the capital cities of the state in view of the difficult topography at south, north and Ladakh areas in Kashmir division and Chenab valley, Poonch, Rajouri and Kathua in Jammu.