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Srinagar: In a novel effort, a baker from Srinagar outskirts ahead of Eid-ul-Adha is out to present his bakery as an immunity booster to fight Coronavirus during the ongoing pandemic.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Sofi Mohi-ud-din, owner of Hilo Makhbaz (Sweet Bakery), a bakery shop, said that two months back during the lockdown, he along with his family got an idea about coming up with immunity booster bakery.

He said that after making the two bakery products with an immunity booster, they sent samples to Delhi lab to verify whether the bakery can boost immunity. “After hectic efforts, I managed to get contact with Delhi lab on June 23 following which they reverted on 8th of this month and mentioned that the product can help in boosting the immunity of a person,” he said.

“The report from the Delhi lab came full of happiness to our family. I later went to the concerned department here where I showed all these testing documents for further necessary steps,” he added.

However, he said that lab tests have mentioned that the bakery items are having less quantity of Vitamin C.

Sofi further stated that the bakery products that could boost the immunity consists of Vitamin-C, Omega 3, Omega 6, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, antioxidants and others, adding that they have made six varieties of such cookies have been made by them including Sugar Free, Gelatin free, eggless oats, Almond honey, Walnut cookies and Khajur Illaji.

Sofi is also a social worker and is Vice president of Kashmir Traders Manufacturing Federation (KTMF), president of South City Traders Federation, president of Traders Association Nowgam and Publicity Secretary of Kashmir Bakers Association.

He added that he has made sufficient such items ahead of Eid-ul-Adha and has been receiving many calls from the customers from across the Valley in this regard.

Asma Mohi-ud-din, who has done B Tech in Food Technology and MSC in Food Technology, said after getting the idea, they accumulated the natural ingredients to incorporate in the bakery, which showed significant results.

“We are hopeful that the people who are health conscious will surely come to buy the bakery stuff,” she said adding that those who are well-educated and have knowledge about the ingredients and vitamins in the bakery would get attracted to it to maintain their health amid the pandemic,” she said—(KNO)

Srinagar: At a time when the government is claiming to have taken steps to ensure quality education for the students, more than 16,000 teachers working in government-run-schools in Jammu and Kashmir are ‘undergraduate’—taking a toll on the future of students.

In the School Education Department, around 16,077 teachers have not a qualification of above graduation.

The figures were revealed by the Department of School Education and Literacy of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in a Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE)—a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

The UDISE figures reveal, of total 107,445 teachers in the department, only 91,368 teachers have qualification above graduation.

Of total teachers, 102,581 have been appointed on a regular basis while 4864 teachers are working on contractual basis.

The UDISE report reads that from Srinagar district, a total of 4459 teachers are working in the department out of which only 407 teachers are not above graduates.

Similarly from South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, of total 3759 teachers only 3492 have a qualification of above graduation.

From South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, 7977 teachers are working in the department of which only 7258 have a qualification of above graduation.

In Shopian district, 2114 teachers are working in the department of school education of which only 1895 have a qualification of above graduation.

The South Kashmir’s Pulwama district also has only 3989 teachers with above graduation while 4297 teachers are working in the department.

Likewise, from Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, only 2403 teachers working in government schools have a qualification of above graduation while the total of 2868 teachers are working in the department.

The data reveals that from Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, 6152 teachers are working in the department out of which only 5565 have a qualification of above graduation.

The UDISE report states that in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, 9006 teachers have been recruited in the department of which only 8075 have a qualification of above graduation.

Similarly, from the north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, only 3062 teachers out of 3407 have a qualification of above graduation.

From the frontier district Kupwara, the official figures reveal that 7976 teachers are working in the department of which only 6982 teachers have a qualification of above graduation.

Pertinently, the top officials at Samagra Shiksha informed KNO that the new and updated figures of UDISE will be updated in August end—(KNO)

Srinagar: In what could be described as ‘sorry state of affairs’, a COVID-19 positive patient at Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital, Rainwari here, was lying unconscious in the corridor all through the night until he caught attention of some attendants in the morning and was shifted back to the ward.

Sources at JLNM hospital informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a patient who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and subsequently admitted in the hospital a few days ago was lying unconscious on the floor with no staff member present there to shift him back to the ward.

Sources said the patient aged about 50 was later shifted to Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, in critical condition, after his family members created ruckus at JLNM hospital accusing doctors and paramedics of putting the patient’s life at risk.

The video of the patient has gone viral on social networking sites, with netizens criticizing the hospital authorities for leaving COVID-19 positive patients at the mercy of god.

“My father is undergoing treatment for jaundice at JLNM hospital. When I went out to get tea for my father this morning, I was shocked to see a COVID-19 patient lying unconscious in the hospital corridor. Before I could do anything, a flock of attendants also gathered at the spot and raised hue and cry,” an attendant who is witness to the fact told KNO.

He said the patient after gaining consciousness said he was out for a urinal and felt unconscious while returning back to ward. The witness said the attendant was lying all through the night in the corridor of the hospital before being shifted back to the ward in the morning.

Despite repeated attempts, Deputy Medical Superintendent, JLNM Hospital, Dr Tabasum could not be contacted for an official version.

Hospital sources while confirming the incident said there was no doctor or anyone among the paramedic staff present when the shocking episode which took everyone by surprise happened—(KNO)

98 Travelers, 50 Crpf Men Among Infected; 102 Patients Discharged

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday reported second biggest single-day spike in covid-19 infections with 718 additions including 98 travelers, taking the overall tally to 16429.

Sources told GNS that among them include 117 from Jammu division and 601 from Kashmir including at least 50 CRPF personnel.
Giving district-wise breakup of the cases, officials said that Srinagar reported 158, Baramulla 29, Kulgam 106, Shopian 109, Anantnag 33, Kupwara 32, Pulwama 56, Budgam 34, Bandipora 42, Ganderbal 2, Jammu 47, Kathua8
Rajouri 15, Udhampur 7, Ramban 20, Samba 5, Doda 4, Poonch 5, Kishtwar 2 and Reasi 4.

Moreover, 102 COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals—18 from Jammu division and 84 from the Valley.
A number of fresh cases were confirmed at SKIMS viral diagnostic laboratory and among the Anantnag cases include male (65) from Shangus, female (65) from Ali Muhalla, male (17) from Dehroon, male (38) from Nowgam Verinag, male (23) from Hillar, female (52) from Khanabal Anantnag.

The Kulgam cases include female (55) from Devsar Kulgam while the CRPF cases include male (42) from 110 Bn Crpf Lethpura Pulwama, eleven males (40, 52, 55, 41, 33, 35, 45, 32, 40, 36, 42) from Hq/ 130 Bn Crpf Awantipora Pulwama, male (38) from South Kashmir Ops Range Awantipora Pulwama, twelve males (38, 51, 23, 40, 37, 51, 53, 41, 29, 34, 31, 52) from 130 Bn Crpf Awantipora Pulwama, male (53) from C/130 Bn Crpf Awantipora Pulwama, male (49) from E/117 Crpf Jawahar Nagar Srg, male (42) from Hq/117 Crpf Jawahar Nagar Srg, twenty two males (49, 39, 37, 35, 38, 36, 33, 57, 56, 41, 30, 32, 33, 37, 30, 28, 34, 39, 44, 25, 24, 49) from 43 Bn Crpf DPL Budgam.

The Pulwama cases include male (43) from Chakoor Litter, male (56) from Tral Pulwama.
The Kupwara cases include male (40) from Tangdar Karnah, female (46) from Kupwara, female (30) from Wadera Bala, male (50) from Zaloora, male (59) from Handwara Kupwara.
The Bandipora cases include male (21) from Panzinara, female (40) from Gurez Bandipora.
The Srinagar cases include female (52) from Zoonimar, female (50) from Natipora, two males (35, 35) from HMT, male (40) from Zakura, male (48) from Buchpora, female (33) and male (37) from Hazratbal, male (45) from Habakadal, male (45) from Bahlopora, female (60) from Lawapora, two males (52, 50) from Khanyar, male (35) from Zakura, female (26) from Buchpora, two males (60, 19) from Khanyar, male (25) from Elahibagh, female (36) from Botakadal, two males (65, 37) from Ahmed Nagar, male (49) from Daresgkadal, male (37) from Rainawari, female (48) from Srinagar, male (70) from Peerbagh.

The Budgam cases include female (35) from Kanigam, male (62) from Ompora, male (70) from Magam, male (60) from Nagbal, male (65) from Chadoora while the Ganderbal cases include female (52) from Tulmula and Ramban cases include female (60) from Banihal. (GNS)

PTI

Srinagar: A woman has been injured in a ceasefire violation by the Pakistani side along the Line of Control (LoC) in Tangdhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the Army said on Thursday.

She was rushed to a hospital and her condition was stated to be stable, an Army official said.

“Pakistan army targeted civilian villages in forward areas along the LoC last night. It resulted in bullet injury to a woman of Hajitra village of Tangdhar sector (in Kupwara district),” he said.

The Army gave a befitting response to the Pakistani aggression, the official added.

PTI

Jammu: The Pakistan Army on Thursday opened fire and shelled forward areas along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said.

The Indian Army effectively retaliated.

“At about 1100 hours, Pak Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms & shelling with mortars along the LoC in Qasba sector of Poonch district”, a defence spokesman said.

This is the third day that Pakistani forces have violated the ceasefire along the LoC.

Pakistani troops had shelled areas along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Srinagar: With large gatherings being prohibited and social distancing rules in place to prevent deadly covid-19, people here in Muslim- majority Kashmir region will have a low key on Eid al-Adha this time. The Eid, is to fall on Aug 1.

Many of rituals and traditions were already disrupted due to the physical distancing norms and the lockdown.

During the lockdown, the people here have changed the way they observe their faith as places of worship have been closed to the public and social distancing rules have been in place.
Eid Al Adha is celebrated with Eid prayers, Qurbani and family gatherings and a feast.

But as large gatherings are prohibited and social distancing rules are still in place, Eid celebrations will look very different this time.

Ajaz Ahmad lives in HMT Srinagar with wife Afroza and their young daughter, Alisa usually, they spend Eid day with both of their families.

“Normally on Eid day, we go to the mosque for Eid prayers. Then we sacrifice animal and spend our time by visiting to our parents, and seeing other relatives before a big get-together at home. But on this EID, the family-of-three will stay at home and make it about Alisa,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

Animal sacrifice is the ritual killing of an animal in Islam. Every year on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, , an estimated three lakh fifty thousand animals are being used for the sacrificial ritual (Qurbani) in Kashmir, which approximately amounts to a whopping sum of Rs 3. 50 crore.

Usually the Eid celebrations are held in various gardens here in Srinagar, but due to coronavirus, these celebrations won’t be enjoyed this time.

On Eid day at famous Mugal Gardens and on the banks of Dal lake, the events attracts several people where a funfair is held alongside food vendors, family games, activities and more.
Shabir Ahmad of Bemina said: “Usually I go to Pratap park with my children to celebrate the Eid. This year I have told my kids that we won’t be able to celebrate like the way we used to. I don’t like it but we should listen to Government instructions to save lives. When we get back our normal lives we can celebrate, but now, we just have to wait,” (KINS)

No one enters Kashmir without screening, says

Srinagar: Authorities have collected samples of over 16,000 non-local labourers for COVID-19 testing at Qazigund toll post of which 130 have been tested positive for coronavirus so far.

Block Medical Officer (BMO) Qazigund Dr Zahoor Ahmad said they have collected samples of over 16,000 non-local labourers in the last 10 days who arrived in Kashmir.

“Fifty percent results have come so far of which 130 non-local labourers have been found positive for coronavirus,” Dr Zahoor told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

He claimed that health officials were doing proper screening of all labourers who are arriving in Kashmir.

“The labourers are put in quarantine in respective districts,” he said.

He however said the order related to collection of samples of non-local labourers in their work districts has not been implemented yet. “So far, samples of all non-local labourers are collected at Qazigund toll post,” he added.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole claimed no one is entering Kashmir without COVID-19 testing. “All labourers are being tested and also kept in quarantine. Show us (government) one non-local labourer who entered Kashmir without collecting his sample for testing,” Pole told KINS.

As per the guidelines issued by the Jammu and Kashmir government, all the passengers coming to J&K by train, air or road are supposed to remain under institutional quarantine for 14 days after being tested for coronavirus.

These labourers arriving in Kashmir however do not undergo any institutional quarantine. They are directly transported to brick kilns.

An official of the Labour Department said the non-local labourers are being brought to resume work on brick kilns. “We provide details about these labourers to the government,” he added.(KINS)